Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Ranma OneHalf: First steps ❯ Book Four, Chapter 10 ( Chapter 42 )

RanmaOnehalf: First steps. Book Four.

Chapter 10.

BresDiary Entry En Route

 Ok......here we go. The plane just took off out of Waterloo International Airport. I'll catch the flight to Tokyo in St.Louie. This all started about 3 weeks ago when my parents died. The next day was the reading of the will. Me, 3 aunts, 5 uncles, and 2 close friends of the family, and a liar...oops... I mean a lawyer. Well, I have known most all of my life that I am adopted. Kinda obvious here. There last wish in the will was for me to live with the biological family. So I'm off. 2 trunks full of clothes, jewelry boxes, nick knacks, and my toys. They handed me a folder that was at least 4 inches thick of information on the 3 of them. There is Naota Sano, aka the little brother, who ain't so little. He is an OK student and not involved in many activities but apparently is the one one I've been playing with on the Quake servers. Kamone Sano, aka the father, a dumb schmuck as I understand. He runs a print shop, a rather successful one as I understand. Dokuohtei Sano, aka the grandfather, Owns/runs the print shop, and is a master at Shogi, whatever that is. I know the area where we will be living. Nerima is an odd little area, I think I can survive it. Goodnight.

It was jam -packed at the Sano apartment as the younger members of the Anything Goes School and the Hagakure School sat down to figure out how to integrate Kenji into the Sano household. Presiding over the meeting was Grandpa and Kamone Sano. After setting out a drink tray and some finger foods thoughtfully prepared by Matoko they set down to business.

"So..." Naota began "Any ideas?"

The group seated around the table were silent as they thought over the problem. After a few moments Kenji was the first to speak.

"Well, if it helps I really don't have that much stuff." he began. "Just my computer rig, my drafting table, my art, and my clothes."

"You gonna be sharing a room?" Christian asked.

Naota shrugged. "Looks like. Not that I mind." he said. "I'll have to clean out a space in my room and go with bunk beds."

Lia and Mamimi shivered at the mention of Naotas room.

"Well, don't expect us to help with that. We ain't going near it." Lia said as Mamimi nodded in agreement.

Naota snorted as he looked at the two girls. "I heard the way you two screamed. I wouldn't dare." he said. "though the hard part is going to be rigging another computer setup in my room. I wish we were moving into our own apartment."

Lia glanced at Naota as he trailed off. "What is it?" she asked.

Naota blinked and glanced at Lia. "We do have an apartment." he said. he then glanced over at his grandfather before continuing. "Hey Grandpa, are we using the apartment above the shop for anything important?"

Grandpa Sano blinked as he looked up from the shogi board. "Ah, no, not really. All we have in there is stuff we haven't gotten around to throwing away yet." he said. "I've been meaning to clean it out."

"How about we clean it out and Kenji and I move in?" Naota asked. "It's just the right size for two teenagers."

"Plus my father won't be anywhere near it." Kenji added.

Grandpa Sano nodded and looked at Kamone. "Well Kamone? What do you think?" he asked.

Kamone scratched his chin for a moment as he thought about it. "Well, he does need to learn how live on his own. And Kenji does have a good point." he said thoughtfully. "And we do need someone at the shop to look over it during the off hours. The alarm company we have is a waste of money anyways."

"Good point." Grandpa Sano said as he moved a piece. "A Hagukure -trained cat demon makes for an excellent alarm system. And he's better armed than the security guards the company uses."

Naota rolled his eyes as he listened to his grandfather and father talk. "You know guys, not everyone has to armed to the molars."

"Well, in Nerima it's a necessity." Grandpa Sano retorted.

"Oh, be quiet-"Naota began before stopping in mid sentence.

"What is it?" Grandpa Sano asked.

"Theres someone at the door." Naota answered.

A knock at the door confirmed what Naota said as he got up.

"You expecting someone?" his father asked as he walked to the door.

'No. And it's not anyone I recognize either." Naota said as he looked out the peephole. "It's some girl. Probably a wrong address."

Opening the door Naota came face to face with the person on the other side. It was a girl, in her late teens or early twenties with her hair braided and put into several ponytails. She was wearing a bright blue tank top and baggy black jeans with lots of chains hanging from them. Behind her was an over sized bag seemingly packed to the max.

