Crossover Fan Fiction / Bleach Fan Fiction / Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Aint Nothing But Magick (reverse) ❯ 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Title: Ain't Nothing But Magick (Reverse)

Author: J'dee, Mabelle, & Tobias

Rating: PG-13 some smoking and drinking refs…

Genre: Drama / Humor/ Action / Adventure / Romance

Author's Note: The original ANBM was a fic where 25 authors + were pulled in to the DBZ/GT world, the reverse is just that… a reverse where a select number of anime characters are yanked in to the real world, with not a true reason why, and no idea how to get back to their home…

 

Chapter 12

 

~*~*~*~

 

Saturday started off well enough for Tobias. He awoke at six, enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning. After putting on some clean clothes, he proceeded to wake Shinji for training. What followed was their usual two hour session, albeit much earlier in the morning. Shinji was making leaps and strides, proving his determination. Misato herself had come down as well to watch midway through, giving Shinji the encouragement and teasing, as was her custom. After training, Tobias showered in his bathroom, cleaning up for the day.

 

After checking in with Washu, he finished setting up the lawn furniture for the picnic party. It was around this time, about 9 o'clock or so, that the butcher called to say Tobias's order had arrived. Grabbing Shinji for the help, they headed out to gather the meat for the barbeque. Tobias had planned well, and he had damn near a whole cow's worth of steak, ribs, hotdogs, hamburger, and even sausage. He stopped by the grocers to pickup the ten party trays worth of side dishes he had ordered, everything from mac-n-cheese to salad. Easily enough to feed two hundred, this might be able to satisfy everyone, including those with inhuman appetites. Picking up enough bread, large cases of soda, and two kegs of beer, and paper utensils, Tobias knew he should theoretically have enough. The last was ice, and when they were finished, the car was defiantly sagging under the accumulated weight. It made for a slow drive back to the house, and by the time they got back it was near noon. The party started in two hours and Tobias immediately fired up his large brick grill. It was time to cook.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle managed to get to her feet before glaring at Grimmjow and then deciding to give up. Who was she kidding, in a staring match with Grimmjow she still didn't stand a chance.

“Could you please not sleep in the bed with me when I'm unconscious?” Belle asked and Grimmjow shrugged.

“Fine,” he grunted with a smile that Belle didn't like.

“Let me get you some food and then you go, I have a busy day,” Belle sighed and Grimmjow gave her a look.

“You don't have work today,” Grimmjow accused as he looked at the time and Belle smiled.

“No, I have a get together and I need to get dressed. I also need to make sure everyone else is ready,” Belle explained. Grimmjow shrugged again and Belle decided he really did look like a cat lying in her bed. For a moment Belle had a panic attack, where was her Grimmjow plushie, if Grimmjow saw that there would be hell to pay. Thankfully it must have still been in her closet since she'd moved here. Most of her dolls were hidden in the closet because while Belle was a woman, she was still a girl with a love of odd and unusual dolls, a plushie or two thrown in there. She headed out of her bedroom dressed in a long t-shirt with some silly phrase on the chest.

 

~*~*~*~

 

The faint whisper of a dream was still on her mind as J'dee awoke in the morning, she looked at her clock Zack only a few minutes ago just woken her up. J'dee let out a breath rolling over in her bed on to her stomach.

She had dreamed she was Aerith, her hand moved to the pillow and she clutched at it. She had dreamed of Cloud, he had been asking her where she was, according to Rufus the life stream was in the middle of disruption and ShinRA had noted the disturbance reported it to WRO. Cloud had returned to the Church in the slums seeking answers within the holy water.

She had found herself standing there as he had walked up the isle behind her. She could still hear his voice in the back of her sleepy mind.

`What are we fighting here?' Were the words that he had asked her like she was supposed to know what was going on in their world beyond what she knew from the games, movie and one off OVA.

`Demons after power.' Was all she had told him, it was all she knew.

Cloud had walked past her to the water's edge looking in to the water. `Is Zack okay?'

`He's fine… He's protecting me again.'

`That's good… tell him I'm worried… this world is starting to fall apart again, monsters are moving in from the forests in to cities attacking the people. I can't be everywhere at once fighting them all… Even the Turks are struggling to keep this world safe. It's like this world is preparing for something…'

`It is… Just remember don't blame yourself for what's about to happen…'

Cloud had turned to look at her. `What's about to happen?'

`Destruction.' She had replied before being woken up by Zack knocking on her window calling out to her say Belle signed for a package for her from New-Zealand from her mother.

 

J'dee moved from bed pulling on her kimono robe and slipping in to her martial arts geta she walked in to the lounge and stopped seeing the package on the table.

She blinked for a moment tiredly she was sure she could make out the faint outline of a young teenage girl sitting at the table. Warm brown eyes turned her and smiled.

“Morning mom.” She greeted cheerfully.

J'dee blinked again. “Morning…” She moved up to the table and touched the package looking at the girl she knew that girl, boy did she know her, dressed and ready for school.

“Tohru…” J'dee whispered.

She looked at her and smiled. “What's wrong mom… you look sad.”

“I'm fine… just… take care okay.” J'dee whispered and she picked up the package.

The door burst open and J'dee looked up quickly to Renji looking round. “Oiy Hisagi who's on watch to lunch time?”

J'dee looked to the chair seeing it empty and she clutched at the package blinking.

“Did you forget the barbeque is today? We're all going.” Hisagi remarked from on the balcony.

J'dee clutched the package before scurrying quickly in to her room.

She put the package down and looked at the box swallowing.

