Black Lagoon Fan Fiction / Hellsing Fan Fiction / Gunsmith Cats Fan Fiction ❯ Night Angels ❯ A night at Arisugawa’s Locket, Pt. 1 ( Chapter 4 )

XXX

AUTHOR’S NOTE 1 – “Arisugawa’s Locket”, and the character usage thereof, is the creation of Shanejayell. I’m just borrowing the concept for this fic – which is going to be an INTERESTING one. Total guest character list (either appearing or just mentioned) will follow at the end of the fic. That said… ON WITH THE FIC!

AN ENGLISH COUNTRY ROAD, EARLY EVENING…

The road near London was dark, fairly deserted and clear of traffic – which was perfect for the car – a blue 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT-500 – as it powered down it. Inside, Irene “Rally” Vincent and Seras Victoria sat, with Rally driving and Seras studying a map in the darkness. Ordinarily, one would use a flashlight to read such a thing without the dome light on, but when you are two vampires, like the two women inside, then it can be done in the dark.

Rally had wore her usual leather jacket, jeans, boots and white turtleneck. But her master was not wearing her uniform, instead wearing low-cut denim jeans, matching leather dog-collar necklace and bracelets, and a bare-midriff black top with spaghetti straps that showed-off her impressive bustline. Rally would occasionally glance over and smile, marveling at the seductive beauty of her master Seras, but would soon find herself concentrating on her driving again. “So,” she finally said, “how long before we reach the target area?”

Seras studied the map again, then looked at her darkened surroundings. “Not for another twelve-or-so kilometers I would guess,” she answered. The Draculina glanced over to her fledgling and added, “Feeling a little distracted, Rally?”

“Other than that sexy outfit you’re wearing, not much, Master,” the dusky-skinned vampire quipped. “Still, I’ve got an odd feeling about this mission.” Rally paused before continuing, “Pip may be an idiot and a pervert, but he’s also a top-class soldier. To see him and a couple of the Wild Geese get clobbered the way they did…”

“I know,” Seras put in. “It’s all so… odd.” Her thoughts, as well as Rally’s, trailed back to the previous night…

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PREVIOUS, THE HELLSING MANSION…

Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing strode at a brisk pace towards the mansion’s medical dispensary, where she was greeted by Rally and Seras, who were also walking at the same pace. “We got the message from Alucard,” Rally began. “Do you know what the hell happened?”

“More than likely that Pip had botched the intelligence mission I sent him and a couple of his men on this morning,” the Hellsing leader snarled, grinding on the tip of her cigar. “Damn it all, it was only supposed to be a simple information gathering mission. How in the name of God did he get into this mess?”

“What are you talking about, Sir Integra?” the Draculina, dressed in her usual yellow miniskirt uniform, asked.

“Why don’t you ask Captain Bernadotte yourself when we get there,” was all Sir Integra said as she opened the double doors of the dispensary, followed by Rally and Seras. What the two vampires saw caused their jaws to drop.

Two of the Wild Geese were lying on cots, showing obvious signs of a severe battering – bruises and contusions were all over their bodies, while Walter C. Dolnez was currently bandaging Pip Bernadotte, who was in an equal condition. Off to the side, Alucard was leaning with his back against the wall, a big, evil smile on his face. “Well, nice of you to drop by, Sir Integra,” the No-Life King began. “And to think that tonight was going to be a boring night.”

“Later, Alucard. I am in no mood for your shenanigans right now,” Sir Integra growled. Standing in front of the somewhat-beaten Pip, she glowered at him and said in a low voice, “What in the world happened here? And do not try to beat around the bush, for I am thoroughly angry right now!”

“Honest, Mon commander,” the one-eyed Frenchman began, sounding a bit contrite, “we tried to get in but it was no use! Zat girl – zat HORRIBLE girl told us ‘No men allowed’!”

“Well did you even TRY to find an alternate means of an entrance, CAPTAIN?” the Hellsing leader continued, her voice gaining a further edge.