"She looks a lot like dad......'Naota thought before he spoke. "Can I help you?"

The girl blinked and looked at Naota fearfully for a second before she responded.

"I-i-i-is this the Sano residence?" she asked in a heavy American accent.

"Okay, now this is starting to get what I would call 'odd'."Naota thought. "Ah, yes it is. Why do you ask?"

"I-I'm looking for a Kamone Sano." the girl said.

"Oh."Naota said as he stepped aside. "Come on in then."

"Than you." the girl said as she stepped inside.

"You're welcome." Naota answered as he closed the door. "What's your name by the way?"

"Bre. Bre Johnson." the girl answered. "Whats yours?"

"Naota." Naota answered.

Bre gave Naota an odd look before heading to the living room. Naota noticed this and filed it away for later as he followed her. As they entered everyone looked up at the newcomer.

"Hey Dad, someone wants to see you." Naota said as he and Bre sat down at the table.

"Oh, hello. And who might you be?" Kamone asked.

"Bre." Bre answered. Reaching into one of the cavernous pockets of her jeans she pulled an envelope out. "And this is for you."

Taking the envelope from Bre Kamone opened it and began to read. As he did that Naota began to read his fathers body language and analyzed what he saw.

"So, you're an American." Lia said as an opener.

Bres eyes went a little wide at the sight of Lias cursed form. "Ah, yes I am." she said as she nodded.

"Cool. Now I have someone else to talk to."Lia answered, dropping her Japanese accent and in English.

Bres eyes went wide at Lias response and she pointed at Lia. "You- you're an American!" she said in English.

Lia nodded. "Yep. And proud of it."

Bre smiled slightly and held out her hand. "So am I." she said. "Bre Johnson."

Lia returned the smile as she shook Bres hand. "Lia Saotome." she said. "What brings you here?"

Bre shrugged and jerked her thumb at Kamone. "Ask him. He'll be able to tell you, right 'Dad'?"

Lias eyes bugged out and Naota glanced over at the two of them.

"Dad?' You telling her about your father?" Naota asked, only getting half of what was said.

Lia shook her head and pointed at Kamone. "Naota, I think you ask your father about your family history." she said.

"Family history....." Naota asked, a puzzled tone in his voice. Scowling he reached over and snatched the papers out of his fathers hand. "Gimme those."

"Hey, I was reading those-" Kamone began as Naota began to skim the top document.

'Certificate of adoption-" Naota mumbled as he read. Pausing he looked at Bre for a second before turning his gaze back to his father. "You care explaining why this says I have a long -lost sister, father?" he asked, holding up the sheaf of papers.

Lia, Bre, Christian and Mamimi scooted away from Naota as his gold -colored chi flowed around him. Swallowing nervously Kamone looked at his son.

"Well, it's a long story....." Kamone began.

"So start talking.' Naota growled.

'You see, your mother and I were in high school, and I got her pregnant." Kamone began. Everyone in the room with the exception of Christian and Mamimi rolled their eyes as Kamone continued. "And the clan elders, well, the elders at that time were a bunch of conservative throwbacks and they didn't approve."

"And so they made you put her up for adoption.' Naota said, pointing at his newly discovered sister.

"Actually they wanted Haruko to have an abortion, but I said that of all the sins he was going to commit, killing his children wasn't going to be one of them." Grandpa Sano interjected.

"Anyways, they agreed to allow us to put her up for adoption.' Kamone said. "I made sure she would end up someplace far away from the Hagakure."

"I was wondering about that....." Bre murmured to herself.

"And the reason why you didn't tell me?" Naota asked.

"Because it slipped my mind?" Kamone suggested.

Grandpa Sano buried his face in his hand as Naotas chi began to build up and flow around him. Items on shelves began to rattle and shake his right eye began to twitch slightly.

"Bre, do you have anything to say to our father at the moment?" Naota asked, his voice dead calm.

Bre, her mind completely off track by what was happening shook her head no. "N-n-no." she stammered.

"Okay." Naota answered.

Everyone in the apartment jumped as Naota blurred and Kamone was slammed into the wall face -first. Taking several deep breaths Naota calmed himself down and looked at his grandfather.

