Blinking, Tofu looked as if he was trying to remember. Cologne knew the curse was starting to slip but not enough for anyone other than herself to remember unaided. Her family were sure they knew the young woman, that she had done something but they just couldn't remember. Thanks to the twins Shampoo and Mousse didn't have the time or energy to do more than wonder. The doctor on the other hand had other methods at hand to help jog a memory loose.
Looking over to a series of pictures on the wall, one of Ranma-chan, he nodded. "I can see that." He picked up a notebook from behind his desk and flipped the pages before pausing. "Suteko Fukushuu?" His brow furrowed. "No, she changed it to Saotome" He read a few bits under his breath out of the logs he had been keeping of all his patients.
This girl, that he could not quite remember, had been hurt in a battle with her brother. Hurt enough that she had stayed in the back room of his clinic for a few days before she was moved to the dojo. Tapping the page he pulled out a file from the drawer set aside for the Dojo and tapped a finger on the desk as he read. She had taken injuries in a number of skirmishes that had involved her brother and the Fukushuu clan. He flipped again and slowly the fog started to clear. "Who treated her after her mother died?"
Cologne shrugged. "I don't know Boy. She was transported out of Nerima. By the time things had settled down and by the time I remembered, she had moved across Tokyo."
The ancient one slowly filled in the doctor on what she now knew. Kasumi spoke up softly as she came in from the kitchen. The lovely woman, who had married her beloved doctor after Suteko had disappeared spoke in her soft voice. "That was before she moved back to America, dearest. Much has changed in our sister." She placed a tray with a delicate tea set down in front of Cologne. "She has been alone too long I think. Do you think she would enjoy those muffins I used to make?" While no longer quite as vapid as she was Kasumi still focused on home and hearth.
Both cologne and Tofu turned to her. "You remember her?"
Kasumi smiled, "Of course. I made sure the poor thing got the medical treatment she needed. She was quite badly hurt by what happened with that awful old man." She started to pour the tea. "Since none of you seemed to remember her, I got her someplace where she could heal and start over. Of course I hadn't thought she would get pulled into the odd events over there. Poor dear." She headed back into her kitchen.
"That wife of yours never stops amazing me Tofu. How did she manage to avoid the effects of Atsuko's curse?"
"Kasumi is a special one Cologne-sama. She sees the world very differently from the rest of us." The fond smile that spread his face was a far cry from the goofy grin that used to take him over. "But my wife is not who we are focused on. The being that attacked your shop, what exactly are they after and why is Suteko-chan the focus of this Shadow master?"
Sighing inwardly, Cologne once more explained the Shadows and the threat. Tofu nodded before getting up again and pulling down a dusty tome of ancient knowledge. He flipped through the pages carefully till he stopped and put the book down. Cleaning his glasses, he studied a painting there and then turned the book to face Cologne. There drawn in fine inks and gold leaf was the image that matched the young woman who they had just been speaking of. Dressed in Kimonos of a very ancient design with her hair cascading down her back to her knees was the spitting image of Sailor Star Knight Unicorn. Suteko's green eyes stood out in inlaid Emerald flakes. "I knew I had heard this before. This was considered a children's story when I was in medical school."
Cologne scanned the words and nodded. "It doesn't tell everything but yes this is her story." She gently turned the pages, seeing images of Jaeoh with Suteko, hand in hand, then an older Jaeoh teaching a boy who reminded him of Ranma. Finally there was a full page rendering of the Shadow Master. The dark robes seemed to eat the light around it. Beneath a black boot heel was a scrap of cloth that matched the kimono of the princess. As she flipped over the page she saw the Shadow Master in a glowing cage, with words in flowing script below.
"And the Beast was trapped till the stars aligned and the Shining one would face it again. Three times they would battle, once the Beast shall injure the Light, Once the Light shall injure the Shadow and on the third meeting they will come to a draw. Only after the Shining one draws together the army of Light will the final battle commence. One shall fall to Shadow yet one will be reclaimed. Two childhood friends will fight for balance and the world will wait."
The ancient one broke off and looked off in the distance. "The army of Light?" She tapped her chin with her pipe. "Somehow I don't think we have them all here."
"What do you mean?" Tofu was still struggling with information overload. The sister of one of his most commonly seen patients was more than she appeared. The earlier battles across Tokyo had involved her allies, the Sailor Senshi and the Sailor Kouhei. Like many in the Great city, he had watched the broadcasts of the skimpily dressed women warriors. He had been both intrigued and secretly enchanted by the girls. The Kouhei now he heard little of. Those warriors seemed harder and fiercer than the Senshi. Reaching yet again, he pulled out another ancient tome.
Cologne nodded. "As you see those Senshi have left legends through history. Something about this time has brought back many ancient heroes. The Senshi, princesses of their ancient homes. The Kouhei, warriors and then there is the Star knights."
"There isn't much about them here?"
"I believe they weren't supposed to return yet. They are the snag in the weave. This Phoenix boy came here to meet his cousin but he was supposed to show up in the future. I believe his appearance was fate's way of training Suteko in her Light powers."
"More a way to prepare her for the coming battle," a soft voice interrupted.
