Seigi - Part 1 (Crossover)
I wrote this massive crossover in 1997 (and yes, it was completed. There are 22 chapters total.) Some of the series represented here are Sailormoon, Gundam Wing, Yuu Yuu Hakushou, Fushigi Yuugi, Dirty Pair Flash, Twin Signal, Rurouni Kenshin, Earthian, Arislan, Inuyasha, Maze, Slayers Next, Ranma 1/2, Violinist of Hamelin, Akazin Cha Cha, Wedding Peach, Escaflowne, and maybe more I've forgotten. The fic is old enough that the formatting may be weird because of the word processor I was using when I saved it, so please forgive that. It is extremely ALTERNATE UNIVERSE, so please don't correct me on canon -- I chose to ignore it. Everything below is left as it was when I first wrote it.
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WARNING! This fanfic contains most if not all of the
following: graphic descriptions of S&M, non-consensual m/m f/f sex,
violence, rape, torture, physical and/or emotional abuse, humiliation,
degradation, suffering, regret, angst, misunderstandings, etc. If _any_
of the above bothers you even a little PLEASE DON'T READ ANY
FURTHER! If you do not heed this warning, I am not responsible.
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This is the crossover story to end all crossover stories. I've taken great
liberties with the characters, so be warned. For those without
Japanese/English dictionaries, 'seigi' means 'justice'.
Seigi – Part 1
by Haruka (haruka@ymail.com)
--
"I don't believe this," Kei muttered as she slammed the cab door
and shouldered her duffel bag. Her forest-green eyes swept over the
estate known as Seigi with disdain and skepticism. She ran a hand
through her wild red-gold hair. "Looks more like a country club than a
training ground."
"I wish it _were_ a country club," sighed her partner, Yuri. "I
could go for a round of tennis and a soak in the hot tub."
"What I'd like to know is why us?" Kei said in annoyance.
"Maybe this kind of place works for people with no previous training or
experience, but we're already professionals! We don't need this crap!"
Yuri shot her a blue glare, her lavender hair swirling around her.
"There's no point in yelling at me about it! It's not my fault!"
"I'm not so sure," Kei grumbled.
Sniping at each other wasn't unusual for the two young women.
Other than battling dangerous enemies and risking their lives, it was what
they did best.
As partners, they were a picture in opposites, both in looks and
personalities. Kei was loud, crude, and rude. She was happiest with a
gun in her hand, the bigger the better. Yuri was feminine, obsessed with
her appearance and determined never to go dateless. Her fighting
weapon of choice was a blazing light-sword. Both girls were beautiful
in face and figure, with Kei's dusky skin a striking contrast to Yuri's
ivory. In their long association, they'd had many memorable fights, but
had also completed countless successful missions as 'trouble consultants'
for the organization known as 3WA. They were the Lovely Angels,
feared and respected. The idea of so-called supplemental training at this
point was ridiculous.
The iron gate in front of them creaked opened without warning
and a stunning young woman stood before them. She was small-framed,
and wore elaborate Chinese robes. Her long purple hair was bound up in
complicated waves. Magenta eyes regarded them warmly. "Welcome,
Dirty Pair," she said.
"Lovely Angels!" Kei and Yuri yelled. If there was one thing the
two of them agreed on, it was their hatred of that completely unjustified
nickname of Dirty Pair. They only wished they could get their hands on
whatever slanderous cretin first came up with it. If they hadn't already
killed him, he wouldn't live to repeat it again.
To make things worse, the purple-haired witch was now laughing
at them.
"You're as touchy as we heard you were," she said with a smile.
"I meant no insult, I'm sorry. Please come with me."
The girls followed her, their expressions sour.
"My name is Nuriko. I am a Suzaku seishi. If you don't know
what that is now, don't feel badly, because you will." She gave them a
graceful nod. "I will also be one of your instructors."
"No offense, lady, but you don't look like you could teach us
anything other than how to put on make-up," Kei said, then gave a
derisive snort. "This place is unbelievable. Dragging people away from
their own business to waste their time here."
Nuriko glanced at her over her shoulder. "It's generally
considered an honour to be chosen by Seigi."
"Maybe for people who don't already have a focus for their lives."
Yuri tossed her long hair. "However, we've already accomplished more
than most of your students ever will."
"If that were true, you'd have been summoned here as teachers
rather than students," Nuriko told her.
"Maybe we were!" Kei brightened. "That must be it! There was
a typo error or something and we were summoned under false pretenses!
I knew we weren't supposed to be students!" She took a relieving breath
and rubbed her hands together. "Ah, just wait until we start whipping
those kids into shape!"
"Sorry to disillusion you, Kei, but you and Yuri _are_ to be
students," Nuriko said, opening the front door for them. "I'll take you to
your room now. Once the others arrive, you'll all meet with the
Principal."
Kei and Yuri studied their surroundings as they followed Nuriko
through corridors and up stairs. The main facility was as expansive on
the inside as the property looked from the outside. It felt to Kei like a
cross between a school, office building, and a home, which, she
supposed, it was. She caught glimpses of a gym, a library, and what
appeared to be a chemistry lab, but there was also a comfortable-looking
lounge. She wondered what their room would be like in a place this big.
Maybe she and Yuri would even have separate rooms for a change. She
picked up her pace a little.
Before they'd even reached the door that Nuriko pointed out as
theirs, the unmistakable sound of raised voices could be heard.
"You engineered this! Admit it!"
"What?! Why would I want to do that?!"
"To make me look bad, that's why!"
"You're capable of doing that all by yourself."
"Whaaaat?!"
Nuriko chuckled. "Sounds like Pulse and Signal are here."
"What and which?" Kei asked skeptically.
Nuriko opened the door and walked in. The first thing the girls
saw in the centre of the large dorm room were two young men who
looked about to come to blows. Both were tall and very lean. One wore
what resembled a black flight suit with white piping. Fingerless gloves
adorned his hands. His straight black hair was pulled back from his face
and fastened into a floor-length ponytail with a tubular, metal clip. More
metal encircled his forearms and calves from knee to foot. Two deadly-
looking blades nearly the length of his body were attached to the metal
on his arms.