“What just happened there?” J'dee whispered. She shook her head. “Don't think on it open your package and pray its chocolate that solves everything.”

 

Zack lent on the balcony looking behind at the open curtains of J'dee's room, she wandered round her room going through some more stuff her mother had sent over from New-Zealand and he heard her squeal in excitement as she pulled out something in pink package and she hugged it happily before opening the box more and letting out another cry of excitement pulling out a large 2.25 liter bottle a brown plastic bottle.

 

Zack shook his head, she was so different to Aerith except in appearance he was sure it was her save for the lighter hair color the copper tint to her auburn hair.

He walked up to the door and pulled it open looking at her.

“What did you get?” He lent on the sliding door.

She held up the two items happily. “Cadbury pinky no where else has them! I missed this chocolate soooo much.”

 

Zack laughed. “Chocolate go figure.”

J'dee shot him a look. “Don't ever insult a woman about her love for chocolate from her home country.” She warned.

Zack motioned at the bottle. “Beer?”

“Oh hell no. This, my friend is L & P also known as Lemon and Paeroa. The best drink ever especially with vodka!” J'dee announced.

Zack smiled at least she was happy and she wasn't in harms way at that moment. She was living her normal life like she wanted to with the exception of a few extra visitors.

“Alcohol, no wonder you get along well with Gojyo.” Zack chuckled. “I swear what Belle said was true. If Gojyo was dead his soul would be part of the collection you're gathering.”

J'dee let out a breath. “Oh shush you. Do you see me coming back in the early hours of the morning after a midnight conquest. I think not.”

“And what was Havoc?” Zack joked.

J'dee stuck her tongue out at him and he watched her run in to the lounge happily. He followed her seeing her shove her goodies in to the fridge with big bold letters `Do not touch J'dee's that means you Goku!'

Zack laughed. She was entertaining at least.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Whistling a merry tune as he stood in front of the blazing grill, Tobias liberally slathered BBQ sauce on the ribs before turning them over to do the same. Setting the tongs aside, he moved down a bit and picked up his spatula, flipping burgers and turning hot dogs and sausage.

 

“I wondered why you built something so big.” Gene said from behind him. Turning around, Tobias saw the entire Outlaw Star crew there. He grinned noticing they were all wearing summer attire, much to Suzuka's displeasure.

 

“Comes in handy when I throw a shin-dig.” Tobias replied evenly. He checked his watch and was surprised to see it was only one. “You guys are early.”

 

“Yeah, well, since we live next door Mel here wanted to make sure we helped out.” Gene said, his arm slung around said woman. Melfina just rolled her eyes.

 

“In that case you can help putting out the food. I think Shinji is inside setting up my Rock Band video game, and if I'm hearing correctly, Misato & Washu are arguing over what CDs to put into my stereo system. I bought a volley ball set and I have a horse shoe set with spikes in the garage. Mind setting them up?” Tobias said, shaking his head, as said argument began to get heated. Jim shot him a thumb up and nodded. Tobias put his grill spatula on the grill stand and snatched the clean on he had set aside. He saw Aisha slinking over towards the grill as the others broke up to help out where they could. He smacked Aisha's hand as it snaked to the tray with cooked food keeping warm in the heat of the grill next to it.

 

“No touchy until everyone gets here!”

 

“Aw!”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“I don't care what you want, you guys are getting in a car and shutting up,” Belle stated as she stood next to her car and the transformed Hakuryuu. “You shinigami should be able to run fast enough to keep up, but you need to keep out of sight otherwise we're making two trips to drive everyone. I can fit six passengers if two ride in someone else's lap. I'm thinking Goku and Ed go with me while Alphonse goes with you Hakkai.”

“But we'll be packed like sardines,” Abel whined and Belle rolled her eyes.

“I volunteer my lap in Hakuryuu,” Gojyo said leaning over J'dee. Belle had purposely taken Goku so J'dee could have some private time stuck in a jeep with Gojyo and Zack.

“I suppose we could have Alphonse, Zack, and Gojyo in the back with J'dee in Gojyo's lap,” Hakkai surmised and Belle smiled at the demon slayer who gave her a playful wink. Oooo it was so nice to have a conspirator, Hakkai was a good friend to Gojyo, Belle thought she might not be the best of friends with the way J'dee was looking between Zack and Gojyo.

“I don't like separating me and Al,” Ed stated and Belle walked over to him and did her best innocent smile.

“Edward, my car is just too small, the jeep doesn't have a wall or ceiling so Alphonse won't be cramped. Also, I'd rather not have holes poked into my car's upholstery,” Belle gave him her baby blues and Belle felt somewhat guilty as Ed's eyes softened and she couldn't help the hug she gave him. Belle felt really guilty as Ed squeezed her tight before looking at her car.

“Alright,” he said.

“Okay, Hugue, Tres, Abel, and Havel take your seats. Abel you and Tres get a teenager,” Belle stated as she stood between Goku and Edward.

“What? Why me?” Abel cried and Belle laughed.

“Havel's stuck in the middle and Hugue is….scary,” Belle stated and Hugue gave her a look. “You are very intimidating.” He nodded before taking shotgun.

“We'll meet you guys there!” Yachiru called.

“No you're not, you're following us or you'll get lost,” Belle sighed and the shinigami looked at her. “Oh come on, you know Yachiu and Kenpachi will take point and when they do you'll end up in China before you reach Toby's house.”

“She has a point, Captain,” Yumichika stated and Kenpachi huffed but didn't deny it.

