There's Something About Yui: An Angel Beats/Hell Girl Crossover Fan Fiction Story

There's Something About Yui: An Angel Beats/Hell Girl Crossover Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Place: Comandeered Principals' office, aka Safe and Sound.

Time: The beginning of Episode 4, Day Game. Mid-morning and conclusion of Yuis' semi-final Gi-De-Mo audition and demise/ressurection.

"Hey!" Screamed Yui kicking aside the mic cord.  "Don't IG-NORE me, darn it! There's-"

Business concluded with Yui, Yuri had turned to the assembled Battlefront members and already launched into plans for "sabotaging" the schools' baseball tournement. The plans being really nothing more than winning it. Somehow, she thought, this would affect Angel in a way so negative as to "hurt" her somehow.

"O-Kay, now listen up," Yuri continued, pacing laterally, oblivious to Yuis' protestations. "First thing, you gather up Front members, form your own teams."

Battlefront members hung on her every word.

Facing them, she stated ominously, "lose to any of the 'normal' student teams, it's a penalty death-match."

The Front made a collective gasp of breath.

"Why don't people pay attention t' me!?" Yui still rattling on. "I have a-"

Alternately watching Yuris' spiel and Yuis' altercating, Otonashi asked Hinata, "Yuri's pissed off at our failing at everything, isn't she?"

"It's part of the job to train each and every day. She's checking the results ... making sure we're in top form."

Hinata, reaching out, put his hand on the pre-occupied Otonashis' shoulder.

"Otonashi," he softly implored. "I REALLY neeed you, man."

Turning and putting his right hand to his faces' left side, Otonashi inquired, referencing to an earlier misunderstanding, "you sure you're not gay?"

"No-o! I-I need you for the team!"

Hinata put his arm around the carrot tops' shoulders, turning him away from the rest.

"Let's say you and me team up Otonashi. We're toast if we lose. Yurippe's that serious."

"I take it you have others in mind for this team of ours."

"Heh, heh! Just leave it to me, pal. I've been around here a really long time now and survived off my popularity quite well. We'll make one kick-ass team!"

xxxxx

Time: Several failed attempts at recriutment later.

Place: Behind the Teachers Building/Class Building B, upper level. The two doofuses heading east.

"So uh, we ARE going to get this team formed, right?"

"Oh yeah!"

"So far we struck out with getting Hisako, Matsushita and TK (So much for your popularity!). It's still just the two of us so we still need seven more players ... Isn't that a bit on the impossible side at this point?"

"Why you sayin' that Otonashi? Sure, most of the others may have been taken but I'm sure ... I mean ... We'll get SOME people. Even if we have to draft NPCs ... Anyone'll do I guess, anyone- gyah!"

The blue hair was brought up short on espying ... HER.

"-but ... THAT!

In their path, arms folded, left foot on the curb, the little, pink haired 'goth goblin' gave off a more than slightly smug/sinister air.

"Looks like yer in a biiiiind. Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!"

"looks like yer in a biiiiind. Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!"

"My, if it isn't the death metal girl with the killer performance."

"Wha-!?" Not even taken momentarily aback, Yui dashed up to Hinata. "Do I LOOK like I'd do a gig like that!?"

"Mm hmn, yeah ... uh huh ... You betcha'!"

"Rrrrr!"

"So whaddaya' want anyway?"

"Y'need more members for your team, right?" Questioned she, sidling up and softly elbowing Hinata to the ribs. " ... I'd be a biiig asset."

"Asset!? You gotta be-" Hinata paused, hand to chin and got to thinking. "Wait a sec! If she got beaned ... get a ball dead in the face ... The pitcher'd be disqualified and she gets a walk to first ... Yeah! Could work!

"You're a big hitter! Perfect ... You're in!"

"You sure yer brain didn't melt and drip out through yer nose? Hiyaaah!"

"AAAAAGH!"

He didn't see the flying roundhouse kick coming.

"Why you sneaking, little ... ," lying on the ground. "I"m your upper classman!"

"Oh, ex-squeeze me? So sorry ... " Yui squatted down, giving an annoying rap to the back of her victims' head. "What I meant to say was, did your gray matter liquify and ooze out yer ears?"

"Hell no!" He said, catching Yui with a flying foot to the face.

"AIIIGH!"

Yui lay face down on the tiles.

"Sirrrr, that hurt."

"Quit complaining! I'm hurting too!"

"But it sure looks like she has great reflexes. Better than me."

"What's WITH you Otonashi? You want people to think we're friends or something with this screwball?"

Yui looked up. "That hur-hur-hurrrt!"

"I hate to bring this up man," Otonashi reminded, "but we haven't gotten anyone you had your heart set on, and game time's getting close."

"Hhnngh!"

"Yup! Yeah!" Yui was instantly back at Hinatas' side. "Saw the whoole thing. I especially liked the 'busom buddies' part with Matsushita ... Totally butch that one-"

"She's been following us?" Otonashi queried in thought.

 "-So that's why I've come to offer my help, meww!"

"Mew!?"

Slooowly ... Hinata turned. Step by step, inch by inch.

"I ... dare ... you ... to ... say ... that ... again ..."

"O-Kay! ... ," head cocked to the side, smirky smile, hands up and crooked into 'cat paws'. "My help! Mewww ... eh-NYAAAH!"

In less than a space it takes to grab a breath, he had her sideways over his knee in a "backbreaker" lockhold.

"DON'T DO THAT VOICE! You've no idea how irritating that is!"

"DON'T DO THAT VOICE! You've no idea how irritating that is!"

"Aaaagh! Aaaargh! OW! OW! OW! OW! Uncle! Mattei! Mattei! Uncle! Uncle!"

"Could we please just get going?" Otonashi getting impatient.

"In a minute! I'm gonna teach this whackjob a- ... huh?"

He couldn't be sure. It wasn't even a fleeting illusion ... and yet ... Was that a-? It couldn't have been.

It wasn't possible but he was sure but for a split moment he saw a-.

Careful to keep his right hand outside of her blouse, he tracked his fingers up Yuis' spine. If there was something "extra", he just might find it.

"OW! OW! O- ... huh? What the-!"

Hinata didn't have time even trying to figure how she broke that hold. One moment she was in his power, at the convenience of his non-existent mercy ... the next ... jumping in all directions and "dancing" around him, screaming at the tops and bottoms of her lungs.

"HOLY SON OF A WHAT THE HECK! ... WHA' ZIS!? You gotta' back fetish 'r sumthin'!? ... Perv! ... Sicko! ...  Man, I can't believe-"

"Hold on a minute! I-"

"But then again," again instantly at his side and again softly elbowing the ribs, "you just got a leeetle more interesting if you know what I mean. Play yer cards right kid, this could be yer lucky daaay!"

"With you? Like hell!"

"Aw c'mon, both of you," chided Otonashi. "We gotta' get going!"

Turning, Hinata whisperingly  implored, "c'mon man! Need help here with this maniac ... she's practically propostioned  me!"

"Well, she IS kinda' cute-"

"The day I'd ... with this ... "

"No! Really! She is."

"You're a sick man Otonashi."

Hand to the side of his face, Otonashi intoned, "are you REALLY sure you're NOT 'light in the loafers', I mean ... Even a little?"

"Now just a minute!"

xxxxx

Time: Last game of the school basball tournement. Team Hinata vs. Team Student Body.

Place: Ball diamond, athletic field.

"Man!" Hinata exclaimed inwardly. "We can pull this off! I know we can. Let's see ... Final inning, one point difference, our favor. They're up with two outs, runners on second and third ... If we can get an out on them ..."

On the pitchers' mound, a tired and sweating Otonashi called a time out. Turning toward second to confer with Hinata stationed there. The team leader, on his part walked to meet him.

"Look man, I really don't think I can hold 'em off," the carrot top explained. "You think maybe we could change pitch-"

The weird, far off look on Hinatas' sky searching face brought him up short.

"Hey! Hinata! ... Anything wrong?"

It had been one eventful tournament. In spite of being saddled with Yui (Oh geez!) and the last moment addition of her three next to worthless groupies, they had managed to survive two previous games and made it to the final against the actual school team led by Angel.

