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

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

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Chapter 26: Aftermath

"I was afraid this might happen."

All eyes on Jack.

On an unspoken word, most of the "trial" attendees, Rachel and Jack with them, repaired to the cafeteria/food court building. In an unprecedented move, the now not-so-outsiders were accorded temporary seats at the Battlefronts' usual tables, being grilled over what had taken place before Yuris' impromptu hearing. All hanging on the words of the couple.

Duffy went over the events leading up to his summoning Rachel to review and affirm what all thought may have been written in the foremans' confession. Rachel summing up the documents' contents.

"Who knows?" The man concluding. "Maybe he was looking for absolution ... forgiveness of some kind ... doubtful he'd get it. From Yuri that is. Maybe planned to disappear but not sure of it unless he at least confessed to her. He did strike me as a really guilt driven man though. I can only imagine the load he'd been carrying all this time."

"The possibility of his disappearance had to have occurred to Yuri too," Rachel speculated. "I can't think of her delaying a chance at what might have been a diminishing opportunity at vengeance."

"Maybe she thought ... God might make an exception?"

Every head turned in the direction of Yui. She had been uncharacteristically quiet the past couple hours.

"I mean, when I first came here ... ," the pink haired one looked about her. "... Just being able to walk was something new and wonderful to me. I thought I might be in Heaven 'til Yurippe and you guys set me straight. 'Til that moment I thought God was giving me a second chance at living.

"Sometimes ... I still think that it ... might be ..."

Hinata put a comforting arm about her shoulders.

"Well ... that's what this place is supposed to be about in a way isn't it?" Duffy glanced about.

"At least according to that ... Angel," answered Hinata.

"For what her word is worth," Takamatsu put in.

"All we do know is," put in Hisako, "when you find whatever your uh ... problem is ... and get it 'out of the way' ... you're gone."

"Isn't that what you really want?" Rachel asking one and all. "Get what's holding you back taken care of?"

"It's that disappearing part after that gets me," Iwasawa adding.

"Yeah," Fujimaki putting in. "Creepy as all get out. Don't like it."

"It's like God's pulling another trick on us," said Yusa. "We've had enough of that."

"You think something even worse might be waiting for you when you disappear, is that it?" Asked Duffy.

"Maybe."

Rachel and Jack scanned the gathering. In their inquiries over the past few months they knew of the varied reasons as to why these young ones joined Yuris' resistance group.

Most, like Yuri, resented God for the extremely negative things that happened in their lives.

Others, like Fujimaki, it was something to do to pass the time spent here resisting transcendence.

With Noda, of course, it was his outright affection for Yuri and the sense of direction she provided.

Shiinas' was unique. From what Rachel as an historian gleaned from her it was out of loyalty to Yuri personally. From when she was a young girl her clan taught the only morals were that ANYTHING (Including love/sex.) was a weapon and the obligation to complete the tasks/missions assigned by the client/patron. God, dieties and eternity, if any, would take care of itself.

It was the emptiness and isolation of her enforced way of life, from the self segregation of her people from the rest of the world in their training and insularity. While younger, she longed to be like the children of the other classes who seemed to be living simpler, happier lives. When older she resented the paradoxical attitude of the "outside" in it's shunning and fear of those of her clan yet also of being so valued and sought after when needed.

"So Duffy-san ... Rachel-sensei," Miyuki started, "what do you think happens when we- ... Um ... leave?"

"Judgement perhaps. One comes before the Lord to be judged."

"I thought that happens right after you die according to your theology," said Takamatsu seated beside Sakaki.

"Oh?" Duffy curious.

"Yes," the tall one replying. "I've heard what you've said to others from time to time. Off  and on I've looked through copies of that  ... Bible as you call it ... we have some in the library and read something to that effect."

"You must mean," confirmed Rachel. " 'And as It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.' That the one?" (Hebrews 9:27)

"One of them, yes."

"Who says we're really dead?" Jack throwing the question to one and all. "For all we know this could be some kind of near death experience. Though ... multiple people, some from different eras, having and being in the same one is certainly a stretch and a half. As this doesn't really biblically fit I'm inclined to think it something else."

"But then," Rachel putting in. "This place in itself could be part of judgement ... a trial ... a test of some kind."

"Didn't you once say one gets to be with God on acceptance ... acknowledgement of fact of the payment your ... uh ... Christ-san made? (2nd Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:14)" Asked Takayama momentarily relinquishing his self assumed title. "Why a judgement? I thought that would be out of the way for you."

"Salvation is itself assured," explained Rachel. "Then God determines ones' place and tasks in Heaven with him." (Romans 2:6-11, 1st Corinthians 3:8-15)

"Whatever this is," Jack taking Rachels' hand in his, "when the good Lord sees fit to take us home, we're ready."

"We've heard you both referring to ... wherever ... as 'home' before," Shiori asking, "why is that?"

"Obviously, life on earth isn't our final destination," Rachel answering.

"Otherwise death wouldn't take us. Ones' soul has to go somewhere."

"And it isn't as if this place is either," put in Jack. "There'd be no disappearances if that were so."

"So this final destination ... Your ... uh Heaven as you call it ... with God?" (John 14:1-4)

"Yes."

"Um ... question?"

The two looked at Oyama.

"If ... everything's settled with you ... fulfillment, peace and all ... well ..."

"Why are we still here?" Rachel now asking.

"Yeah."

A murmur went through the gathering. The up to the moment unasked question circulating among them for weeks now out in the open.

"We've been asking that ourselves," Jack started to explain. "Rache and I have talked about this and the only answer is that God, of course, has plans of his own and it's not really up to us to question. I will say, when I proposed, I thought I was taking quite a risk. When she accepted, I thought at that moment we might be gone.