“Phooey!” Yachiru pouted before making a face at Belle.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee felt her face flushing the whole trip while seated on Gojyo's lap, she glanced at Zack who seemed to be looking out at the view as they passed it by.

“You think the Colonel's on his way there?” Zack asked.

Alphonse blinked for a moment. “The Colonel?”

“Yeah we sorted out an arrangement last night. They're going to help up.” Zack replied.

Hakkai smiled as he drove. “Well that's certainly good new for Miss J'dee and Miss Belle.”

“Tch.” Sanzo scoffed. “Who cares.”

Gojyo looked up at J'dee. “What happened last night honey?”

 

Zack saw Hakkai glance at him in the rear vision mirror. “Zack?”

“Roy used Jean to lure J'dee out, on the way home he attacked her.” Zack explained.

Alphonse turned to J'dee. “He didn't hurt you did he?”

“No.” J'dee shook her head and swallowed.

Zack looked at her he knew she wanted to keep Kougaiji a secret but given that he had helped them and was putting a temporary truce in to his feud with Sanzo till they got back it was better that they knew not to attack Kougaiji net time he showed up.

“Kougaiji saved her.”

“WHAT?!” Sanzo turned round in his seat glaring at J'dee.

J'dee shrunk in to Gojyo's lap and the red head put his arms around her.

“Who's Jean?” Hakkai asked.

“Second Lieutenant Havoc.” Alphonse replied. “He works under the Colonel.”

Zack saw Gojyo look at J'dee. “He's the one you met in the minimart isn't he?”

J'dee let out a breath. “Yeah I swear I didn't know when I gave him my number though honest!”

Hakkai just chuckled. “It's okay miss J'dee so long as he has good intentions towards you I'm sure everything will be forgotten and we can work together to solve this.”

“Good intentions.” Zack looked at J'dee with a teasing look.

“Oh shut up!” She grumbled before turning her head.

“I do believe this is Mr. Toby's place.” Hakkai remarked seeing Belle ahead puling in to a drive way.

“He better have laid off the pork or I'm going to hurt him.” J'dee mumbled. “I'm bloody starving.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“I hate that apron.” J'dee pointed out. Tobias glanced down at his grilling apron, which read, Not eating meat is a choice, eating meat is an instinct!

 

“Don't like Dennis Leary do you?” Tobias teased, knowing full well why J'dee hated the apron.

 

“Toby…” J'dee warned. Tobias laughed and gently took his friend by the arm and set her down at the picnic table with half the sides on it.

 

“I remembered.” He said, and gestured to the table that was filled with salads of all kinds, but nothing with meat. She looked them over before giving him a nod of approval. Laughing to himself, Tobias went back to the grill to put out the first trays.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle looked at the spread before grabbing Ed and Goku before they rushed the sweets.

“At least two vegetable containing dishes boys,” Belle ordered and the two gave her a horrified look. “You're in the age when boys have their secondary growth spurt; it's only going to ensure you have underdeveloped bodies if you don't eat healthy.”

“Fine,” Ed pouted but there was something happy about his face and Belle felt good. She stroked Ed's hair before kissing his forehead and smiling. The boys ran at the food and she watched them happily.

“You look content,” a voice said and Belle jumped before looking at Hugue behind her.

“See that's why you're intimidating,” Belle stated as she looked at the men as they amassed on the food.
“Oh Hugue, you're going to give poor Miss Belle a heart attack,” Abel said and Belle laughed.

“I'm just Belle, you guys were going to kill me, I think our relationship is close enough not to need a title,” Belle said with a smile. “Of course I still think I should be calling you guys `Father'.”

Belle began picking out food, she couldn't resist the grilled hot dogs and the pasta salad. She decided on baked beans and some rice. She topped it off with a glass of beer and she sat down. Unsurprising, Alphonse, Goku, and Edward were quick to join her and she smiled as Abel, Hugue, Renji, Yumichika, Ikkaku, Kira, and Hisagi joined her and the boys.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee was surprised Toby had remembered her being a vegetarian from all those years ago. She smiled. But truth be told, she could eat some meat but not all. She couldn't touch bacon, she couldn't eat fish, she only ate steak on occasion and it had to be Medium Rare for her iron levels. So for safety she stuck to the lamb and chicken with some vegetables.

She sat at the table and looked at Zack sitting opposite her going over some files to fill Roy in when he arrived and she let out a breath.

“Zack… you need to eat something.” She spoke up and moved her hand to touch his lightly.

He looked up for a moment. “I'm sorry… it's just… I almost failed in protecting you last night, if it wasn't for Kougaiji-”

She smiled. “You did okay. I'm alive and I'm fine. Don't turn in to a Cloud on me okay? I like the fun loving you.”

“You're all together in one location. An attack could happen-” J'dee's hand slammed over Zack's mouth.

“We have you, Sanzo and his crew, shinigami, the outlaw star group, the AX, Washu, Misato and hell when Roy arrives more military. Relax.” J'dee looked at him.

 

Gojyo looked over watching J'dee and Zack. “Man I know something happened between them last night. What the hell has he got that I don't?”

“A giant sword?” Goku offered.

Gojyo raised a brow. “Hey I got a big weapon too.”

“Don't want to know.” Hakkai smiled as he sipped his tea.

“Tch I'm surrounded by idiots.” Sanzo huffed.

 

Zack let out a breath and he looked at J'dee. “Am I really turning in to Cloud?” He asked.

“No.” She smiled. “But he's worried. I think their world is starting to feel the effects of what's going on.” J'dee looked at him.

Zack blinked. “You spoke to Cloud…”

“It's called astral I didn't technically jump worlds to say `hey how you going?' Or anything weird that could give away Aerith… is… not in.”

