Angel Beats Hells' Kitchen OVA: I Don't Think I'll Bother

"Tense" moment involving Nodas' grudge with
Otonashi. My guess is Noda gets killed first.

Angel Beats Hells' Kitchen OVA: I Don't Think I'll Bother


I was awaiting this with baited breath until I skimmed the reviews. The one in the Wikipedia episode list goes:


Set between episodes two and three, during Golden Week, Yuri arranges for the SSS to go on a deadly picnic, which involves most of the members trying to kill each other with various traps and gadgets. Sensing an opportunity, Girls Dead Monster members Miyuki and Shiori conspire to kill Iwasawa and seize control of the band from her. As the boys largely fall victim to various traps, leaving just Otonashi alive, Miyuki and Shiori attempt to lead Iwasawa into various pitfalls, but she survives each one while remaining completely oblivious. They attempt to use their last trap, a dreadful concoction, with the help of Shiina, but it instead lands on Hisako, who transforms into a bloodthirsty monster that not even Angel can stop. Sometime later, Miyuki and Shiori explain the events of the picnic to Yui and how they inspired the band to take on their current name.


Hmm ... sounds even goofier than the first OVA.

My estimate of Yuri has gone down a bit. She seems to be something of a sadistic little b---h in having your friends kill each other off.

While yes, in the Angel Beats world death has been reduced to the status of a punch in the nose, one would think at least a few in the Battlefront would be plotting to kill off Yuri or at least lock her up in a "contemplation" room where she couldn't harm anyone. This is the kind of "leader" I would NOT follow.

I'll just rate this as a curiosity and not consider it part of Angel Beats. Pretty much the way I'm getting to view the Evangelion "rebuild" films.

Just sayin' ...


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

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

by

C V Ford


Chapter 24: One He Did Not Suspect


Morning break. By himself in the cafeteria, Duffy sat with his coffee, musing on his God given good fortune. In about three weeks he was to exchange vows with the most beautiful, caring young woman he met ever. And he didn't "mess things up" as he had in relationships past. Making the promise of things later all the more sweeter.

He was a guy after all.

So what did it matter this not being a "normal" situation? He, Rachel, the others ...

"We may not be alive so to speak but that doesn't mean we have to be dead," he thought.

A movement to the front broke his reverie. Kaji approaching with a sheaf of work orders. The foreman would sometimes find him on his breaks, handing him notes so he wouldn't need to check in later.

After a brief exchange of greeting, the foreman left the papers and exited.

Glancing at the receding figure, Duffy examined the notes.

The second bringing him up quite short.

"Whatever you do, show no reaction on reading this. Someone may be watching.

"Please see me IMMEDIATELY in the office. This is of grave importance regarding matters of a very personal nature."

Being the stoic type, Duffy kept the reactions to what he hoped an undetectable minimum. After reading ALL the notes (Keeping up appearances in case of aforementioned observation.), he pocketed them, casually got up and left, leaving cup and saucer on the tray caddy at the entrance.

He never once would have suspected Kaji as a genuine. The way he acted, went through the motions, he was the NPC of NPCs. In all the time he had been here, through his observations, Jack saw no indication the man to be anything other than the "R.U.R." (1) he made himself out to be. There had to have been GOOD reason for him to have concealed himself all this time.

"Matters of a very personal nature," he thought. "This better not have anything to do with Rachel. Doubt it though. He's been here longer. Longer than me, even. Shoot. First person I ever talked to here."

Arriving at the utility building behind Class A, Jack noted the garage doors down. Pulling to loosen the .45 in his under the coveralls shoulder holster, the man cautiously entered, heading to the office in back where Kaji awaited. At his desk, the lead motioned for him to sit.

"No one followed you? See you leave and come here?" Nervous.

"None that I noticed. If I was, well ... I wouldn't have been able to tell. Besides, she's not in the habit of shadowing me ALL the time and hardly does that anymore anyway. Got other things to do."

"That's good for now ... I guess." A look of resignation on his face.

"Never would have thought you to be uh, for real so to speak." A suspicious Jack starting the conversation. "It'd be an understatement to say you've hidden yourself well. Mind telling me why, sir?"

"I ... Have good reason to. It's partly why I called you here."

"That reason being?"

Kaji looked down at the desk, hands on several papers stapled together. Moving them toward Jack, he stated, "I need you to do a favor for me ... A big one."

"A favor?"

"Yes ... ," continuing to slide the papers forward. "I need you to deliver ... This."

Lifting the sheaf, Duffy examined. In spite a very expanded vocabulary and his knowledge of several hundred kanji  and getting the hang of the other two alphabets, the script still came across as a seemingly endless parade of mangled spiders.

"Mind telling me what this is all about?"

"You're entitled, considering what I'm asking ... and about to tell you anyway."

"Should be ... interesting."

Both men settled back in their chairs. Duffy felt this to be a long one. He was right. Kajis' tale WAS ... interesting.

"Like you, on coming here I was confused, bewildered. Had no idea what I fell into. Of course, being Japanese, it wasn't so hard to take in as you had. No one noticed me, I fit in.

"I was also relieved at the same time ... at first. It wasn't the hell of suffering and misery I expected. I also not only didn't have to worry where my next meal was coming from but I had a job, with title and position. An actual place in uh ... society I could be a part of. Something I found very hard to maintain when I was alive.

"This wasn't Heaven. I could see that right off. But, like I said before, it wasn't damnation either. For the first couple days, I thought my troubles were over ...

"Then I saw ... HER.

"She was ... older. Her looks may have matured but I could tell right off who she was.

"I've been spending time in hell ever since."

xxxxx

On conclusion of Kajis' story, Jacks' mind was a mix of conflicting emotions. Running from pity to utter contempt of the broken creature before him, he didn't know wether to feel sorry for or spit on him. Thoughts of emptying a full mag of .45 into the man ran through his head.

Maintaining self control, Duffy picked the papers off the desk and re-examined.

"Mind if I bring someone else in on this?"

Kaji giving off a nervous twitch asked, "someone ... else? ... I ..."

"Another neutral third party," Jack held up the papers. "Can't read this. Need someone to verify."

"Oh," relieved. "O'Hara-sensei?"

"Yes. I'm taking this for her to look at before delivering. No insult intended. This is sudden and I need to make sure something isn't being put over on me."

"I ... understand."

xxxxx

Leaving the utility garage, Duffy went down the side of Class C and entered the buildings' first tier. Going to a wall phone in the teachers' communal office he dialed Rachels' cel. Like his apartment phone (He was a cel phone "hold out". Didn't care for them.) Rachels' still operated on the number she arrived with. After these several months it still felt odd, his dialing a Toronto, Canada number, area code and all.

xxxxx

Almost an hour after school let out, Yuri sat at her desk in Safe and Sound pondering the strange phone call Duffy-san called in earlier.

A matter of grave importance, he said. Concerning her. And it would be a good idea to get some "muscle" to attend as well. Noda, Matsushita, TK, Fujimaki and Oyama patiently standing by, others soon to arrive.

Looking up at the clock she noted the time. A knock at the door (Mallet trap deactivated for the moment.) revealing the foreign couple punctual ... and seriously reserved.

Yuri motioned the two to sit.

"So ... ," the Front leader starting hesitantly, not sure what it was they were here for, "just what is this 'matter of grave importance' you mentioned?"

Jack glanced sideways at Rachel still examining the papers. Noting the mans' attention, she handed the sheaf to him.

"Rather than give an account of what was told us, your reading will serve better and save us both time and  breath."

"Reading ... As in?" Yuri cocked an eyebrow, pointing at the papers.