"I'm going to pack a bag and stay at the Saotomes until I have the apartment cleaned out, okay?" Naota said.

Grandpa Sano nodded and Naota tuned on his heel to go into his room. After he left Bre looked at her newly discovered grandfather incredulously.

"You're okay with that?" she asked.

"Yes. He needs his own space right now." Grandpa Sano answered. glancing at his son who was embedded face first into the plaster he continued. "And besides, if he stayed here, odds are he'd kill Kamone for being such a bloody idiot."

"Oh." Bre said in a deadpan voice.

"Do you have a hotel?" Grandpa Sano asked. "You can stay here if you wish. Our couch is quite comfortable."

"Or you can stay at our place." Lia offered. 'We won't mind."

Bre thought for several seconds. Glancing at Kamone embedded in the wall she sighed. "Thank you, but I'll stay with her until I can get a place." she said. pointing to Kamone she continued. "After what he said I want to kill him."

Grandpa Sano smiled and nodded. "I understand.. Everyone usually does eventually."

"Great!" Lia said as she clapped her hands. "You can stay in the guest room."

"Thank you."Bre said.

"Hey, where's Naota gonna sleep?" Christian asked.

'Your room." Lia answered.

"Okay." Christian said with a shrug.

"And if you try anything...." Lia began.

"I'll make you look like Pippy Long stockings." Naota finished as he stepped out with a packed bag. "You coming Kenji?"

Kenji shook his head. "No, I'll stay here thank you. Its a second home to me, and I need to feel safe right now." he said.

"Okay." Naota said with a nod. "Feel free to play as much Quake as you wish. I don't want you going through withdrawal on me."

"Okay. Thanks." Kenji answered.

"You're welcome.' Naota answered. "Now lets go."

___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Walking alongside Lia Bre kept glancing put the corner of her eye at Lia.

"Something the matter?" Lia asked.

"Huh-no. I'm fine, thanks for asking." Bre answered.

"Oh. You kept looking at me so I was just wondering." Lia said.

"Oh, that." Bre said. "I was wondering why you don't have markings like him." she added, pointing to Naota.

"Oh, that." Lia said with a wave of her hand. "He has those 'cause he's a cat -demon and I just have a mixed curse."

"Mixed curse? What are you talking about?" Bre asked as she gave Lia an odd look.

'I got hit with two curses at the same time." Lia explained. "From cursed spring water. One was 'Spring of Drowned Girl', the other was 'Spring of Drowned Cat.' I fell into a barrel of the water from the girl spring, then when I was climbing out some water from the cat spring fell in."

"Oh." Bre said. "Why were you near those barrels?"

Lia sighed and pointed to her little brother walking ahead of them. "I was rescuing him." she said. "But he ended up getting cursed himself. Watch."

Bre watched as Christian walked along, and sure enough as they passed by a yard a stream of water from a garden hose came arcing over the wall and smacked Christian on the head. Instantly black hair turned bright red and clothes became considerably baggier.

Bres jaw went slack as she pointed at Christian.

"He- he- he- he- turned-" she said, her brain not comprehending what had just happened.

"Actually, technically it's she now." Lia said.

"I'm a boy!" Christian snapped back.

"But try to refer to Christian as male. Its a sore for him." Lia added.

Bre nodded absently as they continued walking. They walked in silence for a few moments before Lia nudged Bre in the arm.

"So," she began. "How old are you?"

"Wha-oh. Twenty -three." Bre answered.

"So what made you come here?" Lia asked.

"My parents died, and it was in their will that I finish my education with my biological family." Bre answered.

"Oh, sorry...." Lia said. "I didn't know."

"It's okay." Bre said. "but once I'm done with that, I'm heading back home to the states."

"Oh. Well, at least you have a year to go." Lia said.

"Five. I'm going for my masters in computer sciences." Bre answered. "Though it's my turn for questions. How are you?"

"Seventeen." Lia answered. "When I go to college I want to take teaching courses."

"Anything in particular? Or just general education?" Bre asked.

"English." Lia answered. "I want some people around here to at least speak it properly."

"And what about you, Naota?" Bre asked. "What are your plans?"

Naota shrugged, "Right now, just graduating high school is my immediate goal. After that, well I was gonna take business management so I can help with the print shop."