Zack let out a sigh. “I guess I better eat something before Goku and Ed devour it all.”

“Growing boys Zack, growing boys.” J'dee smiled at him.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Sit, Toby, and eat!” Belle scolded as Tobias flipped the second (and last) rack of ribs to slather the other side.

 

“Cook eats last after everything is done.” Tobias called back to her. He checked the last of the steaks, burgers, and dogs. They looked done, and he scooped them up onto a serving tray before bringing it to the meat table. Setting it down, he grabbed the empty rib tray to grab the last bit. Heading back to the grill he missed the volley ball shooting towards him as it got away from Jim and Shinji as they played with Melfina and Misato.

 

“Toby!” Misato called in warning, too late. The ball hit him in the face, and Tobias felt pain explode in his face. Eyes watering, he dropped the empty rib tray to grab his now bleeding nose. He stepped on it as staggered, shooting forward as his feet now gave out. As he fell forward, he thrust his hands out, his eyes still watered with pain, not realizing how close to the grill he was. His left arm up to elbow thrust into the burning and red hot coals.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Toby!” Belle cried, jumping up from her seat and looked at him. Toby's arm was literally in the fire, up to his elbow. Belle's mind rushed through her first aid training. “Edward grab that hose and turn it on!” Edward rushed off and Belle rushed to Toby's side as he yanked his arm out of the flames. It was so slow and burns could do so much damage. Belle grabbed a nearby towel and quickly wrapped it around his arm to smother any lingering flames.

“Toby!” J'dee hissed as she came over and Toby sort of stared at his arm in shock. Belle wasn't sure if shock could set in so quickly, but she was relatively certain that it took a little more than the few seconds that Toby's arm was in the fire. Belle pulled away the towel and then just stared.

“What is it?” Toby asked as he saw Belle's expression. Even though there was nothing physically wrong with his arm, Belle could feel the heat of his skin. As she remember her first aid again it just didn't make sense.

“I've got the hose,” Ed said and Belle shook her head.

“There's no damage,” Belle whispered as she stepped back and Washu practically body checked J'dee out of the way.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee raised a brow looking at Washu as she checked Toby over.

Raising a brow she glanced over her shoulder at Zack who had a frown on his face, she knew a concerned look when she saw one.

 

Shaking her head she had picked up the change in the energy round Toby. But remaining quiet she took a sip from her bottled water instead silently wishing she had grabbed the vodka bottle instead.

`What's this change I'm picking up, are those shadow guys around here somewhere?' She thought checking the area.

But it was well guarded, granted everyone was looking and watching Toby because of the accident, there was no change to the surrounding area.

“Miss J'dee you're having a vey familiar look on your face.” Hakkai whispered stepping up to her.

“It's nothing Hakkai.” J'dee remarked.

Hakkai just smiled. “You're noticing something I can tell, Sanzo gets the same look on his face.”

“It's just I thought I was accident prone. But that is a true cluster fuck moment.” She murmured taking another sip of water from the bottle.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“This isn't possible.” Tobias mumbled as Washu gently examined his arm.

 

“Maybe so, but you're fine.” She declared. His arm was fine. Besides a very slight reddening of his skin, not even his arm hair was burned off. The only evidence that his arm had been in a roaring fire was his destroyed watch, which barely clung to his wrist.

 

“Did one of you do something?” Belle asked, and got shaking heads and no's form the assemble groups.

 

“I must not have put my arm in then.” Tobias said, trying to rationalize it.

 

“Toby, your watch is damn near melted, and I saw your arm go it. You even held it there for a moment until you realized it was in there before yanking it out!” Zack snapped.

 

“I can even feel the heat coming from your arm as I look it over. It's like an electric burner after it's been heated.” Washu said. Tobias yanked his arm way and crossed his arms, scowling at them.

 

“Oh to hell with it.” J'dee said. Before anyone could stop her she upturned her bottle of water on his arms. Sputtering in protest, Tobias tried to stop her but stopped as everyone watched steam rise from his left arm as the water cooled it.

 

“Well shit.” Tobias muttered.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle shook her head as she looked at Toby's arm. It didn't make sense and Belle rubbed her head, there should have been some damage to his arm, but it was like he was made out of metal or something.

“So what should we do now?” Ed asked and Belle got a mischievous smile as she looked at the men around her.

“I know, how about a game of horseshoes?” Belle suggested. “I suggest Tres versus Sanzo!” Sanzo and Tres both looked at Belle for a moment.

“Oh my, that's horribly unfair, Belle,” Abel said and Sanzo shot Abel a look. Belle felt she should have had a pair of devil horns over this idea.

“Why's that?” Sanzo growled and Abel smiled.

“Well Tres is one of the best shots ever,” Abel said and Sanzo practically snarled.

“Is that so?” Sanzo snapped.

“My success rate is over 99%,” Tres stated and Belle wanted to laugh evilly, instead she winked at Hakkai and Gojyo before putting a finger to her lips to Edward, Goku, and Alphonse.

“Then it's a plan, Tres versus Sanzo in horseshoes,” Belle said as they walked over to the horseshoe set up and watched.

“You do realize that Sanzo doesn't know Tres is a robot,” J'dee stated and Belle blinked innocently, crossing her left arm under her breasts and tapping a finger against her cheek near her lips.

“Oh dear, I do believe that skipped my mind,” Belle said doing her best wide eye look.

“I like you,” Gojyo grinned as he wrapped an arm around each woman's shoulders.