"Yes, this." He held up the notes then placed them before her.

"What is it exactly?"

"A confession." Reply in flat statement, Duffy sliding them toward her.

"Confession ... ?"

"By someone you've ... uh ... been very much wanting to meet for quite some time. Sorry ... can't put this into words very well.

"As you know, Rachel can read this certainly better than I could ever hope to. She's cross checked this with his story and it matches what he told us. He wanted us to deliver this to you and-"

"He?"

"Someone you've met before."

"Before?" The girl hesitantly picked up the papers.

"Though you've never seen his face. At least not when you initially met."

"!?"

"And he very much wants to meet with you," Rachel added noting the curious male members of the Front gathering 'round. Duffy also noticing their closer presence.

Noda, stepping up to Yuris' side, looked quizzically at the sheets before his leader. A sidelong glance from her to the halberd wielder gave no sign of annoyance or disapproval of the young mans' close proximity as in the past.

"Good," thought Duffy. "She's gonna' need ALL the moral support she can get when she takes this in."

Holding the document, both hands, Yuri read.

Not even half way down the page, a tremor in the hands evidenced, not lost on those about the desk.

Reaching out, Noda placed a comforting hand upon a feminine wrist only to have the hand brushed abruptly aside. His shock at such quickly dissuaded as Yuri, with a quick intake of breath, relented and grabbed the young mans' mitt for support, holding tightly.

Her other hand clenched, the papers partly crumpled under the grasp.

Shaking spasmodically, Yuri set the sheets down hard.

Looking straight into the mans' eyes, a wide eyed look of shock and maniacal hatred.

"YOU!?"

"Not until a few hours ago," the man talking low and slow. "He had everyone fooled ... You ... me ...

"To tell you the truth, I'm not happy with this guy either. It was all I could do to keep from shooting him myself. Had no idea I was working next to a monster all this time."

Abruptly standing up, both hands now flat on desk surface, Yuri quick-glanced at each of the six young men about.

"FIND HIM ... NOW!"

"We've ... got to find him ... FIND HIM! ... The bastard! ... The son of a-! ... "

"Find who!?" The collective question from the young men.

"The-," Yuri looked at Jack then back up to the men. "The Building and Grounds foreman! He's not an NPC!"

"Not an-"

"What!?"

"This is-"

"His not being an NPC, how does that-?"

"Just FIND him!"

"Hold it. Yuri, he can't-" Jack trying to reason.

"Find him ... NOW! He mustn't- ... GO!"

"Wait! Guys! HOLD IT!"

The six stopped themselves in mid-rush to the door, a surprised Hinata, Sakaki and Takamatsu just entering through. Alternately looking between the foreigner and their leader, minds partially confused. A stoic Shiina, having unobtrusively taken her usual corner during the precedings, looked on.

Yuri, again with that hate charged look toward Jack. The sudden usurpation of her authority in her group by an outsider, not sitting at all well.

"He's not ... going ... anywhere hon," Duffy stated. "... Except here."

Rachel, taking a risk, leaned forward, reaching out, both hands enfolding Yuris' right. Though shaking violently, the girl made no effort to slap them away. The gesture seemed to have a calming effect as the girls' face went from ferocious to stern.

"Why ... would he-?"

"Where else would he go?" Jack making a rhetorical question. "There's no place he could hide on the school grounds. You and your group know the place better than I do and I know I could find him quick enough. Certainly not the guild tunnels. The woods? Matsushita and I know the hills better than he ever could and no matter what, Shiina'd track him down before any of us could get to him.

"No ... Like I said before ... He's not going anywhere ... But here.

"Which should be," the man glanced at his watch and then at the wall clock, "in about twenty minutes."

To be continued ...

xxxxx

1. R.U.R. (Rossoms' Universal Robots) - A 1920, three act science fiction play by Karel Capek about a revolt of synthetic humans.

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


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

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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 and enjoyment of their works.

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

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

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Repeat of DISCLAIMER from Chapter 21: I take/assume NO responsibility or liability for any and all death, dismemberment, maiming, disfigurement, scarification, injury, mishap, physical/mental trauma, property damage/destruction, or criminal/terrorist activity that may be brought about by the misuse/carelessness or malice, intended or otherwise, by other individuals of the information contained in this chapter herein.

While the ownership and use of firearms are a right (At least in the United States of America. Consult the local laws of your own country in regard to this.) it should be treated and guarded by ones' self as a sacred privilege with attendant heavy responsibilities of ones' own conduct and behavior in regard to this.

BE SURE TO READ THE RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER. (1)

When one owns and uses firearms, one LITERALLY has the power of life and death in ones' own hands.

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS.

xxxxx

Chapter 22: To Each Her Own

"So he comes into the shop. Had to be one of the guys in management at the Marysville Honda plant. I could tell he was fresh off the plane as he's staring around in absolute TOTAL wonderment.

"I give him a few minutes to take it all in. Looked like he was in Disneyland the way he was gawking at everything ... like ... 'WOW! These crazy Americans really ARE into guns!'

"So I ask, 'May I help you?', and he comes up ... and I swear to God and all that's holy ... He asks ... and I'm NOT kidding when I say this .... He asks ... With a completely innocent, wide eyed, beatific look on his face ... 'Can I get shot here?'"

"What!?" Takamatsu open mouthed.

"No!" Rachel open mouthed in a perfect 'O'.

Sakaki just stared open mouthed.

"Now ... I know it's not polite to bust out laughing howling out and out loud in someones' face and I didn't. My guts are siezing up. Throat constricting.  My neck and jaw tightened up so much it HURT!

"I immediately excuse myself, indicating I'm getting something and head back to the store room for two reasons: Priority One, get the giggles out ... and FAST! I still couldn't laugh out loud even back there as he'd hear so I'm heaving and choking like a stand up grand mal siezure ... Man! it hurt so much!

"After about thirty seconds of the 'dry heaves' I come out with Priority Two, our three alphabet paper (Kanji, Hirugana, Katakana.) with the welcoming blurb, rates and range rules.

"He seemed happy with that for the moment and I'm back in the store room for another bout of Priority One. Another thirty seconds and I'm back out ... Not completely flushed of the yuks 'n giggles but enough to conduct business.

"We go over the range rules and I set him up with eye/ear protection, a .38, ammo and targets. I'm with him on the range about ten minutes demonstrating safety and handling then leave him to it.

"It's then another few minutes bout of Priority One getting out the residual giggles ... My sides hurt for a couple days after, I'm tellin' ya'."

"His command of English wasn't quite up to snuff I take it?" Rachel laughing.

"Better than my then idiot Japanese."

"She's here," everyone turning to a calm Sakaki.

"That, or a very large squirrel," smiled Jack as he and the others espied the boulder now clear of the sandwich and juice.

"It's her alright," replied a chuckling Takamatsu. "Don't know how she does it but she does."

"Oh really ... ," a skeptical Rachel. "How could she? We've been watching that rock off and on all this time, we would have noticed-"

"This is VERY good O'Hara-sensei," a satisfied Shiina said from the chair next to the teacher. "What do you call this?"

"YEEK!"

Rachel jumped up on just noticing the scarfed presence next to her, looking up and calmly munching on the afore vanished sandwich.

"How ... How ... did she-?"

"It's a gift," Duffy giggled. "And the operative phrase, as you put it, 'off and on'. My guess is she moves when we're 'off' and not 'on'."

Shiina refrained from giving the man a "look". Gift? A very hard won gift indeed. All those endless hours ... YEARS ... of training. Still, the man retaught her some invaluable lessons albeit inadvertantly. And the knowledge he was imparting here was ... interesting. That and her "extra curricular activities" he kept to himself.