"It wouldn't have been a bad way to go."

"As we're still here," adding the teacher now grasping the mans' hand, "we'll just keep on 'keeping on'. Going on with our duties, even telling others about Him when we can (Mark 16:15). It's what He'd want us to do."

"It's all in Gods' good time."

"And who knows," Rachel speculating. "Maybe we'll be leaving at the wedding. He might see fit to let us have time as husband and wife. Or-"

"We could even be here for a long time to come for some purpose of His own. Like I said before ... whatever happens ... ," the man returned Rachels' grip even tighter, " ... We're ready."

"So ... You're still going to go through with it? ... The wedding, I mean ... Even what happened to you so far ... and after what happened today?"

The couple turned their gaze to a glowing Yui.

"Yes dear," smiled Rachel, "we certainly are."

"It's what we want and we're going through with it. Nothing's stopping us and we're not letting what happens to others get in the way. You ... Yuri ... All of us here ... have our own personal ghosts and demons to fight and settle with in our own ways.

"You could say our coming marriage is one way of doing that, though ..."

Duffy slid up to the teacher, putting his arm about her shoulders looking directly deep into the depthless green of the red heads' eyes.

"... it's certainly much more than that."

xxxxx

Yuri awoke. On reflex she reached, feeling for a presence not there. Lifting her head she sought round for that presence finding it on the other end of the long couch. Slumped down, Nodas' head nodding in sleep.

Windows with the days' fading light, she Looked over at the wall clock, noting the considerable passage of time.

Had he been with her the entire time?

Yes. She remembered being too spent to stand in his arms, he holding her up. Vaguely, she recalled being carried to the couch. Not wanting him to leave her there, she pulled him down and kept him holding on to her while crying herself to sleep. She had awoken once in the interim to find him still there. Now ...

He must have gotten up for something and not wanting to disturb her on return, sat at the couchs' other end.

Getting up slowly, Yuri gently sat herself down next to the sleeping young man. Putting her head on a shoulder, she reached around.

Noda was instantly awake. On seeing the feminine hand on his chest, he put an arm around the shoulders of his leader, both snuggling in close.

He knew this was just a further move for subdued comfort, nothing more. She had long cried herself out and was only seeking closeness. A closeness he felt honored to provide.

xxxxx

"Nakamura-san then, has resolved what conflict may have been between her and the foreman?"

The two foreigners were not surprised at Tachibanas' question. It had been over a day since what occurred in the office and word had quickly spread over the school. They were sitting at their usual cafeteria table on being approached by Kanade.

"Yes," replied the teacher. "Not exactly sure with Yuri herself but the ... 'matter' ... itself has been ... concluded."

"His leaving, if you could call it that, was ... quick."

Both women turned to Jack sitting across from Rachel.

"So you could say it's over. At least for him."

"When he first came here," Tachibana started, "I could see he was carrying a heavy burden, he-"

"Wait a sec!" Duffy, eyebrow cocked, bringing the elfin one up short. "You mean to say you knew about this guy all the time he was here?"

"Only in that he was not one of the non-entities and that something had been greatly troubling him, nothing more."

"Would have been nice had you told us ... said something about it."

"You did not ask. And you seem quite good at determining the real from the not."

Taken somewhat aback, the man paused.

"Yes," his mind lit up. "Have to ask direct questions to get anything out of her. Didn't volunteer anything about that Naoi either til I mentioned it. 'Course she didn't tell me about what students were real or not ... Makes sense ... Not all that communicative ... that's how she operates."

He found it hard to possibly be mad with her. It was the way she was.

"Are there any other non-entity faculty staff here?"

"None that I know of. Other than you and O'Hara-sensei, he was the only one I knew of."

"Well," smiled Jack, "whatever you say then ... Yuki. Or should it be Yuki-chan?"

"Yuki? My name is-," pausing, Kanade frowned but a moment then a faint smile barely creased her face. "Oh ... That silly little program."

"I take it you're not a big fan of it ."

"It's ... ," her smile widened slightly, "... unique."

Off the side Rachel coughed slightly in suppressing a giggle.

"And I'm not a doll."

The expression on the 'angel' now more deadpan than usual.

It was Duffys' turn to chuckle.

"I think you have your shows mixed dear," Rachel said.

"I know ... ," faint smile re-appearing. "I must go now. Student affairs to attend to."

In passing, the petite one, looking neither right nor left, reached out, lightly touching the mans' shoulder with a dainty forefinger.

"Tang."

And walked on.

Rachel exploded in laughter as a grinning Jack, gasping in faux terror, frantically felt about his head, shoulders and torso in an effort of assurance of corporealness.

Kanade looked back at the two as she left the area, faint smile still on her.

"Considering the situation," Rachel thought aloud, she herself watching the girl leave, "something like that here would be almost appropriate."

"Be a mess to clean."

"True. The 'complementation' here is much ... neater."

"That and she'd have to appear as you to set me up for my doom."

Rachels' hands instantly shot out,  grabbing Jacks' and eliciting a genuine startled intake of breath this time.

"GOTCHA!"

xxxxx

"Yurippe," Fujimaki opened, "wanted us to let you know she has nothing against either of you. You were only the messengers and that's because you happened be there."

It was some minutes later the two were approached by the delegation of Fujimaki, Matsushita 5th, TK and Oyama.

"That's good to hear," Jack thoughtfully paused. "How IS Yuri right now?"

"Quiet ... Just stays in the office ... doesn't say much ... Hardly anything really. Any real communication gets to us through Noda."