Looking up startled Tofu blinked. "Setsuna-san?"
The tall green haired senshi of Time stood in street clothes and nodded. "Yes, doctor, how is your grandchild Cologne-chan?"
Once more Tofu blinked in confusion. Did the tall lovely young woman just address the elder next to him like she was a child?
"She is resting well. Suteko removed the Shadow taint quickly. My grandchild was not as susceptible to it as the others."
Setsuna nodded. "Your family has a natural immunity to the Shadows." She turned to Tofu and smiled. His confusion was clear. "Doctor I can see you have questions. I will answer what I can." She held up a finger, "but only a few. There are still things that can't be spoke of now"
Tofu shut his mouth, paused and then nodded. "All right what do you need us to do Setsuna-san?"
Smiling she filled him in and asked him to run herd on Ranma and his friends. "At this time the fight will center on Suteko and a select few others"
"The Kouhei and the Minervan?" asked Cologne.
Setsuna nodded, "And a few others. I came here to ask you to help with two who need to be brought back up to speed."
Cologne gasped as from the background two young men faded into sight. One was tall, with a shock of red hair, the other shorter with a clear resemblance to the leader of the Sailor Senshi. Both were dressed in the male version of a sailor fuku. She turned to the senshi of Pluto. "Why here?"
Setsuna sighed. "You know we can't distract her now. These men need to be eased back and who better than Kasumi?"
"She came and asked if we could take them in dearest." Kasumi brought a tray of finger foods and gestured to the silent and confused Star Knights. "Here boys. You will need fuel." She smiled as Akuma and Chris laid into the food like her young brother in law and his father. The two had the excuse of not eating for a long time. They each stopped briefly to thank her before sparring over an egg roll.
Chapter Twenty
Aki bowed his head and panted. He had been fighting hard, trying to escape the circle of light. Five years of being in the Shadow had made him strong and stubborn. Years of giving in to his base drives and desires, of burying his doubts and revulsion at his master's methods made him a fighter. The ghost kept flooding him with Light, chipping
away at the certainly he had been living with. As they were stripped away memories flowed back, memories of things he did not want to remember. First those things that he had done as the General of Shadows. The creatures he had tortured and killed under orders. As they flowed away memories of those humans he had subverted to the darkness flashed past his inner eye. It had been easy finding those to fill the ranks of the Shadow army. The were mostly disaffected teens and adults who enjoyed to having no boundaries.
As those memories burned away the ghost brought back more current memories. Those dealing with what he had done to his once sensei. The beating he gave her, while nothing like what Pain had delivered, was bad. He had hurt her and taken his frustration out on her defenseless body. When she had forgiven him it had both confused and shaken him. Kaneda had always said that the light was unforgiving but Suteko's words had added to his inner doubts.
Taking a deep breath Aki lay back on the dirt and sighed. "All right, I can see your point ghost."
Ichuru smiled, shaking his head. "It is not the seeing but the understanding you need boy."
Aki winced both inward and outwardly. "Yeah, I do old man. But once one gives an oath to darkness…"
"It means less than you think boy. An oath to a lie is a lie." The ghost nodded. "Yes, you will end up punished for breaking your word but your soul will be clean. And better yet you will stop the Darkness from taking more than your sensei. If you let Kaneda win you doom everyone."
Aki stared up at the sun through the leaves above his head. It seemed odd to see the clean, clear light now after spending so many years in shadow. The ghost had managed to keep him in Light for a full night and day. "I don't care."
"Yes, boy you do." The ghost's voice grew softer, gentler. "Little Suteko managed to touch your hidden heart and you no longer want your Master to get his hands on her yet again."
One part of Aki did admit just that, had admitted that fully when she had been recaptured and given to Pain as a toy but to be fully truthful another part wanted to claim her as his own prize. The old crush he had as a boy still lingered, making a part of him desire the lovely warrior. He had felt a strong pang of jealousy when Jaeoh had touched her.
"Kaneda wants more than her body old man." He sat up and curled an arm about one leg. "With Suteko he will be able to control the Guardian and open the Gate."
"That might be true but then your role is to protect her."
Aki snorted. "Protect the Light Bearer? You think she would let me near her? After all I have done to her?"
The Ghost smiled wider as the doubt crept into Aki's voice. The hook had been set. He let out a trickle of energy, letting it flow out of the shield. The boy was ready, he might not yet be a soldier for Light but he would no longer support the Shadow against his former sensei. "The Princess is very forgiving, given a chance." The ghost didn't know for sure but he had been watching her since his death. The girl reminded him of his own long lost sister.
"But do you really think you can trust me?" Aki pushed his way back to his feet, wearily.
The shield dropped completely then, suddenly enough that Aki shuddered as the shadows refilled the clearing. The ghost faded from view. "That is a question only you can answer boy. But think on this. You have a chance to make up for your errors. Take it."
Aki stood for a long time as the minor shadows started to gather. He could feel them chittering questions at him. These minor shadows were like dogs, little intelligence but a lot of loyalty. These creatures were neither good nor bad and had been attracted to him from the beginning. It could be that was simply because he rarely struck out at them. Heavy in thought he entered the cave. It was time to return. The question was would he do as the ghost asked or follow his Master's demands.
