Hidden Weapons United CH 11

[tyrsol]

^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / :Chinese: / {English} / [written]

Destine stepped into the shop and set closed the umbrella. She reached under her hair and control panel for her transmitter. She typed in a few numbers and placed it back. ‘Now I’ll be able to tell if Gel comes in to bug Mousse.’ She smiled and sat down on the stool near her bench. "What to build?" She took out some scrap pieces of steel and set them on the bench. Taking out her welding mask and acetylene torch she looked at the different pieces. "I could build a new weapon." She slipped on the mask and lifted the shield. "Nah, a mobile might be fun though." She arranged the pieces on the bench and pulled out some steel wire.

"Destine? You in here?" Ryoga stepped inside and set down his umbrella. He walked up behind her and looked at the metal. "What are you making?"

Destine turned around and sighed. "I’m just fiddling. Trying to take my mind off something." She picked up the starter and lit the torch. "There’s a pair of goggles in the box over there. This thing gets bright." Lowering the shield on her mask she adjusted the flame and started welding the wire pieces into a basic frame.

Ryoga grabbed the goggles and held them over his eyes. "Forget what? Did Mousse do something to you?!"

"No." Destine turned off the torch and grabbed a pair of pliers. "Gel did." She started shaping the wire pieces into a body form. "This will be interesting when I’m finished." She started up the torch again and began welding the scraps around the frame. "What the?" She stopped what she was doing and held her hand over her ear. "That idiot!" Destine turned off the torch and ran to the door. "Gel’s in my room."

"What’s so wrong with that?"

"Mousse is in there!" Destine grabbed a wooden staff that was leaning up against the frame and ran back towards the house. She twisted the staff and it collapsed into four connected pieces. Slipping into her belt she ran inside and headed for her room.

=====================================================================

Gel smiled as she held an emptied bucket of water over the now transformed Mousse. "Now I’ll be able to get you back without worry." She grabbed a box from the closet and dumped the contents onto the floor. Grabbing some yarn she tied Mousse’s feet and wings against his body. "That’s better. Now you can’t make much noise." She wrapped some yarn around his beak and stuffed him in the box. "Now to get out of here." She grabbed her bag and the box and left through the window.

=====================================================================

Destine burst through the door and surveyed the room. "GEL WHERE ARE YOU!?" She looked on the floor and saw that someone had dumped one of her boxes out. "Where could she have gone?" Destine sat down on her bed and jumped back up. Turning around she noticed that her bed was soaking wet. ‘So that’s it.’ She pulled on a dry pair of pants and her robe. Stepping into the bathroom she grabbed her arm pieces and put them on. She placed her contacs case in her backpack and sighed. "Looks like I’m heading there sooner than expected." She grabbed her backpack and left her room.

"BKEE!" A little black piglet stood before her with a concerned look in his eyes.

"Mousse is gone. So’s Gel." Destine picked up P-chan and sighed. "Care to come with me? I’m going to be leaving early."

P-chan nodded and jumped from her arms. He ran down the hall and disappeared into the room he and Mousse shared. A few minutes later Ryoga came out carrying his backpack. "I’m ready."

Destine nodded and shouldered her pack. "Let’s go tell the others." She walked down the hall and into the kitchen. "Cologne, Shampoo, Ryoga and I are going to leave a bit earlier than we originally planned. We’ll meet you in the village?"

Cologne nodded and looked around. "What happened to Gel?"

"Disappeared. That’s why we’re leaving early." Destine opened her pack and pulled out three tickets. "These are for you two and Tide. Shampoo, will you explain to her why we’ve left?"

"I try." Shampoo sighed and leaned up against the wall. "Gel always make trouble."

"Thank you so much." Destine stepped outside and grabbed an umbrella. "Shall we go grab yours?"

"Nope. It’s right here." Ryoga bent down and picked up his umbrella. "I was walking up to the house when I tripped and fell into a puddle." He smiled sheepishly.

Destine laughed and opened her umbrella. "Ready?" She took off running.

"Hey, wait up!" Ryoga opened his umbrella and ran after her. Catching up to her he matched his pace to hers. "You’re fast for a girl. Especially with all those weapons."

"And a bike." Destine pointed to a large bundle attached to the top of her backpack. "How else could I have gotten around so easily in China? The station is a few blocks away." She skidded and turned a corner. "Hopefully we can catch her."

=====================================================================

"Ticket for one please." Gel smiled at the ticket keeper and handed him her money. "The next train after this one leaves in hours right?"

"You got it deary." The ticket keeper handed her a ticket and smiled back.

