Hidden Weapons United CH 12
^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / :Chinese: / {English} / [written]
Destine stepped off the ferry and waited for Ryoga. He walked up next to her and she laughed. "You don’t go out on the water that much do you?" She pulled a flashlight from her sleeve and turned it on. "This is the path we’re going to be taking. Luckily, few people travel it nowadays. They tend to use the big roads. Do you ant to wait until morning or start now?"
Ryoga sat down and held his head in his hands. "What time is it?"
"About four." Destine smiled and took Ryoga’s arm. She felt for a certain place on his wrist and pressed hard.
"OW! What do you think you’re doing?!"
"It’s a simple acupressure trick. It will make your sickness go away. Now hold still." She held on for about a minute and let go. "Feel better?"
Ryoga looked up at her with a surprised look on his face. "How’d you do that?"
"I’m still not sure how it works. I learned it while in the village. They use all sorts of acupressure." She adjusted her backpack. "So shall we get going or wait until it gets light outside?"
"Let’s wait for a bit and have breakfast first. How far is it to the village from here?"
"At least a good four hours walk. On my bike I got there in two and a half hours."
Ryoga stood up. "Let’s eat now and get started." He pulled the food from his bag and set it in front of him. "What shall we eat?"
"I’ll just have the left over rice if you don’t want it. I don’t usually eat much for breakfast." Destine sat down and picked up the rice.
"I don’t mind." Ryoga pulled out a small burner and a kettle. He lit the flame on the burner and set the kettle on top. "We should have hot water in a bit. Do you like tea or coffee?"
"I’d suggest Coffee. We’ve got a hefty hike ahead of us." Destine reached into her sleeve and pulled out a pair of chopsticks. "What are you having?"
"Some soup." Ryoga sifted through the food and pulled out a cup of soup. He lifted the kettle and filled the cup with hot water. "Shall I cook the coffee now?"
Destine nodded and reached into her bag. "Here’s some super strong coffee. Special order from Hawai’i. The stuff most people drink is only 10% of this." She handed the coffee to Ryoga and went back to her rice.
"Umm thanks." Ryoga poured some of the coffee into two separate strainer balls and set them in two cups. He poured some of the hot water in the cups and handed one to Destine. "Do you think Gel’s gotten here yet?"
"Doubt it. If she really did get on a fishing boat she’s not going to be here for at least another three hours. That gives us an hour head start on her." Destine finished her rice and walked down the dock a little ways to a trash can. She tossed the paper bowl in the can and strolled back to Ryoga. Picking up her coffee cup she shook the strainer and pulled it out. "Don’t want it too potent." She took a sip and made a slight face. "Ugh that’s bitter." Destine quickly downed the rest of the coffee and set down the cup. "Drink it fast bro."
Ryoga nodded. "By the way, will the Amazons treat me like crud while I’m there?"
"Maybe." Destine arranged her backpack so it would fit more comfortably. "Unless one of the girls takes a shine to you. Then be afraid."
"Why?"
"They will attack you trying to get you to beat them. What ever you do don’t fight back. If you do, and you beat the girl, you’ll have to marry her."
"Oh kind of like Ranma and Shampoo. I get it." Ryoga looked up at the sky. "What time is it?"
"About five. Want to head off now?"
Ryoga finished up his soup and threw away the trash. He put the food away and put on his backpack. "Sure."
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Gel awoke to the sound of men shouting orders. She carefully lifted the canvass off of the boat and looked around. ‘We’re here.’ She slipped on her backpack and grabbed the box. Opening it she saw that Mousse had cut his bonds while she had slept. "Tsk tsk brother." She carefully retied the bonds and tied his mouth shut. Looking around she waited until there was no one in sight and made a dash for the mooring rope. She nimbly ran down and landed on the dock. ‘Now I just need to find a store.’ She looked up at the sky and saw the sun was about in the nine o’clock position. ‘Destine’s boat won’t be leaving for another three hours. That gives me plenty of time.’