"Noda?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah," Oyama piped in. "When they talk to each other, it's mostly in whispers. Can't make anything out."

"When we do hear anything between 'em it's single words or short phrases." Matsushita added.

"Those two have gotten pretty
close the past couple days ..."

"Those two have gotten pretty close the past couple days," the sword bearer related. "I mean, we always knew Noda had feelings toward her and that Yurippe had some kind of affection. Now it seems it's coming out in the open a bit. Don't know what she sees in him though ..."

"Then," interjected Rachel, "at least some good has come out of this."

"Not to mention," Jack put in, "some of the things in her past may have been put to rest."

"Things?" TK

The gathering turned to Duffy.

"Oh ... Things like ... Things that have been eating at her since the uh ... incident in her home.

"Who and why they did what they did. What happened to them ... From what Rachel here told me, that confession was quite well detailed ... Where they ultimately ended up. At least for one of them ... maybe. Interesting Kaji manned up and saved that elderly couple ... at the cost of his own life."

"Cold comfort that would be to Yurripe," Fujimaki stated with a frown.

"You saying he redeemed himself?" Matsushita inquired.

"Not for me to say ... That would be between him and God."

"The Man upstairs." TK

"Be that as it may, it's Yuri we're actually worried about," said Rachel.

"Whatever it was with the Buildings and Grounds foreman, it's done. Jack and I have been wondering how she's been taking this."

"Like we said," Oyama summed. "Quiet ... Closer to Noda-"

"In any event, it's some kind of conclusion ... closure for her."

"You don't think ... with some of these things out of the way for Yurripe, she might ... disappear?"

All eyes on a very concerned Matsushita.

"No way in wild Heaven or hell!" TK

"Oh man! Not possible." Declared the swordsman. "Our leader?"

"The first to fight!" TK

"I mean," Oyama started, "she's our leader. Without her ... we'd ...  "

"She's more than your leader guys."

The four looked to the teacher.

"She's lost three people very dear to her in the past. There's a very good possibility she may have alienated herself from her parents because of that ... Maybe from guilt feelings over not having been able to prevent her siblings deaths. Her whole family, in effect ... lost to her.

"She doesn't want to lose this one."

"Wait," an almost speechless Fujimaki. "You're saying-?"

"I'm saying ... It may very well be you're not just a resistance group to her ...

"You're HER family.

"And she doesn't want to lose ANY of you."

"Oh come on!" Matsushita exclaimed, he one not liking to be dependent on anyone.

"Really!" Fujimakis' macho rising. "If-"

"Big sister Yurippe!" TK in mirth.

"Big sister," speculated Oyama. "Maybe something more ..."

"It's more than just big sister, gentlemen," sensei giving an affirmative nod toward him.

The attention of the four young men focused on Rachel even more so.

"Look at the way she treats you ... talks to you. Yes ... From what little Jack and I have seen. Sure, she tries to come across in an organisational fashion. Delegates authority ... But it's something more than that.

"The way she looks at you sometimes. How she deals out punishment when you do or say something she doesn't approve. Her chiding sometimes comes across like that of a-"

"You don't mean ... !" Matsushita

"Aw no!" Fujimaki

"Hey! MOM!" TK laughing.

"It's only speculation but it may very well be that-"

"Now just a-," Fujimaki turned to Jack. "Duffy-san ... sir! You don't believe this is-"

"Like she said. It's only speculation but from what I've seen, and I've been here longer than Rache here ... I'm inclined to agree."

The swordsman looked between the couple and smiled.

"I knew it ... A bit on the carpetbagged side are we?."

"Say WHAT!?" Jack smiling back.

"Of course I mean that in a generic sense." Fujimakis' smile getting wider.

Rachel, leaning over, wrapped her arms around her man, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thaaanks Rache," said Jack through a faux clench of teeth.

The laughter sounded across the cafeteria. Everyone seemed to need a good laugh on this day. Laughter suddenly almost broken by Oyama.

"Uh ... guys? ... GUYS!?"

Chuckles and grins subsiding somewhat, the group laid eyes on the nervous one.

"Y'know ... I can possibly accept the fact Yuri might be sort of a surrogate mother figure 'n all but-"

"But what?" Fujimaki demandingly asked.

"Well ..."

Atmosphere tensed slightly. All knew Oyama had a way with interjecting unwanted sobriety in a light situation.

"I'm really having a hard time trying to wrap my mind around the possibility of ... Noda," the diminutive one giving a nervous grin, " ... being ... Dad."

"OH MAN!" Matsushida laughing harder. "Leave it to you to-"

"The horror! The horror!" TK

Springing to Oyamas' side, Fujimaki put an arm strangle about the diminutive ones' neck.

"Buddy ... You just said the unsayable ..."

"Yes," thought Rachel above the resulting din. "We can all use a good laugh."

To be continued ...

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

xxxxx

In Gods' Good Time chapter index, go to C V Fords' Fanfiction Page here. Scroll down to the Angel Beats section to the appropriate story.

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

Go to Fan Fiction dot Net here.


Got to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If there's a buncha articles under this 'un then yer already there.


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.

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' ...


Angel Beats: Not a Haruhi Clone here:


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

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

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

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Chapter 25: Tribunal

Rachel, offside on the couch, gazed about the office. Only a few minutes had passed since Duffy and several of the Battlefronts' male contingent left to escort the man in and already the room was more than halfway full. Yuri, through Yusa and others, had spread the word and it seemed almost the whole Front would show. Even all four of GiDeMo along with Yui had arrived.

Duffy made it known to Yuri he pledged Kaji safe conduct to the office. After that, it was up to Yuri what was to happen. Jack also stipulating he would not intervene in any way unless the man would try to leave without her say so. Not that there weren't others who would also have a say in that.