Of course it helped they were able to get on their team, Shiina and Noda who both did surprisingly well. Neither Yuzuru or Hideki thought the no experience Shiina, or the unstable Noda would be any good but they were. The surprising arrival of Matsushida at center field in time for the final (Having previously been on an earlier eliminated team then "bought" with Udon cafeteria tickets by Otonashi.) not only rounded the team up to the regulation nine but also helped mightily.

Hinata momentarily glanced to his left, the boisterous Yui yakking away on the sidelines.

What a pain in the posterior! Like her three accompanying "fans", she was a guaranteed strike-out almost every time. And more than once, he had to "restrain" her (Backbreaker locks!) for borderline unruly conduct and making stupid threats to the umpire and opposing teams.

Once, he had to put her in a hold to keep himself from laughing. "Wipe yer butts!"? The proper term was "KICK yer butts!", the former being a hygiene measure. It helped he was royally ticked off at her already as it made it easier in keeping any potential giggles down. It was almost cute in the way she said it. She-

"Cute? ... Her!?, " he having a chilling thought. "Hold on Hideki, you-"

"Hey! ... What's wrong? Hey, Hinata?"

"Uh ... ," the blue hair snapped to. "This ... is familiar."

"Familiar? How do you mean?"

Hinata scanned the field and continued.

"Back when I was ... alive ... I ... I went through a similar situation. Just like you see it now ... Opposing men on second, third, we one point up. Probably the most important game I EVER played."

"Are you ... ? Man ... You're actually shaking."

"I am aren't I? Man ... That's weird."

"So what happened to you, if you don't mind my asking."

"Can't remember exactly. We were headed for the Koshien Nationals. Man was it HOT! All I could taste was the dirt in my mouth. That I DO remember.

"It was the last game for the regionals. Same situation I said before. They hit an easy pop fly to second where I was. Coming straight for me ... An easy catch.

"Did I catch it ... drop it? No way I can remember. Something that important ... How can I forget ... ?

"Heh ... I don't know. One would think to remember if caught or not. Maybe I didn't catch it after all ..."

Hinatas' wistful, vacant look sounded alarm bells in Otonashis' head.

"Are you ... going to disappear?"

"Say what!?" A skeptical look on Hinatas' face.

"You think you just might disappear if we win this one?"

"You kidding me? 'Course not!" Hinata answered semi-disdainfully, waving it off. "Obliterated ... over this? That's just crazy! It's only a game."

Otonashi had his doubts. He knew baseball was more than a game to the blue haired one.

"C'mon Otonashi!" Encouraged Hideki. "Get on that mound and finish the game. Win or lose ... I'll still be here."

Arriving back on the mound, Yuzuru checked and saw Hinata positioned back at second. A few seconds more, he wound up and heaved the ball where he hoped Nodas' mitt would be.

The semi-dull ping of aluminum on the ball signalled a high pop fly ... The trajectory ballisting straight toward a Hinata, in wonderment, on second. The scenario playing out.

"Holy-! ... NO WAY! ... Coming right to me ... just like back then, I-"

The same wistful reverie could be seen by Otonashi on the mound. Calling out his friends' name, the carrot top launched himself off the mound in a desperate dash to second.

"Would it be all over if I catch it? I'll bet it'd feel great. Oh Yeah! It'd feel amazing ... totally sweet ... "

"Hinata!" Yuzuru yelled, not wanting the only friend he had in this 'in-between' to vanish. "Don't catch it! You'll disappear!"

"Here it comes ... easy catch ... Up with the mitt and it's ... eh-NYAAAH!"

"This's what ya get for all those backbuster holds, ya jerk!"

"YER WIDE OPEN!" Proclaimed a triumphant Yui on a now face down Hinata, she sitting hard on his back, pulling his head rearward in an effort to break the lads' spine. "This's what ya get for all those backbuster holds, ya jerk!"

"Runner in!" Sounded the Ump. "Score's tied!"

"Die! Die!" Screamed the pink tressed menace failing in her goal of Hinatas' paralyzation.

"Why! ... You! ... Little!"

Hinata rolled on his back, snapped up and enfolded the assailant with his legs and right arm while using the other for a stranglehold.

"Of all times!" Screaming back. "Why'd you have to flip out now!"

"OW! OW! OW! ... I'm sorry! I'll wait for a more opportune moment to kill ya next time! OW! Stop it! Stop it! Lemme go, I-"

"No way!"

"Yes way! OW!"

"Runner in!" Ump sounding again. "And ... GAME!"

"Agh! GOD!" A more than frustrated Noda at home plate yelled, slamming mask and mitt to ground. "THIS SUCKS!"

"Aaagh! Aaargh! Quit!" A pleading Yui. "I'm gonna' DIE!"

"That's the idea!" Stating an 'enthusiastic' Hinata. "I'll NEVER forgive you for this! I coulda' caught that ball!"

"No! Stop it!"

"Like hell! My happiness was on the line! Die! Die!"

Otonashi could only stand and watch.

From up the hill, from out the front office window of the appropriated principals office, a more than peeved Battlefront commander balefully gazed through the 57 millimeter lenses of the binoculars.

"Both of you ... Go ... die!"

xxxxx

Time: End of day.

Place: A small house in the "twilight".

Tail twitching in anticipation, Yui grinned happily as she walked up the cart trail to the small house atop the hill. Before going to report at the OTHER place, she would stop off and say hi to her little cousin ... And maybe exchange a few words with that cute guy who also lived there.

She had nothing but good things to report. In spite of a near discovery of who/what she actually was, she succeeded in not only causing some misery today but also in preventing a "mark" from getting out of reach.

"Gotta' be careful of letting my guard down," reminding herself. "Almost lost one too but that's taken care of for now."

She had her eye on that one for some time. Maybe if she showed more than enough bowing and scraping, obesience, groveling enough at the feet of ... HIM, she might get to keep this one for herself. He was almost adorable enough for her to want to go human again, in spite of what it was like the last time ... All that lying around in bed. It would have "floored" mom to find her up and moving around when Yui thought she wasn't near. It definitely would have killed her to find out who/what dad REALLY was.

"So it's been awhile," Wanyudo called out from the porch.

"On my way to report 'n thought I'd pay a visit."

Yui looked around noting only the "old man" and Honne-Onna.

"So where's everyone else?"

"Ren and the Miss are following up a contact," the bone woman explained, knowing who Yui was really asking about. "Ren may not be back for a while."

"Oh."

Her crestfallen look lasted only a moment. After all, she had someone back at the school even cuter and much more attainable in her sights.

"So where's Kikuri? I-"

"Yoooo-eeee!"

A small bolt of purple eyed lightening flashed around a corner of the house and into Yuis' arms. The goth-goblin struggled a bit lifting her.

"Yer gettin' big kid! How's-," her speech cut off espying the young man, seemingly some years older, following.

"A little young to be havin' a boyfriend aintcha'?"

"More like a door mat," the geisha from the porch remarked.

"Boy ... friend?" Kikuri wide eyed. "What's that? ... Waro?"

"I'll tell ya in a bit."

"Hi," the boy greeted. "I'm Yamawaro. The princess and I-"

Yui looked at Kikuri in mock puzzlement and smiled. "Princess, huh? Since when did YOU get promoted?"

"It's only something Yamawaro calls her." Explained Wanyudo.

"Why you here?"

"On my way to the lake and thought I'd stop by to see ya. Wanna come along with me?"

"Yay!" The little demon exulted as Yui set her down and they started on their short journey.

"Now what a boy friend is ..."

"Wait! Princess, I-"

"Yamawaro!" Wanyudos' calling brought the young man up short.

"But ... the princess-"

"You DON'T want to go there," the relic spirit cautioned.

"!?"

"It's O-kay Yamawaro," soothed the bone woman. "She was born there ... and they're both ... used to it."

Yamawaro watched as the two imps, hand in hand, continued on their way to the expansive lake in the distance (Matthew 25:41).

"And that's what a boy friend is. Y'know ... All kissy kissy 'n stuff."

"Ewwwww!"

END

Storyline (Last part only.) copyright © 12-12-14 C V Ford

xxxxx

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In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Nineteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Nineteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford


Chapter 19: Hide and Tag, Seek! You're It!


As ordered by Yuri, Operation Drop Out individually commenced the moment any of the Front members opened his/her eyes that morning.

xxxxx

Target aquired.

With folded arms, Shiina nonchalontly leaned at the cafeteria entrances' side watching ... HIM.