The other, younger boy seemed unintimidated. He, too, wore a
flight suit-style outfit, only his consisted of a mostly-red jacket with grey
pants. Metal surrounded his forearms and calves as it did on the other
man and he wore the same kind of fingerless gloves. His pale blue hair
was unbound, sweeping the floor. The black-haired one's red eyes were
intense while the other's wide blue eyes betrayed his youth, even in anger.
Both were striking to look at.
"You must be Pulse and Signal," Nuriko said.
The two turned as one toward her. A split second later, the
younger one was in front of her, striking a self-confident pose.
"Yes, I am Signal! I am the latest, most up-to-date, MIRA-made
fighting robot for the century to come!"
"Is this guy for real?" Kei remarked.
"Did he say 'robot'?" Yuri wondered aloud.
The black-haired male shook his head, a hand to his forehead as
if he suffered from a migraine. "Forgive him, please. He doesn't know
when to shut up."
"Hey, it's polite to introduce yourself when you meet people!"
Signal retorted. "And might I point out that you have yet to do so?"
"I'm about to! And without making a longwinded speech!" He
turned to the girls and nodded formally. "I am Pulse."
Signal pantomimed a yawn. Kei grinned.
"Nice to meet you," Yuri said. "My name is Yuri and that's Kei.
We're the Lovely Angels."
Pulse raised an eyebrow. "The Dirty Pair?"
A moment later, Nuriko sighed as she gazed down at a prone
Pulse while Yuri and Kei massaged their knuckles. Signal laughed so
hard he almost fell over.
"And he says _I_ don't know when to shut up!"
--
By the time Pulse regained consciousness, Kei and Yuri learned
that both he and Signal had been summoned as they were, but Pulse, the
elder of the two was not to be a student. He would be teaching.
And his little brother, Signal, was less than impressed by this fact.
"I really don't know why Pulse gets to be a teacher and I'm stuck
as a trainee," he complained, pouting with arms folded. "It's just not fair.
I'm ten times the fighter he is."
"You'll learn all the reasons why you've been placed as you have
been from the Principal," Nuriko explained. "We just have to wait for
the others to arrive."
"Are all these beds going to be filled?" Kei asked, looking around
suspiciously. She was noticing for the first time that if this was to be
their room, it was in no way a private one. There were in fact six beds,
each with its own privacy curtain, dresser, closet and desk. Another door
across the room probably led to the bathroom.
"I thought we'd have our own room." Yuri sighed. "Kei is hard
enough to live with. I don't think I can share a room with five other
people."
"Whaddaya mean I'm hard to live with?!" Kei demanded.
"Should I be in the same room with girls?" Signal asked
doubtfully.
"Why not?" Pulse replied, feeling his sore jaw experimentally.
"It's not as if you know what to do with them."
"I know plenty!" Signal said hotly. "You know damn well that all
the facts are programmed into my databanks!"
"You _are_ a robot!" Yuri gasped.
Signal looked confused. "Didn't I already say that?"
"Don't you dare introduce yourself again," Pulse warned him, then
looked at Nuriko. "Exactly what am I doing here? Signal certainly could
use work, but I assure you that my own missions were being carried out
without failure."
"That's why you'll be a teacher," Nuriko said. "Our students will
benefit from your instruction and experience. But be prepared to learn
a few things yourself. Keep an open mind."
"Pulse? An open mind?" Signal muttered. "Is she kidding?"
Yuri was walking around Signal curiously. "How can such a
pretty boy be a machine?" She pinched his cheek. "He's even warm!"
"Of course I'm warm!" Signal shook off her hand. "I'm a
humanoid! A cyborg! Only better! I'm made to be as human as a robot
can be." He gestured dismissively toward Pulse. "So was he, I guess. He
was my prototype." He blew on his knuckles and rubbed them against his
chest. "But of course, I'm the new, improved, most perfected--"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Pulse interrupted wearily. He gave Nuriko
a long-suffering look. "Can you see what I put up with? He's more
interested in making speeches than fighting well."
"That's not true!" Signal exploded.
"Yes, it is!" Pulse shouted back.
Kei glanced at Yuri. "And I thought we were bad."
--
Michiru giggled at the tickling sensation her ear was
experiencing. The source was her girlfriend, Haruka, who insisted on
nibbling her lobe out in front of anyone who may pass by. And passers-
by were not just possible, but probable, since they were waiting to
welcome the next group of Seigi arrivals.
"Haruka, stop!"
The sexy blonde peered over Michiru's shoulder. "You mean
that?"
"Not really," Michiru admitted. "But those kids should be
arriving any moment. We should try to set a good example."
"I think we set a very good example of a couple in love."
Haruka's arms enveloped her more tightly, and Michiru smiled.
They did indeed make a beautiful couple. Haruka the tomboy
racer who never wore skirts and Michiru the ladylike violinist were both
famous in their own right. However, those fans didn't realize just how
special their idols were. Aside from their outside talents, Haruka and
Michiru were the Sailor Senshi, Uranus and Neptune.
"Hey, there's one now, I think," Haruka said, nodding toward the
gate. Michiru followed her gaze and saw a pretty black-haired boy with
innocent red eyes watching them curiously.
"Hello!" she greeted, gently disengaging herself from Haruka to
open the gate. "I'm Kaiou Michiru."
"I know," the boy said pleasantly. "And she's your girlfriend,
Tenou Haruka. I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Chihaya."
"No one accompanied you?" Michiru asked, letting him pass
through the gates.
"I'm fine on my own," he said. "Besides, I already know one of
the teachers here."
"Yeah?" Haruka said. "Which one?"
"The spiritual advisor," Chihaya answered. "Kagetsuya."
"Is he a relative or a friend?" Michiru asked.
"Or a relative friend?" joked Haruka.
Chihaya smiled. "We've known each other a long time."
"Well, we'll escort you to your room first, and then when the
others arrive, you'll meet the Principal," Michiru explained.
"All right," Chihaya said easily. "Are there many others in my
group?"
"Six of you altogether," Haruka told him.