"Oh. And on another subject, what was with all that 'clan elders' stuff? You part of some ainchent ninja clan or something?" Bre asked.

"Yes." Naota answered. "Grandpa, Dad, myself, we're all ninjas of the Hagakure clan."

'You're joking." Bre said.

"Nope." Naota answered. "We're all highly skilled killers."

"Well, don't expect me to join you.' Bre said.

"Don't worry.' Naota told her. "You're exempt. I told the clan I was the last of the Sano family to trained in the Hagakure school."

"And they accepted it?' Bre asked.

"Yep. I told them if they refused it would be loud and messy, and they don't like that." Naota answered.

"Okay....." Bre said as they rounded the corner onto the street that the Saotomes lived. "So do you do anything else?"

"Well, we have our hobbies. Dad and Grandpas is drinking and shogi. Mines Quake and my guitar." Naota said. "And that reminds me. If you have any questions about the family ask Grandpa. He's the only one you can get a straight answer out of."

"Oh, thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Bre said.

"One more thing: What kind of games do you play?" Naota asked.

"Quake, chess, Texas Hold'em, a few RPGS." Bre answered. "Why?"

"If you talk to Grandpa odds are you're gonna end up playing something." Naota told her. "He plays western chess as well as shogi. Poker too."

'How good is he?" Bre asked.

"He's a grandmaster of both form of chess and if he ever retires, God help Harrah's and the WSOP(1)." Naota answered.

"Sounds like a challenge." Bre said.

"You're funeral." Naota said as the gate came into view.

Dear Diary,

This day has been totally unbelievable. I met my "family" today. Talk about totally wrong. The little brother-ish one claims to be a demon. He has a cats ears and tail, and totally wicked tattoos. His girl just had the ears and tail. And her girl sibling turns from a boy to a girl depending on what type of water you splash it with. My biological parental unit of the male type (aka birth dad) is human, at least. Though he was almost killed by the demonic one. The Grandfather-ish one is the one I had to ask for answers, all he wants to do is play games, thought what shogi is I haven't the slightest. OH and the fun news my family is a family full of ninjas. This is to weird to be true. Yeah I have herd that things are strange in Nerima but this is totally whacked. This cant be true. It's to out there to be anywhere near the truth. It's just not true. Nope all lies.

Naotas eyes flickered open as he came out of the light doze he had been in. Looking around the darkened room he immediately began to sort through his senses to find what had awoken him. Next to him he heard the soft breathing of Christian and Mamimi combined with the soft staccato of their heartbeats. There was the creaks of the house and the gentle rustle of the wind outside, and when he focused Lias heartbeat coming from th next room.

His ears twitched when he heard the soft whine of a fan and the gentle patter of fingers on a keyboard. Creasing his brow he rose and padded to the door. Opening it he walked down the hall to the guest room and knocked softly on the door.

Bre answered a few moments later, dressed in her sleepwear of a spaghetti strap top and sweats.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Just checking." Naota answered. "I heard your typing and thought I'd check."

"Don't tell me you're picking up some brotherly instincts already." Bre said in a deadpan voice. "And how could you hear my typing?"

"Easy." Naota answered. "Demonic hearing. I can hear your heartbeat at five meters."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Bre said as she looked at Naota. Noticing his bare torso she arched an eyebrow. "Just how far do those stripes go?"

"All the way." Naota answered. "And that's all I'm going to say."

"Okay." Bre said. "I'll try to type softer."

'It's okay." Naota answered. "I wasn't sleeping anyways. I was thinking about Kenji."

"Oh. That tall kid?" Bre asked.

'Thats him." Naota answered with a nod.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to him? He looked like he got hit by truck." Bre asked.

"His father." Naota answered. "I took care of him."

"Hopefully it was slow and painful." Bre said.

Naota shook his head. "Nope. A scumbag like him isn't worth going to hell for." he said. "I just scared him."

"Good." Bre said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get on line. I saw He who Ownz on a local sever and I want to go head to head with him."

"Good luck." Naota said.

"Thanks." Bre said as she shut the door to the guest room.

As he walked back to Christians room Naota snickered to himself.

"You're looking for He who Owns? You don't know how close you came to finding him." he thought.

