Hidden Weapons United CH 6
^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / :Chinese: / {English} / [written]
Destine opened the door to her room and stepped inside. "What you need to talk about?"
Tide pointed to the night stand next to Destine’s bed. "That bracelet is yours. I found it on you when you came to live with me. You know I’m not your true mother." Destine nodded. "You have a younger brother. It surprised me when you introduced him."
"Who is my brother? It’s not Mousse is it?"
"No, it’s Ryoga Hibiki. Your real name is Mekana Hibiki."
"I see." Destine nodded and passed out.
=====================================================================
"Des-chan. I found out what that bracelet means." Mousse ran into the room and stopped dead in his tracks. He looked down to see Destine lying on the floor unconscious. He pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket and wrote, "What happened?"
Tide took the paper and wrote back. "She’s finally learned the truth about who she is."
Mousse nodded and walked into the bathroom. He walked over to the sink and filled a cup with cold water. He walked back over to Destine and poured it on her.
Tide jumped back as a mongoose shook off and glared at Mousse. It walked into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. There was a splash and Destine’s voice could be heard from the bathroom. "I was already awake Mousse. I was about to get up when you poured the water on me." She poked her head out of the bathroom. "Mind tossing me my back pack?" Mousse handed it to her. "Thanks."
A few minutes later she stepped out wearing a loose long sleeved shirt and slacks. "I take it you know too."
Mousse nodded. "I think we should explain this to Tide." He pulled the chair from under the table and motioned for Tide to sit down. Destine explained how she and Mousse were both cursed because of their trips to Jusenkyo. She told how Mousse had accidentally walked into the pool of the drowned duck and how she had been tossed into the pool of the drowned mongoose. "I was just walking along when a group of men rushed on me throwing curses. I tried to fend them off but they outnumbered me 12 to 1. The tied me up and threw me off a cliff. Lucky for me I landed in a deep pool of water. I climbed out and looked around, this weird man walked up to me and pointed to the pool. ‘You fall in pool of drowned mongoose. Very tragic story. Very tragic’ I tried to talk to him but I could only make a squeaking sound. He walked away and I walked over to the pool, I looked at my reflection and saw a small mongoose looking back at me. So now whenever I come into cold water I transform."
Mousse looked up. "Was it a case of mistaken identity or something like that?"
"Yes. They kept shouting Saotome for some reason. Is that some kind of curse?"
"They mistook you for Ranma." Mousse laughed.
Tide tapped Destine’s arm. "Shall I explain how I found you?" Destine nodded. ***Destine is translating this for Mousse.***
"Very well, I was standing outside this house when I saw three men running towards me carrying a bundle in their arms. One of them made a grab for me and tried to throw me out of their way. I defeated them and asked what they were up to. They told me that it was none of my business. After a bit of ‘encouragement’ they told me that they had been attacked and someone was trying to steal their child. They handed me the bundle and asked me to watch over it for a while. They then threw down some flash bombs and disappeared.
I unwrapped the bundle and saw you Destine, you were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I took you inside and made a small bed for you, and to make sure I could tell whenever you woke up, I tied a thin string around your wrist. The next morning I bathed you in the spring and saw that bracelet around your arm. I took it off and read it. It was from the hospital in Tokyo. Your name as I already told you is really Mekana Hibiki. I took you to the police and they called the Hibiki family. The parents showed up and asked me to watch over you. They told me that you were destined to become one of the world’s greatest fighters and that was why you had been stolen. A local dojo wanted to train you into a living weapon that would do their bidding. I agreed and raised you as my own.
But now the time has come for you to fulfill your destiny and reach your full potential. With Mousse here you may begin training in the final techniques. But we must get you to the doctor first. You can’t fight if you aren’t in full health."
Destine nodded. "Do you still have that truck?"
"Out back in the driveway."
Mousse looked at Destine. "Des..Mekana, you mean to tell me that this place has a driveway? We could have just given the cab driver instructions to there."
"Call me Destine. It’s who I am. As long as I remain Destine, that stupid dojo can’t find me." She picked up her wallet. "Are the keys still hanging up by the door?"
Tide nodded. "Drive carefully."
"I will. Mousse you have an umbrella?"
=====================================================================
"Let’s hope this baby still runs." Destine shut the door and put the key in the ignition.
"You never told me you could drive." Mousse sat down on the seat and buckled his seat belt.
