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.

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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 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 Three of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 23: Rachels' Story


"I don't know how you do it," Jack marveled, setting down his fork, "but you do."

Another fantastic meal with Rachel concluded, the man settled back at his place at the table watching the gorgeous apparition working in her kitchen. He wasn't a believer in luck. The term, fortunate was more to his liking.

And if fortune would hold ...

He reached in his pocket, holding the ring box, nervously running his thumb over the small lid.

Yes ... if fortune would hold ...

"Just a matter of working out whatever deal needed with the cafeteria staff," said the history teacher coming out of the kitchen. "The Principal okayed my uh ... 'shopping' there so that place is like a supermarket to me."

Yes ... the principal.

"Gotta' do SOMETHING with all those meal tickets." Sitting down.

"Yeah ... well ... There's something else I'm hoping the principal would okay."

"Oh?"

Getting up, the man circled the table. Sitting down next to her, he steeled himself as he withdrew the small box from his pocket. With both hands, he held it as he opened the lid.

Rachels' quick intake breath put Jack in an even quicker state of aprehension. The amazed and hesitant look on her face did not bode well.

"I ... made it myself. The ring and setting that is," nervous. "Cha and his bunch found the diamond ... did the cutting and mounting ... I-"

"Oh Jack! ... It's beautiful ... but ... I ... it ..."

"You ... don't have to make a descision right away. I'll understand."

"It's not that, it's that ..."

!?

"There aren't any clergy. No one to perform the ceremony ... And we can't just move in together. It wouldn't be right, it-"

"Quaker wedding."

"What?"

"A Quaker wedding."

A flash of recognition hit the teacher.

"I've been giving this lots of thought for more than a while," he started. "Doing some research. There is a way and is just as valid as a civil or church wedding and certainly better than common law."

"Yes," she recollected from her own knowledge. "What they did in the early days of both our countries when priests and ministers couldn't be had."

"We take it before the Lord, in the presence of witnesses and declare our intentions and vows. All witnesses present sign a statement. We file it in school records."

"That would be where the principal comes in," Rachel stated.

"And having Tachibana and Nakamura there, they being the two ... uh ... 'factions' ... would make it complete. The principal, wether human or not, is for all intents and purposes is just as authentic an authority figure as anyone could be here."

"I'm not sure if Kanade is old enough to and-"

"Yuri is ... And even if she isn't, there will be others present who made it past eighteen before coming here. Cha for instance. That and the fact most of the Battlefront have anyway. Besides, even if they had all come here before reaching legal, they've certainly passed that during their stay.

"So it comes down to this," he partly concluded. "Will you ... marry me?"

The mans' apprehension started to increase slightly as the object of his affections made a long pause of indecision. Something of her own apprehension beginning to show.

"Jack," she began, "before I say ... anything ... I ... I want you to know ... I do love you and ... care deeply ... but there's ... something that-"

"I've never asked."

"Asked?"

"Whatever's in your past is of no concern to me. The past is what it is and stays there."

"Maybe for now. But it will always be there for me. And even though nothing would be said now, things will come out in bits and pieces over time ... Things that-"

"Things that need not be said. It-"

"But they do, Jack! I need to say them."

"Now-"

"I need to say them to you."

!?

"It's only fair."

"Fair? How's that?"

"Remember some time ago? You told me about yourself. You were more than uncertain about us and felt-"

"That doesn't obligate YOU in any way."

"But you felt an obligation to yourself as well as me ... as I now. I need to clear the air for myself as well as both of us ... as have you."

xxxxx

"I completed my Bachelors' and that definitely opened some doors. If one is to take up working residence in Japan, a BA is one of the minimum requirements.

"4M Company is an international investment firm trading in commodities, securities and the like, particularly in Asia. They're always on the lookout for talent in languages as well as in the financial sector. They had their eye on me while I was in college and I was assured of employment on graduation. I worked for them while earning my bachelors assisting in their translations departments. I also helped teach English to their Japanese staffers who came to Canada for their two to three year stays.

"When I got my BA they offered to send me to Japan. I jumped at it."

"I wasn't under any illusions about the country. I didn't want to set myself up like some silly otaku who thinks the country is a land of happy little anime makers. My study of history outside of the required courses in college revealed a lot.

"In spite of outward appearances of being a modern democracy, I knew Japan to be a feudal state, ruled from the top down."