“Zat was ze FIRST THING we did!” Pip pleaded, “but somehow, all ze doors wouldn’t open – even when we tried to force zem open! The windows wouldn’t break either, don’t ask me how! So we had to into ze front door – and zat’s when we ran into – her!”

“My, my… now this IS amusing,” Alucard smirked. “The vanguard of the Hellsing Organization – the legendary Wild Geese and their leader – beaten-up by a little girl!” He chuckled at the thought, which only got a dirty look from Sir Integra.

“Believe me,” the commander of the Wild Geese continued, “we didn’t think much of ze ourselves – until we tried to force ourselves into ze place. And zen – she proceeded to attack us in, what I guess, as some form of martial art!” Pip slumped over as Walter continued to bandage him, “Mon dieu, eef I wasn’t so humiliated by ze experience, I would’ve hired zat red-haired girl on the spot!”

“Somehow, I doubt she would agree, Captain,” Walter said, finishing his job. “Sir Integra, I believe it would be useless to antagonize these men further. After all, they did do the job you ordered them to do to best of their abilities.”

It was a few seconds pausing before Sir Integra, who was counting to ten to center herself, spoke. “I guess you are right, Walter.” Looking at her butler, she added, “What are their conditions?”

“Well… other than a few bumps and bruises… and in Captain Bernadotte’s case several cracked ribs, I would say they will be quite well, given a few days rest that is,” the old butler replied.

“Very well. See to the rest of the men.” Sir Integra then turned to Rally and Seras, who were still agog from the whole spectacle, and said sharply, “You two – in my office – NOW!”

“Huh?” was Rally’s eloquent answer.

“But why, Sir Integra?” asked Seras, also equally stunned.

“I will explain as soon as you get there,” was all the Hellsing leader said as she left the dispensary.

“In retrospect, I should have expected something like this when I sent those men out,” Sir Integra sighed, sitting at her desk, another cigar aglow in her hand. In front of the desk, Rally and Seras stood, still a little confused about the night’s events. “When I got the first reports, I should have sent you two instead of Pip and his men. This whole debacle is partly my fault.”

“Sent us to where, Sir Integra?” Rally began. “And what the hell happened that got Pip and his men all beat-up like that?”

“Very well,” the Hellsing leader began. “About a week ago, thirty kilometers outside and north of London, an establishment appeared and opened for business. Since then, it has drawn a sizable clientele, mostly from the lesbian community in town.”

“Doesn’t seem very unusual,” Rally remarked, “although it’s a bit odd that the Hellsing Organization would have an interest in a lesbian pub.”

“I am afraid you do not fully understand the situation yet, Rally,” Sir Integra added. “The establishment did not simply open for business from an existing location – the building it is in suddenly appeared out of nowhere, no construction whatsoever.”

Now the attention of the two vampires was grabbed. “Out of nowhere?” gasped Seras. “Sir Integra, has anyone been harmed going to that pub?”

“That is the unusual part – other than Pip and his men, no one attending that bar has ever been altered or harmed in any way,” Sir Integra answered. “In fact, from what we have been able to gather, the establishment has been steadily having repeat business for the past week. And it is not only from the lesbian community, I might add. Quite a few bisexual women have been visiting the bar as well, not to mention on occasion several married women have been often seen visiting the pub for,” her dusky face blushed as she continued, “shall I say – discreet homosexual encounters.

“Needless to say, as long as no one is being harmed, I would normally let this thing pass without incident.” Then Sir Integra turned to her two agents and added, “However, the way this public house had manifested itself is a mystery I will not allow unanswered – not to mention the reasoning for my men being harmed! Therefore, I am sending you two to investigate this establishment. Your orders – find out more about this place and determine if, aside from the obvious moral implications, it is a danger to the Church and Crown!”

“Alright!” Rally exclaimed. “Well what are we waiting for – let’s go!” She then proceeded to the door, followed by Seras.

“Rally, Seras – wait!” Sir Integra called out.

“What are you talking about, Sir Integra?” Seras said, surprised. “We were only carrying out your orders! Why are you holding us back?”

