Love At the Edge of Forever: An Azumanga Daioh/Angel Beats Crossover Fan Fiction Story

Love At the Edge of Forever: An Azumanga Daioh/Angel Beats Crossover Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

"Kaorin?"

On looking up from her cafeteria lunch, Kaorin Aida took in a quick intake of breath. Before her, the tall, statuesque beauty that was Sakaki smiled down upon her.

"M- ... Miss Sakaki? ... is-"

"Yes Kaorin, it's me."

The girl leaped from her seat, enfolding the taller in her arms.

"I ... I can't believe it! ... YOU!" She exclaimed. "Here of all places! How-?"

"And I can't believe you're here either," Sakaki replied, enthusiastically returning the embrace.

"I ... gave up hope of ever seeing you again," Kaorin started breaking down. "I didn't believe you ... died in that accident until I came to the service, then ... "

"Kaori-"

Did she just call me-?

"Don't cry dear," the taller gazing into the tearful eyes of the shorter. "We're both here now. That's what's important."

The two separated.

Sakaki sat, anxiously gesturing for Kaorin to do the same. Both seated, the diminutive one continued.

"Word spread. Seemed like at least half the graduate class came to the service. Even though we took our college entrance tests weeks before, we agreed to show up in our old uniforms ... looked more like a school outing than a funeral. The street in front of your house was blocked. Police had to clear it."

"About ... Maya."

"Still concerned over your kitty ... That's so like you. Chiyo still has him. Taking good care of him."

"I'm so happy to hear that," the tall one relieved.

"Same old Sakaki. You always did love animals."

"Among ... ," she took Kaorins' hand in hers, "other things."

"... !"

"We know how I got here ... The last I remember was that truck rushing at our car. Mom and dad, I saw them just before I passed out, are they-?"

"Your parents are fine." Kaorin noting the way Sakaki held her hand. "They walked away from the wreck with minor injuries. The driver of the truck wasn't so lucky. News said heart failure. Probably died before the truck came through the light."

"What I meant was ... Why ... are you here? You're not even the last one I would expect."

Aida looked away but a moment.The events of the past three days ... Her own demise, trying to acclimate herself to her new situation ... Then finding the very object of her affections seemingly forever out of her reach ... HERE! In this unreal academy on the edge of ... what? Forever?

"When I heard what happened to you ... Your dying. I felt like I did too. Wanted to. I cried myself to sleep every night for over two weeks."

Kaorin didn't care about revealing her true feelings to the tall one. Not this time around. Things were now different. It seemed now even death couldn't separate them. Here ... a second chance to tell her of how she felt to her. No holding back. Not this time.

"I ... I've always loved you Sakaki." Blurting out not so unintentionally. "I-"

"I know you did Kaori."

"You-?"

"And I ... you."

Both of Sakakis' hands now held hers.

She ... called me Kaori ... again ... and-!

"Yes ... From the day we met ... our first day of high school. I only wish you did invite me to join the astronomy club."

"You remember that? I wanted to ... couldn't."

"Things might have been a LOT different if we weren't so shy about things ... each other."

"I thought you had no clue ... I thought you didn't even know I was alive at times."

"I did ... More than you think."

"How-"

"It was something I got very good at in middle school. The quiet, tall, socially awkward girl with no emotions." Sakaki smiled. "It was easy to see how YOU felt though."

Kaorin let out a gasped chuckle, her face reddening.

"I guess I was a little obvious."

"So tell me ... again. How did you-?"

"Oh ... that.

"As far as I can recall ... It was about three weeks after the service ... Yes! Just a few days ago in fact. I was having trouble with insomnia. The past few days I was in a heavy funk ... really depressed, couldn't sleep. Tried sleeping tablets ... and ... well ... I took one too many I guess."

"You ... ," Sakakis' concern more than evident, "... didn't?"

"Oh no!" Aida exclaimed, eyes intense. "It wasn't that! Suicide? No!"

"Then ..."

"The pills weren't working ... wasn't thinking straight ... must have thought one more wouldn't hurt. I guess it ... did."

"Kaori ... I'm so ... sorry ... I-"

"Don't be!" Kaorin closed her other hand over the ones already holding hers, eyes even more intense. "Things really ARE different now.

"I mean ... I come here ... what looks like a fresh start, sort of ... and now ... YOU!"