"Yeah," answered Duffy. "The emperor isn't some ceremonial stooge or figurehead they trot out for special occasions. The Diet being pretty much a rubber stamp outfit."

"Yes. The value of each individual is measured in how well one obeys ones' immediate superiors. I knew the country had a past of heavy sexist and racist oriented tradition. Not only would I be looked on as an outsider but as a woman as well. Business is run the same way as well.

"I knew one had to tread lightly there," she looked about her. "Or rather ... here."

"I still wanted to immerse myself in Japanese culture as much as possible and the chance to do so at company expense was too good an offer to pass up, so I went.

"My duties were still pretty much the same but my BA led to the position of a teacher of English and not just an assistant. The fact I'm able to read most of their Kanji as well as the two phonetic alphabets was a big factor in my being there."

"I was there two months, really getting into it, when I was given a temporary teaching assignment at a branch office in Kyoto, north of here and ...
Duffy cocked his head at Rachels' moment of hesitation.

"Well, cut to the chase ... I met him on that assignment ... had an affair."

"He was a charmer, I fell for it. He was married but that didn't stop me from being stupid. We started seeing each other on his biweekly trips to the main Tokyo office.

"Three months later, I missed my period. Doctor confirmed ... I was pregnant. I knew I was taking a risk, even with birth control. Obviously it didn't work."

"Pill's only 97% effective at best," Duffy speculated. "Cuts down the odds but the chance is still there."

"If I thought it through at all, it was wrong even with that. It's still an abortion drug ... works also by keeping a fertilized egg from implanting.

"When I told ... him ... He tried to talk me into an abortion. I wasn't going to do that ... murder."

Duffy nodded.

"He gave me a choice. Either abortion or it was over. Would give me a month to decide."

Rachels' face darkened.

"The way he put it had me decided alreadly. Very cold, distant about it. Like a damn business proposal."

"Like you said. A real charmer."

"Next thing I know, I'm out of my teaching position and clerking in our translations department a few floors below the board offices. One of his cronies let it be known to me in that roundabout way of theirs that this was to keep me from seeing and embarrassing him during the next biweekly  board sessions. I was also told it was also a prelude to my being let go in case I made the 'wrong' decision and keep the baby."

"Bastard ... " Duffy directed his disgust at lover boy.

"Yes ... he was at that.

"Then the real surprise hit."

Jack leaned forward.

"My next period came."

"The new tests showed the originals came up with a false positive. I immediately went to another doctor for a second opinion, he confirmed the same. I wasn't pregnant to begin with.

"When, a couple weeks before the next board meet, I was reminded of my descision deadline. That's when I made a little arrangement of my own."

"Arrangement?"

"Plan actually."

"Plan?"

"For making my exit from the company in as loud and flamboyant a manner as possible. None of that roundabout, reserved Japanese discreteness and politeness they're so famous for."

"Yeah ... They certainly have a thousand ways to politely screw you over while keeping things quiet."

"I let it leak about the faulty preg test and that I'd like to see him.

"I always traveled light, so it was no problem packing. Stuff was pretty much packed to begin with. A couple days before the meeting, my then room mate, who I KNEW was running into to him through one of his cronies, was off on a 'business trip' with that same associate, so she didn't see the luggage go out the door. Bags were waiting in storage at Narita, everything in place.

"A few hours before the board meeting, we met at a restaurant across from the building. I had on a dress and shoes he gave me as part of the act. The message wasn't lost on him and and his beady little eyes lit up on seeing me.

"Told me things ... WILL ... not could, be the same as they were before. I was to be his ... whore ... and I would be back to my teaching position. Maybe even an advancement of some kind."

"That was magnanimous of him."

"Yes, he could be a very kind and giving bastard.

"I agreed ... NOT!

"About a half hour before the meeting, I change into pants and sneakers and laid low 'till about fifteen minutes into the meeting."

"That's when you made your move?"

"Yes. Taking the dress and shoes along, I get to the board floor. A large room with all these clerking and secretarial cubicals in the center, ringed on the outside walls with offices and conference rooms.  I practiced the speech for about a week, making it short so I could be done before anyone could do anything. I get up on the reception desk at the head of the room, and announce to one and all his and my little affair and what a weasel he was."

"Holy crud! I'll bet that stirred things up."

"Oh yes! Things like that just aren't done in Japan."