"I’ve had my license for about a year now. I don’t drive much because I either travel on foot or I don’t go very far. Besides, a bike worked just fine for me before I got cursed." She turned the key and the truck made a clicking sound. "Come on baby, turn over." She turned the key again and the engine started. "Great only a half tank. We’ll have to stop and fill up after the appointment." She put the truck into reverse and backed it out of the driveway. She flipped the windshield wipers on and turned onto the street. Shifting into drive, she headed for the doctor’s office.
=====================================================================
"Welcome Destine. My how you’ve grown since we’ve seen you last. It’ll be a few minutes. You can take a seat and we’ll get you when the doctor’s ready." The receptionist smiled and gave Destine a hug.
"Thank you Atchika. You can sit down Mousse. I need to fill out some paper work." Destine pointed to one of the chairs against the wall.
Atchika leaned forward. "So who’s the young man? A boyfriend?"
Destine turned bright red. "NO! I mean no. He’s just a friend I met in Nerima. Could I get the papers?"
Atchika handed her a clipboard and some papers. "Here. Your friend needs to fill some out too." She handed her another clipboard and a small stack of papers.
"Um, thanks." Destine turned and walked over to where Mousse was sitting. "Here you need to fill these out. Don’t worry it won’t take you long." She sat down and started filling out her papers.
"What was that yelling about? You scared me half to death."
"Over reaction that’s all. Let’s see age:18, height:5’8", weight:145, eyes:blue, Hair:brown. I hate having to update this thing." Destine went down the rows and filled out the boxes. "Done." She stood up and walked over to the counter. "Here you go Atchika." She handed her the clipboard and walked back to her chair. "Need help Mousse?"
"Mm? No I’ve got it." Mousse looked up and smiled.
"Destine?" A nurse opened the door and looked around the room.
Destine stood up and walked over. "Right here." She followed after the nurse to the scale. After being weighed and measured she was led to a small white room. "So why exactly did I have to fill out that form?"
"That way we can have the actual weight and height. You’d be surprised at how many people lie about those things." The nurse took Destine’s blood pressure and temperature. "The doctor will be in soon." She set the clipboard on the table and left the room.
‘I hope Mousse is doing all right out there.’ Destine sighed and sat down in one of the chairs.
There was a knock on the door and the doctor walked in. "Well, it’s good to see you again Destine. Has it really been two years since we last saw you?"
"Yes Dr. Li it’s been two years and three months. How’s the family doing?"
"They’re doing just fine. Ryona is going to high school now and is at the top of his class. We just had a another child last year. Her name is Naomi. Her picture is right over there." He pointed to his desk.
Destine stood up and walked over to the desk, she picked up the picture and smiled. "She’s very beautiful. You must be very proud."
"That I am. Now tell me what seems to be the problem with you?" He picked up the clipboard and looked it over.
"I have a large gash at the base of my skull and a lump on my forehead."
Dr. Li turned to the counter and opened one of the drawers. He pulled out a pair of latex gloves and pulled them on. "Well let’s have a look at this gash." Destine leaned forward and pulled her hair out of the way. "It’s a shallow gash so it won’t need stitches, but I am going to have to wrap it." He pulled off the gloves. "As for the bump, just put some ice on it and the swelling should be fine." He pulled out some gauze pads and a large Band-Aid. He put some peroxide on the gauze and wiped the gash. "How did you manage to do this Destine?"
"I got someone really angry. The bump I deserved. I turned a table over and insulted a group of elders. The gash was done out of malice if you ask me. I was trying to help a friend when I was hit and knocked down."
"And how many times have I had to bandage you up for picking a fight with someone bigger than you?" Dr. Li laughed as he set the Band-Aid over the gash.
"But she wasn’t bigger than me. She’s only about two feet tall. But she packs a pretty mean punch with that staff of hers. And I didn’t pick the fight."
"Destine, I’m going to have to cut this hair away from the gash." He pulled out a pair of scissors and trimmed the hair on the back of Destine’s head. "Now it won’t get into the gash when you take off the bandage." He walked over to his desk and filled out a prescription. "Here, take this to the pharmacy. It’s for some pain killers and antibiotics." He handed her the paper and walked to the door. "I’m going to have the nurse bring in that boy who came with you. You can leave if you want."
Destine rubbed her neck to remove the small hairs that were left over from when her hair was trimmed. "Am I still able to swim?"
"Yes. The bandage should come off in a few days. Just be careful."
"Mind if I stay? I’m a bit worried about my friend."
"Sure, just stay quiet." He stepped out of the room.
Destine sat down in a chair and sighed. ‘At least I don’t have a concussion.’ She picked up one of the books next to the chair and began to read.
=====================================================================
Mousse looked at the clock. ‘It’s been half an hour since she went back there. I wonder what could be taking her so long?’