"Are you getting oriented?"

"Yes. Tachibana-san clued me in on most of it. Had to ask her a LOT of questions."

"Angel is tight lipped about a lot of things."

"Angel? Oh! That's right!" Kaorin scanned up and down the tall girl. "That different uniform of yours and all. I've started asking around about that group but didn't with anyone from the ... What do you call it?"

"Has a variety of names, but it always seems to end in Battlefront."

"What I could get from other students was strange... weird. All I could get out of Tachibana-san herself was something about uncooperative students."

"Oh ... She's right about that!"

"Why? Just what IS going on?"

"We all have different reasons for being in it as we all have different reasons for being here."

"Is it true ... ?"

"What exactly?"

"Your bunch runs around ... Pulling violent stunts ... uh ... carrying ... guns? I mean ... How do you get them and ... Do you?"

"Um ... Not right with me. No operation planned right now ... haven't even been on one yet."

"Just like you to join a rebel group of some kind. Like that bunch back in high school."

"You should have been with us more. We always thought of you as one of us Kaori."

"You ... did?"

"Me especially."

"Oh ... I-"

Sakaki drew Kaorin close, the breath of both on eithers' faces.

"It's like you said a moment ago. It really IS different now. We ... have a second chance here. I don't want to waste it and nor do I think you."

"M- ... Miss Sakaki ... I-" Kaorin ecstatic.

"I don't want to put you through another three years of what you ... we ... went through ...

"We can be room mates ... You or I can change dorm rooms. Can be easily enough arranged. We ... can be together now. We-"

Again embracing, their open lips meeting.

Kaorin, eyes closing, blissfully succumbing to Sakakis' proffered deep soul kiss.

xxxxx

The tall girl haltingly staggered to her feet, tearful eyes wide on the now empty chair before her. Leaning over, hand on the table, she drew in several deep breaths before slumping back down.

Head in hands, sobbing uncontrollably ... lamenting.

"Kaori! ... Oh God! ... Kaori ... I'm so ... sorry ... I didn't want to do it ... had to ... oh Kaori, Kaori  ... Please ... forgive me ... please don't hate me ... please ... don't ... Wherever you are now, I hope you understand ... I had to! I- ... OH GOD! ... I-"

Several self agonizing minutes passed before she noted the presence of three others seated close.

Looking up at the one directly across the table, through the tears she asked, "you ... saw what happened?"

"Yes," answered Yuri. "The whole thing."

"I'm ... I shouldn't have-"

"You did the right thing," Battlefront leader stoic. "Usually I'm against obliteration but this ... Had to be done.

"Are ... you alright?" Though knowing the tall one wasn't, Yuri still expressed more than obligatory concern.

"I ... will be. It'll take awhile ... but ... yeah"

"Are you sure?"

"Maybe," she answered, "if I tell myself what I did was right ... one day I might believe it."

"Believe it now. You had to do what was needed."

"It was," Sakaki without prompting, "as I thought. She was here because of me. That ... and how she got here ... Oh God!"

Nakamura reached over, putting a reassuring hand on that of the tall girl, her sobbing renewed.

"M- ... my fault ... my-"

"No. The fault is Not yours."

"When you spotted her yesterday, you knew you couldn't evade her here forever," Shiina being an expert on such things. "She would have found you eventually ... Sooner rather than later."

"It wasn't like it was your fault coming here," Yusa adding. "Nor of yours' in her following. And don't blame yourself for her huge crush on you. Any descisions and actions on her part were hers' alone."

"You have your own things to iron out. She would have only complicated things for you." Shiina

"And what you did," Nakamura trying to conclude. "Your seeing the situation. Taking matters into your own hands and acting on it. Proves you're one of us."

"I don't feel like ... anything."

"You'll get over it," Yuri consoling. "It was a tough decision you made. We've all had to make some here."

"Kaori was so messed up," Sakaki continued. "So was I. I wasn't ready for any kind of relationship let alone what she wanted. I never had any inclination in that direction. But I couldn't bring myself to tell her anything one way or the other. If I had the courage to ... this ... might never have happened.

"I might never have ended up here ... And she certainly wouldn't have either.

"And now ... I don't know where she is!"

"You gave her what she desired, yearned for. That was more than enough." Yusa explaining.