“As my idol Mae West said `When I'm good, I'm very, very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better,'” Belle winked and Hakkai chuckled as well as Ikkaku and Yumichika who were approaching to watch the humorous horseshoe game.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee sat near the pool cross legged pulling out her silver PSP and opting to play a new game she picked up from work the other day. Discounted games at its best, she was waiting for the PSP release of little big planet, but this would have to do as she made a lame attempt to play 300.

“What ya doing?” Goku asked.

“I'm playing a game watching ripped topless men defeat Persian invaders what does it look like?” J'dee replied.

Goku blinked. “Ew…”

“I'm a woman I have needs. Namely eye candy.” J'dee replied.

Goku wandered off probably to go annoy Ed for a bit and J'dee let out a breath before looking up she saw Zack flipping through the files again as if this simple yet cluster like accident had him more worried than normal.

`Damnit Zack maybe I shouldn't have said you were like Cloud this morning.' She thought to herself and looked down at the game as she died.

It didn't bother her too much, as one of her current eye candy men sat down next to her.

Glancing up she looked at the pervert.

“Gojyo…”

“You worry too much. The guy's okay isn't he?”

J'dee let out a breath. “I hate things hot, water, barbeques… I mentally go in to a panic.” She mumbled.

“Your old man huh?” He asked.

J'dee nodded. “Yeah. Some of the things we grew up enduring.”

“He ruined you from becoming a perfectly good woman honey.” Gojyo looked up slipping a cigarette in his mouth lighting it before offering her a smoke.

J'dee took the cigarette, nodding a silent thanks.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Eating off by himself, Tobias watched the others mill about. No one seemed to want to go near the volley ball net after what happened before. Sighing, Tobias finished his burger, and got up to refill his cup from the keg. Everyone kept shooting him glances and it was driving him nuts. All he wanted was for everyone to get together and have fun. But nope, he had to supposedly stick his hand into the grill and not get burned. Then Zack was moping around and acting like they shouldn't even be doing this. He was almost constantly pissing and moaning about making plans and what not.

 

`Give me a fucking break. Does that guy EVER fucking relax?' Tobias thought, as he pumped the keg.

 

“You look happy.” Misato said, her voice dripping sarcasm. He snorted, as he filled his cup. He looked at her and gestured with the nozzle. She held out her own cup and Tobias filled it up.

 

“Everyone's so God damn serious. This party was meant to be something fun and let everyone lighten up. Now because I fall everyone is freaking out.” Tobias snapped. Misato looked thoughtfully at him and took a chug of her own beer.

 

“You can't really force it, Toby.” She mused, glancing at Shinji who was watching them. “Everyone is concerned about these people coming after you three. You guys are the souls of people in our worlds. You matter to them.”

 

“Not you guys though.” Tobias said, taking a drink. “Your world and Washu's don't know someone like me though.”

 

“True but we might have met you in passing. For I know you could have been a tech in mine that got killed during an angel attack.” Misato replied. “As for Washu she's a goddess. Who knows when or where she might have met you.”

 

“Point taken.” Tobias grumbled. Finishing off his beer, he watched the others, missing Misato's thoughtful expression turn mischievous.

 

“I know what to do!” She cried and grabbed him by arm, dragging him toward the barn.

 

“Wha-”

 

“HEY EVERYONE! Come see Tobias's mech!”

 

“M-Misato, wait! If Belle or J'dee saw the news of my joyride I'm doomed!”

 

“Oh relax! They would have said something already if they had!”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle followed Misato and the others of Toby's group to the tiny barn. She blinked as they entered and Belle's eyes got wide.

“Oh, I so think we need Washu to help us with our apartment,” Belle muttered. “We could house everyone there and each have our own room and bathroom.” The hanger was huge and then Belle saw the giant mech. It was then that she remembered exactly where she had seen that giant piece of technology. Evil plans of revenge began to brew in her head as she stared at the machine.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Oooooooh, big giant stomping robot… can I get one?” J'dee asked.

Zack looked at her. “I'd rather you didn't.”

“What why?” J'dee asked. “I'd be a great pilot!”

“You did mention you're afraid of heights.” Hakkai pointed out.

J'dee raised a brow. “Well that doesn't stop me from wanting one.”

“And what would you do with it?” Gojyo asked.

“Sex in the cock pit several hundred meters above ground!” J'dee announced.

She was promptly fan pwned by Sanzo and grabbed her head.

“You spend one more night with the kappa and I swear!” He growled.

“Ooooh baby…” Gojyo purred. “I like where this is heading.”

“I was joking.” J'dee remarked with flat eyes still rubbing her head.

Zack looked up at the robot. “It's impressive that's for sure. ShinRA doesn't have this technology… I'd worry if they did though… So what do you call it?”

“Jehuty.” Toby replied.

J'dee scratched her head. “Never heard of it.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Jehuty huh? So what else have you done with it, besides putting our military on alert, huh?” Belle demanded, as Tobias paled. He glanced over at Misato who stood with Shinji and some of the others as they examined the half complete test plug for Shinji's training.

 

“You know about that, then?” Tobias said, trying to stall. Both Belle and J'dee scowled at him.

 

“You were on the news!”

 

“Yeah, see about that…”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Oh no, buddy,” Belle said, jabbing a finger into the meat of Toby's pectoral muscle where jabbing would sting the most. “You cannot explain away your immature and completely moronic joy ride. How could you be so completely stupid?”

“I mean really could you have resisted?” Toby said and Belle gave him a look.