Mousse awoke and tried to get up. Seeing that he was bound again he sighed and made himself comfortable. ‘Looks like that didn’t work.’
Gel wandered down the docks and came upon a large store. "Perfect." She stepped inside and headed over to one of the clerks. "Excuse me sir, do you have any really sturdy rope? About three feet’s worth?" The man nodded and cut her some rope. "Thanks." Gel paid for the rope and slipped it in her bag. ‘Now all I need is some clothing.’ She looked around and spotted a set of plain white shorts and a shirt. ‘Hey, lucky.’ She walked over and picked them up. Next to them were a pair of boxers. ‘Just Mousse’s size too.’ She picked up the whole bundle and walked to the front. Paying for them she asked the storekeeper. "Do you have any bathrooms?" The man smiled and pointed to the back of the store. "Thank you." Gel picked up the clothes and headed for the bathroom. On her way she grabbed a kettle of hot water that was supposed to be used for coffee. She walked into the bathroom and locked the door.
Opening the box she lifted Mousse out and set him on the ground. She cut the yarn and poured the water on him. Mousse looked up at her with a confused expression on his face. "What are you doing?"
Gel tossed him the clothes and pulled out the rope. Taking his glasses she smirked. "Get dressed. I don’t want you entering the village naked."
Mousse pulled on the clothes and sighed. "And how do you plan on making me go with you?"
Gel hit him on the head and quickly bound his wrists together. "Simple. I’ve got your glasses so you can’t see, so now you’ll have to depend on me." She tightened the ropes as Mousse struggled. Pulling out her dagger she pulled him up. "Let’s get going." She opened the window and dragged him through.
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*In the village of the Amazons*
"Destine! You’re back. And who’s the man with you?"
"This is my brother Ryoga. It’s good to see you again Lipstick. Has Gel arrived yet?" Destine smiled and adjusted her backpack.
"No. Here let me show you to where you two can stay." Lipstick led them to a small house near the village center. "The two of you can stay here. So Destine, what brings you back to China?"
Destine walked inside and set down her backpack. "Two things. One is I need to go to Jusenkyo and get some water from the spring of the drowned man, I promised some friends I’d get the water to cure them of their curses. The other reason will show itself soon." Destine smiled and bowed to Lipstick. "I must thank you again for your hospitality. Shampoo and Cologne will be coming here soon as well. They left around nine today from Yokohama."
"Elder Cologne is returning?" Lipstick’s eyes went wide and a grin went from ear to ear. "That’s wonderful. Is Shampoo married yet? Is Muu-tsuu?"
"Nope." Destine sat down and stretched her back. "Though Gel would like it otherwise."
"Is he really handsome?" Lipstick sat down next to Destine.
"Personally I think so. He still wears glasses, but from the time I first met him he has matured quite a bit. Ryoga, you can sit down."
"But I thought that here women came first."
Destine grabbed his arm and pulled him down. "SIT!" She smiled at Lipstick. "He doesn’t know much Chinese. But he does know quite a bit about Amazon law. Only problem is that he gets the laws mixed up."
Lipstick laughed and smiled at Ryoga. "Want me to speak in Japanese? Destine taught me quite a bit."
"Umm, sure, I don’t mind, whatever you wish." Ryoga’s face turned red and he put his hands behind his head.
"Your brother is funny Destine." Lipstick stood up and walked to the door. "I must go inform the elders that Cologne is returning. I’ll be back in a bit."
"We’ll be right here." Destine smiled and turned to Ryoga. "You can get some sleep if you want. Gel won’t be here for a while. She’s about two hours away."
"How do you know that?" Ryoga rolled out his sleeping bag and lay down.
Destine pointed to her ear and smiled. "Gel took Mousse’s with her. I’ve been listening to them for the past few minutes. I just turned mine back on." She unrolled her sleeping bag and sat down on it. She untied the bundle of weapons from the bottom of her bag and set them aside. Pulling out the robe she started sewing a design on the chest. "I hope I can remember the exact design."
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Gel walked over the hill and smiled. "Just another mile." She grabbed Mousse’s wrists and dragged him along. "Keep moving stupid."