"I didn't. I did what I did to get her out the way. I didn't actually give her ... me."

"But she thought you did. That's what counts."

"It was a lie! It was-"

"Necessary ... It was necessary." Shiina declared. "And her thinking she attained the love she wanted was enough to have her leave."

"But I didn't love HER! Didn't ... couldn't, I-"

"But you did!"

Sakaki looked back at Yuri, puzzled look on her face.

"Not in the way she wanted, sure, but you loved her as a friend," explained the front leader. "Don't you see? You cared so much about her you didn't want to see her going through what you both did before. It wouldn't have been fair to either of you. Picking up where you left off would only have added to her suffering ... and yours.

"Instead of her being trapped with us in this in-between ... this partway ... You helped her find peace with herself. In doing so she passed on."

"Your feelings for her were genuine," Yusa adding. "They weren't quite the kind she would have wanted from you but they were enough."

"And God ... Knowing how bad off she was ... will understand," said Yuri almost choking on those words.

"I ... hope ... so ... I ..."

Burying her face in her hands again, Sakaki wept on ...

END

Storyline (only) copyright © 7-23-15 C V Ford

xxxxx

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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 copyrighted names/characters, places, lyrics and events mentioned in this work. 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.

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


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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 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

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

Go to fanfiction.net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the copyrighted names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work. 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 Eighteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

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

by

C V Ford


Chapter 18: It's a Date!


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"In ... English?"

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

It took a second or two for it to register.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Try me."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Walter who?"

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

"Scooby Doo?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The 'borrowed' words."

"Yes."

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

"Comic books," snorted Duffy.

"Are we getting back in silly mode?"

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

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

"With English too ... eh?"

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

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

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

"Kyoto?"

"Yes."

"You really think we're in Japan?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Wouldn't you now?"

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

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

"That's otaku-"

"Haven't you ever heard of Meximation?"

"Sigh!"

"Go to any conventions and such?"

"And such ... a few."

"Cosplay any?"

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

"Mmmmm ... just wondering is all."

"I'll bet."

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

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

xxxxx

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

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

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

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

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

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

More murmurs of agreement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another chorus of laughs as others recollected.

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

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

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

"Perfect Bluu-uue!" TK.

"I think it's sweet."

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

Credit: Dreamsinger99 at Deviantart.

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

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

"To the business at hand, " interrupted Yuri.

The out loud romance speculation stopped.

"About tomorrows' operation."

"Tornado hit!" Rang the chorus.

"Uh ... no."

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

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

"Is that?" Oyama queried.

"Sure is!" The Front leader exulted.

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

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

The chorus of positive exclamation was cut short.

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

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

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

The collective "huh" hung in the air.

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

"Annnnd ... " urged Takamatsu.

"Operation ... Drop Out!"

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

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

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

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

Laughs, giggles and cheers flew back and forth.

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

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

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

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

The whole of those present looked on their Leader questioningly.

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

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

"United we stand!" TK.

"Yeah! We can't just-"

"It'd be a total route-"

"And it-"

"HOLD IT!"

The collective turned their eyes back on Yuri.

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

A collective "What?" then took flight.

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

Replaced by a collective "Oh!".

"What if she escorts one back?"

"Fu-ji-ma-ki!?"

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

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

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

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

"Passive/aggressive resistance!" TK.

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

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

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

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

xxxxx

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

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

"I put the work order in earlier today."

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

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

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

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

Still on his lofty height, he turned to Rachel.

"How was today for you?"

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

"Oh?"

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

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

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

"How so?"

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

"Oh yeah!"

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

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

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

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

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

"How do you mean?"

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

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

"Really?"

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

"Whaaat?" Rachel laughing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duffy regained his balance as a screwdriver hit the floor.

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

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

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

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

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

"There's really no need to-"

"Lasagna."

Duffy was brought up short.

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

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

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

"My mother's Italian."

Leaning back in her chair she continued.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Figured you weren't into those."

"I was forced to see Beaches once."

"I looove that one!"

"Barftastic!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What ev-er!" Laughing.

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

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

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

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

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

"You got it!"

"I'll make the popcorn."

xxxxx

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

"OH!" Jack Paused.

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

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

The man went into a slight sweat.

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

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

To be continued ...

xxxxx

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

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


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

xxxxx

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

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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, & 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.