"It ... It's ... ," Rachel recovering from her surprise and reseating, "it's Panini. Made them from what ingredients I could get from the cafeteria kitchens."

"So how long have you been sitting there?" Sakaki curiously inquired.

"Mmmm ... enough ... ," the ninja replied, friendly ominous, relishing the food.

"I've a question Duffy-san," stated a now serious Takamatsu.

"Oh?"

"If you're on at least neutral terms with Angel, how come you're teaching Sakaki and I marksmanship?"

"It's not Angel I'm worried about."

The others, even Shiina giving a slight lean in the mans' direction, looked attentively at him.

Noting the others attention, Duffy continued.

"Before coming here, if anyone told you you'd soon end up in a neverending high school where you were eternally young ... could kill or be killed and not die ...
What would you say to that person?"

"I'd say he was baka-tai with a capital BAKA!"

"Exactly ... Now I don't know how long any of you've been here. Maybe it's been years, who knows? Compared to you, Rachel and I've been here only months. Maybe you've gotten used to it. All I can think of is how fantastic this set up is. As far as I'm concerned ... ANYTHING could happen.

"You already have a fantastic 'enemy' in Angel. Who knows what else might one day be here lurking about."

"You mean like that NPC we have as student council vice president?" Sakaki.

"That and other things." Duffy wondered as to why Yuri,and thus the rest, would keep referring to Naoi as an NPC. "Yes ... and other things."

"Other things? ... Like?"

"Before coming here, something like this would've been be so much sci-fi/fantasy to me. Anything could happen as far as the author's concerned. Now that I'm here, I have to take in the consideration of the possibility of other crazy things coming along. So far, it's just Angel and the veep.

"I've talked with Yuri off and on about this. She likens the whole situation to a video game of sorts, hence her calling the zombies NPCs."

"Yes," grinned Takmatsu, "non-player characters. She was something of a game addict before coming here."

"I remember her mentioning some games have some kind of 'fail safe' feature wherein player characters are prevented from being too powerful and may even be killed off if the game goes on too long or something. I'm not big on vid games, me being into Minesweeper and online Checkers.

"But if there's an elimination feature with my- ," the man snugged up against Rachel, "-or for that matter, Rachels' name on it, I'd like to be prepared ... And have as many friends backing me as possible and vice versa.

"Other things? Who knows? Maybe one day all those NPCs might turn on you in some way. Maybe something big and hungry might come wandering onto the school grounds from outta' the woods. Saitou says there might be something big, mean and hungry stoogeing around in that creek. Other than you battlefronters or Angel, there's no one here able to cope with something like that."

"There's you," remarked Rachel smiling.

"Or you now," the man indicating the revolver on the teachers' hip.

"I'm not sure if-"

"You will if ever the time comes ... IF. Makes me wonder ... There might even be the possibility of you," Duffy looking at the other three, " and the rest of the Battlefront having to join forces with Angel one day-"

"No way!" Takamatsu

"I don't ... think so... ," Sakaki

"... ," Shiina

"In any event, it's only rudimentary marksmanship you've learned today. Not moves and tactics. It's one thing to learn to hit the target. As you know from personal experience, combat shooting is a lot more involved."

"You got that right!" Takamatsu exclaimed.

"Could I try it?"

Duffy turned to Shiina just now finishing a second sandwich and pointing to Rachels' S&W.

"Oh?"

"To see what it's like."

"Hmm ... ," the man thought, "... and yet ... ."

Getting up they proceeded to the firing line, the rest following.

Handing the eye protection and safety glasses over, Shiina took them and put them on without question.

"She passes the first 'test'," Duffy thought. "Shows she's serious. But then, when has she ever not been?"

Setting up the targets the man walked back to the firing line.

Turning to Rachel, Shiina again pointed to Rachels' revolver.

"May I?"

Taking the wheelgun and pointing downward, the ninja girl, turning to Duffy, pressed the cylinder release, opening the handgun. Pressing the plunger, the cartridges fell into her other hand.

"Could we go over the uh ... sighting procedure? Everything else I have down."

With a lifted eyebrow, Duffy went through a quick run down, the others looking on.

Review concluded, Shiina in goggles and "phones" stepped up to the firing line as everyone donned their own eye/ear protection.

Duffy noted the way the ninja girl stood. Fighting (boxer) stance instead of the "turret" stance (Feet shoulder width apart.) as he had the others do. Ayoob grip with the index of the supporting hand an inch forward and snugged under the trigger guard.

It was just as he did. Even the supporting hands' thumb was on top of the thumb of the holding hand, as he would if holding a semi-auto in order to prevent the slide from coming back and cutting the opposable digit while in operation. A habit he stuck with even when he himself held a revolver.

Cocking back the hammer for single action use, Shiina then peered through the sights. Drawing in a breath, letting out half of it, she rested her index finger, middle of the pad of the first joint, on the trigger ... and PRESSed.

The first shot registered at "six o'clock" just touching the outside of the bullseye.

The rest of the five shot string she placed in a tight pattern at the center of the bull. All five of the next string placed center as well.

Emptying the cylinder, she turned to Rachel, handing the gun to the teacher grip first.

Turning to Duffy, "thank you. It was ... interesting."

"Where'd you learn to shoot like that?" Duffy in rhetorical.

"From you."

?

"Sometimes I would follow you coming here and watch. I wasn't quite sure how you did it until today when I heard your instruction. Your review of the sighting procedure with me completed it."

"It's still surprising how you scored," he answered, nodding at the target beyond.

"Concentration is everything."

"Y'know, you would do quite well if you started carrying one of these."

"I think I'll stay with what I have."

"To each her own," thought Duffy.

xxxxx

"They were from Yokohama, visiting relatives working in management at the Honda plant. Had their girlfriends along, wanted to take a picture of me with a babe on either side.

"So we get into the shot and one of them indicates for the women to get in closer to me. Without thinking, I say 'ALRIGHT!' and put my arms around their shoulders and draw them in.

"There I am, close in between, with two squealing good looking babes and I'm thinking: 'Yeeeesss, life is goooood!'"

"What were the two guys doing then?"

"They laughed and one took the picture. I only held them for as long as the shot took so it wasn't like I was assaulting anyone.

"Yeah," Duffy mused, "the early '90s were a good time for me."

"Geez!," laughed Rachel who had snugged her chair up to Duffys' and was seated sideways, leaning with her back on the man, head on his shoulder. "I wasn't even ten then."

"So what's the movie this Friday?" Inquired Sakaki changing the subject.

For the past month and a half, Friday 'movie nights' in the Class C lounge had gotten to be a regular affair. Word had gotten 'round and students, wether Battlefront, sentients, or npcs, were curious as to what strange films the gaijin would be watching in the 'double feature' that week. Usually between fifty to seventyfive would be cramming the lounge every Friday.

"There's One Rachel picked out." The man had the good sense to always grudgingly accomodate for a 'chick flick', half the audience being female. Both he and Rachel had fun sneaking glances at Yuri from time to time with a more girlish expression on her face whenever she was viewing.

"Oh!?" Sakaki liked Rachels' choices.

"It's called," Rachel in reply, "The Lovely Bones." (2)

"Funny title." Takamatsu.

"It's about a young girl caught up in a situation not unlike our own."

"Worth checking out," Sakaki turning to Takamatsu.

"What's the other one?"

"The Bad Sleep Well," Duffy answering. "A flick by Akira Kurosawa from the early sixties. About corporate corruption."

The couple couldn't help but marvel. The two Gaijin never failed to surprise when a Japanese film even they hadn't heard of was revealed to be in their possession. They truely were movie buffs!