“Because you will have to first cross the Thames River in order to head there, and it is currently high tide,” the Hellsing leader explained, “not to mention it is too late in the evening to proceed there. Therefore, it would be best to plan this out first.” Sir Integra then looked at a chart, “Now the tide will recede an hour before sunset tomorrow. Rally, you are sufficiently strong enough to withstand low sunlight, so you and Seras will set out for the establishment before sunset. Also, I suggest both of you dress accordingly; wear nothing that will identify you as members of the Hellsing Organization. And above all – no weapons! This is an intelligence gathering mission, not a combat situation! I do not want to hear of innocent citizens suffering any sort of injury if some misunderstanding occurred!”

“Okay, I get it, Integra,” Rally sighed, looking down to the floor and saying in a low voice, “Damn, I’m so not looking forward to going out in the sun. And going in that pub not armed – that REALLY sucks!”

“Oh I think I may have something that might perk-up your spirits, Rally,” Sir Integra said with a smile, reaching into a drawer of her desk. She then produced a small laminated card. “The paperwork finally came through this morning.”

Rally took a long look at the card Sir Integra had in her hand – then broke out in a great, big smile. “Integra – is – is that what I think it is?”

“Yes – this is your driver’s license, Rally,” Sir Integra answered. “It was not very easy, though. Because vampires do not photograph, we had to use and modify the picture from you old Illinois driver’s license, but I believe it is a sufficient likeness to yourself. Also, the registration to your Cobra, as well as the license plates, arrived as well.” She then looked at Rally, whose smile never faded. “I take it that you are pleased, Rally?”

“Oh you’re certain of that,” Rally said as she reached for the license, only to have Sir Integra move it from her grasp. “HEY!! WHAT GIVES, INTEGRA!?!?” she cried out in obvious alarm.

“I just wanted to add that, as well as the licensing, I am also paying for the car’s insurance as well,” Sir Integra smirked. “Rally, I have seen the way you drive… I beg of you… do not wreck the car.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful, that car’s my baby, now gimme the license, willya?” Rally pleaded. Pausing for a bit, Sir Integra finally acquiesced, handing the driver’s license to the dusky-skinned vampire. For a few second, Rally gazed at it, for which she started giggling, then raced out of the office, letting out a great cheer.

For a few seconds afterward, Seras and Sir Integra just stared at the door before turning to each other. “She is happy, I can see that,” the blonde vampire finally said, smiling.

“Indeed she is, Seras dear,” Sir Integra added, getting out of her chair and taking Seras into her arms. “Please, I beg of you – come back from this mission safely.”

“I will, Integra,” Seras replied, briefly returning the embrace. “So, shall we go to the motor pool and see how Rally is doing?”

“I think that is a good idea, Seras.”

Walter was walking down the corridors of the second floor, a letter in his hand, when he happened to see Rally sliding down the banister from the third floor and racing towards the first floor stairs. “Miss Vincent!” the old butler called out to the rapidly-running Rally. “You know you are not supposed to be running in the halls, no less sliding down the stairs!”

“I KNOW THAT WALTER, SORRY!!” Rally happily exclaimed as she began sliding down the stairs. “YAAAAHOOOO!!!!”

“But Miss Vincent…” Walter pleaded, holding the letter, only to have his pleas unanswered. “Now I wonder what she is excited about?” he asked himself.

“Isn’t it obvious, old friend?” Alucard said, appearing next to Walter. “After all these months, Rally Vincent finally has been given permission to drive her treasured car, which she’s been waiting to do since she arrived here.”

“Now that is a bit odd,” Walter mused. “Granted, I was excited myself when I obtained my first license, but never to the point of ignoring the rules of the house.”

“Oh I think that for once she can ignore those rules, Walter,” Sir Integra said, walking with Seras. “So, have the injured Wild Geese been tended to?”

“Indeed they have. Oh, this slipped my mind,” Walter showed the letter to his employer. “This came in the post this afternoon. Oddly, it is addressed to Miss Vincent, but she was in such a hurry I was unable to deliver it to her.”

“Let me do it, Walter,” Alucard offered, taking the letter from the butler’s hands. “Someone of your age shouldn’t be taking the stairs too often.”