Bre Yawned as she came downstairs to breakfast. Reaching the bottom of the stairs she was surprised to find only Ranma at the table.

"Good morning." he said. "Or I should say good afternoon."

"Whatever." Bre said as she sat down. "Nnngh.... caffeine."

"Right here." Ranma said as he poured Bre some tea. "Have some tea."

"Thanks." Bre said as she took the cup. "I take it everyones at school?"

"Yep. Christian and Mamimi are at their school, Naota and Lia are at Furinkan, and Akane is in the dojo with her morning class."

"Morning class?" Bre asked.

"We teach martial arts." Ranma explained. "Akane has the morning classes and I have the afternoons."

"Okay." she said. Rubbing her head she groaned 'Ooog... jet lag."

"So I take it your not hungry then." Ranma said.

"No. Not at the moment." answered Bre.

"Oh well. When you do, let me know." Ranma said. "So, on another matter, how are you liking our humble abode?"

"Its okay." Bre said with a shrug. "Some of its a little different. Like the curses."

"Those can take a little getting used to." Ranma said as he scratched the back of his head. "Though you are taking it well."

"Thanks." Bre said. "But I have a question: Is Naota really a demon like he claims?"

Ranma nodded. "Yep. He's a demon." he answered. "And that reminds me, don't go talking about it out in public. It draws attention from the wrong type of people."

Bres caffeine level was high enough that she actually managed to crack a smile.

"Oh? Don't want the goverment to come sniffing around?" she asked.

Ranma snorted. "Government hell. It's shrine maidens we gotta worry about."

"Say what?" Bre deadpanned.

'It's true. We've three in the past month come around." Ranma said.

"They cant be that dangerous." Bre countered. "I mean, what can they do?"

"Sealing arrows for one thing." Ranma answered. "Their aim is terrible. They always miss him and hit something else. We've been lucky they haven't hit anyone."

"Oh, and speaking of my new little brother, are he and Lia dating?" Bre asked.

Ranma snorted. "No. They're just friends. They've decided to wait till later before going anywhere, contract or no."

"Contract?" Bre asked. 'What contract?"

"They didn't tell you?" Ranma asked.

"No." Bre answered. "What are you talking about?"

"Theres a marriage contract between our families." Ranma said.

Bre blinked in surprise. "You're kidding."

"Believe me, I wish I was." Ranma sighed. "My father and your grandfather thought it up."

"Ranma, even for this zoo thats strange." Bre shot back.

"I know." Ranma answered. "Though be glad that it fell on Naota and Lia."

"Why?" Bre asked.

"As the eldest child it would have been and Christian." Ranma explained.

Bre blinked for a second, then shuddered. "Eeeew! Thats gross!" she said. "Now I'm definitely glad I was adopted."

"Thank goodness or small favors, huh?" Ranma asked as he got up. "You feel up to eating now?"

Bre thought for a second and looked down at her stomach. "Strangely enough, yes." she said.

"I'll go fix you something." Ranma said as he headed to the kitchen.

Ok...killme now. Lias parents are like her brother turning to the opposite sex!!! And they can all, and I do mean ALL, even the little ones, can KILL ME AT ANY TIME!!! It's totally wrong. They can do Matrix moves without wires or anything. This is all totally wrong...and scary...and terrifying very very very very wrong...oh god help me...please. The Saotome household is warm, welcoming, clean, and...interesting. Oh then there is Matoko, and her katana. Thats as scary as Naota and Lia SPARRING.

Bre looked up from her laptop when she heard the raucous arrival of the Saotome children and their associates.

"I'm telling you, it is!" Naota said as he and Lia stepped into the main room followed by the others.

"Okay then, lets find out. Meet me in the dojo." Lia answered.

"Ooh! Fight!" Christian said excitedly.

"Am I missing something? Or is this a lovers spat?" Bre asked from the table.

"They're just comparing who's technique is better." Matoko answered. "So I think they're going to go spar in the dojo."

"Ooo-kay." Bre said. "This I gotta see." she said as she got up.

A few minutes later Bre was sitting in the dojo with Matoko and the little ones as Lia and Naota faced off against each other.

"Ready?" Matoko asked.

Lia and Naota nodded to each other and stepped into their ready stances as Matoko raised her hand. Bringing it down she slapped her palm against the floor with a loud slap.