"Mousse?" The nurse opened the door. Mousse stood up and followed after her. After the initial checkup he was lead down the hall. "Through here. The doctor will see you now."
Mousse thanked her and walked into the room. Inside sat Destine talking with the doctor.
The doctor stood up and invited Mousse to sit down. "Good day Mousse. I’m Dr. Li, Destine has told me much about you." Mousse sat down and smiled. "So what’s the problem with you young man?"
"My ribs."
"Did you get into a fight with the woman who beat up Destine?" Dr. Li laughed.
"Not really, that woman just hates me." Mousse looked over at Destine. "What have you been telling him?"
"Just your background." Destine leaned back in her chair and grinned.
Dr. Li walked over to Mousse. "Would you remove your shirt and come and sit on the examination table?" He pointed to the table against the wall.
Mousse sat down on the table and took off his shirt. "I think I might have cracked a few of them."
Dr. Li pulled on a pair of gloves and looked at the bruises. "Well they’re definitely bruised." He touched the bruises on Mousses chest. Mousse winced but kept quiet. "But I don’t think they’re cracked. Though I could take an x-ray to make sure. Follow me." He opened the door and led Mousse to a small room next door. He adjusted the machine for Mousse’s height. "Please place your back against here and don’t move. I’m going to go into the other room to take the pictures."
Mousse listened as the machine warmed up and took the pictures. Dr. Li walked into the room and motioned for Mousse to sit down. "We can wait while the x-rays develop. I’m sorry to pry but I must ask you a few questions about Destine. She isn’t telling me the whole story as to why she’s hurt." He leaned against the wall and sighed. "I’m really worried about her. You see, Destine is my niece. My name is Dr. Chien Li. My wife and her father are siblings. I have been keeping a watch on ‘Destine’ as she calls herself for 17 and a half years."
Mousse narrowed his eyes and grabbed Dr. Li by the collar. "Just what are you trying to pull here? What makes you think that I will believe a single word of what you’re saying?"
"Because I am telling the truth. You want proof? My wife’s maiden name is Ling Hibiki sister to Kengi Hibiki, Destine’s father. Destine’s real name is Mekana Hibiki. She was born in Tokyo hospital and was stolen from her crib at the age of three weeks. The thieves took her here to Yokohama in hopes of catching a boat to another island. Tide brought her in and told me the whole story. I have been taking care of her since then. The men plan to return on her nineteenth birthday to claim her as one of their dojo. The only way they can get her to join them is if they beat her in single combat. But I fear that they will use some sort of treachery to beat her. If you still don’t believe me then talk to Mekana about this." Dr. Li grabbed Mousse’s hands and pried them loose. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to go grab the x-rays." He walked out of the room and soon returned with a large manila folder. "Shall we go back to my office?" He opened the door and lead Mousse down the hall.
=====================================================================
"So what’s the verdict on his ribs?" Destine looked up from her book and pointed to the folder.
"Well why don’t we have a look and find out?" Dr. Li pulled the x-rays from the folder and placed them up to the viewing screen. "Well Mousse they aren’t broken as you thought but they are heavily bruised. I don’t think you will be fighting any time soon. Though with the blow you described to me I’m surprised your chest isn’t collapsed in." He turned to the desk and wrote out a prescription. "This is for some painkillers. Don’t worry about wrapping them, they should do fine. If they do need to be wrapped for some reason, Destine can do it for you won’t you?"
"Sure thing. Do you think that he might heal faster if he went to the hot spring behind the house?" Destine stood up and reached into her pocket for her keys.
"It couldn’t hurt. He just needs to take it easy for a few weeks. See you soon Destine. It was nice meeting you Mousse." Dr. Li shook Mousse’s hand and leaned close. "Please keep a watch on her. I don’t want to see her get hurt."
=====================================================================
"Well off to the drug store." Destine unlocked the truck and got in, "You feel up to the trip or should I drop you off back home?"
"No, I’m fine. But I need to ask you a few questions. Is Dr. Li really your uncle?"
Destine slammed her foot down on the brake and put the truck into park. "WHAT?!" She grabbed his sleeve. "How you hear that?"
Mousse edged back. "Dr. Li told me. He told me to watch out for you. He said that the men from the dojo plan on returning on your nineteenth birthday. Is it true?"
Destine sighed and leaned back in her seat. "Yes. I found that out just before I left to go out traveling. Still I didn’t know until today that he was my uncle because I’m really Mekana Hibiki. I thought he was just some distant relative of mine." She shifted back into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. "Let’s change the subject shall we? What do you want for dinner?"
Mousse sighed and relaxed. "How about some stir-fry? We could pick up what we need at the store."