Before leaving on that errand, the man cleared the area before the desk and made a point of positioning a plain hard backed chair in front. It was obvious the Building and Grounds foreman was to undergo a "drumhead" tribunal.

Both Rachel and Jack were sure there wasn't going to be anything resembling a real trial, fair or otherwise and that Yuri, as judge, jury and executioner, was to carry out sentence. In a short debate before their coming to the office, the couple agreed there was no real authority at Heavens' Academy to handle anything of this type of situation anyway. Even if there was, it wasn't going to make the man any more guiltier or innocent.

In any event, the purpose of this afterlife/in-between was to iron out whatever emotional or spiritual issues anyone had and whatever happened here today was going to be a way of "resolving" what lay between the two.

And what lay ...

Speculation ran wild through the gathering. Though the ones' earlier present, some with Jack on their escort mission, had a good idea, the later arrivals had no clue as to what was up. With Noda constantly at Yuris' side, Hinata, Oyama, Takamatsu, and Sakaki kept to themselves looking serious and not answering questions. For all anyone else knew, if it weren't for O'Hara-senseis' presence, it could have been a briefing for a meal ticket hit or some kind of elaborate scheme she wanted them reviewing.

Yuri herself, sat silent at the desk, stern look on her face, gripping and re-reading the document.

Noda made it a point not to look over her shoulder. What little he had seen initially was enough as far as he was concerned and anything else would be between the man and Yuri. Though it was obvious the young man was in grim anticipation on what lay ahead what with the look on his face and the way he gripped that halberd.

xxxxx

The escort, composed of Duffy, Matsushita, TK and Fujimaki was met at the utility garage door by Kaji. Apprehension was quelled by Jacks' assurance nothing was going to happen. At least not on the way to the office. The four flanked the man, Duffy in the lead to the left, and proceeded to their destination.

Jack noticed a figure in plain sight at the far corner of the pool building watching. Someone else had invited herself along. One could never tell with that one. But then, if the ninja had decided on attack, she would already have done so before the contingent would have even arrived.

"No," thought Jack. "She's just here to watch. Probably thought he might make a break for it."

The short, solemn walk, uneventful.

xxxxx

A noticeable hush fell over the office prompting Rachel to break from her observations and turn her head to the door along with everyone else. The four man escort with their subject had arrived.

"Do you have anything on you?" Duffy asked.

Indicating his use of the left hand, Kaji reached slowly into his coverall and gingerly withdrew a pistol, handing it to Jack. A collective intake of breath sounded from the gathering on sight of the gun. A fixture of the school had just revealed itself not only as NOT part of the scenery but as a potential menace that had until now, gone long unnoticed.

Hefting the pistol, Duffy made a quick estimation.

"Old Nambu eight millimeter. Wartime relic ... ," surmising to himself. "Must have brought it with him coming here."

Pocketing the weapon, he indicated for Kaji to put his hands to the doorjamb for a pat down search.

"No need for that." The interruption coming from the back of the spacious office.

All in the room looked to the desk. Yuri looked back down continuing to read.

"She's taking this quite well considering," thought Jack seeing the grim, tight lipped apparition, still seated, papers now flat on the desk surface. "So far."

Contingent advancing to the desk, the man noted Shiina back in her usual position at the rooms' northeast corner.

"Probably got here before we did and I'll bet no one had seen her arrive," thinking to himself. "Gotta' find out how she does that."

Gesturing for Kaji to take the lone seat at the desks' front, Jack turned toward Yuri. Placing the foremans' pistol on the desk in front of her (Then snapped up by Hinata.), he turned and went to an awaiting Rachel on the couch. Now just an observer, his part in this unfolding drama was over. Seating himself between his fiance' and Iwasawa thus putting himself between the desk and Rachel, he put a reassuring arm around the teacher.

The foreman looked nervous but resigned. He had made his choice and come what may, would submit to whatever might happen next. No doubt more than one gruesome scenario had circulated through his mind over the several years he had been here. His guilty conscience giving no let up and now ...

"There was one who held back ... Tried talking the other two out of it."

A hush fell over the gathering. Yuri, papers now down on the desk, looking straight at the man in the chair, had begun to speak.

"That was you ... wasn't it?"

Her voice flat in extreme effort to keep herself calm. Effort noted by one and all from the way her left hand gripped the desks' edge.

"I ... Didn't think he'd do it." Kaji answered. "Was only going to put a scare in you he said. Was only going to be the money and whatever else we could get-"

"Why-"

"It was supposed to be quick ... Get in, get out ... Take what was small and easy to fence and whatever cash there was to grab. I didn't think he would-

"I didn't ... think."

"Why!? Damnit!"

The sudden expletive seemed to focus the man.

"Stopped breaking into warehouses ... too well guarded. Security companies getting wise. Thought we'd lay off that for awhile ... try something else.

"We started looking at the better neighborhoods. Better the homes, better the chance of a good haul and-"

"NO!" Yuri momentarily exploded then instantly calmed. "I ... don't give a damn ... about that."

Kaji, bewildered, looked questioningly at the Front leader.

"Why our place ... why us ... Why ... did my brother and sisters have to-"

Tension mounted among one and all. The suppositions of the initial bunch with Yuri when she recieved the papers confirmed. Her question an announcement to the rest as to what it was about. Confusion now cleared. Most in the Battlefront familiar with her backstory.

"Your house ... Off in the corner ... More separate from the rest ... secluded ... Trees in back ... That's how we got away. We-"

"Why did they have to die!? ... DAMN YOU! ... WHY!?"