“Oh please, look at J'dee, she has a plethora of bishies she could have her way with but she's not touched a one, she has self control,” Belle stated smiling at J'dee. J'dee had been surprisingly good and Belle really was proud of her friend. “You did the dumbest thing I've ever seen. It's not just that someone could have seen you, you moron, it's that you could have been killed if someone tried to shoot you down.”

“That wouldn't have happ…” Toby started and Belle jabbed him again. “Stop that!”

“No! Is it that hard to think `hmmmm if I do this what are the pros and cons?' I mean really, you're like a child!” Belle cried as she stared at the machine. “All because you had to have a joyride. I mean really Edward has more self control than you.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“I'm disappointed that you didn't think first Toby. You know I love mecha anime as well, hell I love talking Mecha anime with Jack at work but shouldn't you consider your life and the lives of those who care and worry about you.” J'dee looked at Toby her face serious for a moment. A very rare moment indeed. “I've already lost one best friend and suffered more loss than I'd like to in the past year, last thing I want is my best friends here dying around me. I don't want that.” She shook her head.

Toby looked at her and let out a sigh. “I'm not-”

“I know none of us plan on dying.” J'dee interrupted. “It's the last thing we want. But we have to take in to consideration that life is short extremely delicate and the last thing I want to do is die or loose another friend.” Her fist clenched at her side. “I don't want to be hearing your voice after death like I do the others. That's the part that really hurts the most.” She slapped him over the back of the head.

“Hey ow!”

“At least just think next time.” She shot him a look. “No suicide missions or so help me I'll sick some very nasty spooks on to you. Goddess protected or not.”

“J-chan.” He whispered.

She let out a breath sticking a cigarette in to her mouth and lighting the end of it. “I promised her I would live, but that doesn't mean I won't die somewhere inside if something happened to you or Belle.”

“I'm sorry.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Well don't do it again!” Belle scolded. Tobias laughed sheepishly.

 

“I'll try not to.” He promised. J'dee shot him a look.

 

“We're in this together Toby. We need to rely on each other more, okay? Talk to us before you do something like this again okay?” She asked. Tobias turned back to peer up at Jehuty.

 

“Okay.” He said, even though he had already lied.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Take us up there.” J'dee motioned.

“What?” Toby blinked.

“It's A.I right? It can understand us no?” J'dee asked.

Toby looked up before nodding. “Sure… but why?”

“Well I love sci-fi mecha and tech as much as the next geek. When am I going to get to the chance to see and talk to something like this again, epically when Zack plans on probably locking me in my bedroom tonight.”

“Hey I wasn't-” Zack began.

“Oooh lock me in with her!” Gojyo grinned.

Sanzo promptly hit Gojyo with the fan. “Stop that!”

J'dee looked at Toby. “Well…”

“Okay… c'mon then.” Toby motioned and led the way.

 

Gojyo raised a brow at the robot poking the screen of the computer. “Does she feel that?”

Toby let out a sigh.

“Hey ADA is it?” J'dee asked.

“I am ADA.” The voice spoke.

“Sweet. Tell me you've got to have some kind of cloaking device right?” J'dee asked.

“Affirmative…”

“Well… what the hell happened how did Toby get busted by the media and the military?”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle snickered as the robot basically told on how Toby didn't know the clocking device wasn't on. She looked at the machine before deciding to ruin Toby's life more.

“J'dee, cover Toby's mouth and don't let him talk,” Belle stated and J'dee grinned as she dove on Toby, covering his mouth with both her hands. “ADA, I have an order for you to follow as long as Toby is trying to fly you to ensure your safety.”

“Please enter command,” ADA's voice stated and Belle smiled as Toby and J'dee wrestled, J'dee winning.

“Question every command Toby gives you as well as recommending all safety procedures at least twice,” Belle stated with a grin as she looked at Toby. “Do you understand this command?”

“Command understood and enabled,” ADA's voice stated and Belle grinned.

“Remember ADA, as long as Toby is trying to fly you,” Belle said before turning away and snapping her fingers. “Heel J'dee.”
“Hey! I'm not your dog!” J'dee cried in mock insult and Belle couldn't help her evil Roy Mustang smile.

“Nope, you're my bitch,” Belle stated as she walked down the steps.

“Oh, that was a good line,” Gojyo said and Belle blushed before looking at Edward, Goku, and Alphonse.

“Sorry guys, I couldn't resist a set up like that,” Belle said.

“That was wrong,” Alphonse whimpered.

“I guess I need to get you guys' dessert to get over the trauma,” Belle sighed and the teens cheered before rushing out.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Everybody into the pool!” Tobias shouted as they got back to the house. Grabbing Misato by the waist, he hoisted her over his shoulder, and headed for the porch.

 

“Toby, don't you dare!” She shrieked. Tobias ran for the pool and jumped, dunking them both in.

 

“Ah ha! I am the master!” Tobias shouted as they surfaced, raising his arms in triumph. Misato growled and dunked him under as the others headed inside to change into their swimsuits. Misato clambered out as Toby stripped off his shirt and apron in the pool, tossing his sodden socks and sneakers onto the porch as well.

 

“Good thing about being a guy, we can wear our swim trunks like shorts.” Tobias confided to Shinji who was watching amused.

 

“I didn't wear mine. I don't know how to swim.” Shinji informed him. Tobias slapped his forehead.

 

“I forgot Shin-man, my bad. Want me to teach you how?” Tobias asked, and Shinji hesitated.

 

“I promise, no horseplay until you get it down pat. With you immersed in LCL, it might come in handy. Remember the 11th?” Tobias reminded him. Shinji nodded, remembering them trapped in their test plugs. Nodding to Tobias, Shinji went inside to change as some of the others came out.

