Chapter 6

" . . .refrigerator. You just have to heat it for five minutes in the microwave. And you have the number at school if . . ." "Yes mama-sssaaan." Soban drawled from her cocoon of blankets. "Of course I'll prob'ly starve before I get unwrapped from all this . . ." Soban jerked her chin, the only unwrapped part of her body, at the swaddling linen. "But . . ." Minako turned huge luminous eyes toward Soban. "I was afraid you would get cold." "Nnn . . .no . .ummmph." Soban wriggled and shrugged her way clear of the mass of blankets." Wheeeew. No danger of cold . . Suffocation now . . ." Soban paused, seeing Minako's lower lip begin to tremble. "Awww jeeezzz. Look . . .I got all my class notes." Minako giggled at the face Soban made. "An' no one ever starved to death in a house full of food . . .I'll be fine." She added at Minako's doubtful look. Now get goin' or you'll be late. An' ya know . . .and you know" she corrected herself with painful precision. "what Mizunosama will say if you get detention . . . again." Minako jerked her wrist to her eyes, stared at her watch . . .looked at the wall clock . . .

"Aaaaaa. I am so lategottagogoodby . . ." Minako doplered out of sound and sight. Soban looked at the small dust devil generated by Minako's passage and sighed. She wasn't sure how much more gentle care and home cooking she could survive. Struggling out of the overstuffed chair Soban limped over to the telephone and dialed a number from memory. Outside of the room a small white cat froze in mid step---- listening. "It's me . . .yeah . . .yeah . . .Listen, you know what I want. Well I got something you might be interested in . . .the Sailor Senshi."

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" And that's what she said." Artemis gasped out his message. "We've got to do something!" Hino Rei frowned down at Artemis. "I agree. I've never liked this Soban." Rei practically spat the name. " There's something funny about her . . .a darkness . . .like . . .like a hole in her spirit." Rei shook her head, trying to rid herself of the confusion she always felt just thinking about the strange girl. "It's all too convenient . . .rescuing Ami . . .the fight with Makato. Then the . . . _situation_ with Minako. How does she always end up in _just_ the right spot. And in the park . . .killing Youma . . .defeating Nephrite!" Rei paced angrily back and forth. "NO! I don't believe it. She's a . . .a spy . . .a traitor . . .working for Beryl. She's got to be." "We've got to tell the others . . .plan what to do . . .we've got----" Artemis paced frantically. "They won't believe us." "But if I tell them what I heard, tell them that she's betrayed them they have to believe." "Minako think's Soban sits on Kamisama's left hand. Makato spend's half her day planning new bentou for Soban . . .and the other half cooking them. And Ami . . .they couldn't get any closer unless Ami were going to give birth to Soban. No . . .we're on our own . . .until we get PROOF . . .real solid proof." "But . . .HOW?" Rei jerked off her school blazer and pulled an old coat from her locker. "I'm going to follow her."She looked down at the small white cat. "You said you knew where she was going?" "Well . . .yes, but . . . what about school? And what----" "Let's go." Rei turned from the protesting cat and stalked out of the building.

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"This is a really, really . . . " Artemis peeked around the corner of the ally into the crowded Kabuki-cho . . .the air was sticky with corruption, vice and . . .unnameable things. Artemis controlled an almost irresistible urge to groom himself. ". . .REALLY bad idea." "Do you have a better one." Rei hissed. "We've got to get evidence . . .proof . . .something the others will believe. Otherwise . . ." She made a slashing motion across her throat. "You go back and wait for me. If anything happens . . .tell them . . .tell them I tried. " A small scarred figure with an oddly lurching gait entered a building across the street from the alley. Rei motioned Artemis aside as she sprinted across the street.

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BORED!! Hino Rei was bored. She was also tired, hungry, thirsty and her feet hurt. But mostly . . .she was BORED. For the past four hours . . .she glanced at her watch . . . twenty three minutes and eighteen seconds . . .(she knew because she kept hoping that if she looked at her watch hard enough time would move faster.) she had been following Soban from one dirty, noisy building to another. Rei had never realized that there was that much Neon-lighting in all Japan. And it wasn't even dark. She shuddered to think what it must look like at night. Rei looked at her watch again and resisted an urge to cry.

Four hours, twenty FOUR minutes, twelve seconds. The damned girl was probably going to spend all night wandering around the Kabuki-cho---- doing the gods-only-knew-what. She'd never been able to get close enough to find out. On the other hand, Rei felt justifiably proud of the fact that Soban had no idea she was being followed. If Soban was an example of a Dark Kingdom soldier maybe this was why they were always attacking . . .they were bored to the point of insanity.

A sudden crashing noise brought Rei out of her reverie to see Soban apologizing to a street vendor she had accidently bumped. After paying the woman some Yen Soban walked on down the street about a hundred feet before entering what looked like a restaurant. Rei cursed softly under her breath. (Her grandfather would have been proud . . .they were Tibetan curses.) Soban was going to sit down (Rei almost wept in frustration) on fluffy cushions. A waiter would bring her a menu . . .there would be soft lights . . .air conditioning . . .a cool drink. Rei could see the tall frosty glass, tiny beads of condensation running playfully down the smooth glass . . . Rei came back to herself with her hand on the door and wondered how she'd teleported the intervening hundred feet.

Shrugging the thought aside as unimportant pushed open the door to . . . Rei staggered back as a blast of heated air . . .heavy with smoke and sweat and . . .other things, slapped her like an angry fist. Rei took a deep breath and was immediately sorry . . .but then she really didn't like her air chewy. Coughing and teary eyed Rei tried to sort out the bedlam and find Soban . . .her dreams of a soft cushion and cool drink had been replaced by more realistic ones . . .fresh air and a back door out of the place. She just had to find Soban . . .after all this time she didn't want to loose track of her. She made her way towards the back of the establishment. Over the bar hung a sign: " Screw the Roses, give me the thorns!" "What will you have, miss?" Rei jumped at the sudden sound. Turning she saw the largest black man she'd ever seen. The only black man she'd ever seen, outside of movies. Fascinated she stared at his dark skin, a darker black than even her ravens. And his hair, a mass of tight crisp curls. Rei wondered if it was as soft as it looked. "You can touch it if you want."

Flushing in mortification Rei realized she been standing, staring at the man. As she searched frantically for a response the mans face broke into a broad white smile, startling against his dark face. "Every one else does." Winking he handed her a tall frosty glass of some amber colored liquid. "Uh . . .I . . .uh . . .I don't drink." "Hey, strictly non-alcoholic. Fruit juice, fresh squeezed, with club soda. The boss would have my head if I - - -" A slight commotion at the far end of the bar caught his attention "Sit tight. I'll be back in a sec." Grasping her drink in both hands Rei settled onto a corner stool and tried to look inconspicuous. So far so good. Soft cushion, cold drink. Now if she could just find Soban. Scanning the crowded, dimly lit interior she failed to spot the familiar scarred figure. Pushing one foot against the floor she spun the stool idly back and forth. On one half revolution a cork board plastered with papers caught her eye. Board with her detective work she slipped of the stool and padded over to read the messages. It had to be more interesting that watching a room full of strangers chatter and drink. And watching paint dry would be more interesting than following Soban around. She was about to come to the conclusion that Artemis was mistaken about Soban.

 

With that thought in mind she took a sip of her drink; tart and fizzy, just the way she liked it and read the first notice. #SOS Toy and Clothing Swap. We'll spend a fun afternoon trying on clothes, swapping toys and hanging out WHO: SOS members and non-members alike are welcome. But women only, please. WHEN: Sunday 2-5 PM WHERE: Himiko's house - RSVP for the address and directions. (Allergy suffers note: this is a cat-infested household.) WHAT TO BRING: Whatever you'd like to swap/sell, some $$ for things you might not be able to trade for directly, and a towel if you'd like to avail yourself of the hot tub. Contributions of snacks and/or drinks would be much appreciated.# Idly Rei wondered what she was doing that day. Sometimes you could get some really good bargains at yard sales. Her eyes dropped to the next posting.

#SOS vs Outer Limits Softball Game: Summertime..... bats & balls..... Mmmmn, that's right folks the long-anticipated softball game between SOS and Outer Limits is here! So if you are a jock, jockette, cheerleader or just like to watch women sweat, then get you ass down to Hitodama Park at 5 PM! Bring your own equipment, extra if you have it.# Minako might like to know about this. Volleyball was really her game, but Minako was a sports fanatic. Minako was still a little miffed at her for the things she'd said about Soban. Maybe Rei could tell her about this game as a piece offering.

#WHAT:Softball WHO: Outer Limits Leatherdykes vs. Sisters of Sin Sirens (Switching is of course allowed!) WHEN: Every Third Saturday, 5 PM WHERE: Hitodama Park# Rei's brow wrinkled in thought. She didn't know much about softball, but those were odd sounding names for sports teams.

#Ropework Workshop, BBQ and Party: Tired of endless debates on gender, orientation, labels? Had it with wrangling over who can and cannot attend where? JUST WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN?! Then mark SAT, JULY 25th on your calendar and come to SOS's first official mixed-gender event! Everyone welcome! Brought to you courtesy of ICE of Island Whips who will be teaching the workshop, and Mistress Kelly who is graciously hosting the event.

# Ropework? Rei wasn't sure what that was. A BBQ sounded like fun though. This might be a good way to meet new people. She'd have to ask the rest of the girls. A non-senshi event might just be the thing to take their minds off fighting the Dark Kingdom.

#Date: Saturday, July 25th Time: workshop beginning at 5 pm ; BBQ starting about 6pm, and play around 8:30 Location: West Juban. RSVP for address and directions Cost: Workshop is Yen 500 to SOS members; BBQ and party are free.

BBQ DESCRIPTION: Nagisa will be providing burgers, hotdogs, sausages, chips and drinks and asking everyone to bring some kind of side dish, like fruit, salad, pasta, rice etc. If anyone wants to bring alcohol beverages for themselves, that is fine. She will be accepting donations to cover the cost of the food and space she is so generously providing.# Her stomach rumbled reading the menu. 500 Yen was pretty reasonable. And if they could learn something from the workshop all the better. Maybe it was some sort of gaijin folk art. Foreigners's had such quaint customs.

#WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: 1)Introductions, 2) Make pair of rope cuffs (about 1 hr), 3) Simple bondage positions (rope, about 1 hr), 4) Slightly more difficult positions in various materials (45 minutes or as much as we can take while BBQing) Ceiling willing, one of the positions will be SUSPENSION. Please Note, due to prevarications at the last workshop ALL participants MUST be weighed on our scale before suspension. (We're still picking plaster out of the carpet.)

PLAY PARTY DESCRIPTION: No charge. There will be a downstairs play area that will be able to accommodate 3 scenes at one time and an upstairs play area for 1 flogging scene at a time. (very low ceilings in the basement are a hindrance for that.) SMOKING; There will be no smoking allowed in the house but there is a front porch and patio area that people can smoke in. RSVP to 3502-1406 or mailto:zonbo@avarnet.or.jp. RSVPs strongly encouraged to assure you a place at the workshop and make sure we have enough food!

# Rei's eyes got big and she surreptitiously looked around the bar to see if any one was watching. This had to be a joke. Right? A little nervously she continued reading. #

Caning: A Hands-On Workshop for Women: Come learn how to cane! Techniques and safety issues will be covered. Taught by Lady Donna of Fetish Prise Network. If you have canes, please bring them. Women's play party to follow. FREE RATTAN AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CANE TO EVERY PARTY ATTENDEE! Notice: Please bring soft cushion for sit down dinner after work shop and party. # Rei winced and unconsciously one had rubbed her bottom. Maybe it wasn't a joke. She was going to leave now. Just slip quietly out the door. She'd wait until Soban went someplace else, someplace safer; say Queen Beryl's throne room. #Diesel Dykes and Quilting Society of Tokyo:3-Year Anniversary Bash: WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW KINKY WOMEN! Have you ever dreamed of strIpping for an audience of lusty lesbians in leather? Or maybe giving a lap dance to that cutie across the room? Dommes, would it make you hot to see your girl/boy/bitch strIpping or whIpping at an erotic women-only event? Then we want you for the DDQS Anniversary Bash & Play Party!#

Rei put her drink gently on side of a planter and began to edge along the wall. She definitely did _not_ want to turn her back on - - - "Sailor Mars!" "eeeeeep!" With a tiny squeal Rei whirled toward the voice, reaching for her henshin stick. "Sailor Mars! You are Sailor Mars. I _MUST_ have you." A tall figure in a familiar grey uniform reached for her. "Mars - - -"She wouldn't go down without a fight. She would sell herself dearly before they . . .