"I wanted to stop them. I ... couldn't. I-"

"ANSWER ME YOU SONOFABITCH! ... WHY ... DID ... THEY ... HAVE ... TO ... F-----G ... DIE!?"

The Front leaders' controlled facade breaking, she rose from the desk chair.

"We ... They were just kids ... LITTLE kids! ... Mari was nine ... and  Saya was seven. Kei was only ... five ... WHY ... You didn't have to- ... And in THAT way."

"I didn't want to ... I didn't kill any of them, I-"

"You held them back! You helped keep them in the living room while I had to go over the house looking for anything that might be worth something. YOU ... BASTARD! You killed them as surely as if you used the knife yourself, you-"

Yuri abruptly stopped, taking a breather in trying to calm down. With something of a grip on herself and now slightly cracking voice, she continued.

"You thought we had money and valuables laying around? A safe maybe? Mom and Dad had all their money tied up in investments or the bank. It wasn't like some stupid movie where someone makes deals and throws out envelopes full of cash. It wasn't some-"

"He wouldn't listen ... Said it would be easy. Had it all planned out, he said ... Things went wrong ... he went crazy ...

"I didn't think he'd do what he did. I wanted to stop him ... couldn't."

"WHY!? Why couldn't you stop him? Except for your whining at him, you didn't even try. Why couldn't you have-"

"He was my brother ... was ... I ..."

This new development brought Yuri up short. Though shaking, she sat back down, silent with a look telling him to continue.

"He ... never was ... any good. Was always wild and strange ... violent.

"I remember mom making me promise to watch over him when we were kids. She hoped he'd change.

"Got worse as we got older. Got into trouble a lot. Fights, petty theft, drinking ... you name it. Reform school, psychiatric examinations ... Did nothing for him. When he got out, he graduated to burglary and breaking into stores and warehouses.

"He seemed to have smartened up ... At first. No violence. Tried to avoid running into anyone. The merchandise and money was what counted.

"Then something changed.

"It was the damn coke. Took to snorting it a few weeks before we hit your place. Hyped him up. Stopped thinking straight. Don't know how he got it, laws being so tight on it usually you could only get grass or heroin.

"I tried to convince myself it didn't matter. That he'd keep his head together. Didn't.

"I wanted to stop him ... couldn't ..."

At the pause, the Front leader jumped back in.

"WHY!? Other than saying something, you didn't even try! So what if he was your brother ... Damn you! I-"

"I was afraid of him! ... I ... was ... "

Yuri, breathing hard and in almost a half crouch in her chair, glaring at the pathetic creature in intense hate.

"Oh God! ... You've no idea how much I wanted to ... Every night ... when I ... try to sleep ... I see the faces of those children ... those kids. Every day, especially when I see you around, is a constant reminder of the coward I am.

"I can't live .. DIE ... with myself. I ... "

An audible, low growl of utter contempt could be heard from beyond the desk. With an effort, Yuri put her arm up signalling restraint to Noda. A restraint she was hard pressed keeping for herself.

"Your brother ... was very brave. Showed some guts ... Stepped up to be the first. Probably thought he was protecting the three of you doing what he did. He-"

"I don't need anyone ... Least of all ... YOU! ... Telling me what happened," Yuri interrupted through clenched teeth. "I ... saw all three of them go. All three ... Kei ... Mari ... Saya ... All that ... blood ... and that f-----g brother of yours laughing ... LAUGHING damn you!

"Did it right in front of me ... Wanted me to see it ... See it all ...

"And ... you ... did ... nothing. NOTHING!"

A thought hit Yuri. If one of her past tormentors was here ... in this-

"The others! ... Your brother ... The other two ... Are they-"

"They're not here, believe me," Kaji started explaining. "If they were, I'd have told you. My brother's ... dead ... the other guys-"

"He got his? Good! I hope his going was hard. Yours too ... As it will be from now on."

The man visibly shuddered, apprehension building on the girls' last remark.

"It WAS hard ... His going. I did it."

"Did ... it. What? You kill him?" Yuri skeptically inquired.

"... yes ... ," the foreman, head hanging, stared at the foot of the desk. "I killed him. Had to ..."

All in the room long in rapt attention. Yuri, momentarily silent in the hope it would prompt the man into continuing.

"We ... Laid low awhile. Two months for the heat to die down. Stayed in Osaka with friends. Goro, he was one of the other two with us when we ... were at your place ... spotted an opportunity we took it."

"Opportunity?"

"He saw an old man in a bank. Drew out a lot of cash. Followed him home, then got back to us. Kenji decided to pull the job. Same as when we-"

Though knowing it was futile, the man brought himself up short lest he arouse more ire in the Front leader.

"Old man and his wife. Another so-called easy hit. We busted in on their dinner. Had 'em scared ... like ... before."

"Go on," Yuris' curiosity had a slight toning down effect.

"I knew what was coming ... Couldn't let it happen again ... couldn't ...

Looking up, straight into Yuris' eyes. The mans' sniveling ceased and the calm resignation from before took over.

"He had the old man fetch the money. With that knife at his wifes' throat I knew it wouldn't stop there. He was gonna' kill 'em both right there. I couldn't let it ... Not again ... Not this time."

All on their feet in Safe and Sound leaned forward, not wanting to miss a word.

"The old guy was out of the room. That's when I made my move.

"Kenji was holding the old lady while flashing that knife around. When that blade was away from her, I hit his knife arm. Guess it wasn't hard enough. He still held on to it, but he let her go.

"I told him no more. Stealing's one thing ... Murder? No more-

"He came at me, I shoved the pry bar in his face. He backed up a bit, I swung back and hit him again. That's when he went down.