"So what happened next?" Smiling.

Rachel was relieved Duffy was not only taking this well but getting into it.

"After about a minute, I notice someone running to the boardroom. A minute after, the top staff comes rushing out, including the CEO of all people! Had I known he would be coming all the way from Ottowa I'd have had an even better speech planned.

"Well, HE was in that bunch, bowing, scraping, and apologizing to everyone like the little bootlicker he was. The Japan CEO, speaking through his top flunky, was admonishing him about keeping his whores and dalliances under control.

"I almost about lost it when I denounced HIM, the company, and the bunch in front of me. I settled on cursing them out in Japanese, English and since a couple of their Quebec people were there, some French too.

"I notice the flunky telling HIM to get me down from the desk and remove me from the room. He comes up, making with the big talk and tries to grab my leg. That's all I needed-"

"Oh?"

"I throw the dress and shoes at him and a kick to the shoulder. Sent him back a couple feet. What happened next ... unbelievable! Little coward runs screaming back to the boardroom.

"I then turn to the rest, tell them something about how I can't be fired because I quit. That's when I got out of there."

"How'd you get out? I'd imagine security would have been called by then."

"I wasn't about to let them have the satisfaction of escorting me out. I jump off the desk, hopped an elevator partway down, switched floors where I already had my overnight case stashed and took the freight elevator the rest of the way. It was out the loading dock and into the street just as a couple uniform staff arrive. Got a cab and in a couple of hours was out of Narita, heading to L.A."

"Why Los Angeles?"

"Phoned a friend there the week before. Said she would put me up for awhile ... til I got my bearings."

"Why not back to Toronto?"

"My parents. Couldn't face them."

She noted Duffys' look of concern.

"Not that they would have given me trouble. They knew I was having problems and urged me to come home. They're always like that. They would question my decisions or chide me over consequences later but ... They were always praying for me."

"They always find out," she gave a little laugh. "I always tell them."

"So I stayed in L.A. for awhile. Shouldn't have ..."

"Why's that?"

"This is where it really gets bad, Jack."

The man, reaching over, clasped both hands over hers.

It was her turn to shrink away but couldn't. The mans' firm grasp held.

"You don't have to go on, you know."

"I do know, Jack. And I feel you SHOULD know."

"If anything, it's more for you than anyone else. A catharsis of sorts. Get it off your back like I did."

She continued.

"The friend who put me up. Knew her since high school. Like you, she was a real movie buff and collecter. I was more into anime but our interests more or less coincided.

"She had a dream of going to Hollywood. Making it some way in pictures. Things didn't work out like she planned but she still got into ... movies ... If you could call it that ... So ... did I ... unfortunately."

Rachel felt Jacks' grip get firmer. In sharp contrast his voice became softer.

"I take it ... What you mean by movies in this case ... has to do something with that ... 'other Hollywood' ... In the San Fernando Valley?"

"Yes."

She noted the look on Jacks' face. There seemed no condemnation. She still looked away, shame starting to show on her own.

"I needed money if I was to stay in L.A.. Thought maybe I could get a fresh start of some kind from it. Fresh start to a total dead end was what it turned out to be.

"At first the ... 'work' ... looked easy ... as well as the money. That's how they draw you in. The first month anyway. After that, the pace picks up and ...

"A grueling, dirty business. Run by grueling, dirty people. Up to three eighteen hour sessions a week. And the things they have you do! I managed to keep from a lot of what they wanted but it still took a toll."

"Yeah," Duffy intoned. "The internet's created a more than constant demand for new product. Not like the days of just film and print where one had to be satisfied with a few movies and magazines."

"Yes. The work is so heavy. I've seen people heavily into drugs and alcohol trying to cope. It never works. Didn't for me ... "

"And the disease factor. It's like growing cultures in a petri dish ... worse. I got colds and flues every month like clockwork. The health clinics they had us patronize were a joke. Regularly passing HIV infected people off with a clean bill of health.

"After about six months I got out of there. Got back with my parents in Toronto and went to a real doctor. One test after another and I had to be sure. I was lucky to have gotten off with only type one Herpes.

"Funny ... Ever since I came here a few months ago, I haven't had a flare up since."

Duffy, reaching, put out a hand, stroking Rachels' cheek. She shrank away.