"Go!" she said.

Naota immediately lashed out with kick and Bres jaw dropped as Lia skated backwards to dodge.

"How-?" Bre asked.

"They're just getting warmed up. Watch." Christian said as he pointed.

Naota rushed forwards to press his attack, his arms blurring into a bundle of snakes as he unleashed a massive outburst of punches and Lia responding with a burst Chestnut Fist punches. They skated around each other trading punches until Lia broke to the outside and transitioned into a mid level round house kick.

Naota ducked and rolled backwards as Lia continued in a spin and then brought her right heel down in an ax kick. Rolling backwards onto his feet and then shot upwards a meter into the air.

He paused for a heartbeat before shooting forwards and lashing out with a series of kicks. Lia shielded herself with her forearms as she ducked and Naota passed over her. Overshooting Lia Naota hit the wall feet first and spun in place so he was facing the direction he came.

Exploding forwards he again came at Lia with another series of kicks. She threw up her arms again to block but Naota, instead of going for a high level attack caught Lia by surprise by shooting down and transitioning into a sweeper kick.

Lia was swept off her feet as Naotas sweeper kick connected. Falling sideways Lia landed on her hands and began to gather herself into a handspring, but Naota instead did another sweeper kick and knocked Lias hands out from under her.

Naotas snapped out with his left hand and grabbed the front of Lias shirt. Yanking her down Naota brought her down to the floor snapping his right hand in a punch, stopping a bare centimeter from her throat. They were still for a few moments before letting go of Lias shirt and withdrawing his hand.

Standing up he held out his hand and helped Lia to her feet.

"Well?" Naota asked as Lia straightened out her shirt.

"Okay, yours is better." Lia said. "But it still has limits."

Naota nodded as he stretched his arm. "That I concede." he said. "Your sk8ter technique has its strong points. Dodging for example."

"True.' Lia said with a nod. Narrowing her eyes a smile crept across her lips as an idea came to her. "I wonder what would happen if I combined them...."

Shaking his head Naota turned around to Bre.

"So, what do you think?" he asked.

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah........" was all Bre could say, her mouth agape. "How....how... how did you..... how did you do that?"

"Chi." Lia answered.

"Chi?" Bre asked. "That was chi?"

'Yep." Christian answered. "Me an' Mamimi can do the same thing too."

Bres eyes went to the size of dinner plates as she looked at Christian and Mamimi. Looking over at Matoko she pointed at them.

"They-they-they............." she stammered.

Matoko nodded as she reached into her gym bag and pulled out her katana.

"Yes, thats true." she said. "Now if anyone doesn't mind I'm going to practice my kendo."

"Urk!" was Bres response as her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted.

"You gonna be okay?" Naota asked.

"I'm fine, it just....... its a bit much, okay?" Bre answered.

"I'm just checking." Naota answered. "I feel the same way too."

"So who are we meeting again?" Bre asked as they turned a corner.

"The rest of my friends." Naota answered. "I talked to em and they volunteered their services. With them helping we can have the apartment livable in two days."

"Oh. Anything I should know about them beforehand?" Bre asked.

"Just that Hideo is a perv." Naota answered. "But he's easy to deal with."

"Yeah, just bludgeon him with blunt objects." Lia interjected.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Bre said. Glancing back she looked at Christian and Mamimi. "So what are we taking the little ones?"

"To keep them out of trouble." Naota answered.

"Of course with Christian thats a lost cause." Lia added.

"Am not!" Christian shot back at her sister.

"Are too, Chris -chan." Lia answered.

Christian opened her mouth to answer but couldn't think of anything to say.

"So shes a trouble maker?" Bre asked as she pointed at Christian.

'Hey!" Christian shouted. "I'm a boy!"

"Sorry, he's a trouble maker?" Bre corrected herself.

"Nah." Lia answered with a shake of her head. "It's more like it finds him."

"Oh." Bre answered.

As they neared the mouth of an alley Naota held up his hand directed them to it. He led them into the alley and around trash bins until they reached a tiny courtyard. Standing in the courtyard were five boys who's appearance screamed 'unpopular'.

The tallest of the group looked up when Naota and Lia entered.

"Yo, Naota! What took you?" he asked.