Reappearing inside his own quarters he headed into the bath. The internal battle had left him feeling unclean. A long bath later, one where he sent away his usual attendants, left him physically relaxed but still mentally troubled. The moment when he pulled up a flash of Light had more than startled him. It had felt good and natural and it shouldn't have.
Settling on his bed after clearing his room of shadow servants he snapped his fingers and once again a small flash of white light formed between his fingers. Quickly he doused the Light and threw an arm over his eyes. "What did you do to me old man." he whispered.
***
"See Ocean, the Shadow can be a wonderful place," cooed a raven haired lovely. Ever since he had brought Suteko to Kaneda's throne room various women had been very interested in the former Kouhei. The soul searching disquiet after Seiya's death had been eased by willing women and missions that involved him spending time on the water. It was odd that the Shadow realm had a large body of water but the waves called to him like no other.
Running a hand down his current lovely companion's back he sighed. "Yes, Kimi, you are right." He turned to restart their activities when she placed a fingertip on his lips.
"The Master would like you to do another little thing for him Ocean."
Steve ground his teeth and then nodded. "What do I have to do this time?"
Kimi smiled and pressed closer. "Nothing difficult sweet one. He just need you to stick to Aki's side."
"The General?" Steve brow furrowed. "Why?"
Kimi traced her long lacquered nail down his chest. "The Master has concerns about how his General is reacting. He has not been acting for the benefit of Shadow since the Light Bearer returned." She started nibbling on his chin. "He is looking to replace him." As she teased the former Kouhei, she insinuated tendrils of shadow into his heart and mind. "He has been impressed with your actions since joining us. If you do this you could be a real power here"
"Why would I want power? I have the waves." He protested but only weakly. He had found being in control was as much of a rush as a twenty foot curl off Maui.
"Because then I would be yours exclusively Ocean. To do what ever you wish."
Steve smiled and nodded as visions filled his mind. The woman in his bed would be worth spending time in the soon to be former Shadow General's presence. "You are right Kimi-chan. It is time that Aki realized his in not longer the Master's favorite." He lay back and let the siren ply her skills on him.
***
When the black sun rose in the Shadow kingdom, Steve stepped from his chambers. The Kouhei uniform was gone finally, replaced by a sleek black tunic and pants. His once smoky crystal had become jet black. It was now mounted on a chain that glittered on his chest.
He swiftly moved through the halls toward Aki's chambers. Kimi's source told him that the General had only just returned to the shadow realm after being missing for over twenty four hours. Steve had a good idea that he had been in Tokyo. What he was doing there is what he planned to find out.
While Steve had been growing darker over the past month, he could see a change in Aki. The general had been passing off the more loathsome errands to him along with no longer summoning his harem.
The women gossiped to Steve about how his rooms were getting uncomfortable, like the Shadow was being pushed out. And that he had called them less and less as time passed. He still let his temper out but not as often.
Steve nodded to the Reaper that guarded Aki's chambers. The creature bowed to hm respectfully. its tomblike voice filled the hall. "The General returned an hour ago Lieutenant." The creature made even the most hardened warrior quake. Steven stiffened his spine.
"What has be been up to?"
"The General was in the private bath." It paused obviously in distain for those who needed to bathe. "He sent the females away."
"Interesting." Steve knocked on the door and without waiting for a response stepped inside.
"Who dares?" Aki sat up, then rolled his eyes and lay back, one knee bent. "What do you want Steve?"
Steve walked over and looked down at his so called leader. The man had definitely changed. The lazy seeming form was tense under his robes, like he expected something. "Kaneda sent me to find out where you have
been."
Aki snorted, resting his arm back over his aching eyes. "I was at the Cave, per his orders."
"Funny that it took you so long to check on an empty cave." Steve curled his fingers behind his back. He had learned a new trick in the past week and he wanted to see if Aki noticed. He formed a weapon, a shadow whip like the one favored by the General. Aki seemed oblivious as he answered.
"The Master's message was delivered like he requested and the clearing is free," he paused almost too brief to notice, "of Light traps."
"Do you really think the Light puppies will fall for a straight up trick?" Steve coiled the whip behind him.
"It isn't our place to tell Kaneda what to plan. We just carry out his orders." Aki snarled. He was very tired of Steve, of Kaneda's foolish plans and of Shadow in general. "I had a little trouble clearing the remains of the old cave guardian." Aki thought fast. He needed something to get the former Kouhei out of his hair. "Your former leader took acceptation to my appearance." That was close to the truth, or as close as he planned on letting the traitor know. "He delayed me for a bit."
"A bit huh? The master expected you back in an hour at most. You were gone much longer."
Aki hissed, whipping up off his bed. "You dare question me traitor? I should send you back to Kaneda with your ass in your hand!" Aki pulled his own anger driven power about him, letting it leak from his eyes. He crackled with energy but even in the dim light it could be seen to be a gray instead of his traditional black. He was loosing his grip on the darkness and the power he should have had was starting to bleed through.
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