"I like the grey ones."

The group turned to Shiina. Everyone puzzled over her remark.

"Oh! ... ," realized Duffy. "You mean the older black and white movies?"

"Yes. I like them more."

"You seemed to like that last color flick."

"That one about that American samurai?"

"The Last Samurai (3), yes. The way you were laughing, you must have thought it was a comedy."

"It wasn't?"

The rest looked at one another, grinning and suppressing giggles.

Frowning on seeing the looks on their faces she continued, "I thought the ...
What is it? ... yes ... the action scenes were ... unrealistic. I never did any-"

Noting the abrupt halt in her speech, Duffy always eager to talk movies, tried continuing the conversation.

"You seemed pretty interested in the film overall."

"Before I met you and," nodding to Rachel, "O'Hara-sensei, I had only seen very few other European gaijin. Until then, I had only heard stories of, pardon the expression, 'the white hairy barbarians' from the other side of the world. That movie ... as you call it ... reminded me of one of them. He was an important one."

"By any chance, did you know his name?" Asked Rachel in a flash of inspiration.

Being the history buff he was, Jack had a good idea where this was leading.

"Uh ... I only saw him from a distance but ... yes."

"His name wouldn't happen to have been maybe William or ... Will Adams?"

Shiina returned a puzzled look.

"Um ... He was also known as Anjin Miura." (4)

The audible intake of breath from the usually quiet, stoic Shiina took the group by surprise.

"Bingo!" Duffy exclaimed silently. "She really dated herself. This definitely makes her the 'oldest' here."

"How did you-," the ninja girl cut her question in mid utterance. Smiling in realization she pointed at Rachel. "History ... right?"

"Yes ... It's what I do."

A short pall of silence fell over the group. Knowing this wasn't really the time or place for deep  historical discussion, Rachel settled on a new tack.

"Would you mind ... sitting down with me and talk sometime later this week? Just you and I?"

Shiina paused for but a moment. "I ... wouldn't mind. Maybe ... I'll think about it."

xxxxx

The older two, deciding to stay longer, saw the younger three leave. Sakaki and Takamatsu hand in hand, with the ninja bringing up the rear.

"Whadaya' think, hon?"

"I think ... I'm going to have a VERY interesting history lesson for myself later this week."

"Shiina?"

"Yes, definitely," the teacher stated. "She may not be a famous 'grade A' historical figure, just a 'foot soldier' so to speak, but the insight from her perspective would be invaluable to me."

"Too bad you can't send those findings on considering our ... and their ... situation."

"A good teacher is a student all her life. For here, it's enough that I know."

As they observed the trio disappearing down into the woods toward the creek, Duffy put his arm around Rachels' shoulders.

"Hmm ... ," the man thinking to himself watching the receding Sakaki and Takamatsu holding hands.

If this continued, as it most likely would, he speculated about how long his and Rachels' chaste relationship could continue without it getting more "difficult". He wanted to honor God in all this as did Rachel. No cheapening or "messing" things up as he had in the past.

He was under no illusion as to where the kids stood on these things. Boys being boys, girls being girls. It was a wonder to him that the place hadn't turned into an eternal, non-stop teen orgy, especially in light of the fact no pregnancies ever resulted. It was still an orderly school so typical of Japan and any "dalliances" kept pretty much discrete. All the same, as a Christian he felt it incumbent to set an example for them.

Marriage? If so, how? No clergy present. And yet ... There had to be a solution for Rachel and he ... Somehow.

To be continued ...

xxxxx

Notes:

1. The following are the RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY quoted verbatim from the website of the National Rifle Association:

1) ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2) ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3) ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

4) Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

5) Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a guns' mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

6) Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the guns' general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a guns' ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

7) Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

8) Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.

9) Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

10) Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

11) Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

12) Cleaning

A. Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.

B. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.

C. Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The guns' action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

xxxxx

2. The Lovely Bones (Paramount Pictures, 2009) - Produced and directed by Peter Jackson. Saoirse Ronan stars as Susie Salmon, a young lady who runs afoul of a serial killer and is (Due to her unwillingness to relieve herself of spiritual/emotional "baggage".) "trapped" in an "inbetween", neither Heaven or earth, and watching over her family. A real tear jerker. Definitely NOT recommended for old softies like me ... or YOU!

3. The Last Samurai (Warner Bros. Pictures, 2003) - Tom Cruise stars as an American military advisor to an emerging 1860s Japan who falls in with an anti-change Samurai clan and fighting on their side.

4. Will Adams/Anjin Miura (1564 - 1620) - An English trader/navigator who became not only one of the very few Europeans to become a naturalized Japanese Citizen, but also attained the ranking of Samurai.

James Clavells' book, Shogun is based on the life of Will Adams.

xxxxx

I would like to thank Dima02 on fanfiction dot net for giving me an idea about "fleshing out" Shiinas' past. I've left mine vague enough by only placing her in roughly the same period of history he has, leaving him to complete that "history".

The two "incidents" regarding Japanese tourists mentioned in this chapter are among some of the many comical moments experienced by this author when working at The Powder Room and Pistol Range in Powell, Ohio back in the '90s.

xxxxx

Go to In Gods' Good Time chapter index on C V Ford's Anime Fanfiction Page
here. Just scroll to the story blurb in the Angel Beats section.

Go to C V Fords' Anime Fan Fiction Page here.

Go to C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction stories list here.

Go To Dima02s' profile page and anime fan fiction stories list on Fan Fiction dot net here.

Go to Dima02s' Angel Beats fan fic story here.

Go to Fan Fiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Any other articles under this 'un means yer already there.



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

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 and enjoyment of their works.

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

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 20: Jacks' Story


"Mmmm ... Smells wonderful."

The aroma of popping corn wafted through Rachels' modest apartment, more than favorably registering on her olfactory sense.

"Yeah. The aroma of REAL popcorn ... ," the man answered as he helped with the dishes.  "'Course it doesn't compare anywhere near to that great Lasagna of yours."

The meal that evening had gone beautifully. The lasagna Rachel prepared was as every bit as excellent as she made Jack expect it to be. The two cafeteria salads, supplemented with the dressing from her kitchen and the red wine, rounded the meal out perfectly.

She turned from the sink, eyeing the near empty wine bottle on the table.

"That's about the last of it."

Duffy nodded toward the fridge.

"Managed to scrounge up the last four bottles of Coke for the movies. Been conserving it best I could. Special occasion and all. I'm glad it's this one."

"Wine, Coca-cola or no ... As long as it's you and me ... " pausing, looking at him, "that's what matters."

He looked down at the dish towel he held, frowning.

"Is something wrong?" Her concern surfacing.

"Yeah ... maybe ."

"What could-"

"That 'you and me' business."

Hesitantly, Rachel put her left hand over the two of his now tightly clutching the towel.

"Have I-?"

"That's just it ... Nothing wrong with you hon."

He looked up from her hand on his.

"The problem's with me."

"How so?"

"Maybe we should sit down first."

A few short steps to the dining area, they resumed their seats opposite, candles still lit.

"Just what could be the matter with YOU of all people, Jack? Ever since my arrival here in this crazy place, you've been wonderful. Not just in helping me adjust but-"

She stopped on his waving it off and noticing the pained expression on his face.

"It's something I kept putting off thinking about until ... Right after, in fact, you took me up on this ... uh ... date of ours."

She returned his look with a gently firm one of her own.

"You've something on your mind and think there's something in your past I should know ... that it might affect us both in some way?"

"Exactly ... There's some things I feel I MUST tell you before we let things go any further."

"All ... right."