"Quit scaring the straights Yoshike." A familiar scarred figured appeared and Rei let her fire dissipate before anyone else was aware she was calling it. "But Soooban." The Dark General whined in a very un-general like tone. "She's PERFECT. Face, figure . . .hair" A gloved hand reached for Rei's mane of thick dark hair, only to be knocked away by a calloused fist. "No touching without permission." Soban's voice was flat. "You know the house rules." "I wasn't going to hurt her." Yoshike muttered sulkily. "But I neeeed a Mars."

"What happened to Michi?"

"Oooooh. That Bitch." Yoshike stamped a booted foot. "She got transferred overseas." "She's an engineer. You knew that was a possibility." "But the CosPlay finals are in a month. Where am I going to find another Mars before then? It's just no good without a full set." She waved a hand behind her. There, collared and tethered, were three figures. Mercury, Jupiter and Venus. Bound and gagged, their uniforms ripped leaving them nearly naked. Rei went for her henshin stick again before she realized something wasn't right. Strange as Soban was it wasn't likely she'd be talking to Nephrite in a downtown bar. She controlled her reflexive action and looked at the three figures more closely She could see now that they weren't senshi, weren't her friends. And the tears in their fuku were too regular to be accidents. They'd been made that way. Made to show . . .blushing she jerked her eyes away.

"Pleaaaaase can I have her? Please???" Yoshike was wringing her hands. "I promise to take good care of her. You know me Soban. I'm really careful when I play. No one ever complains." She turned to the three girls behind her. To Rei's amazement squeaks of agreement slipped past gags accompanied by vigorous nods of agreement. "I know you do Yoshike." Soban replied patiently. "But did it ever occur that she might not want to play?" Clearly it hadn't. Yoshike just stared uncomprehending at Soban for a moment. Then she turned to Rei. "Please say yes. I just KNOW you'll be perfect." Startled Rei suddenly realized _she_ was the object of this conversation. "P . . .perfect for what?" Rei eyed the tall woman nervously. She was looking at Rei so strangely that Rei wasn't sure she wouldn't be better off facing the real Nephrite. At least she understood _him_.

"Beautiful." Yoshike dropped the leash that connected her three 'senshi' and walked around Rei. Rei swivelled her head to keep Yoshike in view. "Just beautiful. So lush, full, rounded. Not too big, not too small." "what is?" Rei asked in a very small voice. "Your derriere, my dear." Watching Rei as if she were the last lifeboat leaving the Titanic Yoshike moved toward Rei. "Your plump, white, perfectuuuuurp." Yoshike's impassioned speech ended abruptly as Soban yanked her back. "Quit salivating on the virgins, Yosh-chan." Soban pushed her back toward her patiently waiting pseudo-sailors. "Can't I at least ask her?" Yoshike asked pitifully.

Soban sighed and rubbed her brow wearily. "Yoshike would like to add you to her . . .family." Soban said turning back to Rei. "Family?" Rei echoed faintly, wondering if she could make it to the door before anyone could stop her. Or even a window. "Yoshike likes to . . .ummmm disipline people." "Sailors," Yoshike corrected. "Naughty sailor senshi who dare to defy the Grey Prince." Rei was startled, then realized that Yoshike, like the rest of the world, was ignorant of the Dark Kingdoms real name and purpose. They only saw the effects of Dark Kingdom incursions.

"Yeah, whatever." Soban said dismissively. Rei was astonished to see Yoshike's face fall and tears form in her eyes. Her three captive 'senshi' crowded supportively around and 'Mercury' growled something uncomplimentary around her gag. "Sorry Yoshike." Soban patted the crestfallen 'general' on the shoulder. "I've just got a headache. I'll ask her, but I don't think it'll do any good." "Ask me what." The hell with the door----she would _make_ an exit. "Yoshike likes to . . .ummm . . .she likes to play a little game." Yoshike made as if to protest that appellation, but wisely fell silent at Soban's quelling glance.

"I haven't eaten yet, so I'm going to give you the short version." Her look dared Yoshike to contradict her. "Yoshike likes to play capture the senshi. As you can see," Soban waved a hand toward Yoshike and her companions. "She's got three already. In exchange for room, board and a very generous stipend Yoshike will expect to capture you. Captured senshi are interrogated, and punished when they resist. And, being so dangerous, she keeps them naked and bound most of the time." Rei looked a little green and Soban grinned at her. "Except when they're in school. That's how Yosh-chan lost her last Mars. She graduated and took a position over seas." "And the CosPlay finals are coming up. It's just no good if I don't have Mars." At Rei's blank look Soban explained. "Yoshike likes to show off her skill at turning lily white senshi rear's bright pink. In public." Soban tapped her temple thoughtfully "Think of it as performance art, with an orgasm." Shaking her head frantically Rei backed away from Yoshike. "There's your answer, you're going to have to get your Mars somewhere else." Sighing dejectedly Yoshike gathered up the leash's she'd dropped.

"Alright. But it's really a shame." She looked Rei up and down, sighing. "I just know your bottom would make a really _lovely_ sound under the tawes.." Shaking her head she led her three 'sailors' away toward the back. "tawes?" Rei whispered. "You don't want to know." Soban thought for a moment. "Come with me." She grabbed Rei by the hand but the fire priestess balked. "Wait just a minute. Where are we going?" "I haven't eaten yet. And I don't want you wandering around getting into trouble trying to follow me." "What! Don't be ridiculous. What makes you think I'm following you." Rei wasn't sure if she should be proud or ashamed at the ease with which she lied. Soban rubbed her temple wearily. "I suppose it was only coincidence you happened to be lurking in an ally. And just bad luck that you've been stumbling along behind me like shit on a carp all day?"

Rei flushed angrily. "How dare you! I don't know what----" "Don't lie to me." Soban fixed Rei with her one good eye. "I don't like it. And you're not any good at it any way." Rei was having a very bad morning. Her head hurt, her feet hurt.. She was standing in a bar filled with deviants, perverts and gaijin arguing with a person she suspected was a Dark Kingdom agent. And now she was being laughed at. That was all it took for her notoriously short temper to snap. "You little gutter snipe. You're nothing but a thief . . .a lying little gang-banger. How dare you get all high and mighty with me. Rei stopped when she realized she was speaking into a dead silence. Looking around she could see every eye focused on her, in a silence so profound she could hear the hum of the air-conditioner. Behind the bar the big black man had gone as pale as his coloring would allow and was staring at her in horror.

Feeling suddenly disconcerted Rei wondered if she had a hole in her skirt. Facing Soban squarely she was uneasy at the blank look on the smaller girls scarred face. "I think we'll both feel better with something to eat." An audible sigh, like a summer breeze, passed through the room and conversations started again like a switch had been thrown. Clasping Rei's hand in an iron grip Soban started pulling the larger girl across the room. "Wait . . .wait." Rei tugged futilely at the hand that held hers. She thought briefly of trying to force her way free. Something about Soban's attitude----not frightened, that wasn't the word. Concerned? That was better. Soban's attitude _concerned_ her. Rei just didn't want to make a public scene. She would certainly tell Soban what she thought of her later. Right now it would better to just follow quietly. As Soban dragged her through the restaurant and up a flight of stairs she began to regret her forbearance. "Where are we going." Rei stumbled on an uneven step as Soban hurried her along.

"Would you quit _pulling_ on me. What's the----" Her exasperated question chopped off as they entered another room. Against the far wall a man, naked except for a black hood was strapped to a Maltese cross. As Rei watched sheathed in rainbow colored rubber suit brought a thin cane sharply across the mans exposed buttocks. Like a mouse surprised by a snake Rei couldn't tear her eyes away. The bound man and the woman were not alone in the room. Surrounding them was a group of men, women and others Rei was not to sure of. Like the woman and man they were in various stages of undress. From skin tight latex to metal studded leather. The crowed was cheering on the woman, some shouting suggestions to both the woman and the bound man. Rei's eye twitched suddenly as she realized what she had thought was a skin tight suit was actually only skin; painted brightly with garish and suggestive symbols. The only clothing the woman actually wore were thigh high boots and gloves that matched her skin paint. And a large, feathered mask, shaped like a giant bird of prey.

As if in slow motion Rei watched the thin whip come down again. The man jumped under the blow and a thin red line appeared, joining dozens of others that crossed each other across his rear and legs. Suddenly the crowd surged forward and grabbed the woman as her arm went back for another blow. Kicking madly she struggled like a wild animal as she was strapped onto the opposite side of the cross. Another whip appeared from the crowd and two volunteers began to alternate blows on the man and woman. Under the swift stinging blows both the man and woman began to jerk in their bonds. Suddenly the woman's back arched, her face twisted in agony as a scream forced past her throat, echoed by a deeper shout from the man.

"Hi, Soban. Brought a new player?" Rei jumped, just swallowing a scream as a stranger appeared at her elbow. "No,"Soban glanced at Rei. "At least I don't think so." Tilting her head like a curious sparrow she gave Rei a considering glance. "Care to join them?" She jerked a thumb at the two limp people being tenderly lifted from the cross. "I'm sure we have something in your size." For a wild moment Rei thought she meant the cross. The she realized Soban meant costumes. Then, seeing the newcomer looking at her from under lowered lashes, she wasn't so sure.

"No," she squeaked. Embarrassed she tried again. "NO! I would _never_ do anything as " "We get the idea." Soban hushed her. "I don't think she's ready for this yet Benjiro. She's a little shy." Before Rei could indignantly assure all and sundry she was not _shy_, she just wasn't a _pervert_ Benjiro spoke again. "Hey, no problem. I'm a little shy myself." Rei gapped open mouthed at the stocky young man wearing nothing but a diaper and a pink bonnet.

"But this is a really nice place." he continued. "Everyone's real supportive. You'll feel right at home in no time." He beamed at her with an open good natured smile. Rei felt her face flame with embarrassed fury. This _HENTAI_ thought she was like _THEM_? Again her furious retort was forstalled. "Well, maybe later." Soban answered mildly. "We haven't eaten yet. By the way, where's Yoshike?" "She's in the back, trying to get another Mars. Last I saw she had Fukusaburu cornered. She was up to seventy five thousand Yen and ring side seats at the finals match." Soban seemed to find this amusing. "Was he weakening?" "Well, Fuku-chan _says_ he's strictly a top. But there are tops and then there are _TOPS_. I think if she goes one fifty he might agree to the sacrifice." Benjiro's voice lowered conspiratorially. "Actually I think he's just afraid he might like it." A gamine grin appeared on his face. "If she plays her cards right Yoshike might just have found her new Mars. Fuku-chan would look just divine in a sailor suit." A beeping sound distracted them. Benjiro pulled a beeper form his diaper.

Looking at the message on the screen he grimaced. "It's from my service. They wouldn't call if weren't important." he sketched a brief salute. "I've got to find a phone. See you later." Replacing the beeper he waddled off at the best speed the bulky diaper allowed. "Service?" Rei said faintly. She felt like Alice - - -only this wasn't as sane and sensible as wonderland. "Benjiro's a surgeon." Soban replied absently. "Surgeon?" Rei had a mad vision of Benjiro in surgical scrubs wearing a frilly pink bonnet, sucking on a pacifier while he bent over a patient. "Yeah." Soban was looking around the room. "I thought they were doing the CosPlay in the dungeon. Must've run out of room. Want to try the buffet? It looks pretty good." Rei followed the direction of her pointing thumb.

Against the far side of the room a long, broad table stretched from wall, to wall; laden with what seemed to be a staggering array of food. The riotous colors and designs of the carefully arranged banquette danced and fought with the equally bizarre diners. Beef with bright green and yellow peppers, and dried scallops with Chinese white radish balls blended in a strange harmony with the blue silk and orange latex that wrapped one diner so completely that only it's eyes and mouth were free. At one end of the table a woman, thin to the point of emaciation, filled her plate with thin slices of duck, smoked with camphor and tea, flash-fried shrimp and some small caramel-colored dumplings. Every move she made was accompanied by a musical sound like wind chimes.