"I didn't care, Jack!" Small sobs started their rack. "I'd already been a whore for a vile little man. At the time, I didn't think it would be any different showing myself as one to the whole world."

Strong arms enfolded about, they drew the woman to the man. He held her head to his shoulder, soothing sounds emanating.

"I care ... ," he declared, " ... about you. You're not a ... whore. You're Rachel O'Hara. A beautiful, loving woman who I hope soon is going to be my-"

"I can't! I'm not-." She shuddered from the small sobs emanating.

"What? Good enough ... Worthy?" The man 'chided'. "For quite some time I felt the same way about myself toward you, remember? That is ... until ... YOU ... pointed out how we're all here for a reason of SOME kind. I thought that reason to be many depending on the individual ... but ... It's actually only one reason ANY of us is here.

"That reason being ... well ... We all have one life to live. A time on Earth exclusively ones' own to go through and make of it what one can. That life ... and how it's lived is the only one you have. Whatever happens in that life, things you do ... don't do ... descisions, good or bad ... circumstances beyond our control ... Our dealings with others.

"We have to accept it ... come what may ... And at the end ... know that it was a life lived and lived as well as one could. Your life ... my life ... theirs ...

"It's all about acceptance."

"Acceptance?"

"After the end. How things turned out ... came to be. And no matter what ... To be able to say ... This life was mine."

"Jack .... It's a joke ... a sad little ..."

He held her tighter.

"We're here in this place ... this inbetween ... dead. Between, for all we know, Heaven and hell ... And you want to-"

"Who says we're dead?" He softly cut her off. "Yuri and her bunch? Just because they made it an off and on again battleground doesn't mean it's the same for you 'n me.

"Look at them? Sure! Why not? Let's learn from others mistakes and avoid doing them ourselves. I've found, especially after you arrived, that death, if you could call this that ... I don't ... not anymore ... Is NOT the end. I've found life can be lived ... even here.

"And I want to live it with you.

"And say ...

"This life ... even here ... was OURS."

She stiffened in his embrace for a few moments then relaxed. Looking up she noted the combination of sincerity and determination in his eyes. She could see he meant what he said. His commitment ironclad.

"Then the aswer is yes, Jack. I will marry you."

The ring fit perfectly.

Rachel stared at her left hand for a few seconds, admiring the adornment. Duffy noted her hand slightly trembling for but a moment then ceasing.

Looking about the apartment her eyes fell upon Jacks'.

"We're ... still here," she said smiling and surprised.

"Disappointed?" Jack smiling back.

"No ... ," planting a light kiss on the mans' lips, "... I'm not."

The kiss he returned much longer, arms pulling her tighter to him.

"Here ... Or where whatever THERE is. It's Heaven wherever you are."

xxxxx

The news traveled quickly. The crazy gaijin couple was getting married! And in such a unique way.

The emotions of both student body and faculty were mixed. Interestingly enough, NPCs among both groups also expressing interest.

The girls were mainly enthralled. The guys, a mix of curiosity and puzzlement.

Yui became less hyperactive and more doe eyed. Hinata more nervous than aggravated.

In their quiet way Sakaki and Takamatsu became closer.

The object of Shiinas' affections ... Terrified.

Some ... A bit envious.

One of whom sat at her desk in Safe and Sound trying to wrap her mind around the idea. Not so much about the marriage itself as how one could seek, let alone find, happiness in what she felt was nothing more than a land of sadness and regret.

Though all were invited to the wedding (Within a months' time.), invitations had been sent to a select few. Yuri held hers in her right hand, examining and contemplating. Wondering how one could put such a dare in the face of fate. She was certain the two would disappear any day and yet ... It didn't seem to concern the couple at all. They had even referred to the possibility of being "obliterated" as ... Going home (!?). It made no sense to her at all.

"Has to be that strange religion of theirs," she speculated aloud. "Wanting to be in the presence of-" (Psalm 16:11)

She let out a sharp gasp and pulled her left hand midway between herself and the hand she had unconsciously grasped while deep in thought. Noda had been leaning with his right on the desk reading his own invite, not saying anything when her fingers wrapped about his.

He had made no sound or action of recognition lest she drew her hand away sooner. As it was, as far as his affections for the unknowing goddess he worshiped was concerned, he was content to take what he could get. At this moment, it was far a LOT more than what he had gotten in the past.