"I'm looking forward to meeting them," he said.
Michiru smiled at him. "Are you always so optimistic?"
"I try to be," Chihaya admitted.
Haruka threw an arm across his shoulders. "You're all right, kid.
Come on inside."
"Excuse me?"
The three turned to see a beautiful redhead wearing a Chinese
outfit standing just inside the gate. He carried a knapsack over one
shoulder and a large suitcase in one hand. Bright green eyes smiled at
them in a friendly way.
"Yes?" Michiru asked.
"My name is Kurama," he said politely. "I was summoned to be
come a student at Seigi."
"I remember your name," Haruka said. "You're the boy genius
with an affinity for plants, right?"
"In a nutshell, yes," Kurama said.
"Well, I'm Haruka and this is Michiru. We're two of the
instructors here." She patted Chihaya's shoulder. "This is Chihaya,
another new student."
"Nice to meet you," Kurama said.
To Haruka and Michiru's surprise, Chihaya hesitated before
returning Kurama's smile and greeting. "Pleased to meet you, as well."
Kurama studied the other boy thoughtfully and Michiru decided
they should continue to the dorm room. "This way, gentlemen."
--
Kei gave a loud yawn and stretched out her legs, not bothering to
remove her boots despite the clean bedspread. The sixth new student
was late, so she and the others were relaxing in the dorm room. She'd
quickly laid claim to the bed on the right of the door. It would be best for
making quick exits and entrances. Yuri took the bed beside her, while
the red-haired boy-who-looked-like-a-girl had settled across from her.
On Yuri's other side was Chihaya, and across from him was Signal. Only
the bed facing Yuri's was unoccupied.
"I wonder where Nuriko went," Yuri remarked as she unpacked
her bag.
"Probably to look for the missing kid," Kei said.
"Aren't you going to unpack? Your clothes will wrinkle."
"I don't care," Kei replied, sitting up. She glanced over to where
Kurama was opening his full suitcase. "Speaking of clothes, how many
did you bring?"
Kurama looked at her. "What?" His gaze fell to the numerous
outfits he'd packed and he blushed. "I guess I did bring a lot, but I like
dressing well."
"I understand perfectly," Yuri said sagely. "Just ignore Kei. She'd
be comfortable wearing gunny sacks or worse yet, running around in
nothing at all if it were permissible."
"Is that full of clothes, too?" Kei pointed at Kurama's stuffed
knapsack, ignoring Yuri.
"No, those are my books," Kurama explained. "I read a lot, and
I enjoy studying."
Kei groaned and flopped back against her pillows. "An egghead,
great."
"He doesn't look like one," Yuri said softly, smiling. "He's
beautiful." She stole a glance over to where Signal was giving Chihaya
his introduction speech. "So are they, actually. We're surrounded by
gorgeous boys here, Kei."
"Whoopie," was Kei's response, and one she emphasized by
twirling a finger in the air.
Yuri looked at her impatiently. "Don't you ever take a moment
to admire beauty? Even if you don't like boys, you can appreciate the
improvement these ones make in the scenery. And wasn't Nuriko the
loveliest creature you've ever seen? Besides me, of course."
"I've got more on my mind than nice scenery," Kei said. "And so
should you have. Doesn't it bug you that pros like us should be stuck
here as students?"
"Of course it does, but now that we're here, maybe we should just
make the best of it."
Kei crossed her arms. "Ha! You weren't talking that way in the
cab, before all the 'beautiful scenery' showed up."
Yuri shook her head. "All your taste is in your mouth."
The dorm room door opened suddenly and a pretty blonde girl ran
in, breathless. She was lugging two heavy-looking bags, of which
Kurama quickly relieved her.
"Oh, thank you!" she said gratefully. "I ran all the way from the
bus station, but I can see I'm still late."
"You're the last new student?" Signal asked.
"I guess so," the girl said, running a hand through her shoulder-
length blonde hair. "My name is Hongo Yui. I was supposed to be here
a while ago, but I missed my bus stop."
"How'd you manage that?" Kei asked in amusement. "Doesn't the
bus stop right within view of this place?"
"Yes, but I was reading and didn't notice it," Yui explained.
"I've done that." Kurama grinned.
Chihaya studied Yui curiously. "How did you get past the gate?
Wasn't it locked?"
"Oh, a gorgeous guy with long, dark red hair and a X-shaped mark
on his left cheek let me in." Yui smiled. "He had these big purple eyes
and was very polite and soft-spoken. He said he was a teacher here."
"Really?" Yuri asked happily. "Another pretty guy? This just
keeps getting better and better."
"Gag me," Kei muttered.
"Hn."
Everyone looked toward the doorway in which stood a short,
small-framed young man with spiky black hair. He wore a bandana
across his forehead and a black robe. His unusual red eyes mirrored the
disdain in his tone. "About time you were all assembled."
"Hiei!" Kurama gasped, his green eyes wide. "What are you
doing here?!"
The barest hint of a smile crossed Hiei's features before it
vanished. "I could ask the same of you, Fox," he said. "But I guess the
answer is obvious. You need training."
Kurama smiled as if he hadn't just been insulted. "It's been a long
time. I assume you're an instructor?"
"Not my choice," Hiei said briskly. "They call it being
'summoned', but it's no better than being drafted."
Kei jumped off her bed and sauntered over to look down at Hiei.
The top of his head barely reached her hips. "You're an instructor?" she
said skeptically. "That's almost as funny as that girl Nuriko teaching."
Hiei regarded her coolly. "Underestimation of people is a sure
sign of immaturity, not to mention stupidity."
Kei's face reddened in fury. "You little pipsqueak ...!" She aimed
a lightning-fast kick at Hiei and wound up on her backside.
"Wha--? What happened?" she asked, blinking.
"You're hopelessly slow," Hiei said from behind her. "Why they
thought of you as a worthy recruit is beyond me."
Kurama giggled, and Kei shot him a dirty look. When she next
turned toward Hiei, he was gone.