"The other two took off. Don't know what happened to them.

"What I do know is ... I'm looking at my brother on the floor. Could tell he was dead by the way his neck angled. Must have broke it.

"His eyes ... Staring ... Looking like he was surprised before he died. Guess he didn't think I had it in me. I know I didn't ... 'til then.

"I noticed the blood. Mine this time. He must have cut me. In the gut. Didn't feel a thing ... Not at first. Had to get out of there.

"The old man and lady were just standing there holding each other ... Oh God! ... Just like your two little sisters did when-"

A more than audible, deep from within, primal hiss emerged from the girl behind the desk, building up.

Not seeming to notice, the man continued.

"I started to tell them how sorry I was. Seeing as how I was leaking all over that living room, I had to get out ... hospital. All I remember after was getting out the door then ...

"I was here."

All Yuri could do at that moment was glare at the pathetic excuse of humanity before her.

"I ... know there's nothing I can do to bring your brother and sisters back. If there was I ... would.

"I came here ... Wrote this statement out ... because I can't go on ... living ... If that's what you'd call it in this place, with this on my conscience. Eating away at me like it's been these last few years here in this Naraka ... This ... hell.

"I'm not asking for forgiveness, that would be impossible knowing what you ... What I put you through.

"Whatever you do ... your descision I'll accept. Anything's better than going on with this sham I've been going through-

Yuri still behind the desk, tense breathing along with face looking the same.

"You ... Have NO idea what I went through after." Yuri stating evenly. "I spent three years going through psychiatric treatment ... The drugs ... the mind games, the-"

Duffy stiffened at that announcement, Rachel gripping his hands noticed the tension in him immediately.

"Ever since ... it ... happened. I dreamed of what I'd do if I had the chance." The Front leader stood in full, hands off desk. "All sorts of things ... When I wasn't crying over it ... I couldn't think of anything else. Never thought it'd be dropped in my lap like this-"

"I-"

"SHUT ... UP! SHUT THE ... HELL ... UP!"  Yuri pushed back the desk chair, setting the stage for conclusion. "You had your say ... Now I'm having mine."
The man visibly cringed at the sight of the now about to be avenging angel.

"Yeah ... all sorts of ... things ... to do if ever I ran across any of you ...

"Funny ... For some reason I can't think of anything right now ... I'm Okay with that ... for the moment.

"You can't die here, you only come back. Well and good 'cause that means I get to kill you more than once ... Yeah ... a LOT of times.

"I'll think of something later but right now-"

A collective intake of breath and exclamation hit the crowd, many drawing back, as Yuri slowly drew the Beretta from behind.

In trying to protect Rachel from a possible wild shot, Duffy instinctively turned, grabbing his love in a tight hug, putting his body between her and the scene unfolding. The teacher complicating matters by trying to look around.

Everyone else, stock still in witnessing the execution.

"This'll do for right now," Nakamura declared, sick smile on her face, aiming the large pistol straight at that of the man. "Heh ... All the time ... in the world."

The front leaders' left came up in support of her gun hand. Right thumb swept up the safety lever with an ominous click. The opposable digit then levered the hammer back into single action.

It was as if the target looked straight through the guns' barrel and slide at Yuri. Bravery wasn't what showed. Only an exhausted resignation seemed to register on his face.

"All ... the ... time ... in the world."

"All ... the ... time ... in the world." The girls' smile wider.

Right index gradually increased pressure on the trigger. Yuri was relishing for the break. The low audible hiss from before rising in volume-

-cut off abruptly on espying the now empty chair before one and all. Beyond dead silence, making its' ponderous non-presence known.

For Rachel and Jack, it was the second and fourth time respectively they had seen an obliteration.

The silence, broken only by the heavy thump of a pistol being placed on a wood surface, continued. All eyes on Yuri now leaning palms down over the desk, head hanging.

Small gasps, becoming deeper, graduating to sobs, breathing erratic, shaking, trembling in her anguish. Her siblings gone long before, now the very revenge she dreamed of taken as well.

With startling abruptness, the Front leader snapped her head up, face twitching with emotion, spasmodically scanning the crowded office.

"OUT!" The high pitched rasping shout at least as hard. "GET ... OUT! ... Everyone ... All of you! ... GET OUT ... NOW! ... get-"

She paused and continued.

" ... Please!" Her tone changing as she returned her gaze to the desk top. Tears starting to form.  "Just ... leave? ... please ... I ... can't ... I ... I need to ... need ..."

Their commanders' voice trailing off into anguished sobbing as she collapsed into the chair. The varied crowd of the Front turned to leave, teacher and maintenance man following suit.

Noda, reaching out to her hand, thought the better of it and turned. Feeling the sudden tug on his sleeve, he partly turned back to see a spent, weeping girl, staring pitifully at the desk top, holding onto him. Through stacatto breathing he heard her plea.

" ... You ... stay ... See everyone out but ... stay ... Please? ... Lock the door and ... come ... back here."

Placing the halberd in the corner, the young man proceeded to the door.

Emptying quickly, the room but for Yuri and Noda was soon vacant. Last one out, the ever observant Shiina nodded to him on exit.

Lock clicked into place the ax man apprehensively returned to the desk, not sure in-

He coming round the desk end, she was instantly out of the chair and upon him with a speed he found incomprehensible. Yuri enfolded the young man in her arms, clawlike fingers digging seemingly through his blazer and into his back.

Face in his shoulder, she, through her tears, haltingly instructed.

"Hold me Noda ... Just ... hold me ... Nothing else ... I don't think I can ... stand ... "

"Hold me Noda ... Just ... hold me ... Nothing
else ... I don't think I can ... stand ... "

To be continued ...