"Hey Hideo." Naota answered. "We had to revive Bre after she fainted."

'Fainted? What happened?" Hideo asked.

"I saw Trinity and Neo here sparring." Bre answered.

"That will do it." Hideo answered. Walking over to Bre he extended his hand. "And you must be the long -lost sister we were told about."

"That I am." Bre answered as she shook his hand.

"Though I am surprised that you'd be an American- AAAAAHHHHHHIIIiiiiiieeeeeee......." Hideo said be he toppled over onto the ground and curled up into a fetal ball.

"And watch where you look." Bre said.

"Ah, I see you were warned about Hideo." One of the other boys said as he walked over.

"Yeah. I gave her a heads up on the way over here." Naota said. Looking up he patted the boy on the shoulder. "Bre, this is Eichiro. Eichiro, this is my sister Bre."

"Hello." Eichiro said.

"And over there are Haruhiro and Bunjiro." the two boys nodded as Naota pointed them out. "And the one sitting in the delivery truck is Fujimaro."

"Hey." Fujimaro answered with a wave.

"And you've met Hideo." Naota added as he pointed downwards to the ground.

"Will...to .....live..... fading......." Hideo wheezed.

"Now lets get cracking. The sooner we get the apartment cleaned out the sooner I don't have to bunk with Christian and Kenji here dosen't have to crash at my place." Naota said as he fished the keys to the apartment out of his pocket.

They were two hours into the emptying out of the apartment when Bre stumbled across what looked like a pile of junk covered with a tarp.

"Hey Naota, come give me hand with this tarp." Bre called.

"Coming...." Naota said from the area near the kitchen.

Walking over to Bre he went to the opposite side of the tarp and picked it up. With Bre at the other end they lifted the tarp off and their jaws dropped at what was under it.

That turned out to be a '96 Suzuki GSX -R600 and a Vespa scooter.

"I don't believe it." Naota said, his voice full of disbelief.

'What?" Bre asked.

"He kept them." answered Naota. "Dads bike and Moms scooter."

"Our mother rode that?" Bre asked, pointing to the Vespa.

"Yeah." Naota answered with a nod of his head. "Dad said that when he rode it, it was a religious experience."

"Religious experience?" Bre asked.

"Yeah." Naota said with a nod. "He said something about a little red button."

"She put nitrous(2) on it?" Bre asked.

"I guess." Naota said with a shrug. "But we can check fr that later. Right now we have to get them downstairs."

"Right. I'll get a couple of the guys-" Bre began.

"I got it." Naota said as he stepped up to the Vespa. "I have a demons strength remember."

Bre gulped as Naota casually picked up the Vespa and walked to the door, carrying the scooter like it was nothing. Carefully he threaded the scooter out the door and onto the landing. Lifting it up he began to carry it down the stairs.

Stepping out of the bedroom with a box of junk Lia saw Bre standing staring at the door open mouthed.

"You okay?" Lia asked.

"Yeah." Bre said with a nod. "I just got reminded that my brother is a demon."

"Oh. What did he do?" Lia asked.

"He picked up a scooter like it was a cardboard box and hauled it down the stairs." Bre answered.

"Oh, yeah. He can do that." Lia said before heading to the door.

Bre gaped as Lia walked out the door.

"Well, that was the last of it." Naota said as he stepped back into the apartment. "That was the last box."

"I still say you should have left the bikes up here." Hideo said. "They made great decoration."

"Hideo, unlike you, some people like to have their machinery outside." Naota sighed. "Besides, we have to replace the carpet and they would have been in the way."

"We doing that tomorrow?" Eichiro asked.

"I was thinking we could rip it up tomorrow, them we could paint." Naota answered. "You can get the paint we need, right?" he asked Fujimaro.

'Yeah." Fujimaro answered with a nod. "Kenji gave me a color list, and my dad has all of the colors in stock."

"Good. Everybody meet up here after school tomorrow?" Naota asked. Getting a round of affirmatives he nodded. "Okay. See you then."

"Okay, now lets go home." Bre said. "I don't know about you guys but I want to go get cleaned up."

"Ditto." Lia added. "I've gotta wash all this crud out of my hair."

"In that case you had better use the furo first." Matoko told Bre. "It takes forever to wash Lias hair."