"Over here," he said. Kei's head whipped around and she saw he
was back in the doorway. "Since I'm here, you all may as well follow me
to the conference room." He turned and walked away. The students
quickly followed, with Kei bringing up the rear.
"Yuri," she hissed, "what happened back there? He used magic
and disappeared on me, didn't he?"
"No," Yuri answered. "He just moved really fast, like the blink
of an eye. You never had a chance."
Kei glared at Hiei's back up ahead. "I hate people who make me
look foolish."
"Why bother?" Hiei replied without looking back. "You should
be used to it by now."
--
Haruka pressed a cup of tea into Michiru's hand and looked
around the conference room. There was a long table in its centre with
chairs lining both sides and one at the head. Only two of the chairs on
one side were presently occupied, by Nuriko and another teacher. He had
long red hair tied back in a loose ponytail. A large 'X' on his left cheek
added character to his otherwise boyish face.
"What do you guys think of the new recruits so far?" Haruka
asked the seated pair.
"Well, I haven't met them all yet," Nuriko said. "But those two
girls known as the Lovely Angels are going to be a handful."
"You mean the Dirty Pair?" Haruka asked.
"Don't say that to them if you value your life," remarked Pulse as
he walked into the room. "I understand this is where the first meeting
will be held. My name is Pulse."
"I'm Haruka, and this is Michiru. That's Nuriko and the redhead
is Kenshin."
"Nice to meet you," Kenshin welcomed, his voice warm and
soothing. "Please have a seat."
"How about here?" Nuriko pulled out the chair beside her and
smiled at him. Pulse nodded politely and sat down.
"Yo, people!" A boy with brown hair tied in a long braid to his
bottom strolled in. He wore black pants and a black shirt with a white
clerical collar. "Hey, cool! I'm early for a change!"
"And how are you, Duo?" Nuriko asked.
"Jes fine, thank ye muchly." Duo dropped into a chair and put his
feet up on the table. "The Big Cheese isn't here yet?"
"After the recruits arrive, probably," Haruka remarked.
"Shouldn't students behave with a little more respect?" Pulse
remarked, eyeing Duo's casual position significantly.
Michiru giggled while Haruka smirked. "Duo's a teacher."
"Yep!" The braided boy extended his hand. "Duo Maxwell."
Pulse shook his hand. "Pulse. Sorry for the misunderstanding,
but--"
"That's okay." Duo laughed. "I know I don't look or act much
like a teacher."
A tall man, broad-shouldered man with short blonde hair walked
in. "Hello, everyone."
"That's Kagetsuya, the spiritual advisor," Duo told Pulse
conspiratorially.
"Kagetsuya, this is Pulse," Nuriko said. "He's our new instructor."
"A pleasure." The blonde man gave a bow. "I'm sure you'll find
teaching here an interesting experience."
"It's already interesting," Pulse said, looking between Kagetsuya
and Duo. "How come you're the spiritual advisor but the boy is wearing
the collar?"
Duo grinned. "I was raised by nuns and priests. I have a lot of
respect for them." He waved a hand at Kagetsuya. "If he weren't already
spiritual advisor, I could have done the job."
Haruka laughed. "Now there's a scary thought!"
Michiru checked her watch. "It's almost time for the meeting to
start."
"Our esteemed leader will want to make an entrance after the
students arrive," Nuriko chuckled.
"Speaking of which," Kagetsuya said, "is Hiei bringing the
students?"
"I believe so," Kenshin replied.
"I hope so," Nuriko declared. "But Hiei's just as likely not to
show up at all."
"I think he will this time," Michiru said. "He knows one of the
kids personally."
"You know one of them, too, right?" Haruka asked Kagetsuya.
"At least, he said he knew you."
Kagetsuya smiled. "Yes. Chihaya and I are old friends."
"Remember, you can't take it easy on him," Duo pointed out.
"You'd better believe Hiei won't cut his buddy any slack."
"Hiei has a buddy?" Nuriko murmured. "An acquaintance maybe,
but an actual friend?"
"Don't be unkind, Nuriko," Kenshin said gently. "Hiei may be an
enigma to us, but he's still a person, and people need companionship."
"Peopllle," Duo began to warble, "People who need peopllle ..."
Nuriko bonked him on top of the head. "Behave yourself."
"Look who's talking." Duo rubbed his head, grinning.
Pulse was staring at them in disbelief. "Are you sure you're all
teachers?"
"We're the best at what we do," Haruka explained. "That doesn't
mean we're serious all the time. Hell, most of us are the same age as the
students."
"It's believed that we can help the students perfect their own
skills," Michiru said. "But we learn from them, as well."
"I'm afraid to imagine what might be learned from the Dirty Pair,"
Nuriko said dryly.
Kagetsuya paused, then went to the doorway and looked out.
"They're coming," he said.
--
"In here. Sit down," was Hiei's invitation to the recruits that had
followed him from the dorm room.
"You're so kind," Kei muttered as she and the others took seats on
one side of the long table. Hiei joined the group seated opposite them,
one of whom had his feet up on the table. Nuriko took care of that with
what looked like a gentle nudge that somehow landed the boy flat on his
back.
"Damn you, Nuriko, that hurt!" the boy complained, massaging
his head. "I'm gonna be brain-damaged by the time you're through with
me today!"
"You mean you aren't already?" Nuriko said pleasantly.
Kei eyed the boy skeptically. "He can't be a teacher, can he?"
"As a matter of fact, he is," Haruka answered. "Don't
underestimate any of us, Kei. We'll surprise you."
"How did you know my name?" Kei demanded.
"See?" Michiru smiled. "We're surprising you already."
"Are any of you the Principal?" Yui asked.
"No, the Principal should be here shortly," Kenshin assured her.
Duo was looking toward the doorway. "Speak of the devil ...."
The students' heads followed his gaze and they saw a beautiful
young woman walk in. She had dusky skin and calf-length dark green
hair. Her magenta eyes twinkled at Duo with mild reproof. "Very
complimentary, Duo. Are you trying to scare the new recruits?"
"Nah, I'll let you do that." He grinned.
The woman walked to the chair at the head of the table and sat
down. She smiled at the assembled students. "I would like to personally
welcome you all to Seigi. I am Meiou Setsuna, acting Principal."