“You should talk, you’re at least five hundred years older than me, Alucard,” Walter grumbled.

“Let it go, Walter,” Sir Integra laughed. “Go ahead, Alucard. Rally should be at the motor pool by now.”

Berttle, the Wild Geese member from Australia and in charge of the Hellsing Organization’s vehicles, was finishing affixing the English license plates to the Cobra when he heard Rally race into the motor pool. For a few seconds, the dusky-skinned vampire paused, staring at her prized car while trembling giddily, then let out a huge squeal before embracing the top of the car. “OH BABY,” she shrieked, happily stroking the top, “WE’RE FINALLY TOGETHER AGAIN!!! OH I’VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR THIS DAY, I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF!!!”

“Sounds like you’re having trouble containing yourself as it is right now,” Berttle said, startling Rally. “So love, the lady finally let you drive it?”

Rally was able to compose herself before saying, “Oh… yeah, Sir Integra gave me my license just now. Berttle, thank you for taking care of my car while I was waiting.”

“Oh no worries, love,” Berttle dismissed. “Me old man used to have a Mustang when I was young, but nothing as bonzer as this one.”

“Nice to know that,” Rally said as she looked around the car. Then she looked into the rear-view mirror… and frowned. “You know… I’m never going to get used to the fact of not seeing myself in a mirror.”

“You’ll get used to it, fledgling,” Alucard said, standing behind Rally and causing her to jump.

“EEEEPPP!!! ALUCARD, DON’T DO THAT, YOU KNOW I DON’T LIKE IT!!!”

“My apologies,” the No-Life King drolled, then handed the letter to Rally.

“What’s this?” Rally asked, looking at the letter.

“This arrived for you this afternoon, but because of the crisis we had earlier, Walter had forgotten to give it to you,” Alucard said. “They say it is the mind that is the first to go when you get older.”

Rally just looked sourly at Alucard and grumbled, “I don’t think Walter would appreciate you saying that.”

“Oh I say it to him all the time,” Alucard added, smiling evilly. Still giving the No-Life King a dirty look, Rally quickly examined the letter. It was addressed to her, but it had no return address. Curious, she opened the envelope and pulled-out the letter. She then began to read the letter – and a look of horror and dread came over her face.

Alucard said nothing, but walked away quietly while Berttle only scratched his head. But after a few seconds, Rally collapsed on all fours, the letter still in her hands. “Oh… no!” she gasped, still trembling. “How… how in the world am I going to explain… this?”

The evening and following afternoon went by uneventfully, and in the late afternoon, Rally and Seras prepared for the mission. The Draculina, following Sir Integra’s instructions, decided to forgo her usual uniform and dressed in a rather provocative manner. She had pulled-on the black top over her and began to strap-on the leather jewelry when she happened to look at Rally, who was sitting on the coffin/bed dressed in her normal outfit but without the Hellsing coat-of-arms affixed to the left sleeve and left breast. She still had the letter in her right hand. “Is there something wrong?” she asked.

“What? Oh… nothing, Master,” Rally said evasively, stuffing the letter in her right coat pocket. Finally taking notice of Seras’ manner-of-dress, she walked behind her and firmly groped both her breasts. “You know,” she purred, kissing her neck, “if we weren’t going on a mission right now, I would throw you on that bed, rip off those clothes and fuck you until you passed out.”

Seras gasped, feeling her nipples hardening under Rally’s hands. “Rally… please, you’re being WAY TOO FORWARD!!” She then started giggling and added, “Is that all you ever think about… cars, guns and shagging?”

“Believe me…” Rally said, her voice breaking, “I’d rather do you… than go out in the sun!” Rally’s mood again flip-flopped, her hands suddenly trembling. “Master… I’m scared!” she sobbed, bloody tears appearing on her face. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when I step outside, when that sunlight hits me…”

“Relax, Rally,” Seras reassured, releasing herself from Rally’s grasp and comforting her shaking fledgling. “There may be some discomfort at first, but you’ll survive the sun.” As she embraced a trembling Rally, the Draculina thought to herself, ‘Besides… I seem to sense that the sun is the least of your worries right now, my dear Rally.’