Noda, always watching, following. Never leaving her side except when on some fools' errand in effort to please or impress. The devoted one, dedicated to his leader. A dedication meaning much more than what he let on.

She knew he had a worshipful affection for her and, when he was not being hasty and doing something foolish, felt good when he was around. In a controlled setting when led properly, he could be an invaluable asset.

The masculine hand moved over, covering hers. She, blushing, hand slightly trembling, about to backhand him but thought better of it.

Happiness ... Here? ... In this ... place?

Noda felt her tenseness ebb. Feminine fingers intertwining with his.

To be continued ...

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 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 names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

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

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

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

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

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

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

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

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS.

xxxxx

Chapter 22: To Each Her Own

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

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

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

"What!?" Takamatsu open mouthed.

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

Sakaki just stared open mouthed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Better than my then idiot Japanese."

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

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

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

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

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

"YEEK!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Oh?"

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

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

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

Noting the others attention, Duffy continued.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Other things? ... Like?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"There's you," remarked Rachel smiling.

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

"I'm not sure if-"

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

"No way!" Takamatsu

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

"... ," Shiina

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

"You got that right!" Takamatsu exclaimed.

"Could I try it?"

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

"Oh?"

"To see what it's like."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"May I?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"From you."

?

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

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

"Concentration is everything."

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

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

"To each her own," thought Duffy.

xxxxx

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

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

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

"What were the two guys doing then?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Oh!?" Sakaki liked Rachels' choices.

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

"Funny title." Takamatsu.

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

"Worth checking out," Sakaki turning to Takamatsu.

"What's the other one?"

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

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

"I like the grey ones."

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

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

"Yes. I like them more."

"You seemed to like that last color flick."

"That one about that American samurai?"

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

"It wasn't?"

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

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

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

"You seemed pretty interested in the film overall."

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

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

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

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

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

Shiina returned a puzzled look.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xxxxx

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

"Whadaya' think, hon?"

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

"Shiina?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To be continued ...

xxxxx

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12) Cleaning

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

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

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

xxxxx

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

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

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

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

xxxxx

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

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

xxxxx

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

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

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

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

Go to Dima02s' Angel Beats fan fic story here.

Go to Fan Fiction dot net here.


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



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

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

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

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

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

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

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

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

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS.

xxxxx

Chapter 21: Shooting Party


The bullet kicked up dirt a couple feet to the right and down. With the coffee can on the creek embankment unhit, the tall young lady let out a sigh of exasperation.

"I don't think I'll ever-"

"It's just going to take some time Sakaki-chan," Takamatsu explained. "It being your first time shooting and all-"

Hmmm ... Not only flinching but probably has the trigger in the knuckle joint of her finger.

"-it's a bit difficult, I know. Even I have trouble connecting at times."

As if in confirmation, the shot from Takamatsus' magnum landed the same as the tall girls' though a foot closer.

"See what I mean?" he said adjusting glasses.

That much is obvious.

"I'll hit it this time," he declared taking a shooting stance.

Ayoob grip: Both hands, index finger of supporting hand forward and snugged under trigger guard.

The young man raised the pistol.

Line up front and rear sights on target, concentrate on front sight.

Takamatsu sharply squeezed the pistols' trigger.

Trigger on pad of first joint.

Again, down and to the right, the lads' shot hit a few inches closer but still a miss.

Front sight, press.

"We both just need more practice is all."

Front sight ... PRESS ...

The hollower sounding report of the .45 startled the couple as they saw the Key Coffee can flip several feet in the air.

Mountain grown for better flavor ... Good to the last drop. Yeah, like that caffienated sugar water could hold a candle to Folgers or Maxwell House!

Turning to their left, the would-be markspersons espyed the foreigner holstering his Colt.

"Was heading to the food court, heard some noise. Thought I'd take a look."

"Yeah," the deceptively thin looking one answered. "Doing some target practice."

"Hitting any?" Smiling.

"Ummm ... not as well as we'd like."

"Actually ... Not at all," the tall girl chimed in, eyes downcast. "Just not my thing I guess ..."

Duffy knew something of the young ladys' past. She was studying veterinary medicine before her demise. Understandable that one who would be a caregiver of some kind wouldn't take to firearms as readily as most.

"Maybe the sights are off," Takamatsu speculated. "That or more practice-"

"More practice would mean practicing MORE of what's keeping you from connecting with your target. As for the sights ... ," the American extended his hand to Takamatsu. "Can I give it a try?"