Gold and silver chains hung from piercing's in her skin that formed a circlet around her head. In front, the chains separated to pass through tiny rings piercing her nipples. They gathered together again to pass through a belly-button ring before vanishing into the shadowed area between her legs. Her dining mate, a short stocky man dressed in a French maids costume, complete with high heels and fish-net stocking seemed to prefer honey glazed ham, eggplant in soy sauce, Szechwan style beancurd and a bottle of dark German beer. For a sideboard they used a figure completely encased in tight black rubber that wrapped it's upper body like a sausage skin. A rigid bar, running from it's forehead to a short hobble connecting the ankles, bent the figure almost parallel with the floor, making of it's back a convenient table for food and drink. Rei noted a magnificent pair of breasts, confined by the tight rubber, which seemed to indicate the living tables gender. But at this point she wasn't willing to make a decision like that without a chromosome check.

"Hot or sweet!"

"What!?" Rei swallowed a shriek at the sudden intrusion into her thoughts. "From the buffet." Soban said impatiently. "Do you want a spicy dish or do you like sweet?" "Oh, I like----" Rei choked on her likes as she realized Soban had led her unconscious steps to the buffet table. Her eyes darted back and forth like a trapped moth, trying to keep everything in sight. "The smoked chicken is very nice." "Thank you." Automatically Rei reached for the plate. That was in the hand. Attached to the arm. That was the only visible flesh on the figure. Wrapped in leather and steel. Made part of the table. "Aaaaaaaaa." Rei was halfway to the door before the dish hit the ground. "The fish is good too." Tsubasa said plaintively.

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"Would you slow down." Soban panted, having run up a flight of stairs. "Where. Is. The. EXIT?" Rei grated. "Well, for starters, it's _not_ on the roof." Soban replied sarcastically." Rei flushed angrily. In her haste she'd bolted through the first door she found and was now hopelessly lost. "Fine!" She snapped. Now I know where it isn't. Now, where is the way out of this madhouse." Soban quirked an eyebrow over her blind eye. Incongruously Rei noticed how her eyes were framed by elegantly fine eyebrows and impossibly long, beautiful lashes. "OK, I guess I can eat later." Soban took pity on the flustered miko. "Let's get you out of here before you have a heart attack." Soban led Rei back down the stairs one level. Unlocking a security door she started down a narrow service corridor, Rei in tow. "This is a short cut. We'll cut across and take the elevator to the garage. I'll call a taxi and have it pick you up." "You don't need to treat me like a baby." Rei huffed indignantly. "I can find my own way home."

"From the Kabuki-cho?" Soban snorted inelegantly. "I'd rather not have to explain to Mizumisama why the police mopped you up with a squeegee and mailed you home in a bucket." " People come here all the time. It's not that dangerous." Soban looked her up and down with a critical eye. "Yeabut _they_ don't normally run around in thirty thousand yen of custom tailored fuku and a two thousand yen hair cut." Soban snorted. "Hell, I bet you spend more on perfume than most of these people make in a year." "There is _nothing_ wrong with my perfume." "Nothing," Soban agreed, " 'Cept it smells like money. You might as well wear a sign that says 'Here I am, come mug me now. OH, and could you rape me while you're at it?" Rei flushed angrily, about to insist that she could take care of herself. As she opened her mouth to speak Soban opened a door and stepped through. Rei, following behind her, was knocked to the floor when Soban catapulted back through the door, slamming it behind her. Rei struggled to her feet, irritably brushing herself off. Her angry words died in her throat when she saw how sick and pale Soban looked. "Are you all right? What's wrong?" "They did it. They really did it" Soban muttered shakily. "They said they would . . .I didn't really believe . . .but I saw . . ." Her confused muttering trailed off as she wrapped her arms around her belly as if to ward off a chill. "Who is _they_? Did what?" Rei's anxious questions went unanswered. Finally, curiosity won over prudence and she went to the mysterious door?

"NO! Don't open----" *The black, black widow is sittin' in the middle . . .* A mezzo soprano voice cut across the babble of the densely packed room. *You may be her lover but you never will recover, 'cause she ain't had a bite in weeks.* The sweet alto blended effortlessly. On a low stage Rei could see three women in evening dresses swaying to the music as they sang. Like a roomful of tropical birds the audience, composed entirely of women, whistled and stamped their feet in time to the music. *Remember what I told you, she's got eight arms to hold you, and she's _never_ going to let you roam.* The warm furry contralto tied the other voices together in an intimate trio. Rei found herself nodding to the beat. She wondered if they'd let her on stage to sing. She had some ideas----the sudden arm on her shoulder jarred her out of her musings.

"Wha . . .?" "Come on. We've got to get out of here." "Wait. I want to hear this. "We are _NOT_ staying." Soban shuddered again. "A Streisand kareoke retrospective." She looked ill. "There should be a law." "But they're good. Especially the girl in the middle." "Yeah, he's good. But _Kareoke_? STREISAND?!" Soban looked like she'd swallowed an eel, and it was trying to swim back upstream. "We're going to the grill upstairs. I'll call a taxi and we can eat while you're waiting." She pulled Rei down the hall. HE? Rei thought of the lovely girl in the low cut gown, singing with such passion. HE! . . .HE? Dazedly she tried to reconcile what she'd seen with what Soban said, as the lyrics of 'Queen Bee' faded in the distance. *Who are they foolin'? playin' or rulin', it's the Queen behind the scene who pulls the strings.

 

Eichrio paled at this blasphemy----no one questioned Soban. But this angry girl was obviously her friend. And Rei was here and Soban was not. "One of our regular customers gets a little _troublesome_ when he's had too much to drink. And he's here with a _friend_." The way he said friend let Rei know that the friend was also trouble. "Where?" Rei wasn't going to miss a chance to watch Soban when she didn't know she was being observed. It was obvious to Rei that Soban was no stranger to this den of perversion. Maybe she could find out something she could take to the others. Something to prove Soban was a danger. Something that would stop them from looking at Soban for leadership the way they used to look at her. But that thought she pushed firmly away where it wasn't so troublesome. Eichrio thought for a moment but the look on Rei's face brooked no argument. Besides, it wasn't as if he could _force_ Rei to sit at a table and wait. That virtuous thought solidly in mind he turned and led the way to the trouble.

Soban had a head start, but Rei's legs were longer and uninjured. She passed through a door that marked the boundary of the smoking and non-smoking sections of the restaurant. It also seemed to be the non-moving, non-talking section. The entire room was frozen in place, except for four figures at a table against a window. Rei immediately focused on the slight figure of Soban. Her eyes were next drawn to a striking woman with ravens-wing black hair that hung past her waist in a complex braid. She was idly rolling a bottle of beer in one strong, ivory white hand. Rei could tell it was a strong hand because she was alternately pinching the glass neck shut and popping it back open. Before Rei could completely absorb this fact her attention was taken by the other figures at the table. To the right side of Soban she could see a young man, in the red, yellow and blue uniform that seemed to indicate restaurant staff, struggling in the grip of a slender figure with long brown hair draw back in a pony tail. Laughingly the person easily held the young waiter prisoner with one hand. Soban took a step forward and Rei gasped as she saw the other's face clearly at last.

"Zoisite." She gasped under her breath, sagging against the door frame. He was instantly recognizable by the puckered scar that marred the perfection of the right side of his face. A scar that ran down below his high, soft collar, and covered his entire right side. Rei knew-- --she'd been there when Jupiter had blasted him at close range with a Supreme Thunder Dragon. Blasted him until he no longer resembled her senpai. Zoisite had learned not to toy with a young girls affections; Jupiter had made an enemy.

 

"OK Zenko, you've had your fun." Soban's voice was mild. "Let him go." "Not until he apologies." The person they knew as Zenko grasped the boys face with cruel strength and forced it around to face him. "You were very rude to me, you know." "Gomen, gomen, gomen." The boy, just out of his teens, was almost sobbing from pain and fear. "You're sorry?" Zenko repeated in a voice only slightly slurred by drink. "You. Are. Sorry. For _what_?" Zenko's grip tightened suddenly, forcing a gasp from the boy. "For _this_?" He grabbed the boys hand and forced it against his scarred face. "Are you sorry this happened . . .or sorry you have to look at ----" The boy tumbled to the floor as Soban slammed Zenko's elbow with a nerve strike.

"Go on back to the kitchen. They're going to need help cleaning up."With a grateful bob of his head the boy darted for the doubtful safety of the kitchens. "You----" Zenko snarled at Soban, clasping his arm in pain. "What do you think you're doing." Shoving away from the table Zenko rose to tower over Soban. "Do you think you can fight _ME_?" "I think you can twist my head off like a bottle cap." Soban answered matter-of-factly. She appeared unconcerned by the lethal anger rolling off Zenko. "I think I might just do that." Zenko slid forward, graceful as a leopard and infinitely more lethal. "That little shit looked _away_ from my face. I saw him. He thought I was ugly. NO ONE thinks I'm ugly. NO ONE." There was a note of desperation in Zenko's voice.

"Geeez Zenk-chan, get a grip." Soban seemed unconcerned by Zenko's rage. "Why do even give a shit where some waiter looks or doesn't look?" "I don't tolerate disrespect from insects. I am Zo----" He caught himself. "I am not some _salary man_ you can ignore." Soban massaged her temples. "You've been warned about your behavior, Zenk-chan. I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice but to ask you to leave." Zenko sneered. "YOU warn ME? You little insect. I will crush you." Snake like Zenko struck what would have been, at best, a crippling blow.

Moving slightly Soban allowed the blow to slide by, just grazing her side. "Would you watch what you're doin'?" Her voice was still mild, but her eyes were very serious as the watched the inebriated man. "You're gettin' awfully serious over nothin'." "_Nothing_?" Zenko's voice trembled with passion. "_Nothing_!" he repeated. "What do you know of it." He slashed his hand across his damaged face. "What do you know of the stares, the whispers. People turning away so they do not have to see---" He ran down suddenly under Sobans quiet stare. Flushing, he turned away from Sobans ravaged face. "I didn't . . .that is, I wasn't . . ." Seeing that much of Zenko's anger was defused Soban stepped forward and poked him in the chest. "It's karaoke night. Guess what's playing?" Zenko's face brightened. "You mean . . .?"

"Streisand." Zenko's face lit up like he's seen the face of god. "And Manilow." Zenko sank back to his seat in a half swoon. "To bad it's invitation only. You have a lovely voice." "NO! I must get in." Zenko grabbed Soban by the front of her shirt. "Please. You know people. I must have an invitation." Soban shrugged free of Zenko's death grip and smoothed the front of her shirt. "I might," she stressed the word. "_might_ know someone. But why should I help anyone who is so manerless as to bully people." Zenko's face darkened and a groan was forced from the other diners in the room, who were convinced they were all going to die. "Please," Zenko dropped to his knees. "To hear the great ones music, to sing with my own voice those divine lyrics. You must help me."

"This is the last time." Soban looked Zenko in the eyes. "Another incident and you'll be banned for life." She pulled a card from her pocket and handed it to Zenko. "Give this at the door and they'll let you in." For a minute Rei thought Zoisite was going to kiss Soban's hands. Clasping the card as if it were the holy grail the Dark Kingdom's most vicious general scooted for the stairs. Rei could only stare as the door closed behind him, wondering if she'd hit her head and were actually in the hospital, hallucinating. "Why didn't you keep him from drinking so much." Rei turned at the accusing tone to see Soban crowding the striking gaijin looking woman.

"I'm just having a beer." "You're never just anything, Angel." Soban fixed Angel with her good eye. "What happened? You get bored and decide to kick over an ant hill?" Angel pushed back from the table, rising to a height that proved several inches above Zenko's. Her eyes darkened as she looked down at Soban. Putting her fingers together in front of Soban's face she drew them apart slowly, streamers of silver fire crackling between her hands. Rei gasped in shock, while the rest of the diners studiously did not notice anything out of the ordinary.