Mousse tried to pull back but instantly found a dagger against his throat. "Could you at least loosen these a bit? And put that dagger away!"
"Ooh, a man giving me orders. Forget it, I’m not like that wimp Destine. I listen to no man."
"Just shut up sis."
Gel smirked and started walking. "We should be there in about ten minutes if we set a good pace."
Mousse sighed and let himself be dragged along. ‘I’m sorry Destine." He looked around but could only make out blurry shapes. "Where are we?"
"As I said, we’re about a mile from the village."
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
"Do you always move this slow?" Gel frowned and dragged Mousse into the village.
A horde of young ladies came running up. "IT’S MUU-TSUU!" They knocked Gel out of the way and tackled him. "WELCOME BACK!"
Gel dusted herself off and dragged the girls off of Mousse. "Get back! He must go before the elders first." She dragged Mousse to his feet and started walking.
"Umm sis, can I have my glasses back?"
Gel pulled Mousse’s glasses from her pocket and stuck them in his hands. "Not like they’re going to do you any good. You have no chance of escaping now."
Destine stood hidden in a tree watching what was going on. ‘She’s way to guarded right now. I’ll have to wait a bit.’ She leaned against the tree trunk and sighed.
Gel started walking towards the center of town dragging Mousse behind her. "And you may as well give up any thought of Destine showing up in time." She reached a main building and pushed Mousse inside. "The elders have a lot of questions to ask you." Gel bowed in front of one of the elders. "I have brought Muu-tsuu back as requested elder Eyeshadow."
"Thank you Gel. Muu-tsuu, you are charged with leaving without permission and causing trouble for one of our best warriors. What do you have to say in your defense?" Eyeshadow walked up to Mousse and slapped him across the face. "When a woman rejects you that means to give up, not follow after her."
Gel smirked. "I’m going to go see my mother Elder Eyeshadow. When do you want me to return to take him away?"
"We’ll send him to you. You are dismissed."
Gel bowed and left the building. She stepped outside and smiled to herself. "He’s got it coming to him. Worrying mother like that. Jeez men are stupid." She started walking towards her house when six throwing knives came flying at her. Gel jumped out of their way and looked around. "Who’s there?!"
"Take a wild guess." Came a voice from up in a tree.
Gel looked up into a tree and gasped. "DESTINE! How’d you get here so soon?"
Destine jumped from the tree and landed in front of Gel. "That’s for me to know and you to never find out. Where did you take Mousse?"
"Not a chance that I’d tell you." Gel rushed forward with her dagger poised ready for attack.
Destine jumped and kicked Gel to the ground. "Give it up will you?" She landed softly and turned to face Gel.
"I’m not beaten yet. Prepare yourself Destine!"
"Like I’m scared of you." Destine turned towards the main building. "Now if you’ll excuse me." She walked away and through the door. She entered the main room and stopped dead in her tracks. "MOUSSE!" Rushing forward she was grabbed by several women and held back.
"Stop where you are Destine. Don’t interfere with the elders when the are busy." One of the girls pulled up a chair and made Destine sit down. "Just wait a bit and then you can go up to them."
Eyeshadow looked over in Destine’s direction. "What’s going on over there? Is that Destine? Bring her here."
Two of the girls grabbed Destine by the arms and escorted her to Eyeshadow. Destine shook the girls off and bowed. "I am sorry for disturbing you Elder Eyeshadow."
"Why are you here?"
"I came here for Muu-tsuu. He was taken while he was sleeping and dragged here. He was already willing to come and was going to leave today at nine from Yokohama. If he is being punished for following Shampoo, he has given her up." Destine pushed her bangs from her eyes.
"Is that true Muu-tsuu?" Mousse nodded vigorously. "Very well. That part of you punishment shall be nullified. Cut his bonds." One of the girls came forward and cut the ropes on Mousse’s wrists. "But you still are in big trouble for the problems you’ve caused. You are to return here in two hours. Now go."