"Thanks." Gel grabbed her pack and box and ran to the platform. She climbed on just as the train started to take off. "Made it." She walked down the corridor and grabbed a seat. Opening the box she looked down and smirked. "Let’s just see Destine stop me now. The next train doesn’t leave for two hours." Mousse glared up at her and gave a muffled quack. "If you stay quite I might feed you." She closed the lid and leaned back in her seat. ‘I’m coming home mother. And I’m bringing Mousse with me. Soon you will no longer have to be ashamed by him.’

=====================================================================

Destine ran up to the ticket booth and rang the bell. "Sir?"

The ticket keeper came forward and smiled. "You’ve just missed the train. The next one is in two hours."

"Why that little.." Destine put her hand over her eyes and sighed. "Two tickets for the next train to the Sea of Japan."

"Here you go."

"Thanks." Destine took the tickets and walked into the station. "We’re too late."

"We’ll catch up. You said that the first ship that we could have caught would be in the morning right?" Ryoga set his bag down on one of the chairs and patted Destine’s shoulder.

"The first ship that will transport humans. But there are plenty of other boats that she could catch. Fishing boats for instance." Destine sat down in one of the chairs and rested her head on her fists. "This stinks."

Ryoga sat down next to her and smiled. "Look, she’s heading back to the village right? We’ll catch up to her eventually."

"She knows the terrain better than I. She can get there way before us and get Mousse married off." Destine put her hands over her eyes. "If only I had stayed with him."

"Sis, don’t worry about things that are out of your control. Isn’t that what you told me?"

Ryoga looked down at the ground and his eyes widened. "Destine! Look!" He reached down and picked up a small throwing knife. "It’s one of Mousse’s."

"He only uses those when he’s in duck form." Destine opened her pack and pulled out her contacs case. She removed her glasses and put in her contacs. Placing the case and her glasses away she grabbed a small sketchbook and pencil. "Find something to occupy your time. We’re going to be here for a while." She opened the book and began drawing.

Ryoga leaned over. "May I look at your drawings?" Destine handed him the book. He flipped through the book and smiled. "You’re good. Hey here’s one of P-chan!"

"I draw when I can’t sleep. I’ve got one of Mousse in there when he’s sound asleep." Destine smiled and took the book back.

TWO HOURS LATER

Destine stepped into the train and took a seat in a small berth. "It’s going to be about a three hour trip. This train is an express, but still.." She smiled and lay down on the bench. "Cool, there’s a TV in here." She sat up and switched it on. "What do you want to watch?"

"Do they have the news for Nerima?"

Destine flipped through the channels. "Yep." She turned up the volume so Ryoga could hear it and lay back down.

=====================================================================

Gel steeped off the train and looked around. She was standing near the harbor and could see all kinds of boats moored at the docks. Spying one with Chinese characters on it she smiled. ‘A fishing boat.’ She walked over to the boat and ran up the mooring rope. Looking around she found a small lifeboat. ‘Perfect.’ She climbed in and made herself comfortable.

=====================================================================

"Hey sis, the train’s stopped." Ryoga shook Destine a few times trying to wake her up. "Come on." He grabbed a glass of cold water and poured it on her face.

"GAHHH! What’d you do that for?" Destine sat up and looked around.

"Train’s stopped. Shall we find a place to stay?"

"I’ve got a tent. We can camp out for the night." Destine stretched and picked up her backpack.

"So do I." Ryoga grabbed his bag and followed after Destine. "So where’s this boat we’re catching?"

"I’ll look at the ticket in a bit. Hungry?"

Ryoga smiled. "Well considering we didn’t have lunch." He reached into his pockets. "Umm do you have any money?"

"Nope. But I know how we can earn some. Follow me." Destine walked over to the docks and set down her backpack. "Mind helping out?"

"With what?"

Destine smiled. "Magic show. I’ll just need to turn you into a pig."

Ryoga gulped and turned red. "Umm OK."

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Gather ‘round." Destine raised her arm in the air and a small firework shot from her sleeve.

People began to come over and watch. "Oh a magic show!"

Destine pulled a rose from her sleeve and offered it to a young girl that was standing close to her. "But a little girl that’s as cute as you deserves more than this." She squeezed the rose and eleven more popped up around it. She handed the roses to the little girl and smiled.

A few minutes later she raised her arms. "And now Ladies and Gentlemen, I shall turn my brother into a little black piglet." She pulled a large box over to her and motioned for Ryoga to climb inside. "And now," She waved her hand over the box and discreetly poured some water over Ryoga. "PRESTO!" She tapped the box and it fell apart. Standing on the base was P-chan. She picked him off and showed him to the crowd. There was tons of cheering and clapping. Destine set P-chan down and pulled out a hat. She held it out and people dropped coins into it. After the crowd had dispersed she turned to P-chan and smiled. "Wanna change back now?" She pulled out a small bag and poured the coins into it. P-chan looked up at her and nodded. Destine put on Ryoga’s backpack and shouldered hers. "What do you carry in here? Lead?" She tucked the bag away and picked up P-chan and Ryoga’s clothing. "Let’s find a better place than here to turn you back." She walked over to a group of large bushes and set P-chan down. Setting the clothes next to him she pulled out a kettle of hot water. She poured it over P-chan and turned away.