"Yeah, great" Soban pursed her lips in annoyance. "If I need a bug light I'll keep you in mind." "Do you think ----" Angel began. "Let's not get into this again." Soban interrupted tiredly. "I just went through this with Zenko. I haven't had any thing to eat yet and I'm getting a headache. Look," She glared up at the towering beauty. "you don't have to convince anybody you're tough. But if you want to play games . . .do it someplace else." "What . . .am I responsible for---" "In here you're responsible for whatever I say you are. You can keep him under control if you want to." "Are you going to make me?" Angel asked dangerously. Rei sucked in a deep breath, reaching for her henshin stick involuntarily. "You're really getting on my nerves." Soban shook her head wearily. "Tough bitch, goin' to wipe the floor with me an' trash the place. But then you've probably got lot's of places you can for a quiet beer with no hassles." Angel's lips tightened angrily but she made no other move. "OK. Here's the drill." Soban continued when she was sure Angel was listening. "If you want to see a fight, they've got sumo on TV. If Zenko's got personal problems, tell it to a priest. Do _not_ bring it here." Sobans voice was quiet, but very firm. "Now why don't you go keep an eye on him." "What? At karaoke?!" Angel whispered in horror. "Somebody's got to keep him out of trouble. And I still haven't eaten." "May I finish my beer?"

"I'm not your mother. As long as you and Zenko don't scare the customers and everybody leaves the building with all the body parts they came in with, I don't give a damn what you do." "You are too kind." "You just gotta have the last word." Soban motioned and a waiter hurried over. "Get Angel another cold one," She pointed to the broken glass where Zenko's drink had spilled, "and clean that up." "Do you think I can be bought with a beer?" Angel had resumed her seat and was nursing her drink. "Just being kind to the condemned. I figure with a Streisand, Manilow combo," Soban smiled at Angel's grimace, "You need as much anesthetic as possible."

Sketching a salute Soban turned and limped back toward Rei. Angel turned to the waiter. "Forget the dammed bottle, roll in a keg with a straw." "Have you ordered yet?" Soban stopped in front of Rei. "Wha . . .?" Rei was struggling to come to grips with what she'd just seen. Foremost in her thoughts was that Zoisite was in the building, and apparently on a first name basis with Soban. This was bad. Very bad, and just confirmed her worst suspicions. Soban was a Dark Kingdom agent. This perverted place _had_ to be a meeting place for Beryl's agents. Nerves stretched to the breaking point, imagining Dark Generals waiting in the shadows to pounce, it was _not_ the best time for----

"Oh, you are simply _Devine_." Arms came around her waist. "You and Soban make a _perfect_ couple. As soon as I heard Soban was showing a girl around I just _knew_ - - - -" In horror Rei looked at the garishly made up face, the too feminine clothes on the too masculine frame. Heavy gold rings on every finger. Silver and gold studs piercing flesh, tri-coloured spiked hair---- "Get away from me you disgusting freak." With a sudden surge Rei shoved and the intruder flew away to crash into a table. "Keep your perverted hands to yourself." The room went deathly quiet, except for the quiet plot of soup, dripping down across the fallen figure. Soban walked stiffly over and helped the person up. "I didn't mean anything Soban," Tears choked his voice. "You know I would never . . ."

"It's alright Kei, not your fault. Are you with anyone?" Shakily Kei indicated three people seated at a table across the room. "OK, anything you want . . .my treat." Kei started to protest but Soban stopped him with a gesture. "No, this is my . . .responsibility. Go, have a good time. I'll see you later." "Look," Rei was shaken, by the thought of Zoisite being nearby and by the scene she'd just caused. "forget about the damn cab. Just point the way outeeeeeeep!" Rei yelped as Soban grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away.

"Wait! What the hell do---" She gasped as Soban savagely twisted her arm. "You're hurting my arm." "Shut up, before I rip it off and beat you with it." Rei flushed, mortified by the laughter that followed her out of the room. Mercifully she was out of sight and sound of the diners as Soban dragged her around a corner, down another service corridor and into a room. Rei staggered as Soban released her. Snarling she whirled to the door, which proved to be locked. "What is this? Unlock the door and let me out of here. You're crazy. This whole place is crazy." "Sit. Down." Rei stared defiantly at Soban, daring the smaller girl to do her worst. "Make me." There was a singing tension in the room, like the pressure signaling a thunderstorm.

For some reason Rei felt more alive than she ever had in her life. "You owe my friends an apology." Soban ignored Rei's challenge. "And I owe them one for letting you in the place. I should have booted you out the door as soon as you came in. I just thought . . ." Soban shook her head in resignation. "Apologize! To that bunch of freaks?" "What the hell is your problem?" Soban slammed a fist on a desk so hard that a book jumped and fell on the floor. "You don't like it here, fine. Leave." She said, seeming to forget she was the one who had locked the door. "No one invited you here. You came in off the street acting like you're too good to even breath the same air as the rest of us. You hurt Yoshike's feelings. You practically spit on Benjiro- chan. And you knock Kei across the room."

"And what about YOU!?" Rei leaned close, practically nose to nose with Soban. "You're nothing but a little traitor, selling out the Sailor Senshi . . ."Rei chopped off her words, but it was too late to call them back. "Sailor Senshi? Traitor?" Soban sank into her seat, dropping her head on the desk. After a moment she raised back up and stared perplexedly at Rei. "What the HELL are you talking about?" "On the phone. You were telling someone you had information . . ." Oh shit. Rei wanted to bang her head on the desk. She was just making things worse. But she was too flustered to think up a good lie. "How do you know what I was saying on the phone?" Soban asked in a reasonable voice. Too reasonable.

"Ummmm. Well, uh, you see . . ." OK, can't tell her Artemis overheard her. Telling about Artemis would be bad. But I've got to . . . "I was coming to see Minako," OK, that's good. Coming to see Minako. "And I heard you . . .on the phone . . .while I was outside the door . . .I heard you." Oh, help. Were was a Youma attack when you needed it. " . . .heard you talking about the senshi . . .on the phone." Rei fumbled to a stop, feeling like a complete idiot. "You followed me . . .all day you followed me around . . . because you thought I was . . ." A shudder passed through Soban's body

. "There's only one reason someone would do something like that." Rei stared horrified at Soban. "I should have guessed. It wasn't just an accident that you were in the park, was it?" Could she transform in time? Should she transform? Rei felt the Mars power begin to build. "The clues were there. The way the four of you hang around together. Secret meetings. Even the hair styles. It's all clear now . . ."

What was she going to do? "You're a Senshi ---- Oh god! "----fan-girl."

"Fan. Girl?" Rei repeated numbly. "Geeez. I should have let Yoshike have you." "Fan girl?" "Of all the stupid, asinine things in the world . . ." "Fan girl!" Rei started giggling and couldn't stop. "Fan. Girl. Senshi----fan----girl." "Or maybe not. She likes her senshi to have brains. Say's they're more believable." "What does that crack mean?" Rei's giggles disappeared. "Just that you're too stupid to be out without a keeper. I can't believe you blow off school and follow me all over town because of the stupid sailor senshi." "We . . .uh . . .they are NOT stupid.

 

 

The sailor senshi are brave and valiant warrior for justice. W . . .they fight against the monsters that attack innocent people and threaten the piece of Japan." Rei paused for breath while Soban stared slack jawed. "Boy ----you'd better not let Yoshike hear you talk like that." "Huh?" "She'd have your pants down and your derriere up before you could say Pretty Sailor Soldier."

"WHAT!"

"For one thing she _really_ get's turned on by punishing 'sailor's". For another, if you could make that same speech during the CosPlay she'd be sure to win first place. The audience and judges _love_ goofy stuff like that." "It is NOT goofy. The sailor senshi are the greatest heros . . ." "JUST like that." Soban gave a twisted smile. "There might still be time for you to enter. Want me to find Yoshike and see if she's got an extra costume?" "Are you crazy? Get up in front of a bunch of perverts and----." She grimaced. "That's disgusting. I would never do anything like that." "I'm getting pretty tired of your attitude." Soban glared with her one good eye. "No one asked you to come here. Everyone has been very nice to you. They've gone out of their way to make allowance for- ---"

"Make allowance----for ME?" Rei was incensed. "I'M not the PERVERT!"

"No, you're just a narrowminded, anal-retentive bigot." Even without Mars Fire, Rei came very close to bursting into flames. "Well, I'd rather be narrowminded than a deviant. These people are sick, twisted." "You'll be pleased to know the Japanese medical society agrees with you. Homosexuality is still classified as a pathological condition. That's why people come here. It's a place where they can relax, without someone trying to force them into a box." Soban drummed her fingers on the desk. "That's what really bugs you, isn't it? These people aren't being good little Japanese. They color outside the lines. Unbutton their collars, speak out of turn. And you can't stand it." Soban considered Rei for a moment. "Now why is that? Because you can't control them? Or because you want to join them?"

"Are you crazy?" Tiny flecks of spittle flew across the room. "Why would I want to join a bunch of perverted deviants like that?" "Maybe for the same reason you want to be an idol singer? Or the same reason your favorite food is fugu." "What are you . . .How did you . . ." Rei stuttered to a stop. "What does singing and what I eat have to do with----" She waved a hand, indicating the world beyond the door. "Well, Idol singing isn't much different from the CosPlay." "Except Idol singers keep their clothes on, and don't have sex with the audience." Rei countered sarcastically. "You don't get out much, do you?" Soban said pityingly. "And any one who eats fugu likes to take risks. The only difference is that fugu is a good _Japanese_ risk." Rei clinched her teeth until her jaw hurt. "Why do you say that as if it's a bad thing. Being Japanese?" Soban shrugged. "I don't think being Japanese is bad; I just don't think it's the ultimate end of creation. There is a world outside of Japan. And there are a few individualists living _in_ Japan. As horrifying as that may seem, you may even be one of them." "What's that supposed to mean?" Rei said stiffly. She was uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was taking. Of course there was a world outside of Japan. Somewhere. She knew that. Just like she knew the Japanese weren't perfect. Just closer to perfection than anyone else.

"You don't like me very much, do you?" Soban asked consideringly. "I like you just fine." "Yeah, I can see how your face lights up when I come in the room. Tha's OK" Rei noticed Soban's voice was a little slurred. "You don' have to like me. But I know you like to be the boss. An' you like things nice an' . . .an' neat." Rei was certain now . . .Soban was definitely swaying in her seat. "Are you all right?" Soban gave a twisted little smile, then paled so alarmingly that Rei was around the desk without conscious thought. "Dammit. What's the matter. Are . . .are you sick . . .or taking . . ." Her voice trailed off, unsure how to ask the question. Soban grinned weakly at her discomfort. "Am I taking drugs? No. Am I sick? No. There's nothing wrong with me that couldn't be fixed with a stomach transplant." "What's that mean." Rei propped Soban up, feeling somehow comforted by the closeness. "When I got this," Soban brushed a hand along the scar that bisected her face, "I got messed up inside too. They had to remove part of my stomach . . .if I don't eat every few hours I just get a little weak, that's all." Rei remembered Soban talking about getting something to eat. And how she kept putting it off because Rei . . .Irrationally Rei felt angry at Soban for making her feel guilty.

"BAKA! You should be watching out for your health, instead of fooling around in a place like this." Her jaw clenched as she suddenly remembered another reason Soban might be feeling unwell. "And you shouldn't be out of bed anyway. You were badly hurt in the park and--- -" "I heal fast." Soban said dismissively. "At least you should eat something." Rei glanced around the office, her eyes lighting on a small refrigerator. "Is there anything in there you can eat?" "Probably." She started to get up. Rei shoved her back into the chair. "I'll get it. You sit still and save your strength." Rei went over to the refrigerator and started rummaging around. "How about this?" She held up a can of protein supplement. Soban wrinkled her nose but nodded. "It tastes like chalk, but it's easy to digest." Rei popped the opener and walked back to the desk. Seating herself on the edge of the desk she started to hold the can to Soban's lips. "Thank you, but I think I can feed myself . . .mother."