"Well ... "

"Hold on to mine in the meantime," Jack suggested, handing his Colt over, butt end first.

Takamatsu took the proferred Colt.

"Careful," Duffy cautioned with a grin. "It's loaded."

Turning from the faux chagrined Takamatsu and a giggling Sakaki, Jack hefted the Desert Eagle copy. Having handled quite a few different types in the past when in the pistol ranges' employ, he was more than familiar enough with the oversized pistol.

Checking to see the two would-be shootists were behind him, he then flipped the safety and sighted on the aforementioned battered can.

The boom of the .44 mag sounded off the gorge walls as the can remnants flipped a few feet back. Another can was reduced to shards, then a third. Flipping the safety back "on", Jack handed the gun back to Takamatsu.

Turning to Sakaki, he extended his hand. "Madame?"

Recieving the semi-auto from the tall one, he turned back to the cans on the bank.

"First too big, now too little," thinking to himself as he examined the Glock copy. "Then again, maybe not. This is a .40 not a nine milly."

A repeat of the same moments before. Three cans of former Key and micellaneous juice he couldn't make the names out of, lay plugged.

"The sights ... Are just fine," declared he, still grinning, as they exchanged guns. "The problem ... Lies elsewhere."

"Then I guess we have to try harder."

"Like I said before. You'll only be trying harder at doing what keeps you from hitting the target. Waste of ammo."

The two students looked at him semi-crosseyed.

"Tomorrow's Sunday and about a week earlier than I would usually practice ... Tell you what. Meet me right here tomorrow, nine AM sharp."

"Nine in the morning!?" The disbelief on Takamatsus' face was apparant.

"Got anything better to do ... 'sides sleeping in?"

"Not really."

"But then again," thought Jack, noting the statuesque Sakaki in his peripheral vision, "maybe you do ... Get your mind out of the gutter, Jack!"

"I ... WE ... ," Sakaki gave a quite definite look towards Takamatsu. "We'll be here. Nine O'Clock."

"Be sure to bring a hundred rounds each," the man instructed turning towards the stairs up the support of the Second Entrance Bridge. "If things go right, and they WILL ... You'll probably not need to use it all. I'll supply everything else."

He turned back.

"Oh yeah. Be sure to wear something more suited to a walk in the woods."

"Why's that?"

"Were going to the little range I have up the creek. Don't want HER nosing around do you?"

xxxxx

"So what's with the artillery?" Takamatsu pointing to the M1 Garand rifle slung across Jacks' back.

"And O'Hara-sensei?" Sakaki curious as to the history teachers' presence.

The two students showed up at the creek bed with customary Japanese punctuality, finding Jack as well as Rachel awaiting, clad in jeans, sweatshirts and hiking boots. The two students gym workout sweats and track shoes an improvement over the usual uniforms.

"When Jack told me what he was up to, I wanted to go along ... Find out what this 'gun culture' is about," Rachel in reply, holding up a backpack. "Made lunch for all of us."

"As for this," Jacks' thumb indicating the slung rifle. "Protection."

"From what?" Takamatsu asked.

"As you know,' the man began, handing one of two satchels to the erstwhile student, "I've done a lot of exploring the woods around here. Done a lot of walking ... a lot of looking ... seen things."

"Seen things ... ," an interested Sakaki.

"I don't know wether or not the uh ... 'resurrection factor' ... for want of a better term, is in force off the school grounds, but I have seen indications that the uh ... 'law of the jungle' is.

"I'd be keeping a sharp eye out when hiking. Seen some interesting signs of wildlife. Tracks ... deer, fox, wolves-"

"Wolves? They're extinct aren't they?" Takamatsu looked quizikly.

"In the Japan ... the world we're all from, yes. But keep in mind we're not in the Japan you're from.

This is some parallel state of being. An earth where the only human beings we know of reside here at the school.

"So I see things ... indications of wildlife, plently of it. Every so often I'll run across a scruff of feathers, bones, other signs of struggle. Not to mention, have not only seen deer and serow, but bear a couple times. BIG .. Bears. I mentioned tracks before. Sometimes of cats ... huge. Wouldn't surprise me if some were made by Siberian Tiger."

"Tiger!?" Rachel exclaimed. "Japan?"