Kei blinked. "_You're_ the head honcho around here?"
"Two surprises in two minutes." Haruka winked at Michiru. "Not
bad."
--
End of part 1
(1997)
Character copyrights are too numerous to mention. Just know that none of them are mine.
Please do not re-post this fic in any form or otherwise distribute it.
****************************************
WARNING! This fanfic contains most if not all of the
following: graphic descriptions of S&M, non-consensual m/m f/f sex,
violence, rape, torture, physical and/or emotional abuse, humiliation,
degradation, suffering, regret, angst, misunderstandings, etc. If _any_
of the above bothers you even a little PLEASE DON'T READ ANY
FURTHER! If you do not heed this warning, I am not responsible.
****************************************
This is the crossover story to end all crossover stories. I've taken great
liberties with the characters, so be warned. For those without
Japanese/English dictionaries, 'seigi' means 'justice'.
Seigi – Part 1
by Haruka (haruka@ymail.com)
--
"I don't believe this," Kei muttered as she slammed the cab door
and shouldered her duffel bag. Her forest-green eyes swept over the
estate known as Seigi with disdain and skepticism. She ran a hand
through her wild red-gold hair. "Looks more like a country club than a
training ground."
"I wish it _were_ a country club," sighed her partner, Yuri. "I
could go for a round of tennis and a soak in the hot tub."
"What I'd like to know is why us?" Kei said in annoyance.
"Maybe this kind of place works for people with no previous training or
experience, but we're already professionals! We don't need this crap!"
Yuri shot her a blue glare, her lavender hair swirling around her.
"There's no point in yelling at me about it! It's not my fault!"
"I'm not so sure," Kei grumbled.
Sniping at each other wasn't unusual for the two young women.
Other than battling dangerous enemies and risking their lives, it was what
they did best.
As partners, they were a picture in opposites, both in looks and
personalities. Kei was loud, crude, and rude. She was happiest with a
gun in her hand, the bigger the better. Yuri was feminine, obsessed with
her appearance and determined never to go dateless. Her fighting
weapon of choice was a blazing light-sword. Both girls were beautiful
in face and figure, with Kei's dusky skin a striking contrast to Yuri's
ivory. In their long association, they'd had many memorable fights, but
had also completed countless successful missions as 'trouble consultants'
for the organization known as 3WA. They were the Lovely Angels,
feared and respected. The idea of so-called supplemental training at this
point was ridiculous.
The iron gate in front of them creaked opened without warning
and a stunning young woman stood before them. She was small-framed,
and wore elaborate Chinese robes. Her long purple hair was bound up in
complicated waves. Magenta eyes regarded them warmly. "Welcome,
Dirty Pair," she said.
"Lovely Angels!" Kei and Yuri yelled. If there was one thing the
two of them agreed on, it was their hatred of that completely unjustified
nickname of Dirty Pair. They only wished they could get their hands on
whatever slanderous cretin first came up with it. If they hadn't already
killed him, he wouldn't live to repeat it again.
To make things worse, the purple-haired witch was now laughing
at them.
"You're as touchy as we heard you were," she said with a smile.
"I meant no insult, I'm sorry. Please come with me."
The girls followed her, their expressions sour.
"My name is Nuriko. I am a Suzaku seishi. If you don't know
what that is now, don't feel badly, because you will." She gave them a
graceful nod. "I will also be one of your instructors."
"No offense, lady, but you don't look like you could teach us
anything other than how to put on make-up," Kei said, then gave a
derisive snort. "This place is unbelievable. Dragging people away from
their own business to waste their time here."
Nuriko glanced at her over her shoulder. "It's generally
considered an honour to be chosen by Seigi."
"Maybe for people who don't already have a focus for their lives."
Yuri tossed her long hair. "However, we've already accomplished more
than most of your students ever will."
"If that were true, you'd have been summoned here as teachers
rather than students," Nuriko told her.
"Maybe we were!" Kei brightened. "That must be it! There was
a typo error or something and we were summoned under false pretenses!
I knew we weren't supposed to be students!" She took a relieving breath
and rubbed her hands together. "Ah, just wait until we start whipping
those kids into shape!"
"Sorry to disillusion you, Kei, but you and Yuri _are_ to be
students," Nuriko said, opening the front door for them. "I'll take you to
your room now. Once the others arrive, you'll all meet with the
Principal."
Kei and Yuri studied their surroundings as they followed Nuriko
through corridors and up stairs. The main facility was as expansive on
the inside as the property looked from the outside. It felt to Kei like a
cross between a school, office building, and a home, which, she
supposed, it was. She caught glimpses of a gym, a library, and what
appeared to be a chemistry lab, but there was also a comfortable-looking
lounge. She wondered what their room would be like in a place this big.
Maybe she and Yuri would even have separate rooms for a change. She
picked up her pace a little.
Before they'd even reached the door that Nuriko pointed out as
theirs, the unmistakable sound of raised voices could be heard.
"You engineered this! Admit it!"
"What?! Why would I want to do that?!"
"To make me look bad, that's why!"
"You're capable of doing that all by yourself."
"Whaaaat?!"
Nuriko chuckled. "Sounds like Pulse and Signal are here."
"What and which?" Kei asked skeptically.
Nuriko opened the door and walked in. The first thing the girls
saw in the centre of the large dorm room were two young men who
looked about to come to blows. Both were tall and very lean. One wore
what resembled a black flight suit with white piping. Fingerless gloves
adorned his hands. His straight black hair was pulled back from his face
and fastened into a floor-length ponytail with a tubular, metal clip. More
metal encircled his forearms and calves from knee to foot. Two deadly-
looking blades nearly the length of his body were attached to the metal
on his arms.
The other, younger boy seemed unintimidated. He, too, wore a
flight suit-style outfit, only his consisted of a mostly-red jacket with grey
pants. Metal surrounded his forearms and calves as it did on the other
man and he wore the same kind of fingerless gloves. His pale blue hair
was unbound, sweeping the floor. The black-haired one's red eyes were
intense while the other's wide blue eyes betrayed his youth, even in anger.