Rei pursed her lips angrily. "I was just trying to help." "Bossy." Soban slugged back half the can with a grimace of distaste. "One of the few things I can taste . . .and it has to be this crap." She looked at Rei, then finished the can. Crumpling the mild steel container between her thumb and forefinger she tossed it toward the trash. It missed, bounced off the rim and fell to the floor with a clatter. "No depth perception." She rocked back in her chair and thought for a moment. "How about a little bet?" "What are you talking about? I don't gamble." "You eat fugu. Betting that the chef had a steady hand . . .got all the poison sack . . .betting that your dinner isn't going to kill you. I'd say you're a gambler all right." "And you?" Rei didn't like the way Soban seemed to know her so well. "Do you gamble?" "Only if the game is fixed, I'm in on the fix and the fixers are all close personal friends who owe me money." Soban didn't smile as she said this. "And you want me to make a bet with you?" Rei laughed sourly. "I suppose you'll promise this will be an honest bet." "Nope," Soban chuckled at the startled look on Rei's face. "I only play games I know I'm going to win." "Then what makes you think I'll bet with you?"

"Because you don't really believe me. You think you can beat me, that you're smarter than I am." Soban shrugged. "Who knows, you might be right." Soban's voice indicated her doubt. "Alright, you've . . ." She halted as Soban held up her hand. "Wait until you hear the bet." Soban thought for moment. "Here's the deal. I'm tired of being at the bottom of the garbage heap. Mizunosama is my ticket out. If you had your way I'd be tossed back out on the street. As long as you're around you're gonna make things hard for me." "Why don't you just kill me?" Rei asked sarcastically. "I'm tryin' to get away from stuff like that." Soban said impatiently. "It'd upset Mizunosama anyway." Rei felt a sudden chill. She hadn't been serious. "What's your beef with me anyway?" Soban asked. "You got money, family, friends. All I want is a little of what you got." "Don't make me laugh." Rei swept a hand around the tastefully appointed office. "This place must be worth millions. And that doesn't count what you must make with your other . . .activities." "You'd be surprised what the overhead is on a place like this. After wages, insurance, bribes an' stuff the take home isn't all that great. An' working for the yazuka hasn't got much job security. Not when you're on the outside like me." She rubbed her temples wearily. "I want more than that."

"More what? Power? Money?" "I want someone to give a damn if I'm alive or dead." Rei blinked in shock. "I want someone to call me on the phone if I'm late. I want someone to sit across the table at dinner. I want . . .family." Rei's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. "And you think Ami . . .that's ridiculous." "Maybe. But I've made a good start. Right now I'm useful to her. Almost like her senpai." Rei snorted and Soban grinned. "Yeah, it is kind of funny. Someone like me senpai to someone like Mizunosama but ----"

"Why do you always call her Misunosama?" "Respect," Soban replied, surprised that Rei would even ask. "She's a real scholar. Not a fake, like a lot of people. She learns 'cause she loves knowledge. An's she's got a good heart. She . . .she's special." Soban's shoulders slumped. "You don't see it, 'cause you're always around her. But she's . . .it's like finding this rare . . ." Soban sighed. "She looks at me like I'm a person." "Ah . . .well I see . . ." Rei fumbled for words, uncomfortable at Sobans self revelation. "I don't want any problems." Soban continued. "I don't want to be butting my head against a stone wall . . .always fighting with you _or_ about you. So . . .let's make a little bet. You win----I leave. No questions. I just go away an' you don't see me any more." "And if you win?" Rei's curiosity was piqued. "Nothin'." She laughed at Rie's look of surprise. "If I win . . .I win, that's all." "What's the bet?" "Good question. First, I don't lie." "Ever?" Rei asked suspiciously. "You work for the yakuza and you don't lie?" "I don't have anything in the world except myself. An' what I've got, I keep. Especially my word." "Alright. You don't lie. What else?" "I won't ever hurt you." "What? What does that mean?" "I won't ever hurt you." Soban repeated. "Or let anyone else hurt you." Again Rei's mouth open and closed silently, like a hooked carp. "Uh . . ." She finally managed. "Thanks, I think." She waited for Soban to continue.

When nothing was forthcoming she took the initiative. "What's next?" "Take off your clothes." Rei blinked. "Excuse me?" "Take off your clothes." "Is this part of the bet?" "Nah. I just like to look at naked school girls." Soban paused, then burst out laughing. "If . . .if you could only have _seen_ your face." She gasped, pointing at the purpling Rei. "You . . .Aaaaaa." Rei threw up her hands in frustration. "OK, you got me. I thought you were serious." "I am." Soban grinned. "Take off your clothes." "I'm warning you----" "Here's the bet. I'm gonna show you what it's like to be a 'pervert'. I bet you're gonna like it." "And if I don't?" "If you don't then you win." "And how do we decide who wins?" Rei asked suspiciously. "_We_ don't. You do."

"Huh?" "If I can't trust a miko, who can I trust? I'll take your word for it." Rei froze in confusion. It couldn't be this easy. All she had to do was say she didn't enjoy being perverted . . .which she didn't she hastily told herself. In fact, all she had to do was take off her clothes . . .not even all of them. Say she didn't like it. Leave. And Soban would be gone. Easy. She started to agree. *What I've got, I keep. Especially my word.* It's not lying. I won't enjoy being a pervert. *my word.* I'm not breaking my word. I don't have to stick my head in an oven to know I won't like it. *I won't ever hurt you.* That's not it. I just don't---- "OK." Rei started rIpping at the button's of her blouse. "It's stupid. But if it'll get rid----" Soban covered her hand with one of her own. Rei was struck at how small and fine boned it was. For some reason she expected it to be larger. "First lesson," Soban said softly. " perversion should be savored like a fine wine; not gulped like cold pizza."

Moving Rei's hands aside she scooted her chair forward until she was between Rei thighs. This put Rei off balance, forcing her to support herself with her hands on the back of Soban's chair. "There are all sorts of perverts." Sobans voice was low and husky. "Tops, bottoms," Rei felt cool air on her legs as her skirt slid down to puddle at her feet. "Bears, masochists," clever fingers undid the top button of her blouse, the next followed, and the next----turning a mundane task into a slow sensuous dance. "Some perversions are private, some public." Rei shivered as her blouse followed her skirt leaving her only in bra, panties, shoes and socks. "Second lesson, are you a top or a bottom?" "Uh . . .I don't know. What's the difference?" "Bottoms are submissive, they react. Tops are dominant they control the scene." "I'm a top." Rei said confidently. "I like to be in charge." Soban stared silently at Rei until she began to fidget uncomfortably. "Ummm. Yes. Definitely in charge. Uhhh, I'm a good organizer, an' I like to plan and organize . . ." "You said that already." "I'm not used to this, alright!" Rei snapped. "Anyway, I'm definitely a . . .tip . . .uh top. Right?" "Would a top lose her clothes?" Rei started, suddenly reminded she was standing around in her underwear.

"HEY! That's not fair. You asked me to . . ." She broke off as Soban put a finger to her lips. "Lesson three, being a top is a state of mind. A top is a top," She grinned suddenly, "Unless she's not." "Aaaaaa. That doesn't make any sense." "It will." Soban gathered up Rei's clothes. Pulling out a drawer in the desk she dropped the garments inside, shut and locked the drawer. "Hey . . .what are you doing? Give those back, right now." "Quitting so soon?" "I . . .no. No I'm not." Pursing her lips Rei tried to look down at Soban. She discovered it was hard to maintain a sense of outrage in your underwear. "Nice undies." Soban ran a finger under the elastic of the black lace bra and let it go with a snap. "Uh . . .thank you." "Silk . . .and matching panties too." Soban rocked back in her chair. "A little . . .daring for a school girl. Who are you wearing these for?"

"WHAT!" Rei was outraged. "I'm NOT wearing . . . there isn't anyone. . .what the hell business is it of yours WHAT I'm wearing." "None of my business," Soban replied mildly. "it's not any of my business at all." Rei opened her mouth, then closed it with a snap as she realized what Soban had said - - -and what she had said. "Now what?" She asked warily. "Let's start with the basics." Reaching into a drawer Soban came out with a coil of rope. Rei eyed Soban as if she were holding a live snake. "What's that for?" "I'm going to tie you up." "The hell you----"

"It's part of the learning experience." Soban interrupted. "Just pretend you're on a field trip to the tofu packing plant." "Yuck. That was the most _boring_ trip in the world." Rei shuddered in remembrance. "Bean curd for breakfast, bean curd ice cream, bead curd cookies . . .I DREAMED about bean curd for weeks." "Well, bondage can be just as boring as bean curd. It all depends on how you approach it." Shaking out the coil of rope Soban stood up. "Let's start with the basics. Hold out your hands." Numbly Rei did as she was asked. "Bondage is a bridge," She looped a double strand of rope around Rei's wrists, drawing her palms together as if she were praying. "It allows you to go to hidden places, to travel farther than you've ever gone before. Drawing the two ends of the rope in opposite directions she brought the ends down, then up and together to form a solid knot. "I'm going to start with some of the simpler kata of nawa shibari. Then we'll try some western style perversions." Soban lectured as dryly as if doing a geometry lesson for cram school. "The contrast will enable you to understand some of the subtleties involved."

Drawing the rope over Rei's head she brought it down, around and under her breasts. Continuing, she made a complete loop around Rei's torso, knotting the rope in the center of her back. Soban dropped the loose end of the rope, letting it tickle the back of Rei's legs for a moment. Taking up the end of the rope she passed it between Rei's legs, drawing it snug against her belly with a knot just below her breasts. "This is a tie for beginners." Soban turned Rei gently to face a full length mirror. "It's easy to do, has some esthetic value and renders the bottom completely helpless, without affecting circulation." Rei stared at her reflection. Her elbows were drawn even with her ears, her hands immobilized between her shoulder blades. Her breast, forced out by her posture, were framed and lifted by the rope. Experimentally she tugged at her wrists and gasped as the rope between her legs tightened. "There are some other . . .benefits." Soban grinned at Rei's blushing face.

"That's . . .that's . . ." "Wonderful?" "Disgusting." Rei snapped. Soban shrugged, pulled at the center knot and the ropes fell away. "I like to use a slip knot." She explained at Rei's astonished expression. "A lot of people use a square knot," She removed the rest of the bindings, "but it can be hard to undo. Especially if your hands are sweaty." Rei's look of genteel disgust brought a snort of laughter from Soban. "I can't explain all of Shichiseki in one afternoon, anymore than you could show all of the kata from karate or kyudo in a day. For instance there's Shinju, which emphasizes the breasts," Rei shivered as Soban ran her hands lightly over and around her breasts. "Momo shibari, Isu-jyo Kohai Shibari, ----" "Wait," Rei interrupted. "Tying the _peach_?" "The buttocks," Soban gently circled Rei's lace covered posterior with her finger. "It's very popular. Would you like-----"

"NO! . . .uh no thanks. Maybe later." "You're probably right. I could spend all day tying you up and not scratch the surface. Better to stick to basics." Soban hummed tunelessly as she considered Rei, rather as an artist looks at a blank canvas. "A major distinction between Japanese and Western bondage is layering." Soban dipped into a cupboard and came out with a fifty foot length of rope. "Part of the experience is from the type of rope. Some people like a rough texture, like hemp, soft silk----even the color and diameter is important. In this case," Soban held up the large coil. "I'm using white 1/4-inch diameter soft nylon rope." Moving so Rei could see her hands Soban ran the rope through her fingers. "OK, start by tying an overhand knot at the midpoint, leaving a small 1 inch loop protruding. This is gonna rest at the back of the neck. Now we tie a series of overhand knots along the rope." She handed one end of the rope to Rei and started her to work. "At a minimum, there should be one knot between the throat and the breasts, one directly between the breasts, one over the belly-button, and one," She grinned at Rei. "lower down. This knot should be larger than the rest for _extra_ sensation." Taking the knotted rope from Rei she dropped the loop over Rei's head, letting the knotted length dangle between her breasts. "I'm going to untie this top knot," She did so, pulling the loop apart. "to make a U shape. This lessens pressure on the neck. It's more comfortable for the bottom and less likely to put pressure on the nerves."