Duffy took a deep breath, letting out half before continuing.

"I was ... considered by a lot of folks to be a strange kid ... I had ... 'problems'. Mostly school ... I ... "

"It's okay Jack."

"Oh ... Hell. I'm cutting right to it ... I ... I was institutionalised for a couple years ... They had me there- ... I was just a kid! ... Ten years old and they ... they put me away! Just like that ... I-"

The effect of Rachels' hands enfolding Jacks' was electric. He pulled away abruptly.

"I-I'm sorry! I-"

With no hesitation, the teachers' hands firmly regrabbed the mans'.

"Don't be," she said softly. "You've no reason to be. Go on."

The direct look in her eyes told Jack she to be sympathetic.

"Alright."

The awkward hurdle jumped, Duffy calmed and continued.

"Like I said, I was something of an awkward, weird kid. Obsessive ... episodic fits of temper ... overactive imagination. Given to wild fantasies about things I guess. I really don't remember much about what happened then except my parents alluding to several incidents at school ... again, I don't remember much ... prompted them to seek ... 'help' ... something about schizophrenia ...  At least that's what the ... uh ....experts ... called it.

"The so-called 'experts' suggested I be held for uh ... 'observation' ... in a place I'd rather not name. It was two years of so-called therapy with its' ... drugs, manipulation, mind games and ... abuse ... And what I mean by abuse I mean ... in every sense of the word."

"Oh Jack!"

"Yeah ... When it started going in THAT direction ... I ... I managed to spill it to my parents on a home visit. Dad took some action and I was out of there for a summer ... but ...

"They sent me back! They sent me back there ... that damn place. Guess the 'experts' convinced them other wise or they had a legal hold of some kind. But I was back there ... God ... DAMN them! ... the experts I mean ... I-

"Well ... my ... uh ... 'therapist' stopped doing what he was ... doing ... Probably thought I'd report on him again. And ... I was out after a few more months.

"Many years later, I found copies of some records stored by my parents. The bastard had signed off a clean bill of health on me ... to get rid of me I guess ... and I was out of there at age twelve. I was ten when I was put in ... just a ... kid ... "

"You HAVE been hurt. That much is plain. But you've been out of there many years now."

"In body, yes. In mind, I've kept myself there and let it get to me the rest of my life. Let it have a constant say in life and the fault is mine.

"That isn't quite all there is to it though."

"Oh?"

"My stay in that miniature looney bin was followed by a three year stint in a military school. Damn experts said there wasn't actually anything wrong with me and that my real problem was discipline and suggested I go there. Less said about that the better. All I'll say about it is it wasn't very good as a military academy ... Bullies and bedwetters supervised by nuns. All they did was pound into me the non-virtue of standing around waiting for orders ... To show initiative was to disrupt the order of things.

"I figured out later in life that that's one way how some others get ahead. Beat it into the heads of potential competition that thinking and action on your part is wrong, thus helping clear the way for them. While they have you convinced you'd be doing wrong so's to keep you from even trying, they'd be doing the same things and succeeding.

"And, to make it short, that's what I'd been doing the rest of my life. Waiting for the approval and consent of others ... Waiting for orders and having no initiative because I thought I'd be punished or penalised in some way. Things were just something to endure ... get through. Hell ... At the end of high school I didn't even attend the graduation  ceremony ...  Just another thing to get through.

"So ... for me ... life was just a series of things to slide through ... didn't apply myself much to anything. Was bad at relationships ... Wasn't the best boy friend in the world with what few women I'd been with ... Even my relationship with the Lord, I took the wrong attitude. Repentance requires living in a manner I wasn't much committed to. Salvation is empty and meaningless without that commitment.

"Thus, my life is ... was ... empty and meaningless ...

"I'm a loser Rachel. A loser because I let something from ... way ... back ... dictate the rest of my life to me. I knew all along that was the case but didn't care.

"There's a lot more to it but it comes down to the fault being all mine ... For not getting up on my hind legs and making a fight of it so to speak.

"So I'd understand it if you'd not want anything to do with me other than the work to be done here, I-"

"Sorry to disappoint you Jack."

"Say what?" The man looked up and into the eyes of a stern, determined looking Rachel O'Hara.

"You're really down on yourself, aren't you?"

"I'm-"

"You really like to punish yourself, don't you!"

"!?"

"Maybe you're one of those masochistic types who think breaking up is much more satisfying than hooking up. Maybe-"

"Now just a sec-"

"THEN MAYBE NOT!"

"Look! I-"

"NO! ... You look.

"Jack." She made his name sound like a definite statement. "Don't sell yourself short."

"Wait a-"

"You are NOT a loser."

"I-"

"If you were, I'd have no interest in you."

"But I-"

"Listen Jack and listen good." She waited to see if he'd try to speak again. Seeing he wasn't, she continued. "Up to this moment, I had doubts ... about myself."

"Your ... self?"

"Yes. I was thinking I wasn't uh ... for the want of a better word, ... 'worthy' ... to be near you until you just reminded me of something."

Jack cocked his head to the side with a questioning look.

"Look," Rachel continued. "My life isn't what you'd call Ideal or pristine either ... Everyone here ... you ... me ... all these kids ... are here for different reasons but they all involve sins of omission as well sins of comission. We're here because not only of things we did or didn't do but of things others did to or didn't do for us. If we were the perfect beings and had the ideal lives we would have liked, then ... Not only no one would be here but this place ... this school ... wouldn't even exist.

"You once said this place might be a test of some kind and I've concluded it is. If I were the one grading you, with the exception of the last few artificially pathetic minutes, I'd give you a perfect score."

"Rea-lly ..." He was dubious to say the least. "How so?"

"I've asked around. From what Yuri and the others say ... even Tachibana ... well ... When you came here they said you immediately took charge of your situation, took matters into your own hands. You started reconoitering the area ... assesed the situation and took measures."

"They looked on me as some kind of threat."

"At first, yes. Some thought you might've been the advance guard of an invasion of some kind."

"I guess they would at that ... what has this got to do with-"

"When you tried direct contact, you didn't push your weight around. You were calm, collected and polite in so far as the circumstances allowed. I understand you were even in a position once to gun them all down but didn't. That and the way you handled Kanade after made something of an impression."

"When was that?"

"The night when you first saw them coming back from one of their ... uh ... meal ticket runs," she giggled some.

"What's so funny?"

"Yuri said you were hiding in the bushes like some kind of commando or something."

"Never told them anything about that, how could- ... Had to be Shiina."

"Yuri and Noda watched at a distance but it was that strange girl ... Shiina ... who filled them in on it. Is she as good as they say she is?"

"Better ... Probably was standing right next to me the whole time for all I know ... I still don't understand how this has anything to do with-"

"YOU ... are more capable a man than you give yourself credit for. After you got here, you threw yourself into your work. From what I understand you more than earn your wages. You also aren't content to sit around on your time off. From what I've been told, you've done a lot of exploration of the surrounding area on top of your own interests. Much more than you've let on to me."

"Just filling in time, I-"

"Still down on yourself? That shouldn't be like you. Not at all-"

"Just a-"

"Let me make my point Jack."

"Just like a red head!" Exclaiming inwardly.

"What I'm trying to say is this ... After the ... When I came here ... I ... was ... scared ... I had no idea as to what was going on. I wake up in ... Japan ... Only to find it's not. First Tachibana then Yuri and her uh ... brigade ..."

Both gave out a laugh. Jack earlier noted Rachel also had Yuris' not so favorite anime in her collection.

"They give me the low down on an unbelievable situation. In spite of my being here so far, I still find it hard to take it all in. Though they told me all they could, a lot of blanks needed filling.