Sitting alone at the Battlefronts' usual tables in the cafeterias' main room, no doubt feeling safe in the knowledge that it would take most of first period before Angel would deduce something was up and go searching for one and all. Probably thinking he had the rest of the day to himself and nothing to worry for the time being.

As far as the ninja was concerned, HE had the rest of the day to HERself. Being that Operation Drop Out was to be an all day affair so it would also be for hers ... and his.

She continued watching as he scanned about the vast room, seemingly trying to take in as many details as possible. Looking everywhere but in front of him. Nervousness evident, as he had every right to be ...

But it wasn't Angel who would be catching him today.

What amazed and amused Shiina about ordinary humans was their inability to focus their minds even though their eyes were. They could be such easy prey. Many was the time when standing out in the open made for the best concealment as now. Just a part of the "Game" she was trained and forced to "play" when alive. Though the kind of violence she had in mind at this moment was to be even more ... satisfying.

On finally seeing her, his startled reaction had her smiling in that feral, open lipped, teeth revealing fashion reserved only for him. The combined pall of primal fear and "little boy lost" aura, luxuriant in its' aroma, she inhaled slowly, .

Yes! ... he always ... "tasted" ... good.

The trajectory of her vision rifled straight into the young mans' eyes. Feline intensity from her registering on his brain that it was all over but the feasting.

Not that he never put up a "fight". The first time he tried evasion early in their "relationship", on tracking and finding him, she made it known, (In "actions" if not words.) in no uncertain terms what the penalties would be if done again. The second time, she concluded that, at times, he liked it ... rough.

She thoroughly enjoyed this game ... and relished in his being "game" even more.

Pulling on his collar to loosen it, his vision was inadvertantly taken off her. The huntress made her move, halving the distance between before his looking up.

A laugh she stifled on seeing his reactions. First relief at not seeing her at the foyer then turning to in-place panic upon espying the threat sitting at a table so near.

He blinked.

Another thing about the density of the general human population that amazed her, was their tendancy to look everywhere but ... up.

... the humanoid panther she was, gracefully sailing over ...

Had he done so, he would have seen the humanoid panther she was, gracefully sailing over.

Soundlessly rolling to the ground and somersaulting to her feet, she spun 'round, again suppressing a laugh on seeing him frantically looking under the table.

In less than a short breath, the predator was upon him, tracing her right middle finger from the tip of his, across the arm and shoulders. His fear she could sense, mixing with the cool sensual heat rising within. Fingertips' journey ending in a light caress up the neck and a whisp of a trace about the ear.

"Well ... Hellooo ..."

The afore-mentioned ear recieving her greeting in a whispy breath of softly heated purr.

Letting escape a half stifled gasp, the would be spotter bolted upright in his seat. Slowly, his head swiveled on its' neck to the left ... Into the very eyes of the "menace" seated immediately next.

The ninja savored fully, the wonderful taste of his apprehension on sizing him up at such an
un(?)comfortably close proximity. His helplessness, a delicacy she never tired of partaking, spiced the moment moreso as her depthless burgundy eyes ... slowly ... lovingly ... RELENTLESSLY ... unfurled his captive soul ... letting it stream in the ethereal breeze of their one sided struggle.

"So ... uh ... Shiina," squeaking in a medium rasp. "You ... eh ... run across anything ... cute ... and ... interesting ... lately?"

The clumsy, forced rejoinder, coming from the belief ANY response, even a weak one, being better than none, only made him more her victim of choice. A ... CHOICE ... victim indeed.

"Yes ... ," purring huskily, left forefinger oh so delicately drawing a voltaically charged spiral down the back of his right hand. Maneaters' visage but an inch away. " ... exactly ..."

Shiinas' hand came up, fingers lightly brushing across her victims' lips, forestalling further utterance. Her own wafting a soft pronunciamento hotly in his ear.

"I know ... where she can NEVER ... find us."

Feral eyes making a declaration of their own:

"Even IF you had a choice ... the outcome ... would be the same."

Heated clutch of the succubus' hand on that of her captive, zephyr light in leading him away.

xxxxx

"Un-believable!"

Going about his duties, Duffy couldn't help but notice ... At LEAST one out of every ten students, about two hundred, PLUS the whole of the Battlefront (40+), NOT attending class.

One tenth the student body! Some, he noticed, were NPCs ... or at least thought were. He might have to make revisions on a few.

Well into first period, it dawned on him as to why. A quick talk in passing with Hinata confirmed it.

A couple days before, Yuri informed him there would be no "meal ticket run" thanks to his purchases from the previous two months. In an off handed, joking remark, he suggested she take it easy and skip school that day. If it had occured to him she would take it as an idea and run with it, he would have kept his mouth shut.

His apprehension settled somewhat by second period as no gunplay being evident. The goal seemed to be in wearing the "angel" down.

Kanades' presence was felt by end of first period, trying as best she could to persuade, then escort, as many students back to class ... Only to find the very same ones back out a short time after. She soon started concentrating on Battlefronters, deducing them to be the instigators. It was a losing battle as she was only a force of one. The other members of the "morals commitee" (Mostly NPCs.) also making a valiant effort to no avail.

The start of third period found Duffy, toolbox in hand, trudging the courtyard between tiers 3 and 2 of Class C when the sound of running feet drew his attention.

Turning his head toward the southwest corner, seeing Matsushida and TK stomping through.

"Hmmm ... Looks like she's after 'Darwin 'n Dudley' this time," he observed.

Laughing and rushing by, Matsushida called out," hey Duffy-san! Lend us a hand, will ya'?"

"Help a homey out bro!" TK

An incredulous Jack Duffy watched as they rounded the southeast corner and out of sight.

"Looks like they're trying to double back on her," in speculation.

A sound of lighter running feet turned Jacks' attention back to the southwest corner where he saw the "force of one" tearing around incredibly fast in hot pursuit.

"She must have been down by the retaining wall when she spotted them, otherwise she'd have caught up by now ... 'Least she doesn't have her blades out."

Lending a hand, Jack held it out, pointing to the NORTHeast corner.

Kanade zipped by, giving him a frowny, eyebrow raised "Who you tryin'
to kid look and flashed around the southeast corner. Credit: Willwaldart

Kanade zipped by, giving him a frowny, eyebrow raised "Who you tryin' to kid?" look, and flashed around the southeast corner.

"Sorry guys," he apologized to empty space as his hand slapped to his side. "I tried."

From three stories up, the pair of the greenest eyes Duffy had ever seen before or since, glared balefully down on the scene just transpired.

"Un-believable!"

xxxxx

Duffy decided to take an early lunch but heading to his apartment instead of the food court. It wasn't hunger prompting him as much as it was curiosity in how this "Operation Drop Out" was going. He wished he could take his scanner with him to work but wanted that still kept secret from Yuri. As it was, the radio was in his quarters thus being the only place he could use it.

Turning the device on, he fixed himself a sandwich and listened in.

"I'm at the top of tier 1 of Class A, Yuri. Can pretty much see the same as you."

"Looks like you'll have to change position if the action shifts."

"Doesn't seem so."

"Seems like Angels' gotten smart," observed the Leader.

"Yeah, gathering everyone in groups then accompanying them all in at once."

"Well let's see what happens. I expected something like this and-"

"Yup!" Yusa exclaimed. "There they go, like you planned, in ALL directions!"

"Hah! Look at her! Can't decide which one to chase ... Okay! She's picked one."

"She's after Sakaki. Nope! Just broke off. Going after one of the slower- ... Yeah. Going after Takamatsu."

While Angel could eventually catch up to Sakaki ... a big maybe ... the rest would be scattered over a wide area. She obviously decided on an easier "target".

"By the way Yusa ... Have you seen Shiina since this started?"

"No, not since last night in fact. She must think this is hide and seek instead of tag or something."

"Or something." Yuri answered and went on. "It seems like someone else is missing but I can't figure. It's one of the guys, I know THAT."

"Well, there's twice as many guys as us girls in the Front. Harder to keep track of."

Duffy gave himself a knowing grin.

"Yeah," he thought. "Shiina gone to ground and one of the guys not accounted for ... (sing-song) I know who it iii-is!"

xxxxx

Entering the classroom, Duffy couldn't help but notice Kanade in front of Rachels' desk. The conversation seemed concluded as the petite one turned and started walking away.