"Uhhh. Thanks?" "You're welcome." Soban ran the dangling strands through her hands. "This is the start of a Karada or body harness, part of a full bondage predicament. I would usually build the rest out of a Shinju, wrist, knee, and ankle restraints, finished with a hog-tie." Rei gulped, wondering what she'd gotten herself into, besides the obvious. "If you don't mind, we'll skip the hog-tie and leg restraints. Too hard on my knees to do all that bending." "Sure, no problem. In fact we can just skip ----" "Next," Soban continued, ignoring Rei. "We'll just run this rope between here . . ." Rei squeaked indignantly as the soft rope slithered between her legs. ". . . and bring it up and around from the back. Lift please." Rei lifted her arms as Soban's arms crossed beneath her breasts, then around to the back. "OK, this makes the first of the characteristic diamond patterns of the Karada."

Soban stepped back, leaving Rei alone with her reflection. A small perfect diamond shape had been formed just below her collar bone and just above and between her breasts. "And now we repeat the procedure, making a series of diamonds. It's important," She continued the lecture, while weaving rope in, out and around. "to make sure the diamonds are placed properly to accentuate the bottoms beauty, restrict her movements,"The rope was cinched tight around Rei's ribs, "without injuring her. That's why these knots in back,"Soban turned Rei a quarter turn. "are off center from the spine." In the mirror Rei could see a row of knots marching down her back, from her shoulders almost to her waist. "To complete the package we just need to . . .shift a little, please," Rei obediently moved. "make this loop here." Rei felt something soft surround her wrists. "Come around like this . . .can you see?" Rei twisted her neck and nodded when she saw her back in the mirror. "Good, now watch this. Remember what I said about layers? I'm using a separate piece of rope here. Almost any tie is useful, but esthetics are important." Deftly Soban brought several loops around Rei's wrists, securing them to the center of the body harness. "Too tight? It's important to ensure good circulation."

"No, it feel's fine." "Good, almost finished now." Soban caught up the free end of the unused part of the body harness and passed the two long ends around the torso in the same direction going over the arms, beneath the breasts, and tucked through midpoint loop. Pulling it tight she wrapped it six more times just under the breasts, then brought the long end up in a long diagonal back, then forward over the arms, just above the bicep, across the chest and above the breasts. Deftly she continued this arrangement until less than a foot of free rope remained and this she tied off at the midpoint loop, tucking the free end under. "And now we're finished. What do you think?" Soban turned Rei to face the mirror. "Ooops. Almost forgot." Soban reached up and popped the front fastener to Rei's brassiere, pulling the garment free. Deftly she stripped Rei's panties down her legs, leaving her completely bare except for the soft white rope.

"HEY! What are you---" "Shhhhh." Soban placed her palm softly against Rei's lips. "Don't talk. Look." Gently she turned Rei back to the mirror. "What the hell am I supposed to----" Rei felt her mouth go dry. The school girl had vanished. In her place was an exotic beauty. The white rope a startling contrast to her golden skin. The soft white diamonds bisected her body, emphasizing her breasts, stomach and feminine center. Shifting slightly she could see the smooth firm muscles of her buttocks, clench and shift, framed by white cord like some living sculpture. In the small of her back her bound hands shifted and twisted like small, captive birds. "Some people like this part best of all." Soban commented softly, not wanting to disturb Rei's voyage of discovery.

"The esthetics of the rope. Other's like gadgets, leather, hand cuffs, hoods. . .all sorts of things. It's the clothing, the equipment. Like dress up, for adults." "Uh . . .dress up. OK." Rei's voice sounded dazed and far away. "Just remember there are two people, the top and bottom. Like yin and yang you can't have one without the other. Some bottoms like submitting to the top. They like to be used for someone else's pleasure. Some like the loss of control. They're submitting to the bondage, not the person and some just like the bondage as an end to itself." "Is. . ." Rei liked dry lips. "Is that all?" "Oh hell no." Soban laughed. "I'm not even scratching the surface of bondage, let alone other fetishes. Let's see. I've mentioned people who like the gear and gadgets. Some people get excited by leather. They don't care about sex, or role playing or stuff. They just like leather. Then some people are after intensity."

"Intensity? What . . .what does that mean?" "I'm glad you asked." Rei didn't like the glint in Soban's eye. "Are you ticklish?" "Aaaaaa."Rei tried to twist away as Soban ran a teasing finger down her side. "S . . s . . stop that. I . . .i . . mmm. I'm not ticklish." "Well, if you were, tying you up would be a way to increase the intensity of the event. If you _were_ ticklish," Soban trailed the back of her hand over Rei's tummy, feeling the way the muscles quivered at the light tough. "I could tickle you for hours, and you wouldn't be able to do anything . . .some people," She pulled a stiff feather from the cupboard and twirled it before the horrified fire-priestess eyes. "love the feeling of helplessness, of loss of control. But," she put away the feather, "obviously you're not that kind of person." Rei shuddered as the horrid thing disappeared from sight. Shuddered in relief, not disappointment she sternly told herself. "What is it with you and tickling?" Rei demanded. "First Ami and now me, well almost me."

"Huh? OH, water polo." Soban remembered suddenly. "Well, I couldn't very well hit Mizunosama." "Why not?" "Hit? Mizunosama?" Soban's mouth dropped open in shock. "HIT! Mizunosama? Are you crazy? That . . .that would be like . . .like . . ." She was at a loss for words. "Well, anyway . . ."She shook her head in disbelief. "Hit Misunosama . . ." She muttered in disbelief. "You didn't have any trouble hitting Makato." "SHE has a hard head." "How about me?" Rei dared her. "Would you hit me?" "Some people are endorphin pigs." Rei blinked at the non- sequitur. "They want intensity . . . _painful_ intensity." She stared at Rei consideringly. "That wouldn't work with you." She pulled Rei down beside her on the chair. "Lets play a little game." "Game? What kind of game?" "You're full of questions for someone in your position." "You said you wouldn't hurt me." "That's right. I did _say_ that." Soban deliberately stressed the word." I wonder why you believed me?" Before Rei could comment she continued. "Pain would just make you stubborn." She raked Rei's bound form with her good eye. "You look just like a princess."

"What?" Rei jerked. "What are you talking about?" She felt flushed, then cold. "Why did you call me a princess?" A sick feeling started in the pit of her stomach. What was going on? "A captured princess." Soban continued. "Strong, stubborn, rebellious. But now, you've been captured. Stripped. Bound. Brought before your queen for . . .judgment." Soban cupped Rei's chin in her hand. "The penalty for treason is death. What should I do with you, my fiery princess? What am I going - - - -" The touch of Soban's hand sent a bolt of fire through her body. She felt her self, her soul, fall away from the flesh and tumble down into the long endless black.

********************************************************

"What am I going to do with you?" The voice was liquid silver, exactly matching the costly gown, thin useless slippers and frivolous court hair style that had taken three women six hours to complete. "Do?" The voice was harsh and insolent. Ret'z na Thul, Princess, priestess and senshi elect made no effort to hide her contempt for the Moon princess. "Why should you have to do anything?" Part of that contempt was the deliberate omission of titles. Not that the Moon Princess had ever insisted on titles. Quite the opposite in fact. Which robbed the insult of a little of it's bite. Ret'z made up for it in other ways. "The penalty for treason is death."

"What are you talking about?" The insolence was gone, replaced by something much more dangerous. "You're not very good at lying." The delicate oval face looked up at the dark, dangerous form beside her. Tiny bells woven into her hair tinkled with the movement. "Are you calling me a liar." The thin lips tightened into a cruel smile. "That is an insult that can only be answered in blood. I insist on satisfaction." "A duel?" A delighted laugh trilled from between perfect lips. "I don't think I would be very satisfied letting you kill me." "Are you a coward?" The sneering voice dripped contempt. "How can you presume to rule even this kingdom of sheep," A hand covered in a heavy gauntlet swept around in a half circle. "Let alone the empire if you lack the courage to defend your reign with your blood." "If you mean am I afraid of letting you stick a sharp pointy thing through me," the princesses voice flowed like warm honey "I certainly am. I mean, just look at us." One pale, fine boned hand came out and lay lightly against a black gauntlet. "You'd crush me like a bug." She paused a moment. "Of course, it's hard to tell with all that armor on. Don't you ever take it off?" "This armor is dedicated to my god. I remove it for ritual cleansing and on certain feast days." "You sleep in it?" The princess was incredulous. "What do you do if you have an itch?" Was this pale, useless little . . .was she making fun of her? "I am a priestess of fire, a warrior of Thul. I am above concerns of the flesh."

"Not me." the princess rebutted cheerfully. "That's the worst thing about court appearances. Once I got an itch right here," She started to indicate the spot, then stopped. "Uh . . .well, it was really, really bad. And I couldn't scratch. I thought I was going to _DIE_." "I spent two days hiding in the poison swamps while leaders of the Black Soul cult hunted me. Blood worms lay eggs under my skin and the larvae ate into my flesh." The priestess of Thul depolarized her armor to show angry red pock marks. "Acid vines and leach rats feasted on every exposed part of my body." More scars came into view. "If I had moved, if I had made the slightest sound . . .the cultists would have found me. And not only my life, but that of my family would have been forfeit." "How old were you?" "What? What does that have to do----" "How old were you? When you were in the swamp." "I had seen three winters." She saw the princess trying to calculate the age conversion. "That would be almost six years by the reckoning of the Moon Kingdom." "I was learning to ride my pony. The most important thing I had to worry about was finishing all of my vegetables so I could have desert." She looked at the larger girl. "Is that why you hate me? Because the Moon Kingdom didn't stop the Black Soul cult from destroying most of your family? Because I was sleeping on clean sheets, eating hot food while you were starving in a swamp as your family died around you."

"I do not hate----" The Moon princess stopped her mouth with a gentle finger against her lips. She smells of sunshine and flowers, Ret'z thought. I wonder what she tastes like. With supreme effort she resisted the temptation to nip the dainty digit. Snarling she knocked the small hand away. "What sorcery is this? What are you trying to do to me?" "Huh?" Came the very un-princess-like reply. "What are you talking about?" "Uh . . .well . . ."Ret'z stammered. She couldn't very well say she was almost overcome with . . .shuddering she forced the images from her mind. "Don't change the subject." She grated, changing the subject. "You accused me of treason, then refused to support your lies with your blood. If you will not face me on the field of honor I demand an apology." "Don't you have any hobbies?" "WHAT! What the . . ." Gritting her teeth Ret'z tried to regain control of her temper. "You're going to give yourself a headache doing that." Gentle fingers traced the tense jaw muscles. "Take off the armor and I'll give you a massage." Ret'z stopped her fingers just before they could unfasten the cuirass. "This armor is dedicated to----" "Yes, I know. Dedicated to your god." The princess sighed. "I can't give you a massage while you're wearing armor." "I. Do. Not. Need. A MASSAGE!" "Yes you do. And a soak in the hot springs."

The Moon Princess tilted her head like an inquisitive sparrow. "You need to get laid." "Gaaaaa." Ret'z choked on her own spit. "WHAAAT! How dare you say something that filthy. I am a priestess of Thul, dedicated to the service of the God. I should kill you for your blasphemy." The storm of angry words flowed around the Moon Princess, leaving her un-ruffled. "Boy or girl? Maybe both?" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should start with that ship load of warriors you have hidden in orbit. I think a nice orgy would relieve a lot of their tensions." "W . . .what ship?" Her angry words vanished. "What are you talking about?" Sighing, the Princess pointed up and to the left. "Just about there.

A Wyvern class assault ship with six hundred warrior monks and nuns." She grimaced. "You've overloaded their life support. It must really smell bad." "I do not know what fantasy you are spinning. If this is an effort to discredit my government . . ." Ret'z let her voice trail off threateningly. "I really don't want you to get into trouble. I mean, I understand why you are so mad." "Understand?" Ret'z's voice was a harsh whisper. "You. Understand. NOTHING!" An armored fist lashed out, catching the princess against the cheek, hurtling her across the garden. "While you were dancing, my people were dying!" She crossed the intervening space in a few strides and stood over the supine princess. "My people bled, and died while the Moon Kingdom talked. We begged," her voice cracked with tears long unshed. "we _begged_ for help. For sanctuary for the children and old ones- - - - and you did NOTHING!" A power gun snapped out of it housing, the targeting beam centered on the princesses chest. "You talked, and talked and TALKED, while my mother and sisters . . .and everyone DIED." A sharp whine filled the air as the power gun overcharged. "And now you and your whole stinking kingdom are going to----"

"NO!" The princess moved----faster than even Ret'z's augmented senses could follow. Reflexively she triggered the power gun. It's overloaded coils disintegrated under the sudden surge. The blossoming fireball should have consumed Ret'z, the princess and the surrounding gardens for sixty meters. Instead it flowed like water toward the glowing, winged figure. As did the bolts of plasma from hidden blast rifles that had targeted Ret'z na Thul. As suddenly as it started, it was over.