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

xxxxx

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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 ...

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

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


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

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

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

Go to Fan Fiction dot net here.


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


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

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

Disclaimer: The writing and title of this chapter took place some months before. The posting was determined by the bi-weekly schedule I am trying to keep. It is only by coincidence it's posting has fallen on the same week as the incident in Ottowa a couple days before and should not be construed as an attempt on my part for publicity for my story or personal gain.

My heart goes out to Corporal Cirillo, the victim of this cowardly attack and his family.

Canada, may she ever be our friendly neighbor to the north. God bless her.

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In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 16: Oh Canada


"Yo ... DUUUDE!"

Duffy looked up from the lawn tractor he was working on, noticing TK, arms folded, leaning on the garage doorways' edge.

"Hey, TK ... What's up man!"

The blindfolded "man of mystery", crooked smile on his face, jumped into a half crouch, both indexes pointing at the gaijin.

"Someone ta' sees ya' ... "

"Oh? What's Yuri want?"

"Not Yurippe bro ... Newbie!"

Jack puzzled for a moment as to why a new arrival would want to see him.

"Don't see why a-"

"American ... Like you. She wants to make speaks at ya'."

"American? ... SHE!?"

"Waitin' in the cafeteria."

!?

"Mission accomplished! Gotta go ... Sees ya!"

Ordinarily Jack, or anyone else for that matter, would have been amazed to get a "coherent" conversation of any kind out of TK. He didn't even use any rock related catch phrases!

But THIS! Another American? HERE?

Almost noon, Jack hastily clocked out a few minutes earlier and fast walked to the cafeteria building.

xxxxx

"Yup! There he goes," said Hinata.

Yuri, Takamatsu, Hinata and Noda watched from the back third floor window across the hall from Safe and Sound.

"And anxious," Takamatsu replied.

"I'm hoping Duffy didn't start a trend," Yuri stated. "One foreigner, albeit a friendly one, causes enough concern. But two ...?"

"Uh ... There goes the neighborhood?" Takamatsu grinned.

"Not quite but ... Hey!"

"What's wrong?"

"He just waved at us!"

"Oh come on Yurippe," Hinata laughed. "Everyone knows you're up here in 'the nest' all the time keeping an eye on everybody and every thing. Some of us give you a wave from time to time."

"If anything," speculated Takamatsu, "the new circumstances might be telling him he's going to be in for more observation."

"I think we'll just keep it casual for now ... maybe."

"Well," Hinata said. "There's always Shiina."

"I wonder how he's going to react when he sees her ..."

"I think," Takamatsu proclaimed, "he's going to be very surprised."

xxxxx

"Hey Duffy-san!" Fujimaki called across the Second Entrance Bridge. "Yuri's got all the guys lookin' for ya'. Someone to-"

"I know!" Jack answered hurrying along. "Thanks!"

"Yeah, good luck!" Oyama added.

"Good luck? Why would anyone wish me that about something like this?" Duffy thought. "New student, needs coordinating ... as she's American ... would probably feel more comfortable if a fellow countryman clued her in. That or maybe the Battlefront doesn't take in foreigners ...or ... I sure could do with news from home."

xxxxx

Entering the building, turning into the main dining area, he was brought up short. He could see this was not a student awaiting. All the way across the room, seated at his usual table with her back to him, she was engaged in animated conversation with what seemed the entire female contingent of the SSS with a few of the regulars crowding in as well.

Dark hugging skirt, red vest over white longsleeves, topped by a long shock of brilliant red hair.

Definitely not student uniform. Teacher ...?

"Should have spruced up before running here," he thought. "Well ... Too late for that now ..."

So focused on their conversation, not one of the "mob" noticed his approach. He was at least glad to see she wasn't being treated like the pariah he was on his arrival. He was within only a few paces when the usually observant Yusa, opposite the newcomer, finally noticed him. Several others tracked her gaze, the rest quickly following suit.

A hush fell over the gathering as it occured to the recent arrival something new was being added to the conversation. She slowly turned in her seat staring up into the face of the American.

Duffy was brought up short a second time as his gaze was met with the greenest pair of eyes he had ever beheld before or since.

"My ... God!" He inwardly exclaimed. "She's ..."

She was a beauty at that. Long Nordic face, high cheek bones and forehead, semi-full lips framed by the aforementioned brilliant mane of red. A few freckles under the eyes adding to the charm. The countenance topping a wonderfully statuesque frame.

He also noted the look of concern on the lovely face, in spite of the smile. Understandable considering what she must have gone through to have arrived here.

In a lame attempt to relieve the tension and break the ice, Jack put on his best faux Bogart.

"Pardon me," he intoned. "But could you help a fellow American down on his luck?"

The vision rose. Trying to effect a businesslike manner, she extended her hand.

"I ... I'm Rachel O'Hara," she stammered slightly. "You must be ... uh ... Mr. Duffy.

To her and the onlookers surprise, Jack took her hand firmly in both of his putting on his best smile.

"Just call me Jack."

A giggle rose through the girl pack as a slight blush appeared on Rachels' face. Though she was informed about him, she didn't expect such friendliness from the start.

"Uh ... ," she looked at the crowd then back. "Alright ... Jack! ... And actually ... I'm from Toronto."

"Oops!"

"Though I think I fell into one heck of a Looney Toon ..."

"Well," thought Duffy, "she got the joke anyway." (1)

"I think," speculated Iwasawa giving a knowing gaze to one and all, "these two have some things to go over. Let's go!"