"Uh ... Ms. Tachibane?"

Looking up she spoke.

"O'Hara-san informed me. It is not your fault."

Duffy was about to say something when Kanade concluded.

"I must go now. Student business to be done."

With that, the tiny one unceremoniously left.

The man turned toward the desk.

"Considering what transpired earlier, I was wondering if things were still on for tonight."

Rachel sat back in her chair, left corner of mouth up in an eyebrow raised, dubiously affirmative look.

"Oh don't worry, it' still on," she assured semi-sternly. "Almost wasn't ... Put a lot of work into that lasagna after all."

"Oh?"

"I almost cancelled everything ... Until I called Yuri. Turns out it all came from something you said in passing. It's not like you sat up with her cooking up this scheme."

"I can imagine what you were thinking as it went down."

"You wouldn't know the half of It!" She now smiling fully. "For a moment there ... well ..."

"And?"

"First thing I notice, Half the students not showing up for homeroom ... At the beginning. They start filtering in some minutes later, I guess a lot were relenting and decided to attend class. The period's half over, most are in but still a few missing. If it weren't for some of the kids informing me what was going on, I would have thought a mass transcendence happened with the missing."

"Consider the alternative. It was about due."

"Yes, you've mentioned that."

"I was debating with myself about wether to take you to see it or not when Ms. Nakamura told me they weren't going to do it this time. Seems they had enough meal tickets to tide them over.

"You wouldn't have liked it. Quite violent ... messy."

"So you've said. Maybe today was a good thing after all."

"I guarantee. Anything we would have done tonight would have been absolutely impossible."

"Would nothing ... ARE! I put a LOT into that meal.

"So," she continued, "It's the start of third period, I'm looking down into the courtyard and I happen to see you going by. Suddenly those two show up, running like a couple of soccer bums."

"Oh ... You must be talking about Darwin and Dudley."

"Uh ... Matsushita and TK," smiling. "They go past you and then I see poor Kanade ... uh Tachibane ... ramming after."

She paused.

"Poor thing," sidetracking herself. "She was quite upset when I talked with her."

"How can you tell?" Duffy skeptacle. "Kid has all the emotional range of a doorstop."

"YOU! ... ," Rachel continued, "start pointing away from where they took off to, trying to get the girl confused. I was looking for something to throw at you, I was so mad."

"Well ... Hey! ... I mean ... They asked for help ... And I'm not a rat."

"Oh ... But you ARE a rat dearie," teeth showing through her smile. "A nice one but a total rodent nonetheless.

"At any rate, she didn't fall for it and caught up with them."

"How do you know that?"

"They were scheduled for my class that period, that's how."

"I take it she escorted them here."

"You got it. Have you any idea how weird it looks seeing two big-"

"Jerks?"

"-STUDENTS! being escorted to class by a tiny, little girl?"

Duffy had seen it before, but Rachel was right. The sight never failed to amuse.

"So they sit down, big crap eating grins on their faces and she leaves. I ask what the heck is going on and they tell me about this ... what is it? Yes! ... OPERATION or whatever it is they call it ... and implicating ... you. Needless to say, I was furious.

"And stop that smiling!" Said she smiling. "You look just like they did."

Duffys' face settled into an insincere frown, twitching to keep from grinning.

"Then they did something that totally blew me away!"

"Which is?"

They get up, go to the windows and ... and ... JUMP OUT!"

"So?"

"So ... NOTHING! ...  It's ... It's three stories up! Three ... stories!"

"Again ... What's the big deal?"

"I thought they were committing suicide! ... eh ... Stop laughing!"

By this time, Duffy was sitting on a desk in a vain attempt at suppressing the giggles.

"I run to the windows, screaming my head off, the other students laughing and I see those two-"

"Morons."

"Yes ... MORONS! ... Scrambling into Second Tier, laughing their fool heads off, never to be seen again."

"Oh don't worry, you'll see them again."

"Never would be too soon! And how ... could they ... jump and ... "

"This school ... This place is ... how can I put it ... Well ... This IS the afterlife ... or something. The laws of physics or whatever only partly apply. You could trip over your own feet and 'die' from a broken neck. By the same token, you can deliberately jump from a building and hit the ground running with no ill effects."

"Have you ever ... ?"

"Me? No. I'm just happy to take 'em ten at a time going upstairs if the mood hits me."

"You know," she cautiously advised, "being as to what this place is and all ... You've got to be CAREFUL of what you say to these kids."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I DIDN'T mention anything to Hisako about ditching Mahjong and taking up strip poker."

"You really ... ARE ... Impossible!"

xxxxx

Kanade slowly left third tier of Class A and proceeded down the walkway. Much thinking to be done.

They had found a weakness. One they could exploit in the future with impunity. They as well as she knew she wouldn't even attempt another try at restoring order if they did it again. Failure had value in that at least it could tell one what doesn't work.

Several non-aligned students, a couple having been participants in todays' fiasco, passed her. Whispered conversation, punctuated by giggles, could be detected.

Though she knew jeers and insults were immaterial, especially in light of the fact she was physically, practically invincible, they did hurt to some degree.

A weakness revealed, a solution to be found.

Having turned into tier one, she passed the light music room a couple doors after. GiDeMo missing, they must be out with the rest of the "movement" celebrating. Reaching the piano room next, she entered and sat at the Yamaha by the windows, her favorite, and proceeded to play.

Claire de Lune helped calm her and Gymnopedie One helped her to think and these she played in that order.

A solution, something, had to be found and made. Something in helping restore system, order and-

Harmony.

Her fingers halted in their ballet with the keys.
Credit: Williamtio

Her fingers halted in their ballet with the keys.

Full note, half note, quarter note.

Like in radio and electronics. Harmonic frequencies.

Full wave, half wave, quarter wave, etc. Full wave, double wave, quadruple wave, etc.

Resonance. Infinite up or down.

She thought further.

Size might be a problem, most would be too large or small.

Sideband. Like Ham radio. Could beat frequency oscillation of a sort be a solution to that?

Pulling a notepad out of a skirt pocket she started swiftly jotting down notes, as many as came to mind, no matter how strange or impossible an idea might seem.

Yes.

Resonance, system, order ... Harmony.

A new guard skill could be formulated, tested and utilized.

Harmonics.

Done scribbling, she immediately got up and left the building for her dorm room where her computer and Angelplayer awaited.

Little knowing that several months later, the BETA program for the new guard skill would be inadvertantly "tested" by someone else ... With near disastrous results in its' working all TOO well.

xxxxx

Her opening the door in response to the knock revealed a very cleaned up, smartly dressed gentleman holding a large paper sack.

"Right on time!" Rachel exclaimed, taking the bag. "Lasagna's just about done baking."

"Excellent!" Duffy entered the apartment.

"So ... Just what do we have here."

Setting the bag on the coffee table, the teacher started fishing through the bag.

"The salads from the cafeteria and some other stuff."

"Haven't seen this for a few weeks," she stated, pulling out a bottle of Coca-Cola and examining it.

"The last four."

"Really ..."

"You'll also find some REAL popcorn and the cooking oil to make it. None a' that microwave junk from the cafeteria."

"Wait a minute! ... What the ?"

Duffy saw her looking sharply at one of the two disk cases she just removed from the sack.

"Just what ... on earth ... is this?'

Concerned, puzzled look on her face, she held up one of the two disk cases. The man smiled at her seeming perplexity.

"You said something by Frank Capra, right?"

"Know Your Enemy Japan," reading the title slowly, semi-shocked look on her formerly radiant face.
"He did ... THIS?"

"Sure!" Smiling further as he saw his joke going as planned. "Part of his World War Two 'Why We Fight' series. You being a history teacher and all-"

"You're kidding ... right?"

"Well hey, nothing like a little war time propaganda to-"

He cut himself off, noting her increasingly serious look. Time to let her in on the spoof.

"Of course I'm kidding hon. I'm absolutely sure it's the other one you'd rather see."

Wry, knowing set to her mouth, she placed the offending case in the bag and read the other.

"It Happened One Night."

"Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. An early romantic comedy Capra did."

"Looks old," she speculating. "Black and white ... hmmm."

"1934, in glorious monochrome."

"So ... any racism?"

"'Course not!"

"Are you sure?"