"Princess! Are you all right?" Grim faced men and women in the livery of the palace guard rushed forward. Two armored figures smashed Ret'z to the ground, twisting her arms savagely behind her back. "Let her go." The sharp command shocked everyone. "But Highness," The guard captain protested, "she attacked you, tried to kill you. She must----"

"She is mine! My shenshi to call or dismiss, to reward or punish." She pushed forward and helped the dazed Ret'z to her feet. "Mine." She repeated softly, possessively. "As you----" The captain started. The sound of unding feet, moving with inhuman speed interrupted him. Three brilliant figures hurtled over the hedges, forming a defensive circle around the princess, and incidentally Ret'z. Lightning crackled as fat balls of electricity dripped off the giant form of the Senshi of Thunder. Almost directly opposite stood the senshi of the first planet, burned almost black by the terrible rays of the sun. She should have been the senshi of fire. Instead, she was cold. The bitter cold of deepest space. A gentle snow fell around her as oxygen and helium froze and fell out of the atmosphere surrounding her. A golden senshi formed the apex of the triangle of guardians. Brighter than the sun she burned like a blade of living light.

"Ummmm. Hi." The princess waggled her fingers sheepishly. "I bet you're wondering what's going on." "I told you she wasn't to be trusted." The ice senshi thawed slightly as looked at her princess. The thaw was short lived. The ice came back when she noticed the angry bruise covering one side of the princesses face. "I think I'll kill her now." As dispassionately as if she were removing a piece of lint her hands came up and power gathered for the killing stroke.

"Don't." The gently spoken command stopped her angry guardian like a hammer blow. The princess sighed quietly, then turned to the captain of the palace guard. "Take this," She scribbled briefly on a piece of paper which she handed to the captain. " the code phrase will identify you as a friend. Contact a stealthed ship in orbit. Have the crew land at the summer palace. They are to be fed and housed as my personal guests." "What should we do if they are armed?" The captain looked doubtfully at the small scrap of paper. "Show them to the target range." The princess patted the captain on the shoulder. "Don't worry. It's going to be alright. I promise."

Saluting the captain turned and led his squad away at a trot. "Alright," The princess looked around at her senshi and senshi elect. "Hot springs, right now." It wasn't a request. The princess took the dazed Ret'z by the elbow and led her through the topiary maze until they came to a large steaming pool. "Everybody in the water." Suiting words to actions the princess pulled a tab at her shoulder and the gossamer court gown slithered down to pool at her feet. Underwear would have ruined the lines of the gown. Her other senshi were already in the water, eying Ret'z with undisguised hostility. "You can't wear armor in the hot springs."

The princess placed her hands on either side of the black cuirass. "Besides, it's broken anyway." The armor fell away, leaving Ret'z shivering and bewildered. "OK, in the water before you catch cold." Moments later Ret'z found herself up to her chin in the almost scalding water. "I don't understand why you just don't get rid of her." The giant senshi growled. "Watch what you're doing," she golden senshi snapped. "Water conducts electricity."

"What can you expect from a barbarian," the small, dark senshi started. "She has the manner of a galrat and the brains----" "Play nice." The princess chided softly. "Dammit," the lightning senshi forgot her companions. "why HER? She hates you. There are lots of people who would love to be your senshi." "It's because she hates me." The princess replied sadly. She'd gotten bath oils and a cloth from a hidden drawer. As she talked she made smooth lazy circles over Ret'z back. "She IS Thul . . .almost single handed she's restored order, stopped the schismatic wars. She hates me as much as she loves her people. She hates me _because_ she loves her people."

Ret'z was shivering almost uncontrollably, despite the steaming water. "Ra Khan, Tzl Roth, Beryl and Lart'z of Lemuria are all fighting for power on Midguard. Haer'mz," she looked at the senshi of cold. "hasn't paid the royal tax in eight cycles. Urania," the golden senshi stiffened, "has had six kings, four chancellors and two theocratic concordats in the past fifty cycles. That doesn't include the 'local' politics. And Z'ove." The princess smiled fondly at the giant shenshi who blushed under her princesses gaze. "your _merchant_ fleet is about to starve all the _honest_ pirates out of business."

"I can explain, highness." The giant stammered. "It's all a misunderstanding. We didn't know it was YOUR ship. We thought . . ." "I think you'll fit right in." The Moon Princess ignored the giant and turned her attention back to Ret'z. "Fit in? As what! Your pet senshi?" Ret'z said bitterly. "I think you'd look cute wearing a collar and leash. It was a joke." The princess said hastily when Ret's rounded on her in a surge of water. "OK, if you don't want to be a senshi, how about princess?" "You mock me." Her hands clenched and unclenched in rage. Somehow . . .somehow this soft, silly bitch had discovered her plans. She wanted to kill her, would have killed her with her bare hands if she hadn't feared for her companions lives. "Your friends are safe." The princess replied, as if reading her mind. "And so are you. Stay or go. It's your decision." At Ret'z look of disbelief she continued. "The council of electors has the final approval for Queen of the Moon Kingdom. You're a princess of the blood. You have a much right to petition the electors as any other senshi."

"And how long would I live, once I did petition? A week, a day . . .an hour?" The princess pulled Ret'z down for a long, long kiss. Releasing the dazed priestess she grinned at her. "You are soooo cute when you're paranoid." Ret'z open and closed her mouth like a beached fish. "Who in their right mind would _want_ this job?" The princess groused. "I spend thirty five of every thirty eight hours in a fish bowl. Shrine openings, blessing the fields, and if I have to do one more FLOWER festival I'm going to spray the dammed planet with weed killer." The look of disgust on the princesses face forced a bark of laughter from Ret'z. "So if you WANT to be the Moon princess," She pulled a gold circlet from her brow and thrust it at Ret'z. "It's all yours. I'll become a boron miner, or join a 'comfort' battalion. Something easy, where I can express my creativity." "She's joking." The golden senshi added, informatively. "She does that a lot. It's hard to tell sometimes." A darkling look directed at her unrepentant princess drew a sheepish grin. "What are you going to do . . .with me. With my companions?" "Nothing" The princess shrugged, the movement causing an interesting interplay of water and royal girl-flesh.

"You and your friends are free to go. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try to invade the Moon Kingdom. We have enough problems." "That's all?" Ret'z sounded bewildered. "I'd really like you to stay and become my senshi. I need. . .we need you." "And . . .if I petition the electors?" "I'll support you." She ignored the muttered protests from her senshi. "You are a great organizer, a tireless worker and completely incorruptible. You'd make a great queen. You'd burn yourself out and die within a hundred cycles or so. But, while you lasted you'd be magnificent." "Ret'z looked into the clear blue eyes, seeing nothing but honest admiration there. "And if I chose to be a senshi?"

The princess placed her small hands on either side of Ret'z head. Drawing her close, the princess closed her eyes. A silver glow pulsed with a cool heat. "Heart of fire, pure soul . . .be one with me." The silver light enveloped the two girls. Ret'z felt herself swell with power. "Flesh, bone, blood . . .be one with me." The light filled her to bursting, and beyond. Her head fell back as her muscles turned to jelly. Above her the heavens opened up, the great road of lights that marked the galaxy's heart burned like a torch. "Life, death, light, dark . . .be one with me." Screaming with pleasure that was agony . . .crying in terrible joy her body spasmed as the universe filled her and she died. "Forever with me, never apart . . .be one with us."

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"Rei-chan! Rei-chan!" The tiny nagging voice came faintly to her through the darkness. "Dammit, open your eyes!" Open her eyes? She could do that. Once she remembered how they worked. Summoning her strength Rei levered her lids open. And wished she hadn't. "bright." she whispered hoarsely. "REI_CHAN!" "loud." she whimpered.

"SORRY!" Soban whispered. Rei whimpered again. "sorry. is this better?" Soban lowered her voice to butterfly-kiss levels. Dimly Rei saw Soban's hand move, a flash of light and the ropes holding her parted like cobwebs. The sudden loss of their strong, soft embrace left her feeling . . .lost. "What happened?" "That's what I'd like to know." Soban propped Rei up, letting her lean against her side. Unconsciously Rei snuggled into a half embrace. "I started outlining a little role-play," Soban's voice was bitter with self loathing. "You screamed, like you'd been burned, convulsed once and passed out." "How long . . .?" "Just a second or two." Soban took a deep breath. "How are you feeling? Do you know what happened?" "I . . .there was . . ." Rei shook her head as the . . .memories? dream? . . .faded like autumn frost under the morning sun. "I think I'd better call a doctor."

"NO! No doctor." Rei didn't know if a medical exam could show she was a senshi, but she did know she didn't want to find out. "That's not a good----" Soban fell silent at Rei's look. "Alright. But I'm going to tell your grand----" Rei stiffened. "I don't want grandfather worried over nothing." She insisted. "I'm going to tell Mizunosama." Soban said finally, daring Rei to disagree with her. "She can keep an eye on you. And Makato can _carry_ you to the doctor is she thinks you need it." "Why do you have to tell Ami?" Rei complained. "Why don't you just keep an eye out?" "I won't be around." Soban picked up her phone and began to dial. "Remember our bet? I think convulsions and fainting are a pretty good indication that you didn't like----" Rei reached out and pushed down on the button, disconnecting the call. Soban replaced the receiver and looked inquireringly at Rei. "I . . .uh . . .I don't know what happened. But I . . .ummm, that is . . ." Rei stumbled to a halt. Soban reached down, unlocked a drawer and pulled it open. "Get dressed. You won. I lost. You don't have to worry about seeing me again."

"NO!" Rei felt a surge of panic at the thought. "I mean, uh . . .well, we haven't finished yet. You were going to show me some other stuff." "Are you crazy?" Soban snapped. "You know what just happened. Are you stupid? Or just a masochist." "That's what you're supposed to tell me." Rei said daringly. "I. Am. Not. Going. To.----" Rei stopped her. "YOU aren't going to anything. We had a bet. And I refuse to win by default. I don't know what happened. I just know I want to finish this. Win or lose. But I want to finish this fairly." "Geeez." Soban shook her head. "You sure are a stubborn little bitch." "And don't you forget it." Rei said sternly. "Ummm. Could we get started? I'm getting a little chilly." "Let me think about this." Absently Soban drew Rei against her to keep her warm. "I'd feel better about this if I knew what happened to you earlier." She fell silent thinking and Rei fell into a half doze, cuddled against Soban's side." "I think I've got an idea." Rei started, a little grumpy at being roused from her almost nap. "I think you really are a bottom."

"HEY!" Rei started to protest. "You've got to stop thinking that a bottom is bad or that a top is good." "You said that a bottom was submissive," Rei protested. "they react while the top acts. Well, I like to be in charge. I always have. Hey," a sudden thought came to her. "Maybe that's what happened. I'm really a top and you were trying to make me a bottom." "It doesn't work like that." Soban stated. She thought for a moment. "You remember the story of Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi?" Rei wrinkled her brow in thought. The names sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite . . .' "Bo Ya was a zither player," Soban took pity on Rei's apparent ignorance. "some said the finest who ever lived. And Zhong Ziqi was his friend, who understood his music better than anyone in the world. When Bo Ya played a majestic song Zhong Ziqi heard the music as majestic as mount Tai. And when Bo Ya played a slow relaxing tune, Zhong Ziqi felt that it was long and leisurely like the Yangtze and Yellow rivers."