Both were striking to look at.
"You must be Pulse and Signal," Nuriko said.
The two turned as one toward her. A split second later, the
younger one was in front of her, striking a self-confident pose.
"Yes, I am Signal! I am the latest, most up-to-date, MIRA-made
fighting robot for the century to come!"
"Is this guy for real?" Kei remarked.
"Did he say 'robot'?" Yuri wondered aloud.
The black-haired male shook his head, a hand to his forehead as
if he suffered from a migraine. "Forgive him, please. He doesn't know
when to shut up."
"Hey, it's polite to introduce yourself when you meet people!"
Signal retorted. "And might I point out that you have yet to do so?"
"I'm about to! And without making a longwinded speech!" He
turned to the girls and nodded formally. "I am Pulse."
Signal pantomimed a yawn. Kei grinned.
"Nice to meet you," Yuri said. "My name is Yuri and that's Kei.
We're the Lovely Angels."
Pulse raised an eyebrow. "The Dirty Pair?"
A moment later, Nuriko sighed as she gazed down at a prone
Pulse while Yuri and Kei massaged their knuckles. Signal laughed so
hard he almost fell over.
"And he says _I_ don't know when to shut up!"
--
By the time Pulse regained consciousness, Kei and Yuri learned
that both he and Signal had been summoned as they were, but Pulse, the
elder of the two was not to be a student. He would be teaching.
And his little brother, Signal, was less than impressed by this fact.
"I really don't know why Pulse gets to be a teacher and I'm stuck
as a trainee," he complained, pouting with arms folded. "It's just not fair.
I'm ten times the fighter he is."
"You'll learn all the reasons why you've been placed as you have
been from the Principal," Nuriko explained. "We just have to wait for
the others to arrive."
"Are all these beds going to be filled?" Kei asked, looking around
suspiciously. She was noticing for the first time that if this was to be
their room, it was in no way a private one. There were in fact six beds,
each with its own privacy curtain, dresser, closet and desk. Another door
across the room probably led to the bathroom.
"I thought we'd have our own room." Yuri sighed. "Kei is hard
enough to live with. I don't think I can share a room with five other
people."
"Whaddaya mean I'm hard to live with?!" Kei demanded.
"Should I be in the same room with girls?" Signal asked
doubtfully.
"Why not?" Pulse replied, feeling his sore jaw experimentally.
"It's not as if you know what to do with them."
"I know plenty!" Signal said hotly. "You know damn well that all
the facts are programmed into my databanks!"
"You _are_ a robot!" Yuri gasped.
Signal looked confused. "Didn't I already say that?"
"Don't you dare introduce yourself again," Pulse warned him, then
looked at Nuriko. "Exactly what am I doing here? Signal certainly could
use work, but I assure you that my own missions were being carried out
without failure."
"That's why you'll be a teacher," Nuriko said. "Our students will
benefit from your instruction and experience. But be prepared to learn
a few things yourself. Keep an open mind."
"Pulse? An open mind?" Signal muttered. "Is she kidding?"
Yuri was walking around Signal curiously. "How can such a
pretty boy be a machine?" She pinched his cheek. "He's even warm!"
"Of course I'm warm!" Signal shook off her hand. "I'm a
humanoid! A cyborg! Only better! I'm made to be as human as a robot
can be." He gestured dismissively toward Pulse. "So was he, I guess. He
was my prototype." He blew on his knuckles and rubbed them against his
chest. "But of course, I'm the new, improved, most perfected--"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Pulse interrupted wearily. He gave Nuriko
a long-suffering look. "Can you see what I put up with? He's more
interested in making speeches than fighting well."
"That's not true!" Signal exploded.
"Yes, it is!" Pulse shouted back.
Kei glanced at Yuri. "And I thought we were bad."
--
Michiru giggled at the tickling sensation her ear was
experiencing. The source was her girlfriend, Haruka, who insisted on
nibbling her lobe out in front of anyone who may pass by. And passers-
by were not just possible, but probable, since they were waiting to
welcome the next group of Seigi arrivals.
"Haruka, stop!"
The sexy blonde peered over Michiru's shoulder. "You mean
that?"
"Not really," Michiru admitted. "But those kids should be
arriving any moment. We should try to set a good example."
"I think we set a very good example of a couple in love."
Haruka's arms enveloped her more tightly, and Michiru smiled.
They did indeed make a beautiful couple. Haruka the tomboy
racer who never wore skirts and Michiru the ladylike violinist were both
famous in their own right. However, those fans didn't realize just how
special their idols were. Aside from their outside talents, Haruka and
Michiru were the Sailor Senshi, Uranus and Neptune.
"Hey, there's one now, I think," Haruka said, nodding toward the
gate. Michiru followed her gaze and saw a pretty black-haired boy with
innocent red eyes watching them curiously.
"Hello!" she greeted, gently disengaging herself from Haruka to
open the gate. "I'm Kaiou Michiru."
"I know," the boy said pleasantly. "And she's your girlfriend,
Tenou Haruka. I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Chihaya."
"No one accompanied you?" Michiru asked, letting him pass
through the gates.
"I'm fine on my own," he said. "Besides, I already know one of
the teachers here."
"Yeah?" Haruka said. "Which one?"
"The spiritual advisor," Chihaya answered. "Kagetsuya."
"Is he a relative or a friend?" Michiru asked.
"Or a relative friend?" joked Haruka.
Chihaya smiled. "We've known each other a long time."
"Well, we'll escort you to your room first, and then when the
others arrive, you'll meet the Principal," Michiru explained.
"All right," Chihaya said easily. "Are there many others in my
group?"
"Six of you altogether," Haruka told him.
"I'm looking forward to meeting them," he said.
Michiru smiled at him. "Are you always so optimistic?"
"I try to be," Chihaya admitted.
Haruka threw an arm across his shoulders. "You're all right, kid.
Come on inside."
"Excuse me?"
The three turned to see a beautiful redhead wearing a Chinese
outfit standing just inside the gate. He carried a knapsack over one
shoulder and a large suitcase in one hand. Bright green eyes smiled at
them in a friendly way.