Failing at keeping a straight face, he held up his right and took an oath:

"Honest injun!"

Smile/frowning, an eyebrow raised, she looked straight at him in faux exasperation.

"Sigh!"

To be continued ...

Credit: Matthugh1000

xxxxx

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


In Gods' Good Time chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Go C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction stories list on fanfiction dot net here.

Go to fanfiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If dere be a buncha' artikulars under this 'un then you done already be dere ... here ... whatever ... maybe ...


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, & events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Eighteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Eighteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford


Chapter 18: It's a Date!


Jack definitely had an interest in Rachel. She being the only other non-NPC staffer (And a looker at that!) it was only natural he having his eye on her. He wasn't going to push, or be obvious about it. Rushing in would do no good. He'd play it kool and bide his time.

While he was friendly and helpful in getting her oriented, settling in to her new job and circumstances, he kept a respectful 'distance'. The past two weeks involved his showing her around, pointing the ins and outs of the schools' operation.

On her third day she made a discovery as they walked along the edge of the athletic field.

"You know," Rachel started, "your Japanese is very good."

"Is it now?" Jack tried to keep from snickering and failed.

"Just what do you mean?" The teacher asked, noting the intonation. "It's kind of strange sounding and a bit disordered but it also seems like it fits at the same time.

Turning to her the man said, "look at me carefully and listen closely. This'll really grab ya'."

"Oh?" She cocked her head as he stood there reciting.

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary. Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore ...

"Now ... Tell me what you just heard."

"Hmm ... ," elbow in hand, other hand to chin. "It's a bleak midnight ... you're thinking ... tired and weak ... reading rare books. And-?"

"I'm gonna' repeat myself, only this time ... THINK ... in English."

"In ... English?"

"Yes ... ENGLISH." With that, he repeated.

It took a second or two for it to register.

"Oh my God! ... Poes' Raven! ... ," she gasped, head forward, mouth open, "then ... what is? ... you're ... ?"

"That's right kid ... ," laughing at her amazement, "I'm dubbed!"

"THIS ... IS ... SO ... UN ... REAL!"

"Oh, I don't know," Duffy started in friendly sarcasm. "I mean ... Subtitles'd be kind of awkward in a situation like this, don't ya' think?"

"Sub-," she gasping in faux exasperation and laughing. "It's like something out of that terrible Left Behind series of books (1)."

"Actually, I have a vocabulary of several hundred words and phrases ... learning new ones every day. Gotten in the habit of useing them as much as I can ... switching between that and English. That's probably why you didn't catch on to it."

"Now that you mention it, sometimes your lips match and sometimes they don't. No wonder. I thought you might have had a speech impediment!"

"Tho how come ith it YOU know Japanethe stho well?"

Well," laughing, Rachel began cautiously, "you might laugh if I told you."

"Try me."

"Okay ... It started with ... Anime."

"Cartoons." Grinning in the hopes he might get the right reaction.

"No ... ," she also grinning, "anime ... A-n-i-m-e."

"While it's true, that's the way to spell it, the correct pronunciation is cartoons ... K-a-r-t-u-n-e-s."

"That's NOT how cartoons is spelled!" She smilingly scolded.

"That's the way Walter Lantz spelled it."

"Walter who?"

"Lantz ... You know ... Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, Wally Walrus-"

"Scooby Doo?"

"Uh ... " he blinked. "That's a Hanna/Barbera property."

"And you, Mr. Duffy ... are being silly."

"On the contrary, I take my CARTOONS very seriously," he retorted, putting on an air of mock indignation. "And I find it hard to believe you learned Japanese as well as you have from watchin' them there violent Chinese porn toons."

"Uh ... They're Japanese ... and hentai, which I stay away from by the way, is but a small part of the genre."

"Now who's being silly? First it's anime, now it's about formal wear for chickens."

"Chickens? What are you ... OH!" Realisation hit her. "Hen-tie. Very funny sir ... and most original."

"I got a million of 'em!" He replying to her sarcasm. "But seriously, you say it STARTED with anime?"

"Yes. Of course it was English dub at first but as I got into it more, I decided to try it subs and noticed there were subtleties of some kind. I couldn't put a finger on it so I thought I'd try studying the language. In a few months I got to the point where I could watch a show or a movie WITHOUT the subtitles and get a general idea what was going on in the story."

"It helps that half the words you pick up at first are Japanized English to begin with."

"The 'borrowed' words."

"Yes."

"I then started in on manga, trying to read it-"

"Comic books," snorted Duffy.

"Are we getting back in silly mode?"

"To me, manga is a fruit and I just can't bring myself to call them 'graphic novels'," he explained. It makes it sound like one is attaching an importance to something that doesn't really merit it. Though, I guess they would be a great place to start if you wanted to learn how to read the language."

"During high school, I studied Japanese on my own. We didn't have formal classes. After, I took courses at a language school in Toronto before going into college. It was  there I honed my skills."

"With English too ... eh?"

"Uh ... yeah." Smiling. "I taught English for a time at 4M Company in Kyoto."

"Hmmm ... ," he turned, hands in pockets, staring off past the general direction of the gym building.

"The 'royal city' should be somewhere off in that direction."

"Kyoto?"

"Yes."

"You really think we're in Japan?"

"Albeit a Japan without any people other than this school. This could be Japan before the coming of humans for all I know, if not a parallel uh ... 'in between' ... Which this seems to be panning out to."

"Are you sure there are no others ... People I mean."

"Before you came here, I did a lot of exploring the immediate area. I've hiked at LEAST ten, fifteen miles in every direction. Nowhere have I found any signs of human habitation. Knowing how 'built up' modern Japan is, I should have not only run into lots of signs, literally as well as figuratively, but people as well."

"I know what you mean," she stated. "When I worked there ... here(?) ... It seemed as if the whole country was paved over."

"When I first came here," he continued, "I would take some time at least every other night and tune around with my radios. Shortwave, AM, FM, ham frequencies, what have you and ... nothing."

Rachel, nodding in the other direction said, "I noticed the pavement in the front of the campus is an actual stretch of public highway."

"Too bad it leads to nothing but woods on either end. Would be nice if there were any highway signs as indicators. Every thing abruptly changes to forestland. It's as if an actual school and grounds were ... scooped up and placed here."

"You say you're into cartoons." Changing the subject. "The Front kids say you like your movies. I'm willing to bet you've some anime in your collection."

"I BEG YOUR PARDON!" He putting on yet another show of mock indignation. "I wouldn't even dream of viewing  such lowbrow drivel!"

"Wouldn't you now?"

"Of course not! I mean ... Shows like ... uh ... Cowboy Boogie Woogie, Azumanga Day-glo, Neon Genetics Evangelist ... um ... The Melancholy of Haruhi Hirohito ... I know absolutely nothing about that stuff or care to ... I mean ... Just because I MIGHT have about sixty plus shows, franchises and movies on that genre doesn't make me a fan of it or ... something ...

 "Just what do you take me for!? Some kind of oh-TACO or something?"

"That's otaku-"

"Haven't you ever heard of Meximation?"

"Sigh!"

"Go to any conventions and such?"

"And such ... a few."

"Cosplay any?"

"Oh ... some," she replied noting with a smirk, Duffys' appraising, furtive glance. "Just WHY would you ask that?"

"Mmmmm ... just wondering is all."

"I'll bet."

"I'm also willing to bet you made for a GREAT Yoko Littner ... Still do."

"You'd win that bet," thought Jack to himself noting she had seen right through him. "And I wouldn't mind losing that wager either. I'm also willing to bet you made for a GREAT Yoko Littner (2) ... Still do."

xxxxx

"It's been a couple weeks so far," the Leader declared from the desk. "Other than what I've seen in my period social studies class, just how is our newbie history teacher doing?"

"Seems to be settling In," answered Hinata. "She got into her job, no hesitation right from the start."

"She looks like someone who enjoys her job," Takamatsu stated. "The way she teaches is interesting enough."

"Yes it does," Yuri noted. "Her approach to the War in the Pacific the past couple days, is unique to say the least."

Murmurs of  agreement all around. That subject was only lightly touched on in Japans' schools, as if the government wanted everyone to forget about it. Rachels' approach involved stating everything clearly in detail, the war, atrocities and all, on both sides and placing the blame (Politicians!), again on both sides. Hardly what one would call approved school curriculum.