"So there I am. It's my second day here. Still can't  wrap my head quite around it. I'm in the cafeteria being absolutely GRILLED by what seems half the female population about where I'm from, when in walks up this ... GUY.

"He's kind of goofy and nervous at first ... Has a bit of trouble in what to say. 'Speaks' Japanese quite strangely and comes across as an unlikely cross between John Wayne and Woody Allen.

"Yet ... Has a strength about him I know I can trust and rely on. He's straight forward and plain talking on most things ... ," her grip softened then her thumb started caressing the back of his hand.

"But is kind of shy and reserved on others ... I ... I like it when he's around."

Jack held back a gasp. With a knowing twist to the mouth, he raised an eybrow and spoke.

"You trying to get me to disappear?"

"This may be a bit soon but ... If I do try to get you to uh ... disappear ... It's because I want to disappear with you. If we're to meet the Lord to be judged, I want to be before Him with you.

"But until that time comes, I'm quite happy to be spending my time here with you.

"As for your past ... c'mon. Like I said, no one here had perfect lives. You should hear mine sometime ... When I'm darn good and ready of course."

"Baby," Jack replyed, relieved an smiling, "you've got yourself a deal!"

xxxxx

Jack was pleasantly surprised at Rachels' choice of film. An earlier scanning of her collection revealed mostly an assortment of dreaded "womens films".

"Thelma and Louise ... Interesting."

"I felt it was the closest I had to the kind of movie you like. Still kind of a 'chick flick'."

"On the contrary. It's actually a guy flick ... It's only incidental that the two guys in it happen to be chicks."

"Uh ... Chicks, huh?" Right eyebrow raised look.

"Hey, you said it first."

"That I did."

xxxxx

Rachel was right. The few students coming and going by the lounge did add to the "theater experience" with some staying to watch. Soon, half the lounge was full of curious students quietly watching the American made films with the couple.

"Was it really like that in your country Duffy-san?" A curious one asked.

"Over twenty years before my time but yeah. The economy so bad, jobs so scarce ... People desparate for work, going all over to find a paying job. That scene you just saw-"

Jack noted Rachels' responding grimace at the bad grammar.

"-was real. Gable, Colbert and film crew were shooting that scene at the crossing when that train just happened to come by. The men on those flatcars, smiling and waving for the cameras, weren't movie extras. They were actual folks hopping trains, looking for work. The director decided to leave that shot in the film.

"I understand the Depression was even worse in Japan ..."

In watching the students responding to the films, Jack felt reassurance in the Left Behind-like "universal translator" or whatever it was this strange "afterlife" had, doing the same for electronic media as well as normal speech. He noted the odd Front uniforms dotting the audience here and there as well.

A couple off to his and Rachels' left stood out in particular. The girl having a look of curious speculation on her face while viewing the screen. Not being a TV watcher, let alone the possibility she might be from a past era to begin with, even an old black and white film would seem new and interesting to Shiina. The rather "worn" looking young man with her, patiently answered questions about what cars, trains and anything else appearing on the screen puzzling her.

"Poor fellow," Jack thought, chuckling inwardly. "I can only imagine what YOU'VE been through all day."

As if in answer to an unasked question, the lad looked at Duffys' speculative face.

"We thought you could do with some chaperoning." Grinning.

Turning back to the screen, Jack slumped back, neck on the couch while staring at the cieling, sighing and shaking his head.

"What?" Rachel smiling at his perplexed countanance.

"Irony ... all ... Is irony."

To be continued ...

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, 19.

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

Go to Fan Fiction dot Net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Ifn' you be seein' articles under this 'un, yer there already!


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.

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 Fifteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 15: A Snake In Eden


"Please! Naoi-san! I ... I didn't mean to, I-"

The loud smack of a back hand impacting on an anxious face echoed across the top of Class C. The target automatically slumped to the roof, it being part of the drill he had been through many times before. Naoi-san was having one of his periodic fits of rage and the NPC, in his limited way, realized it best to "take it" and let it pass.

The student council Vice President pushed up on the bill of his cap as he, leering crookedly, looked down on the cowering figure. What had originally been a tasteless chore in maintaining balance while stranded in this "in between" had slowly morphed into the deepest of pleasures. He now more than understood why bullies took such satisfaction. That feeling of power over others ...

"Whether you meant it or not matters little if at all. What does matter is you're here, I'm here ...

"AND WITH THAT!"

The antagonist raised his right foot, about to send a stomping, forward kick into the hapless target. It enraged him as he saw the boy raise his arm in protection. Then again, Naoi would have been enraged if the kid didn't. Whether they took it like the stupified cattle they were or put up resistance, the bully would never be pleased. Their very existence pissed him off to no end and that HE ... GOD! ... had to put up with it. At least, for the moment, he'd be compensated.

The kick never came.

Ayato Naoi gagged as his collar "punched"  his adams apple on being yanked abruptly and violently back, almost falling in the rearward stumble. A rough hand spun him around then grabbed the front of his collar, jerking him forward ... Into the eyes of a very hostile looking foreigner.

Duffy turned to the would-be victim sprawled on the roofs' tarmac.

"Get outta' here kid," the man commanded. "Me 'n the veep here's got things to discuss."

The now relieved victim struggled up. Dashing to the door, the 'droid' took a quick last look and ducked inside.

"Y'know ... ," Jack noted the NPCs' exit and turned his gaze back to the momentarily subdued student Vice President. "I've had my eye on you off and on for the past few weeks. It's a pretty good act you put on ... making like one of the walking dead 'n all. I see you going through the motions, almost no variation in your routine ... almost. And that's what gave you away. You know ... little things ... like your not eating the same thing every Tuesday at lunch ... that sorta' thing-"

"Why ... why would you-"

Hand tightened on the collar, choking off Naois' utterance.

"Quiet! ... You had your say while knocking that kid around. As for my watching you, nothing personal ... til now. Just something I do to pass the time while working. You'd be surprised how many zombies here that really aren't. Everybody here has their own way of coping with this wierd set-up. Some, like you, try to pass themselves off as part of the scenery. Up til now, you were just one of the 'fake outs' I happened to notice and nothing more.

"So here I am, at the other end of the roof working on the air conditioning, when I see you and this other kid arrive and you start giving him a hard way to go-"

"It's not like they're real people or anything! They can't really-"

With a gasp, Naoi felt both hands on his collar, now lifting him up, so much so, the young man stood on his toes.

"I ... said ... shut ... the hell ... UP!

"Real or not ... don't matter ... What is real is ... I ... DON'T ... LIKE ... BULLIES ... Never did. And you sir ... are a bully.

"Now maybe your being such a secret little prick is your way of counter acting  being such an outwardly model student ... maintaining equilibrium so to speak ... so's ya won't disappear 'n all. Then again, it could be you're just a useless punk who gets his jollies beating up on people.

"Either way or whatever ... You better make sure the NEXT time you go pushing someone around, that I'm not within earshot ... 'Cause if I catch you hurting someone again ... real or otherwise ... I'm gonna' ... KICK ...  YOUR ... ASS!

Duffy shoved the diminutive bully away.

"Now git outta' here."

Gaining his balance and backing up a few feet, Naoi faced Duffy. He was always careful about using his 'talent', so far, on only NPCs. He wasn't sure how it would work on his fellow 'genuines'. Without thinking, he decided to try it on the foreigner.

"So ... A sense of justice is it?"

"So," began the Vice President as he lowered his voice in beginning the procedure. "A sense of justice is it? I suppose it fair to say that you may have been a past victim of bullying yourself."

You don't know the half of it, kid.