XXX

The time had came to begin the mission. Berttle brought the Cobra to the front of the mansion from the motor pool, where he gave the keys to Rally, who along with Seras, was situated in a shaded portion of the entrance. “It’s all yours, love,” the Australian said.

“Uh… you’re welcome, Berttle,” answered Rally, then as soon as he was out of earshot, she mumbled, “Great… he had to park it in the sun.”

“Just be brave, Rally,” Seras reassured, patting her shoulder.

Rally simply nodded, then taking a deep breath, took a few steps out of the shade… and staggered back, her eyes tightly closed. “AUUUGGGHH!!! TOO BRIGHT… CAN’T… SEE…”

“HOLD ON, RALLY!” Seras called-out, steadying her fledgling. Noticing that Walter had arrived with a pair of wrap-around sunglasses in his hand, she motioned him closer. Taking the sunglasses in her hands, the Draculina guided the glasses in Rally’s hands until she had them on. “There… now try again,” she said.

“Okay,” Rally managed to say. Even more gingerly, she inched her way out of the shade, her eyes still closed. As soon as she felt the sunlight on her skin, she slowly opened her eyes – and felt no ill effects. “Hmm… that’s better,” she said, “although I got to admit, these glasses are a little darker than I expected them to be.”

“That was because I realized that one day, you might be forced to go out into the sun,” Walter started. “Therefore, I had designed those glasses with the same tinted lenses often found on welder’s visors. My recommendation is that you wear those glasses until your eyes become accustomed to the sun.”

“I’ll do that… and thanks, Walter, you’re a real lifesaver,” replied the dusky-skinned vampire, smiling.

Walter then gave one of his small but meaningful smiles before replying, “I appreciate that. Now I suggest that you and your master get started on your mission. The tide should be receding by now. I will inform Sir Integra that you are on your way.”

“Yes Walter, you do that,” Seras repeated. Entering the car, the two vampires then started the car and went on their way.

The drive, as well as the crossing of the Thames, went about smoothly. Despite the Cobra’s configuration for American roads, Rally was able to adjust her usage of mirrors to compensate for the English roads. However, the two rarely talked until they left the city limits. “Excuse me Rally,” Seras began, “but I was wondering if you were feeling alright.”

“Uh… yeah, I’m fine,” Rally answered, almost evasively. “You were right about the sun, Master. Other than the light, everything’s alright.”

“I’m not so sure of that, Rally,” Seras countered. “You seem a bit tense about now.”

Rally laughed humorlessly. “Really, it’s fine,” she repeated, almost nervously.

“No it’s not! Something’s wrong, Rally,” Seras said peevishly. “Back at the mansion, you went from almost shagging my knickers off to crying like a girl sent to the school headmaster’s office! Now level with me… what IS wrong?”

“Master, please, I would like to concentrate on the mission!” the dusky-skinned vampire said, almost at the point of panic. “I’ll tell you later!”

“Rally Vincent,” Seras repeated, her voice building an edge, “either you tell me now what’s wrong with you, or I’ll find out by probing your mind!”

“MASTER… YOU WOULDN’T!?!?” Rally gasped, almost sideswiping a passing lorry.

“In a second! Look, I promised your friend May I would look after you and I’m not going to break that promise!” Seras firmly said. “Please… don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.”

Rally gulped, feeling cornered. “Okay Master, I’ll tell you, just let me pull over first.” She then pulled the Cobra to the left side shoulder and stopped the engine. She then slumped over the steering wheel, visibly shaking.

For about a minute, Rally rested on the steering wheel, struggling to compose herself. Finally leaning back on the seat, she looked over to Seras and said, “Listen… have I ever told you about… Misty Brown, Master?”

Seras thought for a second. “About once or twice, I think.” She looked at her fledgling and added, “An old girlfriend of yours?”