"I've read they made it out this far." Explained Sakaki. "Japan may have had a 'land bridge' to the mainland before the glaciers melted."

"Ressurection or not, the thought of getting chewed up doesn't appeal to me. Hence ... the artillery, as you call it."

"Any sign of Iriomote cats?" Asked Sakaki in an attempt at levity.

Perplexed look on his face, Duffy turned to the tall one.

"Iriomote cats? They only come from that tiny island WAY southwest of here."

"Well I ... had one ... As a pet."

"You've mentioned that to me before. Just how DID you manage that!?" An amazed Takamatsu. "I seriously doubt the government would let you have an endangered species as a pet."

"I kept telling everyone he was a mix breed of some kind."

"No way!" Her incredulous boyfriend exclaimed.

"And how did you get him?" Rachel was curious.

"Long story but ... I guess you could say eh- ... He followed me home?"

"Riiight." A dubious Duffy concluded. "And with that, we'd best get going, burning daylight."

Rachel quickly put herself arm in arm with Duffy.

"So," she started as they began walking, "think we'll be seeing any (winking)  ... lions-?"

"-and tigers-," Jack quick on the uptake and nodding in an exaggerated manner.

"-and bears?"

"OH MY!"

The two students were momentarily taken aback on seeing Jack Duffy clasp his face with both hands in mock effeminancy, accompanied by a laughing Rachel.

"I'll lend you two the movie," he said on seeing the mildly aghast looks on the young peoples' faces. "You're gonna' love it."

xxxxx

Running east/west, seemingly made to order, the several hundred yard range was a small grassy plateau a mile and a half north of the school grounds. A  small leanto consisting of log and tarp at east end with a sharply jutting rock ridge west making for a perfect backstop. All could now see what it was Jack had been "spending" those meal tickets on. The rudimentary camp furniture and equipment stored there made things definitely less primative.

In less than an hour and a half of trainings' commencement, Jack was quite pleased. All three students (Rachel a pupil for the moment.) had progressed nicely. His insistance on eye and ear protection was initially met with resistance. After all, if ones' ears "healed up" soon after, why bother?

"On my range, safety first, no exceptions, no questions." (1)

 The photocopied NRA (2) sanctioned targets (12 inches across with 3 inch bullseye.) set 21 feet away, were off putting at first. Wouldn't cans do?

"We're going for precision and accuracy first. Plink later if you want."

Twentyone feet?

"Most 'social situations' happen within 21 feet or less. Even an out of shape assailant can get to you within two seconds at that distance."

Sighting in was a literal "eye opener".

"Don't try to focus on sights and target at the same time. The human eye can't focus on two or more points at different distances. Go back and forth, rear sight, front sight, target and back again. Line your sights up with the bullseye then CONCENTRATE on the front sight."

"My sights disappear in the bullseye," said Takamatsu. "Can't see 'em."

"For purposes of training, make as if the bull is resting on top of the front sight. This is what's called the 'six o'clock hold'."

"I'm right handed but I 'see' better using my left eye," an uncertain Sakaki explained. "Is that wrong?"

"It's Okay. Unlike most right handers, you're left eye dominant. A lot of folks shoot 'cross eyed' and do just fine. Whatever works for you."

One at a time, five shots each, Duffy supervised, noting their inability to connect.

"Part of the reason you're hitting down and right is you're 'squeezing' the trigger instead of 'pressing' it."

All three expressed confusion as to the difference.

"Think PRESS not squeeze. When you think squeeze, your brain subconciously makes your whole hand squeeze thus changing point of aim. With right handed folks it tends to go down and to the right. Down and to the left for lefties.

"Thinking PRESS, you instead only use your trigger finger. Think of it as something like reaching around an appliance and PRESSing the reset button. Only your finger moves, not the whole hand.

"Having the trigger in the joint of your finger also contributes to changing point of aim. Have the trigger on the first PAD of your finger. Then PRESS ... straight back."

The next set showed some improvement. Mostly closer, even a hit or two on the bull.

Taking Rachel, the out and out novice, Duffy had her 'dry fire' (unloaded) the old Smith and Wesson .38 he had lent her.

"Watch what she does here. This is something you two have been doing as well."

Hammer clicked on the empty chamber.

"Now ... What ... did she do?"

"Yes!" Rachel with a dubious eyebrow raised at Jack. "Just WHAT did I do?"