Mousse ran over to Destine and grabbed her around the waist and hugged her tightly. "I thought I’d never see you again Des-chan! How did you get here so soon?"
"Good timing and the fact I didn’t take a fishing boat. We’ve been here for about two hour now." Destine smiled and kissed him.
"We?"
"Ryoga’s here too. The others will be arriving before dark. When I found out you and Gel had disappeared, Ryoga and I followed after you. We missed the train Gel took by a few minutes. But when we got to the harbor once again we had just missed you guys, we caught the ferry and arrived in China about four o’clock this morning." Destine sighed and put her head on Mousse’s shoulder. "I’m so glad to see you."
"Aw man! You mean to tell us Mousse has a wife already?" Lipstick walked up to where Mousse and Destine were standing.
"Well, sort of yes and sort of no." Destine turned to face Lipstick and smiled. "We’re dating, but we’re not married."
Gel ran into the room. "That means that he’s still single!"
"Shut up Gel." Destine glared over at Gel and pulled a bottle of cold water from her sleeve. Dumping it on Gel she laughed. "You need to be more careful as to what you take from my room. Mousse’s transmitter let me hear everything." She bent down and picked up Gel. "How fitting that you turn into a rat." She dug through Gel’s clothes and pulled out Mousse’s transmitter. "Here you go Mousse."
"Thanks." Mousse took the transmitter and fit it back into place. ‘So where are you staying?"
Destine handed Gel to Lipstick and led Mousse out the door. "Ryoga and I are staying in a house not far from here. Care to stay with us?"
Mousse smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Of course."
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*On a boat bound for China*
Shampoo looked over the railing and laughed. "Shampoo going home! Shampoo see Lipstick."
Cologne and Tide came up behind her and smiled. Tide tapped her on the shoulder and waited for her to turn around. "What’s the village like?"
"Pretty. Lots of girls." Shampoo smiled and pointed. "We there soon. See? Land coming up."
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*Back in the village*
Mousse sat down on Destine’s sleeping bag and grinned. "I’m so glad you showed up when you did. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise."
Destine sat down next to him and handed him a large bundle. "Here, you’ll be needing this."
Mousse opened the bundle and laughed. "You picked up all of my stuff?"
Destine shook her head. "Nope, I bought all that from a store at the harbor back in Japan. Oh I almost forgot." She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a long red robe. "You’re weapons are kind of useless without this."
"My robe." Mousse smiled and looked it over. "Wait a second. Destine,"
"The woman in the store gave it to me. I embroidered the design on myself."
Mousse leaned over and kissed Destine. "Thanks so much Des-chan." He removed his shirt and slipped on the robe. "Fits too. Could you turn around so I can put my pants on?’
Destine turned around and looked over at Ryoga. "How can he sleep after having that coffee?"
"What coffee?" Mousse sat back down and leaned against Destine. "Some of your special blend?"
"Yep." Destine smiled and turned so she was facing Mousse. "Mind fighting me later?"
Mousse’s jaw dropped and he took off his glasses. "Are you asking this for the reason I think you’re asking for?"
"If you don’t beat me, you’ll have to worry about those girls. Remember, if I beat them I don’t have to marry them." Destine laughed and lay down.
"You’d LET me beat you?" Mousse lay down next to her. "Come on, I can beat you without you throwing the fight Des-chan."
Destine smiled and pulled out her watch. "You’ve got ten minutes to decide. Then you need to go back in front of the elders." She leaned on top of him. "Well?"
Mousse grinned and flipped her over. "Sure." He leaned down and kissed her. "Come with me to talk with the elders? You need to accept the challenge in front of them." He stood up and helped Destine to her feet.
"Don’t mind if I do. I can’t wait to see the look on gel’s face. Do you wish to go and speak to your mother?" Destine rolled up her sleeves and adjusted her arm pieces.
"Not really, why?"
"She desperately wishes to see you. How about we go there after the talk with the elders." Destine smiled and walked to the door. "Think Ryoga will be safe here?"
"As long as there are no girls around." Mousse took Destine’s hand and walked with her to the building where the elders were in.