"Yes?" Michiru asked.
"My name is Kurama," he said politely. "I was summoned to be
come a student at Seigi."
"I remember your name," Haruka said. "You're the boy genius
with an affinity for plants, right?"
"In a nutshell, yes," Kurama said.
"Well, I'm Haruka and this is Michiru. We're two of the
instructors here." She patted Chihaya's shoulder. "This is Chihaya,
another new student."
"Nice to meet you," Kurama said.
To Haruka and Michiru's surprise, Chihaya hesitated before
returning Kurama's smile and greeting. "Pleased to meet you, as well."
Kurama studied the other boy thoughtfully and Michiru decided
they should continue to the dorm room. "This way, gentlemen."
--
Kei gave a loud yawn and stretched out her legs, not bothering to
remove her boots despite the clean bedspread. The sixth new student
was late, so she and the others were relaxing in the dorm room. She'd
quickly laid claim to the bed on the right of the door. It would be best for
making quick exits and entrances. Yuri took the bed beside her, while
the red-haired boy-who-looked-like-a-girl had settled across from her.
On Yuri's other side was Chihaya, and across from him was Signal. Only
the bed facing Yuri's was unoccupied.
"I wonder where Nuriko went," Yuri remarked as she unpacked
her bag.
"Probably to look for the missing kid," Kei said.
"Aren't you going to unpack? Your clothes will wrinkle."
"I don't care," Kei replied, sitting up. She glanced over to where
Kurama was opening his full suitcase. "Speaking of clothes, how many
did you bring?"
Kurama looked at her. "What?" His gaze fell to the numerous
outfits he'd packed and he blushed. "I guess I did bring a lot, but I like
dressing well."
"I understand perfectly," Yuri said sagely. "Just ignore Kei. She'd
be comfortable wearing gunny sacks or worse yet, running around in
nothing at all if it were permissible."
"Is that full of clothes, too?" Kei pointed at Kurama's stuffed
knapsack, ignoring Yuri.
"No, those are my books," Kurama explained. "I read a lot, and
I enjoy studying."
Kei groaned and flopped back against her pillows. "An egghead,
great."
"He doesn't look like one," Yuri said softly, smiling. "He's
beautiful." She stole a glance over to where Signal was giving Chihaya
his introduction speech. "So are they, actually. We're surrounded by
gorgeous boys here, Kei."
"Whoopie," was Kei's response, and one she emphasized by
twirling a finger in the air.
Yuri looked at her impatiently. "Don't you ever take a moment
to admire beauty? Even if you don't like boys, you can appreciate the
improvement these ones make in the scenery. And wasn't Nuriko the
loveliest creature you've ever seen? Besides me, of course."
"I've got more on my mind than nice scenery," Kei said. "And so
should you have. Doesn't it bug you that pros like us should be stuck
here as students?"
"Of course it does, but now that we're here, maybe we should just
make the best of it."
Kei crossed her arms. "Ha! You weren't talking that way in the
cab, before all the 'beautiful scenery' showed up."
Yuri shook her head. "All your taste is in your mouth."
The dorm room door opened suddenly and a pretty blonde girl ran
in, breathless. She was lugging two heavy-looking bags, of which
Kurama quickly relieved her.
"Oh, thank you!" she said gratefully. "I ran all the way from the
bus station, but I can see I'm still late."
"You're the last new student?" Signal asked.
"I guess so," the girl said, running a hand through her shoulder-
length blonde hair. "My name is Hongo Yui. I was supposed to be here
a while ago, but I missed my bus stop."
"How'd you manage that?" Kei asked in amusement. "Doesn't the
bus stop right within view of this place?"
"Yes, but I was reading and didn't notice it," Yui explained.
"I've done that." Kurama grinned.
Chihaya studied Yui curiously. "How did you get past the gate?
Wasn't it locked?"
"Oh, a gorgeous guy with long, dark red hair and a X-shaped mark
on his left cheek let me in." Yui smiled. "He had these big purple eyes
and was very polite and soft-spoken. He said he was a teacher here."
"Really?" Yuri asked happily. "Another pretty guy? This just
keeps getting better and better."
"Gag me," Kei muttered.
"Hn."
Everyone looked toward the doorway in which stood a short,
small-framed young man with spiky black hair. He wore a bandana
across his forehead and a black robe. His unusual red eyes mirrored the
disdain in his tone. "About time you were all assembled."
"Hiei!" Kurama gasped, his green eyes wide. "What are you
doing here?!"
The barest hint of a smile crossed Hiei's features before it
vanished. "I could ask the same of you, Fox," he said. "But I guess the
answer is obvious. You need training."
Kurama smiled as if he hadn't just been insulted. "It's been a long
time. I assume you're an instructor?"
"Not my choice," Hiei said briskly. "They call it being
'summoned', but it's no better than being drafted."
Kei jumped off her bed and sauntered over to look down at Hiei.
The top of his head barely reached her hips. "You're an instructor?" she
said skeptically. "That's almost as funny as that girl Nuriko teaching."
Hiei regarded her coolly. "Underestimation of people is a sure
sign of immaturity, not to mention stupidity."
Kei's face reddened in fury. "You little pipsqueak ...!" She aimed
a lightning-fast kick at Hiei and wound up on her backside.
"Wha--? What happened?" she asked, blinking.
"You're hopelessly slow," Hiei said from behind her. "Why they
thought of you as a worthy recruit is beyond me."
Kurama giggled, and Kei shot him a dirty look. When she next
turned toward Hiei, he was gone.
"Over here," he said. Kei's head whipped around and she saw he
was back in the doorway. "Since I'm here, you all may as well follow me
to the conference room." He turned and walked away. The students
quickly followed, with Kei bringing up the rear.
"Yuri," she hissed, "what happened back there? He used magic
and disappeared on me, didn't he?"
"No," Yuri answered. "He just moved really fast, like the blink
of an eye. You never had a chance."
Kei glared at Hiei's back up ahead. "I hate people who make me
look foolish."