“Not really, but you might say that,” Rally muttered, laughing humorlessly. “Misty was an old case of mine, a young catburgler I helped out of trouble one time. Found out she had a crush on me, but we both didn’t really do anything about it.” Stretching a bit, she added, “For a while, Misty worked with me and May, mostly with the gunshop and chasing down bail jumpers… until Goldie returned one day. That bitch did some awful things to her, so much so she couldn’t face meeting her again. She left Chicago two weeks before the Hellsing Organization arrived in Chicago.”

“I see,” replied Seras, finally understanding what was happening. “So… why has this gotten you all wound-up all of a sudden?”

Rally then produced the letter she had in her pocked. “This,” she began. “Seems that Misty returned to Chicago two weeks ago when she heard that Goldie was dead. When she found out the shop was sold to Roy and I moved out, she looked Becky up and asked her where I was. She then gave her the address to the mansion and sent this letter. She’s coming to the mansion to visit tomorrow.”

“Does she know you’re a vampire now?” the blonde vampire asked, alarmed.

“She didn’t say. Master… I don’t know what I’m going to do! How in the world am I going to explain that, not to mention about the two of us?” Rally managed to choke out, finding a tissue to blot out a bloody tear.

“I don’t really know, Rally,” answered Rally. She then got her cellphone and added, “I’m going to have to contact Sir Integra about this. Maybe she might know of something. Now don’t fret, I’ll let her know that you’re feeling out-of-sorts about the whole thing!”

“I just hope she doesn’t pull us off the mission because of this,” sighed Rally, again leaning her head on the wheel. “This is one way to distract me from the whole thing… and I really want to find out about those that attacked Pip.”

“I’ll let her know we’re still go for the mission, Rally,” Seras reassured, patting Rally’s arm. “You just get yourself relaxed and we’ll be on our way again.”

“Thanks, Master,” Rally sighed, once again leaning back. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring this up sooner. I should’ve told you and Integra about this before we set out, but I was so out of it… I sort of froze up.”

“That you were,” Seras chuckled.

THE HELLSING MANSION, A FEW MINUTES LATER…

“Hmmm… I see,” Sir Integra mused, sitting at her desk while on the phone. “This is going to be very awkward, rest assured. Rally should have brought this little problem up sooner, Seras.” She then listened further, “No, I agree with Rally, the mission comes first. As soon as you are able, proceed ahead as planned. We will see if we can solve that problem on our end. Report when you have the information. Very well, proceed and may God watch over you.” She then hung-up the phone and leaned over her desk, hands rubbing her temples.

As if expecting something like this, Walter entered the office, toting a cart of tea and assorted sandwiches and pastries. “I take it that there is a slight problem?” the butler asked, poring a cup a tea and presenting it to Sir Integra.

The Hellsing leader took a deep breath before continuing. “Yes… it seems that Rally had neglected to mention that an old friend of hers, one Misty Brown, is coming over to visit in the morrow from Chicago.”

“Oh dear,” Walter said, offering sugar and milk. “I suppose she does not know that Miss Vincent is a vampire now.”

“The letter Rally received did not mention that fact, Walter,” Sir Integra continued. Sighing, she took the cup and added, “To be frank, I am not certain how in God’s name am I going to approach that fact.”

“Then perhaps I am the one to disclose that fact,” Alucard’s disembodied voice said. A startled Sir Integra and Walter soon witness the No-Life King walking through the office walls, his evil smirk on his face. “After all, Miss Brown does deserve to know the truth about Rally, does she?”

“Even if that is true, Alucard,” Sir Integra snarled, “I do not want to hear some story that you’ve terrorized that poor girl! Do I make myself clear?”

“Why of course, my master,” Alucard smirked. “You don’t have to worry a thing, I will be the perfect gentleman in this matter.”

Sir Integra placed her hands over her head and once again leaned upon the desk. “Then why in the world am I not impressed with what you have said?” she groaned.

PRESENT TIME…

For the most part, the drive to the objective was a rather uneventful one. Rally had managed to settle down long enough to drive steadily and without incident, while Seras maintained the course they were going. So it wasn’t long before the two had reached their objective… where they stood a good distance away from the building in question, their faces betraying a look of incredulous disbelief. “It’s amazing that the uptights around here hadn’t trashed this place yet, Master,” Rally muttered.