"So how much did we make?" Ryoga pulled on his clothes and stood up. "Here, let me take my pack."

"Enough." Destine slipped off Ryoga’s pack and set it on the ground. "Thanks for helping out.

"Ryoga, Destine? What are you doing here?"

Destine whirled around and looked over a young girl’s head. She looked down. "Akane? I think I should be asking you that question."

"I heard that you were leaving and I wondered if you needed any supplies." Akane looked over at Ryoga. "What are you doing here?"

"T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-raveling w-w-with m-m-my sis-sister." Ryoga turned bright red and put his hand behind his head.

Destine bopped him on the head and turned to Akane. "What sort of supplies?"

"I could fix you some of my stamina stew."

Destine’s face turned slightly green. "No thanks. Do you have any bottles?"

Akane cocked her head to one side. "What for?"

"I’m going to go to Jusenkyo and get some of the water. Now it’s Ranma and Mousse that are cursed right?"

"And Mr. Saotome." Akane smiled and laughed. "I don’t have any with me but there is a store down the street. I saw your magic show Destine. You were great. Where’d you find the pig?"

"It was walking by before the show so I snatched it up and used it. I let it go afterwards." Destine smiled and looked down the street. "Have you seen a girl that looks like Mousse around here?"

"Yeah, she boarded that boat over there. Oh I guess it left." Akane pointed to an empty dock. "Why?"

"It was Mousse’s sister Gel. She stole something very important to me." Destine sighed and rubbed the base of her skull. "Ryoga, want to set up camp while I get the food and supplies?"

"Umm, sure." Ryoga blushed and opened his backpack.

"Here, would you watch over mine too?" Destine set her pack next to Ryoga’s and turned to Akane. "Now where were those shops?"

=====================================================================

Mousse awoke to the sound of shouts outside the box. He struggled to get out of his bonds but he couldn’t even get one of his knives out. ‘She thought of everything.’ The box opened and a white rat looked inside. She bit through the yarn on Mousse’s beak and tossed him some food.

The rat disappeared and a few seconds later Gel’s face appeared over the box. "Enjoy your dinner brother dear. I’ll turn you back later." She smiled. "And if you’re wondering about the rat, that’s me. I followed you to Jusenkyo and ended up falling into one of the springs. I’ll change you back once I get some sturdy rope and some clothes for you. All you’re weapons are back in Yokohama." She patted his head. "And don’t try to escape. We’re on the Sea of Japan right now." She put the lid back on the box and laughed to herself. ‘Mother is going to be pleased with me.’

=====================================================================

Destine pulled some coins out of the bag and handed them to the shopkeeper. "Thank you so much. I was worried I wouldn’t find a weapons dealer here."

The old woman smiled. "You can find almost anything at the harbor. It’s so good to see that the old arts are not disappearing. I see that you are wearing the robes of a hidden weapons master. Most people who come by here just ask for swords and things like that, but you, you ask for things that I barely ever sell anymore. Wait a second." She walked into the back and motioned Destine to follow her. The room was filled from wall to wall with all sorts of weapons and robes. "You may pick out any robe and weapon you wish, my way of saying thank you."

Destine bowed to the woman and looked at the different robes. She picked one that was light red with dark red trim and a pair of black pants. She then turned to the weapons and selected a bundle that contained a pair of armbands and twelve daggers. ‘This is the same contraption Mousse and I use.’ She turned to the woman and held up her selections. "I’ll take these."

"Wise choice deary." She led Destine back to the front and wrapped all the weapons in a sheet of strong leather. She folded the robe and set it next to the weapons. "Come back any time."

"I will." Destine picked up the bundles and bowed again. As she left the shop she saw Akane giving her a funny look. "What? Mousse’s stuff is all back at the house."

"Oh I wasn’t worried about that. I was wondering how you were going to carry that."

"Easy the weapons I’ll just strap under my back pack and the robe I’ll stash in my sleeves." Destine smiled and walked into the next store. From there she bought some food, a spool of gold embroidery thread and a needle, and some small plastic bottles. "Well I’ve got what I need." She walked up front and paid for the stuff. "Shall we go and make sure Ryoga hasn’t gotten lost?"

Akane looked into the bag that held the food. "Want me to cook?"

"I’ve got cooking duty tonight. But you can have what I don’t use to make a delicious meal for Ranma." Destine laughed and walked down the street.

"So what did Gel take?"

Destine stooped dead in her tracks and turned around. "I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" She adjusted her bundles and took off running. She didn’t stop until she reached the spot where Ryoga had set up the tents.