"Sounds great. I already needed to pick up some rice." Destine flipped on the turn signal and made her turn. "We should be there soon. Do you want to get anything else?"
"I’m not sure. I’ll have to look around when we get there." Mousse reached forward and turned on the radio. "You mind?"
"Not at all, this thing can pick up practically any station one wants. I get American stations from time to time. I built this truck from a basic frame. It’s custom made to work for me and Tide. It makes it so she can ‘hear’ while she is driving." She pulled down the visor and showed Mousse the small TV screen that was built into it. "This translates the sounds outside and puts them into type."
"Have you always had this type of building interest?"
"Yep, since I was five I’ve been building things. I fixed this baby up when I was 14." She smiled. "Since I had no friends and I was home-schooled, this kept me busy. It got my mind off the loneliness. I figured out how to build things by reading. I would go to the library every evening and read for hours on end. I’ve read every single book in the library." She laughed. "The librarian thought I was crazy. We’re here." Destine turned into a driveway and parked in one of the spaces near the door. "Oh great it’s starting to rain again." She reached behind her seat and pulled out her umbrella. She opened the door and pushed the button on the handle of the umbrella. It popped open and she stepped out of the car. "Ready Mousse?" She looked over to see Mousse having trouble with his umbrella. "Here, You can stand under mine. It can fit us both." She walked over and held the umbrella so it covered Mousse and herself. "Come on. Let’s get inside."
=====================================================================
Destine stepped inside and folded up her umbrella. "I’ll go drop off the prescriptions. You can look around if you wish and I’ll meet back up with you." She took the prescriptions and headed off down one of the isles.
Mousse took off his glasses and rubbed them to get rid of the fog that was forming. He put them back on and looked around. ‘I guess I’ll just start at one end and work my way down.’ He walked over and grabbed a basket. Starting at the first aisle he walked up and down collecting the things he needed. He was just about to grab a package of noodles when a young man walked up to him.
"Finding what you need?"
Mousse nodded and looked at the badge the man was wearing. "I’m doing just fine Yoshi. Which do you think is a better brand of noodles this one or this?" He held up two different boxes.
"Personally I prefer the one on the left. They’re easier to cook with. What do you plan on cooking?"
"Well for tonight I’m going to fix some stir-fry, I’ve got the vegetables and sauces already. All I need are the noodles and meat." Mousse put the box into his basket. "Thanks for the help." He turned and walked to the next aisle. He turned the corner and bumped into Destine.
"Got what you need Mousse?" Destine looked at the basket. "Looks like we’re going to have a feast tonight. Did you find the rice?"
"Yeah it’s towards the bottom of the basket. What would you suggest for....."
"DESTINE! So you have returned. Clean up aisle attack!" A broom went flying through the air towards Destine and Mousse.
"Mousse duck!" Destine pushed him down and jumping into the air, grabbed the broom. She landed without making a sound. "I see you haven’t gotten any better since I left Yoshi. Here’s your broom back." She tossed it to Yoshi and grinned letting her fangs show.
"Oh I’ve gotten much better. In fact I am probably more powerful now that I’m full grown." He walked up to Destine and set the broom up against the shelves. "You may have been able to beat me before you left but now you shall be the one to taste defeat." He picked up the broom and swung it a Destine’s shoulder.
Destine ducked and kicked the broom from Yoshi’s hand. "If you wish to fight, why don’t we take it outside?"
"I have a better place to go. Here’s the address to the Yokohama Dojo. Be there tonight and we will fight. Once I win, you shall be my bride." He turned and walked away.
Mousse picked up the spilled contents of his basket and looked over at Destine. Her entire body was glowing ice blue with her battle aura. Her glasses fad fallen off when she had kicked the broom from Yoshi’s hand. She stood absolutely still, her eyes closed. "Des-chan, you all right? What’s wrong?" He started to rest his hand on her shoulder but jumped back when she pulled her arm back and threw the broom. It flew on a straight collision course towards Yoshi’s head.
"Called shot to the head!" Destine shouted just before the broom connected.
Yoshi fell down from the impact of the broom hitting him. He staggered to his feet and grabbed his broom. "I’ll get you for that." Clutching the back of his head, he ran off.
Destine turned to Mousse. "Well I feel better now. Shall we get the rest of the stuff and head home?" She reached down and picked up her glasses. Placing them back on she walked off back towards the pharmacy area. "The meat section is three aisles down. They have some beef on sale that looks pretty good. I’m going to go pick up the medicine."
Mousse watched her leave and then turned to go to the meat section. ‘How did she do that?’