 

“You're going to get it now!” Misato declared, stamping her foot on the porch and striking a pose, pointing at him. Tobias felt his heart skip a beat as he saw her in a tight black one piece. Around her, were Gene, Jim, Belle, Aisha, and Ed. They were all grinning at him.

 

“Oh what are you going to do?” Tobias said, floating in the center of his circle pool. It was 5 feet deep so it came up to Tobias's shoulders. “I bet the shrimp can't even swim with that automail.”

 

“WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SHRIMP YOU HAIRY GORILLA?!”

 

“Bring it on shortie!”

 

“Get him!” Misato roared and they all dove into the pool.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle felt a little awkward in her shimmering red bathing suit, the white cross, sea-horse, and `Guard' and long since fallen off, but the suit was still nice. Still it was hard to get the image of a flat-chested, pudgy child out her head whenever she stood in a bathing suit. `Ah the insecurities of childhood.'

As Belle entered the pool area she forced a smile as she saw the Shinigami pushing each other around, the Saiyuki guys were attempting to drown each other, and all the other pool area no-no's a lifeguard like Belle hated to see. With a sigh Belle watched as Ed and Toby wrestled and she felt her anger stir. The water began to cool and several of the men manage a gasp or two before Belle shook her head unaware of the `shrinkage' around her.

“Man that was weird,” Goku muttered as the water returned to normal. “Hey Belle come in the water's great!” Belle smiled as she started before noting Shinji was standing to the side. There was that look on his face like he wanted to join Ed and Goku, but was hesitant. Belle smiled as she walked over and held out her hand.

“Come on in,” she said and Shinji blushed as he looked at her hand.

“It's just…I…” his voice was hesitant and Belle recognized the tone.

“You don't swim well do you?” she asked and Shinji shook his head. “Well you're in luck then, I'm a certified swim instructor.” Shinji blinked and looked at her. “It's true, cross my heart and hope to die.”

“I'm not very good…” Shinji started and Belle grabbed his wrist.

“That's no way to tackle a problem. Even if something's bigger than you, you have to hit it head on with a positive attitude,” Belle stated as she pulled Shinji down the steps into the pool.

“Now, the important thing to remember Shinji is that the human body is mostly water, so we should be comfortable in the water. Human bone is denser than water, while relaxed muscle and fat is less dense than water. Now the important part is to be relaxed because tense muscle is denser than water,” Belle explained as she brought Shinji to a deeper part of the pool. “Do you trust me Shinji?” Shinji blinked at the woman and blushed as he looked down.

“I…guess so,” he whispered and Belle smiled.

“Then what we're going to do is have you float. You need to think about the water like a mattress and you need to let your body go limp. Now we'll start you off resting your head on my shoulder with my arms holding you up,” Belle explained as she moved to stand behind Shinji. “Trust me, I won't let your head leave my shoulder till you're ready. Relax.”

“Okay,” Shinji whispered and closed his eyes to help him relax. Belle's hands supported his back and pushed his body up as her shoulder pressed against the back of his head. Her hands moved down to grip his waist and her hair draped over his forehead.

“You need to relax, Shinji, relax,” Belle cooed as she rocked side to side and slowly Shinji let his arms and legs relax so that as Belle moved his arms and legs moved with her. “That's much better, now feel how the water reacts when you tense up and relax. I'll keep you above water.”

Neither teacher nor student noticed the attention of the others in the pool. Misato watched with a gentle smile as Ed had a slightly jealous pout. A few men had gentle expressions on their faces.

“That's excellent Shinji, take deep breaths, inflating your lungs, making them your floatation core,” Belle instructed, keeping her voice gentle and soothing, making her voice feel like water. Shinji did as she said, feeling the difference as his body floated higher with deep breaths and lower with shallow breaths. “Good job, Shinji. Now I'm going to remove my hands, I'm only lowering them under you and I'm keeping my shoulder under your head.” Shinji relaxed and sure enough Belle's hands slipped away but Shinji's legs stayed relatively high up and his body stayed up.

“Now, are you ready for me to take away my shoulder?” Belle asked, no rush in her voice, she sounded as if she could stay in the water with Shinji's head on her shoulder forever.

“I think so,” Shinji said and Belle chuckled.

“Shinji, are you ready or not, I won't move if you're not ready,” Belle said and Shinji believed her, she wasn't going to move unless he was certain.

“I'm ready,” Shinji said and slowly Belle's shoulder sank and Shinji smiled as he floated on the surface of the water. His eyes opened and Belle looked down at him smiling. Her lips moved and Shinji could tell they were saying `Good job.'

Belle smiled as she slowly slid back into the water, floating beside Shinji, her fingers brushing his, letting him know she was still there and watching over him. She took a deep breath, her chest rising up out of the water and she relaxed, unaware that the water was supporting her better than before, accentuating her chest and profile.

“Stop looking at Belle like that you pervs!” Ed cried.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee stood on the poolside watching the guys play around in the water. She dropped her head pulling the purple towel around her tighter. Her hand moved to her forehead.

She knew Toby had a pool, and she had been without a swim suit in so long until… Gojyo bought her one and sadly it was the only one she owned.

“J'dee what's the problem afraid of a little water?” Zack asked.

She was glad to see him finally relaxing… sort of. On a deck chair in swim trunks tanned and ripped to the max.

She looked away. Belle had said she had been good of late, but that didn't stop her looking. She was more confused now than before.

Over protective Zack or perverted Gojyo?