"And it's been a source of regret you didn't deal with it in a better manner than in the past."

Yeah. Could have handled it better. Should have kicked more ass back then than I did. Hell, half the people who gave me a hard time, I could have taken easily. God, I was such a wimp then!

"Fear, doubt ... and possibly other things ... That feeling of helplessness ... powerless ..."

I know what you mean. Why ... Why am I having trouble focusing? What's this kid-

"Maybe you were in situations beyond your control. Situations caused by those older ... parents ... teachers ... maybe? Authority figures of some kind ..."

Oh yeah ... those bastards ... in that ... place. The drugs ... abuse ... mind games ... the- Wait a sec ... Well HELL!

"What they did ... You'd like to correct that ... wouldn't you? You'd- URK!"

Duffy closed the few feet separating them inhumanly fast and Naoi felt himself being jerked off his feet a second time. The enraged foreigner holding the collar in a viselike grip, their eyes only inches apart.

"So that's it! I was wondering how a runt like you could beat that kid around. He looked like he could mop the floor with you yet you had him begging. I could see you're no martial artist with the way you were gonna' kick him ...

"Power of suggestion ... Yeah ...hypnosis of some kind or other. Gotta' admit. You almost had me kid ..."

The thought of another attempt flashed through Naois' mind but he thought the better of it. The foreigners' hazel eyes bespoke the cold rage seething behind them. Telling him the man had past experience with this kind of power ... An experience that DID NOT AT ALL go well for him. And he was on the verge of taking it out on Naoi!

"How? ... How is it ... you ..."

"Never you mind, kid ... Not important."

The grip tightened.

"What is important is ... I'm on to you."

"!?"

"What's also important is what I'm putting on top of my first warning ... "

The piercing eyes bore deep into those of the student Vice President, DARING him to make another attempt at mesmerisation.

"If you should ever ... EVER! ... try that shit on me again ... If you ever even hint at it ... I ... WILL ... KILL ... YOU ... In the most excriutiating and graphic a manner possible.

"Oh sure. It's true that's only a waste of time here, being what this place is and all ... but that's not all there'd be to it. Oh no. There's also the fun part after.

Naois' eyes widened.

"I'll toss what's left of ya' in a contemplation room and leave you there ... WITH THE DOOR WELDED SHUT!"

"!"

Jack pushed his face even closer to that of the would-be mesmerist, noses almost touching.

"With only your sick little thoughts to keep you company ... FOR-EV-ER!"

Shoving the kid away, he watched as the young man stumbled and fell on his posterior. Duffy leaned forward, his right index finger pointing between the boys' eyes.

"I reiterate ... This is not a threat ... This is not a promise ... It is a WARNING.

"Now git!"

Ayato wasted no time in picking himself up and departing. At the door, he took one last dreading look at the seething figure, its' right hand now at its' side, thumb hooked in the belt.

xxxxx

Ayato hurried down the stairs as if the very demons of hell were following. Frequently glancing back, the thought of the vengeful angel on the roof at the forefront of his mind.

"How was that gaijin able to fend me off like that!?"

He knew there was the possibility of resistance but, so ... violent. It seemed it was all the American could do to keep from hammering the young man into the buildings' roof. The would-be mesmerist was lucky to get off as lightly as he did and more than knew it.

Yes, it was the first time he actually tried it on a sentient human ... almost succeding.

"Went too far, too fast," he thought. "Must take it slower ... Study more ... refine my technique. He'll pay ... They'll ... ALL pay. Yes ... study ... refine!"

xxxxx

If the kid was armed, he wondered if Naoi might draw on him and held his stance, watching the young man leave. As it was, Naoi scuttled through and was gone.

He waited over a minute, keeping his eye on the door in case the Vice President returned.

"Heh ... ," calming down. "Too many movies ... westerns ... Yeah ... Too ... many ..."

Knees shaking, his legs wobbled, threatening to collapse out from under.

Staggering, Duffy, with right arm, leaned against an AC unit, other hand to his head.

"Oh God ... headache ... Hurts like hell! Little bastard almost had me."

Slumping down, he turned and sat, his back to the unit. Holding his head with both hands, he softly rocked back and forth in an attempt at willing the pain away.

"Kid's a menace ... Gotta' keep an eye on him ... Can't let my guard down ... Can't let him ... THEM! ... get to me.

"THEM! The bastards! ... Why ... Mommy? ... Daddy? ... why ... Why did you send me there? ... That ... place? ...Why did you let them ... I know I wasn't like the other kids ... I know I was ... different ... but ... What did I do that was ... What did I do to deserve ...

"Oh God ... dear Jesus ... why ... Why did it happen ... to me ... What did I do to deserve it? ... And why am I in THIS place now? Maybe this actually is hell ... IS this hell, Lord? Maybe ... "

xxxxx

Standing but a few feet away, a silent, stealthy presence watched protectively as the man, now oblivious to his surroundings, coped with his mental as well as physical pain. The apparition reached out, wanting to put a comforting hand on a shoulder but heistated, long practice of being unseen preventing.

Turning, the wraith went over the retaining rails to the roofs' edge and waited. On seeing Naoi making a hasty exit from the building and wending his way in the dorms direction, it slipped over, quickly climbing down.

Yuri had to know.

xxxxx

After a cautious trip down to Class Cs' top floor, Duffy, legs still unsteady, put his head around the corner and scanned the hall for signs of his new enemy.

"Are you all right?"

Heart in mouth, Jack stiffened then relaxed. No, not Naois' voice in the questioning.

... his eyes beheld the slight, silver-white haired form of the "angelic" one.

Turning, his eyes beheld the slight, silver-white haired form of the "angelic" one.

"Nothing wrong hon, I'm fine."

Kanadae could see the man was sweating, nervous. Blinking once, she inquired further.

"Are you sure? I saw Naoi-san leaving the roof. He seemed quite fearful."

"He oughta' be," Jack replyed ominously. "If he's any smart he'd ... better be."

"Was there a problem with him?"

Duffy sourly chuckled within over the young ladys' understatement. He countered with a question of his own.

"Are you ... ," apprehension building, "working with him ... in any way?"

"Only in matters dealing with student affairs, nothing more."

"You know he's a real person, don't you? Not one of-"

"The non-entities? Yes. Though he has hidden himself quite well."

"I take it then you know of his ability ... what he can do?"

"I am aware of his powers of manipulation and how far he can go. I have taken measures to counter them. It appears you have as well."

The man blinked hard against the now dull ache above and behind his eyes. Yes ... when one realizes what's happening ... is mad enough.

"Just plain cussed meanness hon," was the best he could come up with at the moment."

"If you are all right, then I must go. Business to attend to."

Duffy let her pass, giving her a few seconds before starting off on his own.

xxxxx

Making his way to his apartment on now steady legs, he entered and immediately went to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Opening it, he grabbed the bottle of aspirin.

He looked down at the two tablets, quickly adding a third, then, slumping in the barcalounger, rubbed his temples against the receding ache.

"That ... Damn kid. Almost had me ... DID have me. DAMN! I thought I'd forgotten that ... hell. Put it outta' my mind best I could. Little bastard brought those things back ... In freakin' living color! Man, I don't wanna' remember that hell ... that ... place ... Little scumbag brought it all ... back!"

A real enemy this time. Maybe. If the punk tried to cause trouble later, he'd know what to do.

For a start, he reached for the phone.

xxxxx

Phone to her ear, Yuri alternately switched her vision from the ceiling to the ninja seated on the other side of the desk. It was but only a half hour between when Shiina informed her and Duffys' call.

"Anything more you can tell me of him?"