"Of course," Yuri scanned the assembled Front members. "Don't get TOO interested. Don't want anyone 'leaving' if you know what I mean."

More murmurs of agreement.

"Of course Duffy-san clued her in about our lack of enthusiasm for learning and why. From what I've seen, she understands and cuts us some slack ... LOTS of it. Be sure to return the favor."

"Unless Fujimaki has a string of bad luck (Often!), we try to keep the noise with the Mah-Jong down."

An audible growl could be heard from the aforementioned sword bearer above the chuckles  in response to Hisakos' statement.

"What I find interesting is Duffy-san in all this."

Everyone turned to Yusa, sitting in a chair beside the desk.

"You see them in the cafeteria or food court talking of course, but it looks like more than that. He checks up on her. A LOT! Usually just walks by whatever class room she's in, pretending he's on his duties."

Another chorus of laughs as others recollected.

"Yeah!" Fujimaki interjected. "He looks like he thinks she doesn't notice but she does."

"Every so often," Hisako picked up, "he'll stick his head in through the door for a quick look and takes off."

"Think we might have a stalker on our hands, Yuri?" Sakaki asked, jokingly recollecting something from her own past.

"Perfect Bluu-uue!" TK.

"I think it's sweet."

Everyone looked toward where the GiDeMo girls sat near the back, they themselves checking one another as to who uttered the last.

Credit: Dreamsinger99 at Deviantart.

One who did know, looked past them to Shiinas' now occupied corner, she returning a knowing glance detectable only by him.

"Yes," the ninja thought, undressing the observer with her eyes. "Even here ... Some things ... can certainly be ... sweet."

"To the business at hand, " interrupted Yuri.

The out loud romance speculation stopped.

"About tomorrows' operation."

"Tornado hit!" Rang the chorus.

"Uh ... no."

"But Yurippe," Matsushita began. " We're about due. The Guild has to be fed 'n all."

Yuri lifted a rather full trash bag from behind the desk, placing it on top.

"Is that?" Oyama queried.

"Sure is!" The Front leader exulted.

"Where'd you get all those meal tickets?" Hinata inquired.

"Thanks to Duffy-sans' ammo, tools and goodies purchases the past couple months, we don't need to pull a hit tomorrow."

The chorus of positive exclamation was cut short.

"There is STILL going to be an operation howsomever."

"So we don't get time off so to speak," stated Hinata.

"Um ... Yes ... and no."

The collective "huh" hung in the air.

"I was talking with Duffy-san between classes the other day when something he said gave me an idea."

"Annnnd ... " urged Takamatsu.

"Operation ... Drop Out!"

"Uh ... We can't just quit school Yurippe. Where would we go? That would- ouch!" Hinata grabbed his ankle.

"I chose that name as it sounds better than Operation Skipping Class."

"Wait!" Matsushita brightened up. "You mean ..."

"That's right! Tomorrow, bright and early ... Everyone ... and I mean EVERYONE ...  in the Afterlife
Battlefront ... Cuts class ... All day ... No exceptions!"

Laughs, giggles and cheers flew back and forth.

"But Yuri ... Won't Angel try to do something about it?"

"Fujimaki! ... STAY!" The Leader commanded.

The sword bearer stopped in mid 'lunge' on Oyama.

"That's the whole idea. Let her try!"

The whole of those present looked on their Leader questioningly.

"She can't be everywhere at once and we'll be all over the place. Poor little angel 'll be beside herself trying to cope with an impossible situation."

"All she has to do is call on her uh ... 'powers of persuasion'," Matsushita pointed out, "and it'd be all over. We'd be fighting her piecemeal. We'd be much stronger if we were all together!"

"United we stand!" TK.

"Yeah! We can't just-"

"It'd be a total route-"

"And it-"

"HOLD IT!"

The collective turned their eyes back on Yuri.

"That's the beauty of it ... We don't have to fight! If she runs true to form, she won't resort to violence unless we do."

A collective "What?" then took flight.

"If she approaches you and reminds you class is in session, make like you're going to class. When you're out of her sight, you go back to what you were doing."

Replaced by a collective "Oh!".

"What if she escorts one back?"

"Fu-ji-ma-ki!?"

The overbearing one sat back down in a huff, arms crossed, hands in armpits "hugging" in an attempt at self restraint.

"Just go back with her, take your seat. When she leaves, wait awhile, then YOU leave."

"Some of us are in the same classes as she," explained Iwasawa.

"Same as before. But if she stays (But maybe not. She might go looking for more of us.) then you stay. When 'Big Ben' sounds off, make it look like you're going to next period class but keep on walking instead."

"Passive/aggressive resistance!" TK.

"I figure it will take at least first period for her to figure out something is wrong, then she'll go ... uh ... hunting. After awhile she's gonna' notice many of the same people she put back in class to be on the loose again. I think she'll give up sometime after lunch."

"Like you said, she can't go everywhere at once," stated Matsushita. "There's only one of her. In spite of her powers, we'll wear her down fer sure!"

"Be sure to spread the word," Yuri further instructed. "Hell, tell as many of the non-aligned as you can too. Call it 'National Skip Out Day' or something. Who knows? Maybe some NPCs 'll want to get in on the fun!"

"All right then. Tomorrow ... Bright and early ... When you get up ... It's operation ... START!"

xxxxx

Grading papers, Rachel looked up from her desk, smiling, as her "stalker" entered the room, lugging tool box and step ladder.

"Here to look at that blinking ballast," he explained espying the offending light fixture.

"I put the work order in earlier today."

"Was going to check it out, but there were classes. Didn't want to disturb, so I waited 'til school was out."

With his peripheral vision, the man noticed Rachel eyeing him as he moved a desk aside and positioned the ladder under. Climbing up, he set the toolbox on the swingout shelf.

"Just as I thought," he said working the long "bulb" in its' sockets. "It was only loose. Quick fix."

The now fully secured bulb gave off a steady stream of light and no distraction.

Still on his lofty height, he turned to Rachel.

"How was today for you?"

"How is any day here?" Answering with a question of her own. "I mean, this is totally out of my experience."

"Oh?"

"I know I have to let a LOT of things slide. I have to keep in mind that if I do too good a job, someone may disappear. I wouldn't feel good about that."

"I can only imagine. Of course, good grades aren't necessarily a prerequisite for passing on," he explained while he riffled through the toolbox. "As I understand it, some of the kids, Tachibane for example, get great grades and are still here."

"It must vary from one to the next," she speculated. "Grades may not have been a problem for some before they came here so it's not going to affect them. Still ... some of this is ... well ... NUTS!"

"How so?"

"I see some of them not paying attention. They're reading something else, or they're writing ... and even drawing, things not at all related to history. Others are actually playing games. GAMES!"

"Oh yeah!"

"Chess, Shogi, checkers, go, ten sen hockey ... Anything, I guess, to keep their minds off cooperation and possible unwilling transcendence.

"... You know, that Hisako girl and her friends have hot
little Mahjong sessions in the back? Can you believe it?"

"I can't bring myself to scold them ... Knowing what achievement might bring ... I ... You know, that Hisako girl and her friends have hot little Mahjong sessions in the back? Can you believe it!?"

"Just be glad it's not strip poker," Jack chuckled.

"You'd LIKE that wouldn't you?"

"How do you mean?"

"You'd be coming around a lot more often than usual if that was the case."

"Have I been that obvious?" He thought then said aloud, "they're doing strip poker'd be a waste of time for me."

"Really?"

"Fujimaki doesn't do a thing for me."

"Whaaat?" Rachel laughing.

"If Hisako is even half as good at cards as she is Mahjong, she wouldn't drop a stitch. Fujimaki and the other guys would be the ones catching a cold. In any event, I like my women 'legal', if you know what I mean."

"Speaking of which," she started, elbows on desk, chin resting on knuckles of flat folded hands, "what are you doing this weekend?"

Fumbling, Jack dropped a couple screws he had just dug up from out of the bottom of the box.

"I've been trying for three days to get the guts to ask HER that," he thought. "And she's asking me! That's a red head for ya'!"

The two screws clattered noisily to the floor as he tried to regain his composure.

"Oh ... uh ... ," trying to find words to eloquently conceal his nervousness. "Nothing really. Might hike down the creek ... some terrain features I'd like to map out ... get more details on the chart I'm working on ..."