She looked to where the perverted kappa was. He was dunking Goku constantly, Sanzo was meanwhile sitting in the corner smoking a cigarette, and Hakkai was just smiling good naturedly as Belle taught Shinji how to swim.

“I'm not… it's just… I only have one bathing suit.” She mumbled.

“Oh.” Zack sat up. “And.”

“You saw Gojyo buy it for me.” J'dee flushed.

Zack laughed. “You're wearing that?”

“Stop laughing! Some one at least lend me a shirt I'm not going in the water like this!” She stomped her foot. The wind whipping up around her for a moment before dying down.

J'dee stopped as a white collared shirt was dropped over her shoulder and she felt the elbow on her head.

“I'm sure it will be long enough for someone of your size.” Roy's teasing voice rung in her ears as he leaned close.

J'dee stared in shock at the Colonel.

“Colonel.” Ed moved in front of Belle protectively.

“Isn't that guy the one left to assign to kill-?” Renji began.

Zack held up his hand. “Roy and I talked last night. He's on our side now.”

J'dee slipped her arms in to Roy's shirt blushing doing it up before letting the towel drop and she picked it up slinging it over the back of a deck chair.

Roy was right behind her. “I meant what I said last night about Havoc's women…”

She looked up seeing Havoc standing to the side looking at her and she quickly turned around racing to the water and away from the two of them.

`I'm not going to handle this well.' She slipped down the ladder slowly stopping seeing Toby looking at her. “You know what they say about white shirts and water.” He grinned.

J'dee glared and charged him in the water dunking him under.

“Mind out of the gutter pervert!”

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Lord, it gets chilly at night.” Misato said shivering, as they all dried off. The sun was setting, and the party seemed to be moving indoors. Tobias could here some people jamming away inside.

 

“That's the late spring time for you.” Tobias replied, drying off. He gave her a side ways glance, knowing she had picked the one piece to hide her scar.

 

“I didn't know Belle was so good with kids. Shinji took a real shine to her.” Misato replied. Tobias grinned as they headed inside.

 

“That's Belle. She's a damn good teacher and loves kids. You're like Shinji's big sister but Belle treats anyone under 16 like one of her own kid. She says she wants to damn near a dozen of them.” Tobias replied. Glancing at the big garbage cans full of trash, he nodded to himself. He had to remember to thank the others from bringing in everything.

 

“A dozen? Damn!” Misato moaned. Tobias nodded.

 

“A dozen what?” Belle said, coming into the kitchen from the living room where everyone was laughing and jamming.

 

“We're just talking about your future plans to have a football team, plus one.” Tobias said, whimsically. Belle grinned at him.

 

“You just want to be the donor.” She teased. Belle noticed Misato watching them carefully. Tobias laid his hand on his chest, and faked a look that was a mix of honored and surprised.

 

“Moi?” He drawled. Belle laughed and headed out into the living room with the drinks she had come into the kitchen for.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle laughed as Gojyo tried to serenade J'dee but was turning into a taunting fest from Goku, Edward, Renji, Ikkaku, and Leon. Edward was sitting on one side of her while Shinji was on the other. Alphonse was sitting behind her while Goku was on the floor in front of her. She blinked as she realized she had created a bubble of teenage boys around her and she smiled. In her heart she hoped all the boys had a happy time, Lord knew how long this peace would last.

“Your turn Belle,” Toby called holding out the mike for Rock Band.

“Oh please be a song I know,” Belle sighed as Goku moved out of the way for her and as the song started Belle laughed. “Now this is appropriate.” Soon enough Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive began to play and Belle got into it. Swinging her jean clad hips and winking at her would be murderers Belle belted out the song. She grinned and smiled at everyone as she proved not only did she know how to sing, she could sing loud.

“Wanted….dead or ALIVE!” Belle finished with a grin and smiled before bowing. “You may call me Queen Belle, Lady of the Song.”

“How about Belle, annoying wrecker of the grade curve?” Toby offered and Belle made a face at him.

“You're just jealous because you sing like a cat being run over by a garbage truck,” Belle sniffed with a wink at the boys. “Your turn J'dee.” Belle said as she forced the mike into J'dee's hands.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee looked at the microphone like it had herpes. “I'm a drummer… I don't sing.”

“Afraid we'll just kick your ass.” Belle joked.

“No because I know I can't sing and face it when you working in gaming retail for like four years and have to listen to pre pubescent teenagers singing badly and off tune to singstar and it's million other titled releases you'll see why I prefer the drums.” J'dee remarked.

Gojyo slipped up behind her. “Honey I'll sing with you.”

J'dee shook her head blushing at the memory of Gojyo singing to her earlier. “Can I just pass the microphone on to Zack?”

“What?” Zack looked at her. “Don't.” He shook his head.

“J-chan I'm sure there's something on there you want to try… I have the downloaded song content as well if you want to look through that.” Toby offered.

“World tour is much better just so you know that.” J'dee teased.

“Just pick a song.” Belle rolled her eyes.

J'dee let out a breath and skimmed through the songs.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Thanks for the party Toby. It was a blast!” The others called, as they left. Tobias smiled and watched the others leave; every begging off after Melfina took a sleepy Jim home.

 

“We'll do it again, I promise!” He called after them. He watched everyone leave and when he was sure they had made it off safely, he went inside. Glancing around at the mess he smiled sadly.

 

“We are SO cleaning in the morning.” Misato said with a yawn.

 

“After training.” Tobias confirmed. He heard Shinji groan.

 

“No rest for the wicked.” Washu smirked.

 

To be continued…..