“It’s about as bloody subtle as a brick through a window, Rally,” Seras added.

The community the building was situated had house constructed mostly of brick and stonework. This building looked like a warehouse from some big city; constructed of corrugated steel that seemed to gleam as if brand-new. But the most outlandish feature of the place was the marquee of the building – one constructed of pink neon tubes that spelled out in an elegant script ‘Arisugawa’s Locket’. Below the script, a mechanical locket opened and closed repeatedly, the inside a picture of a pretty girl.

Rally simply scanned the building’s exterior, then her ‘third eye’ caught something. “Master, take a look at that!”

Seras concentrated on the feature her fledgling had pointed out. It was a small sign near the entrance. “There’s writing on it – but I can’t make out what it says.”

“It’s written in kanji – Japanese writing!” Rally added. “Just what in the hell is a building from Japan doing in England?”

“That’s what Sir Integra wanted to find out, Rally,” the Draculina said, “so I suggest we get ourselves inside.” Rally nodded, and the two proceeded to the entrance.

Briefly, the two hesitated near the entrance. Guarding the door was apparently the place’s bouncer – a busty girl with red hair which trailed into a long narrow braid, wearing what appeared to be Chinese clothing, but did not appear to be Chinese at all. Rally leaned over to Seras, “She must be the one who took on Pip and the others.”

“She looks so small,” Seras repeated, “but if she can handle someone like Pip, it’s best we do not cause trouble.” Rally nodded, then the two proceeded to the entrance.

The girl watching the entrance noticed the two approaching. “Good evening, ladies. How is your…” Her voice trailed off as her blue eyes went wide.

“Oh, we’re newcomers here,” Rally said. “Heard about the place and thought we’d check it out.”

“Yes,” Seras added, taking Rally’s hand. “A lot of the places here are a bit boring and maybe this might be a bit livelier.”

“Uh… yeah, have yourselves a good time, ladies,” the red-haired girl said, still looking at the two – or more specifically – Rally.

As soon as they entered the coat-check area, they were greeted by what appeared to by a young woman with short, light-brown hair and dressed in what appeared to be a Japanese school uniform. “Welcome to Arisugawa’s Locket, ladies. I hope you have a… good… time.” The girl seemed to be studying Rally’s face.

The two vampires said nothing, nodding as they entered. But when they were out of earshot, the girl looked at the bouncer at the entrance. “Ranma,” she said in a low voice, “did you see that other girl?”

The bouncer – Ramna Saotome – nodded. “That I did, Hitomi. You don’t suppose there’s going to be trouble, like yesterday – when those men tried to crash in?”

The other girl – Hitomi Kanzaki – just shook her head. “No, I don’t believe so – that wasn’t the impression I got when I saw that girl.” She then picked up a phone receiver near her station and added, “All the same, I had better contact Juri about it, just in case. If those two run into the others – especially the dark-haired one – she might be the one to prevent trouble before it starts.”

Of course once inside, Rally and Seras made a quick scan of the interior. At one end of the club – that seemed to be a better description of the place rather than ‘pub’ – there was a kareoke stage, which was quite busy. Also nearby the stage appeared what looked like a small library, and several of the books were actively being perused by some of the patrons. A quite sizable dance floor was in the center, and many of the women were dancing together.

However, the more interesting area of the club was the bar, which was being tended by the most unusual bartenders the two vampires had ever seen – they appeared to be twin sisters, with long and wild cyan-colored hair and golden eyes, and except for one of them that had identical crescent-shaped scars on her cheeks, it would be hard-pressed to try to tell the two of them apart. ‘So far Master, it doesn’t seem too unusual – except for those bartenders,’ Rally thought to Seras.

The Draculina nodded and added, ‘All the same, I think we should try to get settled-in and try to find out more on why this place is here.’ She saw a vacant table and pointed it out to Rally, ‘I think we should try to sit at that table there and catch up on what the other girls are saying.’