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Eyeshadow looked up from the table and stood up. "So Muu-tsuu, what do you have to say for causing so much trouble?"
"Elder Eyeshadow, I do not apologize for my actions but I will promise that I will never do anything like that again." Mousse bowed and smiled slightly.
"Something funny Muu-tsuu?"
"I wish to challenge Destine for her hand in marriage."
Eyeshadow turned to the other elders and shrugged. "What do you say elders? Shall we grant him this wish?"
"I believe we should." Mascara stood up and turned to Destine. "Do you accept the challenge Destine?"
"Yes I do."
"Very well. The two of you shall fight in the village square once Cologne arrives. If Muu-tsuu beats you do you consent to become his Fiancée?" Destine nodded. "That is all for now. I shall have Lipstick find you when Cologne arrives."
Destine and Mousse bowed and walked outside. "Shall we go see your mother now?"
"Sure. Right now I think I could face anyone or anything." Mousse smiled. "Race ya."
"You’re on. Ready, GO!" Destine pushed Mousse off balance and started running.
Mousse caught himself. "HEY!" He laughed and raced after her.
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Shampoo stepped into the village and looked around. "It change much since I last here."
"Yes it has Shampoo. We should probably go and let the elders know we’re here." Cologne smiled slightly and hopped over to the town hall.
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"Muu-tsuu! You’re finally home." Perfume rushed forward and hugged her son. "I was so worried about you."
"But I thought you didn’t care about me." Mousse pushed his glasses up on his face and turned slightly to Destine as if asking for advice.
"Of course I care about you. You are my child."
"But what about all the times when you would ignore me or leave me behind?"
Perfume smiled slightly and patted Mousse on the cheek. "I was trying to make you strong. But I see you have done that on your own. Your sensei would have been proud."
"How did he die?"
Perfume sighed and shook her head. "Gel was out running some errands for me when it started to rain. She was caught out in the storm with no way back. She refused to move because the moment she got wet she would have changed. I went to your sensei and asked for his help. He agreed to help and went out after her. He can ‘see’ quite well for a blind man. Finally he found her clinging to a tree. The water was rising all around her and it was a matter of time before the water would reach her and wash her away." She wiped a tear from her eye. "Your sensei used his arts to save her but ended up getting badly hurt in the process. Gel got wet and transformed but was able to make it back here safely. We found your sensei’s body caught up in a large tree. His body was badly broken and there was no way we could have saved him even if he had lived. We gave him a warriors funeral and named him one of the village heroes."
Mousse looked up. "But the note said he died in battle."
"Technically he did. He died battling the elements. Muu-tsuu please forgive Gel if she acts harsh around you. She’s still upset over the whole ordeal."
Mousse nodded. "I will, though she didn’t have to bind me head and foot and stash me in a box to get me over here."
Perfume smiled slightly. "She’s just doing her best. She thought that you wouldn’t come. Who is the girl over there?"
Destine stood up from leaning against the doorframe and bowed. "My name is Destine Hibiki the Illusionist Extra-ordinare. I am pleased to meet you."
"What a polite girl you have there Muu-tsuu. Is she your wife?" Perfume turned to Mousse.
"Not yet." Mousse smiled. "We battle today to find out."
"I’m pleased to hear that. You may come inside Destine. Are you the one who came here last year?"
"I am she." Destine stepped into the room and stood next to Mousse.
"My you are tall child. Do you study hidden weapons too?" Destine smiled and nodded. "You must be very strong then. Who was your sensei?"
"Her name is Tide. She learned the arts from Muu-tsuu’s sensei." She turned and cocked her head to one side. "Someone’s coming."
Gel and Lipstick stepped into the room and bowed. "The elder cologne has arrived. Destine, Muu-tsuu, it’s time for the battle." Lipstick sighed. "And I thought I would have the honor of fighting you Muu-tsuu."
"I still can’t believe the elders agreed to this." Gel sneered. "Muu-tsuu is going to lose to her so quickly it will be hilarious."