"I still got some things I wanna' ask! There's-"

"I still got some things I wanna' ask!" Yui declared. "There's-"

"Later kid," said Hisako as she collared the hyperactive one. "Come on!"

"But I-"

With a protesting Yui, the group filed/drifted away from the table leaving the two alone.

"I've ... a lot of questions ... and ... well ..."

"As I've a lot to ask you!" Duffy exclaimed. "Please! ... Sit back down ... take a seat!"

He strode around the table sitting opposite.

"I really don't know where to begin ... neither do you I'll bet ... I-," a frown crossed the mans' face. "Hold on a sec."

Rachels' eyes widened as Jack launched off his chair and proceeded to gaze intently about the cafeteria. Her jaw dropped as well in his ducking down and peering under the table.

"Just ... WHAT ... are you ..."

"Not trying to be fresh or check you out further or anything," he partly lied. "But ... There's a certain someone I'm always on the lookout for-"

"What!?"

He got up, scanning the large room again.

"Little game we play ... Called 'Stalk the Gaijin'."

"Stalk the-?"

"Ah! ... here we go!"

The sound of laughter from many feminine voices had Rachel follow the mans' gaze to the cafeteria entrance.

Though not laughing, Shiina at least smiled as she waved, leaving with the rest.

"What was THAT ... about?" Rachel inquired turning back as Jack waved back and reseated himself.

"And who was THAT girl? I don't remember seeing her before."

"Weren't supposed to."

"Weren't supposed-"

"She's very good at what she does."

"Which is?"

"I'm sure they filled you in on the ins and outs of this place ... as far as it goes."

"Uh ... Yes. They ... Ms. Nakamura ... and that OTHER ... very strange girl."

"Tiny, white hair ... Talks in a sweet monotone and only answers direct questions?"

"Yes. Ms. Tachibana."

"Yeah. They call her Angel or ... THE ANGEL."

About to ask further, she hesitated ...  Yes ... the ANGEL.

"So ... Canadian ... eh?'

"Eh?" Smiling in response. "I don't do ... 'eh'."

"Oh?"

"That was corrected in college. Minored in English."

"Your major?"

"History ... It's what I do. I'm a teacher."

"I'm something of a history buff myself, uh ... ," Duffy paused, gazing at her.

"Is ... something wrong?." Look of concern.

"You're ... you're the first white face I've seen in months (A good looking one at that!). Just ... Can't get over it. Was beginning to think I'd never see that again."

Eyes narrowing, her face darkened somewhat.

"Racist are we?"

"But lov-a-ble ... ," Duffy replied, leaning forward, folding hands, putting on the CHEESIEST smile he could. "I mean ... I'm tapering off. Why ... I haven't burned a cross in ... Hmmm ... Come to think of it. I havent burned any since I came here."

He looked past Rachel and scanned the students about the cafeteria.

"Probably be wasted on them."

"I think they'd know who to go to if you did." Duffys' friendly sarcasm put her back at ease.

"This may be crude and I don't mean to be, but ... considering how one gets here, would it bother you telling me how you uh ... ?"

He could instantly see it did bother her.

Hands on table, she looked down with a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry, it's ... uh ... I ... I shouldn't have asked that."

"No ... It's all right ... I-"

"So much has been thrown at you in such a short time. Should have known better."

"This is definitely going to take some getting used to," she replied slowly.

"If there's any-"

"But," she looked up abruptly giving Duffy a slight start. "Like it as not ... I'm in it. Have to make the best of it. No sense giving up and ... 'dying' ... "

She looked past Duffy at no where in particular. "As if you could ... "

"And you'd only come back."

"Does that really ... I mean ... Have you ...?"

"No, not me. Dying once was enough. I'm not part of this little dispute of theirs and they seem to respect that."

"Well then ... How did you ... "

"I think it was heart attack or something. Was taking in a movie I'd just gotten. Chest started hurting and the next thing I know ... I'm here. Quite a shocker when I looked out the window."

"It was the same with me. I woke up and-"

"Hmmm," Duffy thought aloud. "You've been here ... how long so far?"

"Almost two days counting today."

"I think I would have seen you before now."

"I was in my apartment, trying to sort things out when there was a knock on the door."

"The Tachibana kid I take it?"

"Yes. With no one to reach on the phone, I was desperate for some ... ANY information."

"I know the feeling."

"So we're talking ... At least I was mostly."

"That Tachibana isn't much of a conversationalist to be sure."

"No," Rachel replied, "no ... she's certainly not."

"I took my time venturing out. It was almost one when I did. Stuck mostly to Admin ... Class Building B. That's where the Yusa girl found me. Brought me to that 'headquarters' of theirs.

"So there ... " a long hesitation as she asked, " ... really IS a war of some kind ... going on ... happening ... here ... ?"

To be continued ...

xxxxx

1. 8 Ball Bunny (Warner Brothers, 1950.) was a Bugs Bunny theatrical cartoon short directed by Chuck Jones. In it, Bugs, out of the goodness of his heart, helps out a voiceless show business penguin by taking him to the south pole in the belief the bird belongs there only to find he was born in captivity. Along the way, the two run into Humphrey Bogart several times who reprises his role from the film, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Warner Brothers, 1948.), with a riff on his line about being a fellow American in need of help. The director/producer of the film, John Huston, played the "mark" to the begging Bogart.

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

xxxxx

Canadian National Anthem, O Canada (instrumental) here.

Canadian National Anthem, O Canada (English) here.

Canadian National Anthem, O Canada (Francais) here.

Wikipedia article on 8 Ball Bunny here.

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

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


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If there are other articles below this one, yer already there ... er ... uh ... here .... YEAH! ... That's it! ... HERE!


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