"Um ... ," Sakaki, hand raised, started to speculate. "I noticed the front of the gun go down oh so slightly just as she sque- ... uh ... PRESSed ... the trigger."

"It's something you're all doing ... Flinching."

!?

"Anticipating the shot. As you're pressing, just as the triggers' about to 'break', you blink and push slightly forward on the gun. That also causes the point of aim to go down.

"Don't anticipate the shot. Let each shot be a 'surprise'. Don't worry ... relax ... You're on the correct end of the weapon."

After a short break, they were again, one at a time, put through a five shot string. All three scored at least three each on the bull.

"Good!," Duffy exclaimed. "Now is the time to practice. PRACTICE ... what I've told you."

All three shooters lined up this time, six feet apart. They were to fire five shot strings at their own pace, Duffy going up and down behind supervising.

"Ready on the left ... Ready on the right ... READY on the firing line."

After a couple "sets", with some observational correction from their instructor, the three not so novice
shooters were scoring at least four out of five or better per string.

Gathered round Duffy gave his appraisal.

"All three of you did a LOT better than I expected. Rachel especially."

"Why is that?" A slightly perplexed Takamatsu. "It took me a bit longer to pick up on it all though I did get it finally."

"That's 'cause you're a guy." Duffy grinned.

"What? How can-"

"I think what Duffy-sensei is trying to say," a beamingly proud Rachel O'Hara putting an arm around a blushingly surprised Sakaki, "is that girls kick ass!"

"Self flattery will get you no where my dear," the man softly retorted in faux suavity, grin still affixed.

"Oh?" Hands on hips, Rachel went into 'teacher scold mode' still smiling. "Just what IS it then?"

The man touched a left index to the side of his nose and commenced.

"As we all know, women and men are different. Our mentalities are wired differently from one another. Women are the gatherers and nurturers, men are the hunters and fighters. All their lives women are told to stay away from the 'boys toys' and vice versa. The females are into chick flicks whereas you and I, Takamatsu-san, watch the action/adventure stuff.

"Men are much more into activities that emphasize that of the hunter and fighter than women. We have preconcieved ideas as to what one does with such tools and pastimes.

"As men are of a more aggressive/assertive nature we tend to stick by what we already know or THINK we know when it comes to just about any subject. Thus, we are more resistant to taking and assimilating instruction.

"Women, on the other hand, being the nurturers and caretakers tend to empathise more and take to instruction easier. They're more willing to listen to and assimilate information. They tend to follow instructions more closely than men.

"The other factor is that because Rachel had absolutely no experience with firearms and Sakaki only a little exposure after coming to this strange place, they had little to no preconceptions and bad habits to unlearn.

"Whereas YOU Takamatsu-san, and I at one time-"

"Too many Sonny Chiba flicks!" Takamatsu beating Duffy to the punch.

"It's just entertainment to me 'skinny' one ... Nothing more."

"Suuure it is."

"And with THAT!" Rachel at the leanto holding up the backpack. "LUNCH!"

Getting situated, folding chairs in a row outside the leanto, Duffy set a wrapped sandwich and a can of juice on a low boulder twenty feet distant.

"What's this about?" Rachel inquired looking about at the boulder and the seating arrangements. "And why five chairs? There's only four of us."

"Remember when I said pack extra?"

"That's 'cause you're a big eater, right?"

Taking a seat, Jack pointed at the food on the rock.

"Bait."

To be continued ...

XXXXX

(1) The following are the RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY quoted verbatim from the website of the National Rifle Association:
   
1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
   
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
   
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
   
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
   
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
 
 Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
   
4. Know your target and what is beyond.
   
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.
   
5. Know how to use the gun safely.
 
 Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a guns' mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.
   
6. Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
   
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the guns' general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a guns' ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.
   
7. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
 
 Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.
   
8. Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
   
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.
   
9. Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
   
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.
   
10. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
   
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.
   
11. Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
   
12. Cleaning
   
A. Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.
   
B. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.
   
C. Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The guns' action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

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(2) NRA - National Rifle Association. The United States' premier organization in the promotion of firearms safety, the shooting sports and political activism in the preservation of the right to keep and bear arms.

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, 18, 19, 20.

C V Fords' profile page and anime fanfiction stories list at Fan Fiction dot net here.

Fan Fiction dot net here.

National Rifle Association website here.


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