"I'm talking Friday, tomorrow night." Still in open faced 'Gendo' pose.

"Well, I still have my gym workout and walk after work and ..."

"What say you cut out the walk and head for the showers? What say a dinner and a movie?"

"Dinner sounds fine. As for movie uh ... ," he a little more composed, "you may have noticed ... well ... there aren't any theaters and the closest to a restaurant would be the cafeteria-"

"Don't take this the way most normally would but ... Your place or mine?"

Duffy regained his balance as a screwdriver hit the floor.

"Yup!" She observed amusedly. "He did."

Stepping to the floor, Jack scooped the offending driver and screws.

"It's not that I'm trying to seduce you or anything-."

In spite of the last remark, the man got himself together and stood, arm resting on the ladder and facing the teacher.

"-I have every intention of honoring God in all this. It's that I'd like to thank you for the help you've given me in this impossible situation we're in."

"There's really no need to-"

"Lasagna."

Duffy was brought up short.

"Got the ingredients a couple days before ... I arrived here. Put it together last night and it's in my freezer. Enough for two ... and some xtra."

Lasagna. He hadn't had that in over a year. The very thought had him almost drooling.

"So uh ... ," swallowing saliva. "What's a good Irish girl doing with lasagna?"

"My mother's Italian."

Leaning back in her chair she continued.

"To keep it 'safe', we eat at my place and take in the movies in a neutral setting."

"Hmmm ... There's that little used student lounge in Class C. Has a big 'flat screen' we can hook a laptop to. No event scheduled there to my knowledge but I'll check to be sure."

"Perfect!" The teacher exclaimed. "And any students who happen along and watch'll complete the theater experience."

"You said movies ... as in plural."

"I was thinking of a double feature. I get one out my stash I think you'll like and you get one I MIGHT like."

"And just what kind of girlie whirly chick flicks are you into?"

"Figured you weren't into those."

"I was forced to see Beaches once."

"I looove that one!"

"Barftastic!"

"Awww! And I suppose you have nothing but Eastwood and Schwartzenegger."

"I'm more into The Duke." Declared he, putting on his best imitation of the actor.

"John Wayne. Should have known. Typical American."

"Wellll ... I do have Princess Tutu."

"You're kidding ... right?" Giggling.

"It's the music!" He adding quickly. "When I heard DeBussey, Korsakov, and Wagner in the trailer, I You-Tubed it. After a few episodes, I went to Amazon and bought it. As for something you might like ... well ..."

"Surprise me ... ummm ... Something like ... Something by Frank Capra maybe?"

"And just what do you know about Capra?" A reading of her file told him she was born in 1985.

"Oh ... uh ... A Christmas Story!" She enthused knowing she made a mistake. "Yeah! That's it!"

"I think you mean, It's a Wonderful Life."

"What ev-er!" Laughing.

"I remember Turner playing that one to death on his stations every Christmas. It was one I never tired of tireing of."

"I was just a kid but yeah, he did use it a lot."

"Tell you what." Duffy declared. "I actually do have some of Capras' films in my collection, one of them I'm certain you might enjoy."

"Great! Other than  A Chris- uh It's A Wonderful Life, I don't remember seeing any of his ... It should be interesting."

"So then," gathering the ladder an toolbox. "It's a date."

"You got it!"

"I'll make the popcorn."

xxxxx

Leaving the building, Jack felt like he was walking on air. A date! ... Sort of. No restaurants or theaters but they would make do. Dinner, a movie(s), and-

"OH!" Jack Paused.

"Let's see ... Hmmm ... I'm going to be with an incredibly beautiful woman ... Who seems quite willing to spend some time with me ... Wants to watch movies with me. And on top of that, she'll  be serving Lasagna!

"Yet says ... boldly(?), I might add ... She's not trying to seduce me!?"

The man went into a slight sweat.

"I ... Don't know," thinking.

"Man! The things I go through for Jesus!"

To be continued ...

xxxxx

1. Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins is a multi volume adventure series about the "end times" based on the last book in the Christian bible, The Book of Revelation/The Apocalypse of St. John the Divine. In it, "believers", no matter where they're from, are able to communicate with one another in their own languages. Example: If someone was speaking Chinese to one who knew only English, the listener would hear it in English and vice versa.

2. Yoko Littner is a protagonist in the anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagaan. I have absolutely NO idea as to what the show is about. What little I have seen (Part of one episode.) I didn't like. All I know is that Yoko is one FABULOUS character design.


Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

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In Gods' Good Time chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Go to C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction list at Fan Fiction dot net here.

Go to Fan Fiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page, here.


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, & events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Seventeen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Seventeen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford


Chapter 17: Hands Across the Table


As with Duffy, some months before, the info Rachel recieved was quite an eye opener. After a few questions revealed Angel and Yuri had filled her in on the basics, Duffy gave as much as he could on himself and the Fronts' grudge.

"And they blame God for ... ," she glanced around, "this?"

"Well ... Keep in mind they, especially Yuri, have not had what you or I call ideal lives. That, and the fact their concept of the divine is quite different from ours. As you've seen on their shoulder patch, 'Rebels against the god', small g. I don't think they're uh ... 'gunning for Jesus', so to speak."

"From what you and they've told me, they were almost gunning for you."

"Oh yeah ...", Jack mused. "For awhile there, I thought it was going to be High Noon at the OK Corral. Was touch and go for a couple days as we scoped each other out."

"And was that ... gunfire ... I heard this morning?"

"Some of the kids target practicing in the ravine."

Rachel, both hands flat on, gazed at the tables' surface.

"Guns ... I ... this ..."

"Each one of these kids here have their own ways of coping with this situation. Most of them are pretty much on their own, hashing out in their minds whatever from their pasts haunt them. With Yuri and her group, their way is banding together in their own little resistance movement against God and who they think is one of His messengers. I think they're wrong, but that's how they deal with it. Anything to keep from passing on I guess.

"While you're about your duties as a teacher, you may find some of the kids, Battlefront or otherwise, being inattentive or even disruptive. Go easy on them. They're resisting transcendance ... Like Yuri and her bunch, some don't want to go. They don't know what awaits if they leave and it frightens them ... Does me."

"This passing on ... this obliteration as Yuri calls it. It actually happens? Have you ...?"

"Seen it? Yeah ... twice. Both times gave me the willies, I'm telling ya'."

"Twice? Not more?"

"It's not something you go looking for. Never find it then. When it happens, it happens ... and if you just chance to be nearby, you might see it.

"Usually it's you get used to the faces of those around you as you go day to day about your work. After awhile you notice one of those faces has been missing after a day or so. A day or so more, you get reconciled to the fact he or she is gone. Presumably to a better place ... maybe."

"Better place ... ," she shuddered some. "So ... How DOES it happen?"

"As Ms. Tachibana might have told you, when one finds peace ... fulfilment ... I guess. When one is finally reconciled, comes to terms ... Settled with oneself over the inadequacies and traumas from when alive ... Or achieves something they were prevented from in life or maybe realizing they 'had it in them' all along ... They just ... go."

"Go as in ...?"

"Oh, I see," the small bulb in Duffys' head flickered. "It's like ... hmmmm."

"Go on."

"Like there they are then there they aren't ... like ... Blink ... and they're gone."

Rachel cocked her head in puzzlement an eyebrow raised.

"Have you ever seen a very low budget movie where someone vanishes ... but they didn't spend any dough on visual effects or even 'faded' the subject? They're just ... gone ... in less than an instant."

"Like those older 'end times tribulation' or Book of Revelation movies they'd show at church?"

"Not quite 'Thief in the Night'/rapture (1) stuff. They'd at least cut to the face of an onlooker then back to where the subject had been standing. No ... This is more like ... Everyone freezes on que as they stop the camera, the subject walks off frame then they continue rolling the camera. The desired effect in the completed shot is ... Bam! ... gone.

"Oh! sorry ... ," Duffys' sudden 'emphasis' startled the new arrival. "Didn't mean to-"

"It's all right," in reply. "This is all sudden and new, but I've got to get all the info I can, now that I'm here. Need to know everything relevant if I'm to cope. Please ... Go on."

Duffy felt pleased that this Ms. O'Hara was not a shrinking violet. Her determination to keep on keeping on heartened him.

"They're going from here is like ... that."