"Uh, yeah." Bre said as she looked at Lias pigtail, which hung to past her knees.

Thus they began to walk home to the Saotome household, Christian and Mamimi ranging forwards of the group but staying in sight. Walking alongside Kenji Bre cast a glance up at him.

"Can I ask you a question?" Bre asked.

"Yes." Kenji answered.

"What were you and Mamimi doing wandering around the apartment?"

Kenji shrugged lopsidedly as he walked. "I was laying out the decor of the apartment and she was taking notes. It was the only thing I can do right now." he said. "That and playing Quake."

"So my brother mentioned." Bre said. "By the way, how good are you?"

"I'm good." answered Kenji.

His answer piqued Bres interest. "How good?" she asked. "He who Ownz good?"

"I like to think so." Kenji answered. "Though you're a close second."

"Thanks Kenji- waitaminute." Bre said as Kenjis answer registered on her brain. "The only way you'd know that is if you're-"

Kenji nodded as they walked along. Bre worked her mouth up and down a few times as she tried to figure out what to say.

"You?" she finally asked.

"Uh huh." Kenji answered.

"Huh." Bre said. "I would have never figured it'd be you."

"I get that a lot." Kenji answered.

"And Naota also tells me you're an artist." Bre added.

"Yeah." Kenji said. "People say I'm pretty good."

Bre arced an eyebrow as she looked at Kenji. "Like you're good at Quake?"

"Well...." Kenji began "Actually, not to brag, but I'm better."

"Oy." Bre said. "I want to see your work."

"How about tomorrow?" Kenji asked as they reached a cross street.

"Sounds good." Bre answered as Kenji and Naota turned left.

"You guys go on ahead. I gotta pick up some things at my place." Naota said as they walked away.

"Don't be too late. Matokos cooking tonight." Lia said as they started walking.

"Don't worry. I wont." Naota answered before they were out of sight.

Naotas skin prickled into goosebumps as an evening breeze blew down the street.

"Autumn's coming." Naota commented.

"Yeah." Kenji answered.

'Hows the arm?" Naota asked, glancing at Kenjis cast.

"Hurts a bit. Itches a lot too." Kenji answered. "Though I hope Lias uncle was right and that it can come off soon. If I don't draw soon I'm gonna go crazy."

"Quakes not helping?" Naota asked.

"A little." Kenji admitted. "But not enough. I gotta draw. At least Matoko can still write."

Naota chuckled at his friends predicament. "At least your thinking okay." he said.

"How about you?" Kenji asked. "How is you having a sister sitting with you?"

Naota sighed and thought for several long moments.

"It's......it's....it's still sinking in." he answered. "Finding out I have a sister is cool and all, and Bres a great person, but......."

"But?"

"But I got a reminder just how much I don't have." Naota answered. "I thought about my- scratch that, our mother for the first time in a while."

"At least you have a father worthy of the name." Kenji said, hefting his cast. "I wonder if my brother and I are the only ones in our family worth a damn."

"Hey, he did try to keep your parents focused on him." Naota pointed out. "I'd say that answers your question."

"True." Kenji agreed. "And he helped us with the Empty Year." he added, looking at his left wrist.

"Yeah." Naota agreed. "Speaking of your brother, have you talked to him?"

"Yeah. I emailed him yesterday." Kenji said with a nod. "And I talked to him on the phone."

"And?"

"And as soon as he can chisel out a date he'll come over." Kenji answered. "His boss is running him ragged."

"Poor guy." Naota said. "How did he react?"

"He's pissed and he wants to kill our father." Kenji answered. "I walked him out of seeing the folks for a while."

"Good idea." Naota said.

"I told him you have dibs on father." Kenji said as they rounded the corner.

"Thanks." Naota said.

"Hey, you did scare him, so I figure its the least I could do." Kenji said as they approached their apartment building.

"You watch my back and I watch your back." Naota answered with a shrug.

Kenji nodded in agreement as they entered the apartment complex.

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(1)World Series of Poker. Just as the name says, it's the top poker tournament. If you want to read more about it go to the Harrah's Entertainment website. It's listed there under the Rio All Suites, which is where the championship is to be hosted.

(2) Nitrous oxide, aka laughing gas. Used to boost performance in engines.