"What’s wrong sis?" Ryoga looked up and was about to stand when Destine set her stuff down and opened the screen on her tent.

She tossed the stuff inside and handed the bag with the money to Ryoga. "I need to go and think for a while. Akane should show up in a bit. I’ll be back soon." She grabbed her sketchbook and ran off.

"Destine." Ryoga got up and was about to go after her when he heard Akane run up behind him.

"I can’t believe her. All I asked was what did Gel take and she blew up in my face." Akane set her bag down and looked at Ryoga. "What’s wrong with her?"

"Well you see, umm," Ryoga closed his eyes and sat down. "Gel kidnapped Mousse. We’re going after her but Destine fears she won’t get to him in time. Gel has plans of marrying him off to one of the girls in the village and that sort of hits Destine rather hard."

"You mean to tell me that she loves Mousse?"

Ryoga nodded and sighed. "And that’s not the half of it."

=====================================================================

Destine sat down on the sea wall and looked out over the water. ‘Why’d you do it Gel? Can’t you see that he was actually happy?’ She opened her sketchbook and flipped to a clean page. Pulling out a pencil she began forming an outline of Mousse and herself. ‘Why?’ She continued drawing until she felt the picture was finished. She looked it over and smiled. "I promise I’ll find you Mousse." She traced her finger over the drawing. "I promise." She closed her eyes and tears began to fall on her sleeves.

"Destine?" Akane walked up behind her and sat down on the wall. "I’m sorry for upsetting you. I didn’t know, I thought it was just something like a necklace." She looked over at the sketchbook. "Nice drawing."

"Thanks." Destine wiped her eyes and sighed. "Ryoga told you didn’t he?"

"Yes he did. Now I see why you were so upset. If someone had taken Ranma from me I’d feel the same way." She patted Destine’s back and smiled. "When I’m upset like this I spar against someone. Care to?"

Destine raised her eyebrows. "Not right now. Do you know of any ships that are leaving soon?"

"There’s a ferry leaving in an hour to China. I don’t think it’s full yet. It’s at dock nine"

Destine jumped up and smiled. "Thank you Akane. We may actually get to China in time." She turned and ran back to the camp. "Ryoga, pack up. We’re leaving in the hour."

"What?" Ryoga looked up.

"There’s a ferry going to China that leaves in an hour. We can take it." Destine pulled her stuff out of her tent and put it away. She collapsed the tent and attached it to the side of her pack. "Do you want me to carry the food?"

"No I’ve got it." Ryoga collapsed his tent and set it inside his backpack. "So where’s this boat?"

"Dock nine. We can use our tickets on it." Destine shouldered her pack and picked up the robe and weapons bundle.

"You guys wait!" Akane came running up to them. "Where are you headed to in China?"

"The Amazon village to stop Gel from marrying off Mousse. I’ve got to get there as soon as possible. If she’s on a fishing boat then we have a good chance of arriving before her." Destine smiled and turned to Ryoga. "You ready?"

"Yeah. Akane, I hope to see you again soon. Until then goodbye." He patted Akane gingerly on the shoulder and followed after Destine.

=====================================================================

Mousse finished the rice crackers Gel had given him and sighed. He turned his head as if to clean one of his wings and used his beak to pull out one of his knives. He cut through the string and stretched. ‘Now I just need to wait until Gel opens the box again, then I can make my escape.’ His head sunk as he remembered what Gel had told him, "We’re over the Sea of Japan so don’t try to escape." He sighed. ‘Even if I did escape, there’s no way I could fly back to Japan.’

=====================================================================

Destine handed the tickets to the man on the dock and boarded the ferry. "Where do you want to sit Ryoga?"

"Let’s find a couple benches. We’re not going to get to China until well after dark." Ryoga stood next to her and surveyed the ferry. "Over there." He pointed to a pair of benches and smiled. "There’s a perfect spot." Walking over he noticed that Destine was standing looking out the window. "What’s wrong?"

Destine turned and smiled. "Nothing, I’m just remembering something." She walked over to the benches and set her backpack down. "This is the ferry I came back on. I’m going to go stand on the deck for a while." She pulled a rubber band from her sleeve and tied her into a ponytail.

Destine walked outside and climbed the stairs to the upper deck. Walking over to the front she leaned against the railing and sighed. ‘Just ten more minutes and we’re off. Lucky for us this boat doesn’t have very many passengers this late in the day.’ She smiled faintly and listened to the boat’s engine warming up. "Soon very soon." She closed her eyes and started going over the roads and paths she had traveled. Her mind removed all the obsolete paths and formed a map that led to the Amazon village. Pulling out her sketchbook she turned to a blank page and sketched the map. ‘This way I won’t wander aimlessly. Now that I know which roads to take, we should get there in no time."