Rally nods in agreement, and the two of them migrate through the throng of women to the table Seras indicated. It was while they were doing this that Rally found herself bumped from behind. “Look, miss,” she grumbled, turning to face the offender, “you better watch were you’re going before… HOLY CRAP!!!”

“Rally,” Seras said, turning as well, “is there anything… STONE THE CROWS!?!?” The Draculina found herself wondering if her eyesight was playing tricks on her… for she discovered she was staring at TWO Rally Vincents, each staring at each other.

“Wha… what the devil are you?” the second Rally gasped. This one was obviously different the first – mainly because she had blue eyes rather than red.

“That’s what I was going to ask you,” the first Rally asked, still in shock from seeing her human double in front of her.

“Rally… is there something wrong?” another voice called out from behind the second Rally… and walked out in front of the other… a young, brown-haired girl with green eyes that bugged-out from seeing the first Rally. “Wha… what the…?” she gasped.

“MISTY!?!? WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!?! AND WHO IS… IS THAT!?!?” the first Rally growled, her red eyes starting to glow.

“Who am I?” the second Rally also growled. “I’m Rally Vincent, that’s who! And just who are you, for crying out loud?”

Seras wasn’t liking this situation one bit. Her fledgling was beginning to show the first signs of a berserker rage at seeing her double, which could end-up deadly in this crowded building. But before she could act, yet another voice called out, “Is there something wrong, ladies?”

Everyone turned around to face a rather beautiful woman with orange-red hair, wearing a business suit, walking up to the two. “Oh my,” she gasped, her green eyes widening.

The second Rally turned to the newcomer. “Juri, what the hell’s going on?” she demanded.

“Y-yes,” Misty whimpered, “that other Rally… she’s scaring us!”

The woman scanned the scene carefully, sighed and said, “Oh well… Washu did say I should expect this sort of thing one of these days. I really hate playing the peacemaker.” She then approached the two vampires and began with, “Ladies, I know this is rather… unusual… but I must ask both of you to refrain from any violence in my club!”

It took a while, but the glow in the first Rally’s eyes soon faded and she showed some signs of calm. “Okay, I’m calm,” she said, “now could you please explain how in the world there are TWO of me… and the other one’s still a human, Miss… uh… what’s you’re name?”

“Oh that… it’s Juri Arisugawa. I’m the owner of this bar.” Juri then looked at Seras. “So there is another of you… very fascinating.”

“What?” Seras gasped, clearly surprised. “You… you mean… you met another… me?”

“Look, I know you have a bunch of questions you both need answered,” Juri explained. “However, I suggest we sit down first before things get heated again.” She then mumbled to herself, “At least it’ll give me a chance to recharge before returning to Nakibi and her figures for the last month.”

“Sound sensible to me,” the second Rally said. “I’m about as mystified as everyone else.” Misty and the two vampires also nodded, with the first Rally looking nervously at the brown-haired girl.

“Good. So we’re in agreement then.” Juri then turned to the unscarred bartender, “Ryoko, could you do me a favor?”

“Yeah, boss,” Ryoko Hakubi answered, turning around. “What is it that you… whoa!!!” she yelped, seeing the two Rallys. “What is this, ‘Double-your-pleasure’ day or what?”

“I’ll explain later… I hope,” Juri sighed. “Right now, could you get me my usual… and two glasses of 0-negative for our guests?” She turned to the vampires and added, “My treat. At least it’ll help smooth things over.”

“Whatever you say,” the first Rally sighed. “I’m still wondering the last bag I drank was tainted or not.”

“The same here,” Seras added as she, the two Rallys, Misty and Juri settled down at a nearby table.

TO BE CONTINUED…

AUTHOR’S NOTE 2 – For your information, the extra Rally (with Misty) were featured in another of Shanejayell’s stories ‘One Shot’. All this time since the ‘Arisugawa’s Locket’ series started, I began to wonder what, in the unlikely chance, would happen if one character were to meet the other at the Locket. I just hope I got this right.

And don’t worry – the complete guest list will, like I said earlier, be posted, with creators and licensors, at the end.

So until part 2… LATER!

9/11/01
FDNY-NYPD-THE REAL HEROES












< br>