Rachel noticed Duffy's face taking on a distant look.

"I was coming out of Class A, the big building. I just happened to be looking right at her as I went through the doors. A regular student, she was sitting on the retaining wall out front. Holding several sheets of paper, looking at them ... Face all lit up ... Wearing the biggest, happiest looking smile I'd ever seen up til then. Then ... gone.

"Only the papers were left. They were test papers from one of the advanced math classes. All  covered with these convoluted looking equations ... With a perfect score noted very enthusiastically by the teacher at the top.

"I later showed the papers to the Fronts' resident genious, Takayama. Little egotist did his best not to show it, but I could tell he was impressed. I let him keep them. Mumbled something about 'further analysis' or some such.

"The second time," Duffy continued, "I was sitting on the tractor, taking a break from cutting the grass out near front of the main field house. See four of them coming out ... girls. One, still in leotard, jumping around, screaming about how 'I did it! I did it!' over and over again, the others congratulating her. Then she ... gone. Like I said before.

"They stood there ... must've taken a few seconds to register ... did me. Two of them start crying, holding on to each other. The fourth just stood there ... blankly impassive. Must have been one of the zombies."

"Zombies? ... The ones the Front kids call NPCs?" Rachel inquired hoping to change the subject.

"Zombies, droids, clickers, robots, republicans, democrats ... yeah ... same thing."

"Makes me wonder what you call the Battlefront," giggling.

"Oh ... The Ungrateful Dead, Carbon Monoxide Commandos, Barnacle Battlefront, Hecks' Angels ... um ... The Evil Cookies? ... uh ... ," Duffys' voice trailed off. "Anything but SOS Brigade I guess."

"SOS what?"

"Private joke 'tween me and that bunch. Ask Yuri about it ... ," he smiled. "Then again ... better not."

"You mentioned 'thief in the night' and the rapture."

"Uh ... yeah."

"Are you ... a believer?"

Cocking an eyebrow, Jack paused, knowing what she was asking, "as in?"

"If not in the salvation Christ offers or ... at least in the concept of God in general?"

Duffy took a moment, staring past Rachel before answering.

"I do believe ... Not only that God exists but also in that offer he gave one and all through what Jesus did ... I guess I wasn't a very good one as far as believers go."

"That's what I'm getting at," Rachel admitted. "Why are you ... and I ... here?"

"Think you're being punished?"

The newcomer took a moment.

"It's a possibility."

Duffy reached over taking both hands in his in a reassuring grasp.

"This is something I've been trying to figure out ever since I got here a few months ago. I've serious doubts this is hell. The only real torment I may have had is from a possible adversary, who so far, is a neglible meanace. That and I wonder what's been happening in the world ... friends ... what little family I have left ... since I've been gone.

"If this is hell ... well ... It's too mild for that. A purgatory, Catholic or otherwise, just doesn't fit Biblically."

"Think this could be a test of some kind?"

"Maybe, though I don't think God may have anything to do with it."

He slightly tightened his grip.

"All I know is, is we're here. And like anyone else in this place ... we ... You ... I ... have an obligation to ones' self to make the most and best of it. Maybe it's a test as you say-"

"It's certainly a challenge," the new faculty member interrupted. "And I guess one has to meet it."

"And it most certainly has been made easier to meet it," Duffy thought as he looked into her shining face.

"Uh ... Mr. ... Duffy?"

His thoughts abruptly broken as he came to the realisation he was holding her hands a little too firm.

"Oh! ... Sorry!" Withdrawing his hands, blushing slightly and noticing the same with her.

"Who or ... what ... is this 'adversary" you mentioned?"

"Yeah ... that guy."

"Oh?"

Duffy scowled, getting back to business. His eyes taking on a more than serious look.

"His name is Ayato Naoi ..."

"His name is Ayato Naoi. He's the student council Vice President. You probably haven't met him yet."

"I saw him with Ms. Tachibana earlier today. She was filling me in on council matters as I was going over my duties and looking over my assigned classrooms."

Jack straightened up in his seat.

"He ... didn't try something ... anything with you?"

"Is he some kind of troublemaker? I can't imagine someone like that getting anywhere in student government. And he didn't strike me as being one of the actual persons here."

"He's real alright," Jack corrected, "and so's the power he has."

"Power? As in ..."

"Hypnotism of a sort. Turns your head inside out ... brings things out in your mind you'd as soon not want to remember. Had a little run in with him a few days ago. Didn't figure out what it was until it was almost too late. Almost killed the little scumbag."

"Hypnotism? In what way?"

"Starts in low and subtle. Tries to turn your mind away from the present moment and ... Gets you to thinking ... if you could call it that ... about yourself. Has you digging up stuff out of your thoughts ... things you tried to forget even long ago. He then has you manipulate them, twist and change ... Uses them against you."

"He can read minds?"

Duffy sat back, wry smirk to the face.

"No. Doubt that. It's that we all have things we hide in the back of our minds. Dark thoughts and memories we shove aside as they get in the way of our continuing to get on with our lives and Naoi knows everyone has them. He doesn't know any of your thoughts in particular. Only that they're there and he uses general statements to get you to use them against yourself. Manipulate you into deeper fear ... doubt ... helplessness. So much so, you yearn for help ... guidance ... from outside."

"And there he is to 'help' ... convenient."

"Exactly!"

"Dictators."

"Hmm?" Duffy puzzled.

"Like a would be dictator." Her reply. "Works on whatever anxieties the crowd might have. Fixes a blame on someone or some thing . Points out a 'problem' then offers a solution, namely him, and manipulates the mob into action. He's then in control."

"He does at that. You watch yourself around him ... be careful. Especially when he starts talking."

"Thanks for the warning."

"I warned HIM what would happen if he made a try on me again. If there's even a hint he's trying anything with you, break off immediatly ... get away from him. Tell me ... a Battlefronter ... Tachibana ... "

Rachel could see the tension manifested in Jack. The look on the face, hatred in the eyes, right hand gripping the table sending a slight vibration through it.

"Negligable menace?" She thought. "He's taking it much more seriously than that! He's-"

"Just be sure ... if I'm not the one you talk to first about it," calming somewhat, " ... that you let me know ... ASAP."

The man checked his watch.

"Gotta' get back to work in a few," he stated, getting up.

"There's still so much to ask."

Looking down, a smile on his face.

"Tell you what. I get off in a few hours. Need to clean up and I'll have some info printed out. Drop it off at your place or we could meet back here."

"Here would be fine."

"Here it is then."

Jack got up. Before turning he gave her a mock serious look.

"Before I go, there's something else I haven't told you and it IS rather important."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," the man then put on a semi-serious frown. "So much so, I should have mentioned this right from the start. In fact, one mistake regarding this could have serious consequences in regard to your continued existence here."

"Serious?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"Yes. Could be quite dire."

"And that could be?" An even more anxious Rachel asked, leaning forward. Transit to this place, being told of an armed conflict, then about a possible menace ... What more could be happening here?

The man, putting both hands flat on the table, leaned forward, his face but a foot away from Rachels'.

"It's the vending machines here."

"What!?" Her face squinched into a frown.

"They don't take Canadian coins."

Smiling, he straightened up, leaving.

"See ya' in a bit!"

To be continued ...

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1. A Thief In the Night (Mark 4 Pictures, 1972) - First of a series of four low budget Christian films based on the Bibles' Book of Revelation and various verses. Produced and directed by Donald W. Thompson, written by Russel S. Doughton Jr.. Considered by some to be the most widely seen Christian evangelical film in the world.

"The Rapture", (Emphasised in the above mentioned film. The title is taken from First Thessalonians 5:2.) is a belief based on various verses of Bible scripture. Thought by many (Including this writer.), to be of dubious interpretation as many of the verses seem to either be taken out of context or its supporters having read something in to them.

The belief entails Christ briefly coming near to Earth one day to gather all the bodys as well as souls of genuine believers, taking them to Heaven before the prophecies listed in the Book of Revelation come to pass. This is generally held by many Christian Fundamentalists and rejected by Catholic and mainline Protestant groups.

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Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


In Gods' Good Time chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

C V Fords' profile page and list of anime fanfiction stories here.

Fan Fiction dot net here.

Wikipedia article on A Thief In the Night film here.

Wikipedia article on the "Rapture" doctrine here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.