"Only what I said before ... That he's been masquerading as an NPC and that there's something strange about him," Yuri explained. "I've given orders to casually observe and have as little contact as possible."

"Well I TOLD you what's strange about him."

"That you did," the Front leader replied. "We only had a vague idea of what he could do. For all we know, you're the first non-NPC he's tried it on."

"Like I said, it didn't go well for him ... or me. You watch it around that guy, y'hear?"

"Thanks for the heads up."

"Another thing."

"Oh?"

"I ran into Tachibana right after."

"Really ..."

"Seems she knows about him, probably more than you or I. Except for student business, she says she's not working with him and is leery of him too."

"That's good to know."

"Hey, one wild card at a time, right?"

"You got it!" Yuri exclaimed. "Again, thanks for the info."

"No prob, talk to ya' later."

The Front leader set the phones' reciever in its' cradle and looked over at Shiina.

"Anything to add?"

"As I said before," the ninja began in reiteration, "I spotted Naoi and the NPC from the library roof and Duffy-san moving up on them. I got over just as the gaijin started on Naoi."

"And it looked like Naoi was getting the better of him?"

"I was about to jump in when ... He rallied ... exploded."

"He was that mad, right?"

"Yes. And Naoi frightend. He was quick to leave."

The ninja girl glanced downward for a moment then back up.

"After Naoi left, Duffy-san looked like he was in terrible pain. Was on the ground holding his head. I stayed awhile longer ... made sure he was alright and that Naoi had left the area ... Then came straight here."

Yuri felt Shiina might be leaving something out but couldn't put a finger on it.

"You really like that old foreigner, don't you?"

"I respect him, nothing more."

Looking into the burgundy eyes of the tracker, the Front leader could tell it was so.

xxxxx

Shiina WAS holding out, having made no mention of what she overheard while Duffy had been talking to himself. As it was always Yuris' policy of any personal info be submitted by the person him/herself, Shiina felt she was in no betrayal by with-holding.

Leaving the office, Shiina thought on what she overheard Duffy say in his anguish.

Everyone here was broken in some way. Having dark corners in their minds they would as soon not see illuminated. The way the man carried on to himself proved how heavy the burden he carried. And the weight ... HEAVY. She hoped he would find a way to lighten it.

As for her, one of the ways she found to ease her own came in with several others as she was leaving.

A sidelong glance at the group held no significance to them but for one.

The significance being: Tonight. Again! You. Me. Usual place. Not neccessarily ... the usual.

To the "object of her affections" it was: Be there ... OR ELSE!

xxxxx

It was the alternate night of a jog instead of a brisk walk and Duffy had no intention of varying his routine. The discovery of a possible adversary was not going to deterr him. He decided if Naoi made another psychic move on him, he'd forego the excriutiating torture he proclaimed before and just put the kid "on ice" by incarcerating him in a contemplation room ... After, of course, a 1050 feet per second, cranial injection of 230 grains semi-jacketed hollow point.

To say Jack was furious, was an understatement. He, however, decided on playing it smart, kool and not let it get the better of him. Maybe he would catch that kid bullying others. Maybe that bullying would be a trap to sucker him in. Would others be in on it with the little Svengali?

Unlike Yuri, he had no compunction about shooting anyone, NPC or human, who might assist the kid. A human shield, willing or otherwise, was still a weapon that had to be taken out. None of that Blackhawk Down krap for him!

Passing by the gym building, he was brought up short.

A rear door was ajar. He distincly remembered having locked it earlier in the day.

Though off duty, Jack still carried his work radio.

"83 to 85."

"Go ahead," voice of the co-worker NPC, Kaji in response.

"Just noticed the northeast rear door to the gym is open ... Gonna' check it out inside."

"Probably one of the kids. Making a note of it, 85 clear."

He doubted it had anything to do with Naoi. He was sure it was too soon for any possible retaliation and the gym just wasn't the student Vice Pres' thing.

"Probably Takamatsu working out," he thought. The young mans' extra 'phys ed' after closing was one of the things Duffy purposely overlooked in regard to the kids. "Have to talk to him about such carelessness."

Nevertheless, Jack drew the Officers' Model Colt from its holster before entering.

Walking past the locker rooms, he glanced into the weight room. Lights off and no Takamatsu to be seen. Duffy proceeded to the gym proper. Might as well see if everything else was in order. Making a circuit of the vast space he came upon an open storage room door by the stage. The one with an HVAC unit toward the back.

Backtracking a distance, Duffy plugged in the earpiece to his radio.

"83 to 85," he whispered.

"Go ahead."

"Probably nothing but I also found the door to storage room 4 open. Gonna' check it out."

"Noted. 85 clear."

Quietly walking up, Jack quickly reached around, snapping on the storage room light. A rustling sound came from the behind the HVAC unit.

He wasn't about to just rush in. Back to the wall and off to the side he held the pistol at his side, pointed down. Though a thin possibility it MIGHT be Naoi, he wasn't going to take the risk of pointing a gun at an innocent.

Something on the floor caught his eye while taking a quick glance in. A mechanical wind up toy of a cat. He'd seen several tucked away in there before and thinking none of it, put the minor anomoly out of his mind.

"Okay ... Whoever it is ... Come on out ... Not gonna' hurt ya ... Just you're not supposed to be here after hours."

"Uh ... Duffy-san?" A male voice in response.

"... Yeah?"

A young man slowly sidled out from behind the HVAC, embarrassed look on his face, followed by an equally flustered ... Eri Shiina(!?), both hastily buttoning, straightening out their ruffled clothing.

"Oh ... Geez! ... Uh ... Sorry kids." Quickly holstering the Colt, Jack turned and beat a hasty retreat. " ... um ... Thought it was ... something else ... uh ... Carry on! ... I guess ..."

xxxxx

The two would-be lovers stood stock still, not making a move as they heard the receding footsteps of the American. Breaking out of her stupefaction first, the ninja girl quickly moved to the door. Noting Duffys' exit from the gym, she softly closed it while snapping the light switch.

She was on the young guy so breathtakingly fast, he could only feel her approach. Feminine arms coiled about him in a constrictors' embrace, preventing movement.

"Guess I ... forgot to ... close the ... door?" His nervousness evident.

"Idiot! ... Moron!" Exclaiming low and breathlessly. "This is just so ...!"

Still holding him in irresistible enfoldment, she sank her teeth into a shoulder, expressing her displeasure at their mutual ineptness and hormones still very much in play.

xxxxx

"83 to 85 ... Just checked the Gym. Nothing unusual. Someone left a door open, nothing more."

"85 to 83, got that and noted."

Duffy continued with his jog around the grounds perimeter.

"Looks like Japan wins THAT one," he mused putting one step after another. "Though having successfully snuck up on Shiina ... That's gotta' be a first!"

He wasn't naive as to the things going on with young people. After all, he was one himself once.

Once? But a few months before, he was pushing retirement age and ... now? He now had the body of one still in his youth in as fantastic and weird a setting as any in science fiction.

A couple times before, he inadvertently rousted young folk engaged in "fun 'n games" while making his rounds on duty. It never occurred to him to run across "seldom seen Shiina" ... C7? And with ... THAT guy? Of all people, he never would have expected her to have any thoughts toward HIM.

Snapping out of his mirthful surmising, his thoughts turned back to Naoi. Another snake in Eden.

Eden? That required an Eve and, for him, there was none.

There certainly wasn't one among the ersatz, NPC staffers. And he wouldn't even consider any of the students, real or not. That was just wrong.

No, not Eden.

Hell? In a way ... yes.

He had no idea "Eve" was soon to arrive ...

To be continued ...

xxxxx

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

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