"Why bother?" Hiei replied without looking back. "You should
be used to it by now."
--
Haruka pressed a cup of tea into Michiru's hand and looked
around the conference room. There was a long table in its centre with
chairs lining both sides and one at the head. Only two of the chairs on
one side were presently occupied, by Nuriko and another teacher. He had
long red hair tied back in a loose ponytail. A large 'X' on his left cheek
added character to his otherwise boyish face.
"What do you guys think of the new recruits so far?" Haruka
asked the seated pair.
"Well, I haven't met them all yet," Nuriko said. "But those two
girls known as the Lovely Angels are going to be a handful."
"You mean the Dirty Pair?" Haruka asked.
"Don't say that to them if you value your life," remarked Pulse as
he walked into the room. "I understand this is where the first meeting
will be held. My name is Pulse."
"I'm Haruka, and this is Michiru. That's Nuriko and the redhead
is Kenshin."
"Nice to meet you," Kenshin welcomed, his voice warm and
soothing. "Please have a seat."
"How about here?" Nuriko pulled out the chair beside her and
smiled at him. Pulse nodded politely and sat down.
"Yo, people!" A boy with brown hair tied in a long braid to his
bottom strolled in. He wore black pants and a black shirt with a white
clerical collar. "Hey, cool! I'm early for a change!"
"And how are you, Duo?" Nuriko asked.
"Jes fine, thank ye muchly." Duo dropped into a chair and put his
feet up on the table. "The Big Cheese isn't here yet?"
"After the recruits arrive, probably," Haruka remarked.
"Shouldn't students behave with a little more respect?" Pulse
remarked, eyeing Duo's casual position significantly.
Michiru giggled while Haruka smirked. "Duo's a teacher."
"Yep!" The braided boy extended his hand. "Duo Maxwell."
Pulse shook his hand. "Pulse. Sorry for the misunderstanding,
but--"
"That's okay." Duo laughed. "I know I don't look or act much
like a teacher."
A tall man, broad-shouldered man with short blonde hair walked
in. "Hello, everyone."
"That's Kagetsuya, the spiritual advisor," Duo told Pulse
conspiratorially.
"Kagetsuya, this is Pulse," Nuriko said. "He's our new instructor."
"A pleasure." The blonde man gave a bow. "I'm sure you'll find
teaching here an interesting experience."
"It's already interesting," Pulse said, looking between Kagetsuya
and Duo. "How come you're the spiritual advisor but the boy is wearing
the collar?"
Duo grinned. "I was raised by nuns and priests. I have a lot of
respect for them." He waved a hand at Kagetsuya. "If he weren't already
spiritual advisor, I could have done the job."
Haruka laughed. "Now there's a scary thought!"
Michiru checked her watch. "It's almost time for the meeting to
start."
"Our esteemed leader will want to make an entrance after the
students arrive," Nuriko chuckled.
"Speaking of which," Kagetsuya said, "is Hiei bringing the
students?"
"I believe so," Kenshin replied.
"I hope so," Nuriko declared. "But Hiei's just as likely not to
show up at all."
"I think he will this time," Michiru said. "He knows one of the
kids personally."
"You know one of them, too, right?" Haruka asked Kagetsuya.
"At least, he said he knew you."
Kagetsuya smiled. "Yes. Chihaya and I are old friends."
"Remember, you can't take it easy on him," Duo pointed out.
"You'd better believe Hiei won't cut his buddy any slack."
"Hiei has a buddy?" Nuriko murmured. "An acquaintance maybe,
but an actual friend?"
"Don't be unkind, Nuriko," Kenshin said gently. "Hiei may be an
enigma to us, but he's still a person, and people need companionship."
"Peopllle," Duo began to warble, "People who need peopllle ..."
Nuriko bonked him on top of the head. "Behave yourself."
"Look who's talking." Duo rubbed his head, grinning.
Pulse was staring at them in disbelief. "Are you sure you're all
teachers?"
"We're the best at what we do," Haruka explained. "That doesn't
mean we're serious all the time. Hell, most of us are the same age as the
students."
"It's believed that we can help the students perfect their own
skills," Michiru said. "But we learn from them, as well."
"I'm afraid to imagine what might be learned from the Dirty Pair,"
Nuriko said dryly.
Kagetsuya paused, then went to the doorway and looked out.
"They're coming," he said.
--
"In here. Sit down," was Hiei's invitation to the recruits that had
followed him from the dorm room.
"You're so kind," Kei muttered as she and the others took seats on
one side of the long table. Hiei joined the group seated opposite them,
one of whom had his feet up on the table. Nuriko took care of that with
what looked like a gentle nudge that somehow landed the boy flat on his
back.
"Damn you, Nuriko, that hurt!" the boy complained, massaging
his head. "I'm gonna be brain-damaged by the time you're through with
me today!"
"You mean you aren't already?" Nuriko said pleasantly.
Kei eyed the boy skeptically. "He can't be a teacher, can he?"
"As a matter of fact, he is," Haruka answered. "Don't
underestimate any of us, Kei. We'll surprise you."
"How did you know my name?" Kei demanded.
"See?" Michiru smiled. "We're surprising you already."
"Are any of you the Principal?" Yui asked.
"No, the Principal should be here shortly," Kenshin assured her.
Duo was looking toward the doorway. "Speak of the devil ...."
The students' heads followed his gaze and they saw a beautiful
young woman walk in. She had dusky skin and calf-length dark green
hair. Her magenta eyes twinkled at Duo with mild reproof. "Very
complimentary, Duo. Are you trying to scare the new recruits?"
"Nah, I'll let you do that." He grinned.
The woman walked to the chair at the head of the table and sat
down. She smiled at the assembled students. "I would like to personally
welcome you all to Seigi. I am Meiou Setsuna, acting Principal."
Kei blinked. "_You're_ the head honcho around here?"
"Two surprises in two minutes." Haruka winked at Michiru. "Not
bad."
--
End of part 1
(1997)
Character copyrights are too numerous to mention. Just know that none of them are mine.
Please do not re-post this fic in any form or otherwise distribute it.
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