"Ummmm . . . anao . . .what does a Chinese zither player have to do with tying me up naked?" "I haven't finished." "Gomen." Rei hung her head in embarrassment. "One day, Zhong Ziqi became ill and died. After this, Bo Ya never played the zither again. In fact, he went home and cut the strings with a knife. That's why 'broken strings' signify the death of one's closest friend. Understand?" "Not in the least." "I thought you were supposed to be a miko." Soban said disgustedly. "HEY. I'm Shinto, not Zen." Rei defended herself, guiltily remembering all the koan her grandfather had told her over the years. She'd given _him_ that same excuse too. "It means, that every musician needs an audience, every author needs readers and for every top there has to be a matching bottom. Yin and yang. See? Not better or worse." "Oh come on." Rei protested. "You're not trying to equate perversion with Zen are you?" "Perverts are like everybody else. They don't want to be alone. They want someone . . .anyone to be with, to talk to . . .to care."

Soban's tone was bleak. "You get this awful empty feeling in the pit of your stomach, that never goes away. And sometimes, in the middle of the night, you wake up in the darkness. And there's no one with you but the night." Rei was appalled at Soban's tone. She reached a tentative hand and placed it lightly over Soban's scarred one, covering it completely. "And you'll do anything to fill that empty space,"Soban continued." . . .to make the darkness go away. Even for just a while." "But . . .that's them," Rei protested, almost desperately. "Not you. I mean, you've got lots of friends, right? There's all the people here, and at school and your . . .ummm . . .other activities. Right?" "I've never been the friendly type. For some reason people never seemed to warm up to me." She smiled sardonically, the movement making the scar that bisected her face stand out in relief. "At any rate," She continued after a pause. "I was explaining the Zen of perversion. See, loss of control means increased freedom." At Rei's blank look she went on. "Remember Benjiro? The surgeon?" A picture of a stocky man in a diaper and pink bonnet flashed before Rei's mind's eye. " Ben-chan spends all week making life and death decisions. He's in charge. He makes all the decisions, takes all the responsibility. That's a lot of pressure. Some people take pills, some drink, beat their wives. Some take a short walk off a tall bridge. Ben-chan, he's got a different way to cope. Come the weekend, he takes off his pants and puts on a diaper. For two or three days he doesn't have to make any decisions. Can't make any decisions. He's a baby again." Soban glanced at Rei and noted her pinched, disapproving look. "It works for him. He doesn't have to dive into a bottle or off a bridge. And if he's gonna' be elbow deep in _MY_ chest, I want him as relaxed and fresh as possible."

"Well, "Rei began doubtfully. "Surely there are better ways. Maybe psychoanalysis or ----" "He's not crazy, just stressed. And lonely." "His wife . . ." Rei began. "She's got her own problems. A family to care for, a house to run. Why should she have to handle this too?" "Rei was silent for a few moments. "So, you're saying that perversion is a kind of psychoanalysis?" Soban sighed. "I'm saying that . . .oh the hell with it." She sounded tired. "Just get dressed and leave. I'll tell Mizunosama that I've transferred to another school. You'll never have to see me again." Rei sat stunned for a moment. "Oh no you don't." She sprang to her feet and glared down at Soban. "We're going to finish this thing. You're not going to just walk away with no explanation. And without explaining why you think I'm a bot . . .that I'm like that." "Look, just forget it. It was a bad idea. I thought I could . . .but it's like explaining color to a blind man." "Just try. Start with why you think I'm a . . .not a top." "You're like Ben-chan. All the time you're in charge. If there's a problem you solve it. Everyone come to you to arrange things, to get things done. So . . .if you're tied up you _can't_ make any decisions. People have to go somewhere else for help. And _you_ are free to be yourself."

"All right, prove it." Rei bent over, shoving her face in Soban's. "Show me how I can be _free_" She challenged. "Would you mind not pointing those things at me? You could put an eye out." "Huh?" Rei was bewildered for a moment. Then she noticed that with her standing and Soban sitting, that put her just about eye level with Rei's . . . "Eeeeep." Blushing she crossed her arms across her chest. "Ummm. Well, anyway I want you to show me everything . . .errr , everything about perversion . . .DAMMIT." Rei shouted, flustered. "You know what I mean."

"This is ridiculous." Soban started to turn away. Rei stamped her foot, giving visual proof of wave theory that would have brought tears to Isaac Newton's eyes. "Listen, you're not gonna' get away with thinking I'm a coward. We're going to finish this, fairly. Now . . .get on with it." Rei held out her hands, as if to be bound. "You are a very strange girl." Soban put her face in her hands and mumbled something about Rei having been dropped on her head as a child. Repeatedly. "I'm strange?" Rei protested. And it had only been that one time she thought. And the doctor said she'd made a full recovery. "What about _YOU_? Anyway, let's get on with it." "OK, but if you even hiccough you'll be in the Seibo Byoin so fast your hibakama will turn white."Soban paused, raking Rei with her eye. "If you were wearing hibakama, that is." Grinning she watched Rei turn the same color as her sacred fire. Before the priestess could spontaneously combust Soban pushed her into the swivel chair while she rummaged in the cupboard. "This time well try a little western style." "Ummm, Indian and cowboy?" Rei said a little doubtfully. "Hey, can I be Crinteu Eastuwoud? He's really cute." "No," Soban grinned, holding out a complex arrangement of leather and metal. "But you can be his horse." "Eeeeep."

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Rei shivered in front of the mirror. Materially her present _outfit_ contained substantially more material than her school uniform. It was the _distribution_ . . .Twisting slightly she could see where the black leather straps were joined in the center of her back by a red-gold ring. High, patent leather boots rose to just cover her thighs. Fingerless mittens of similar material encased her hands and arms past her elbows. Tiny red-gold chains looped under her breasts like a water fall of metal, gently brushing the tender flesh. The rest of her body was bare as a new-born and the costume left her feeling more vulnerable than if she'd been completely nude. "Wheeeeeennn." Forced past the soft leather bit, her question was transformed into a sound very like a horse. "Easy girl. Easy." The soft, crooning voice exactly matched the long, leisurely brush strokes. "Just let me get the tangles out of your mane." Rei shivered as the brush slipped out of her hair and ran lightly down the curve of her buttocks and across the back of her thighs until it met the boot top. Over and over this action was repeated, alternately soothing and stimulating. Rei wondered if ponies were supposed to purr. "Now then, let's just adjust your halter . . .There. All ready to meet the public."

"Neeeeeeee!?" Rei jerked back in surprise. It was one thing to do this in private. There was no way she was going out in public dressed like this. "It's all right Ippin-pi." Soban kneaded steel tight shoulder muscles. "This will make you feel better." She pulled a small jar from the cupboard and scooped some of the contents into her hands. Rubbing it between her palms to warm the mixture she began to work the cream over Rei's shoulders and breasts. Rei inhaled sharply at the intimate touch, her head filling with the heady aromas of ambergris, night queen and other, unidentifiable odors. "There's nothing to be afraid of Ippin-pi." Rei relaxed slightly under Soban's soothing touch. "There are three kinds of ponies; saddle ponies, cart ponies and strong, beautiful show ponies like you." Rei felt her muscles turn to jelly. "Everyone loves show ponies." The brush moved in long gentle strokes through Rei's hair. "Everyone's going to pamper and pet you and feed you so many treats you'll get fat as a blimp."

"Nnnnneeeeeeeeee." Rei protested. "A very cute blimp." Soban grinned and adjusted the chains that held Rei's upper arms against her side. "Now, you're ready to go." Jerking back, Rei shook her head _emphatically_ no; setting the large red plum on her forehead strap dancing. She caught the movement in the mirror from the corner of her eye and whirled, startled. The long silk tail, dyed to match her own hair, swung wide at the movement, feeling like a soft caress. Surprised at the unexpected touch she whirled, like a dog chasing it's tail, trying to find the source of the gentle tickle. A musical clip-clop sound diverted her attention. Freezing, trying to locate the sound, she heard only silence. She tried to ask Soban what was making the noise, but the leather bit acted as a gag. Futilely she pawed at her face, frustrated by the leather and chains. "Whoa, Ippin-pi. It's alright. It's OK." Furious at Soban's soothing tone and the stupid 'pet' name she'd been given, Rei spun around, accidentally catching Soban on the temple with her forearm. There was a meaty thud and Soban dropped like a stone.

"WHIIIIIII!" The shrill cry burst past the leather bit gagging her mouth and she bent to help Soban up, only to be reminded that ponies don't have opposable thumbs. Soban picked herself up from the floor moments later to find Rei scrabbling at the phone with her "hooves". "Ippin-pi . . .Ippin-pi." Soban dragged herself up painfully and grabbed the loose bridle rope. "Just calm down. Calm down." Rei didn't want to calm down. She was ashamed at how she'd lost control and frightened at how helpless she was. She'd lost her voice and her hands. She couldn't even open the door to get out of the room on her own. Soban had told her this was an experiment in trust. That she would have to learn to communicate with her eyes and body language. Rei didn't want to play anymore. She just wanted to go home. Her eyes began to burn with tears of anger, humiliation and a host of emotions she couldn't begin to name. She tried to wipe them away and again her arms jarred to a halt. She bit back a scream of frustration, knowing the gagging bit would turn it into an animal sound. A hand gently wiped the tears from her eyes. Angrily she jerked her head away, resentful of the attempt to comfort her. Instead of fighting her, small hands began to rub her ears. Again she jerked away and again the gentle hands began to stroke the sensitive pressure points. She could have fought a harsh voice, could have resisted hurting hands. She hand no defense against those clever soothing fingers. Against her will she felt her anger and humiliation drain away, leaving her tired and empty.

"I'm sorry, Ippin-pi." Rei snorted, and was amused at how much she sounded like a horse. Ippin-pi, what a stupid, silly name. Something a doting mother would call her only baby. 'Rare-beauty' indeed. She snorted again. Ippin-pi, as if she really were a pet or a lov----her mind shied away from _that_ strange thought. I'm sorry," Soban's husky voice soothed. "It's my fault. I went too fast." Gentle hands adjusted her halter. "Let's walk around a little, so you can get used to your tack." Rei fully intended to refuse to play this silly game anymore, but somehow found herself on her feet, Soban holding "her" leading string in one hand.

Grumbling under her breath she took a few steps, clumsy in her heavy boots. Again there was a musical clip-clop sound. This time she didn't panic or get angry. Instead she listened as she walked. Clip-clop-clip-clop-clip . . .she stopped, and the sound stopped. Puzzled she looked down at her feet, taking a single step. Clip. She took another step. Clop. Carefully balancing, she accepted Soban's support without resentment, as she lifted one foot to examine the bottom of her boot. A horse shoe? A _horse shoe_! She turned and glared at Soban who grinned back at her. She was wearing _horse shoes_! Peevishly she stamped at Soban's toes, just missing them as Soban lurched out of the way. She was briefly satisfied at the speed with which Soban jumped, and the ringing thud as her 'hoof' hit the ground. She tried again, and missed again. Almost immediately she was chasing Soban around the room, lunging and stamping, trying to catch Soban's toes under one of her heavy "hooves". It wasn't long before she forgot why she was chasing Soban and just enjoyed the clipity-clop sound as she chased Soban around the room, frisking and playing as if she really were a pony.

"O . . .OK," Soban gasped, hiding behind a chair. "I give up. You . . .u win." Rei grinned to herself until she noticed Soban was really limping and remembered her scarred legs. "It's alright," Soban assured her, reading her mind. "I had fun, and so did you." Rei was astonished to realize Soban was right. It had been fun. She started only slightly as Soban wiped her down with a damp cloth. "Let's go show you off now." Soban picked up her leading string. Rei felt a brief impulse to resist, then, with a jaunty toss of her plumed head, moved up beside Soban and the two headed out the door.

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Hino Rei had spent her formative years shuttling between private Catholic all girl schools and a very traditional Shinto shrine with occasional flying visits from her very upwardly mobile parents. Acting as a self appointed(if not officially recognized) leader of a group of magical girls fighting to preserve Honor, Purity and the Japanese way had served to add steel reinforcing rods to the concrete of her personality. And now, in the space of one afternoon, Soban had drilled holes in that concrete, planted charges and detonated a shot sufficient to orbit Tokyo Big Dome. Which was why she was standing in the doorway of an underground-bar remembering just why she always hated those dreams about being in public without her pants. Of course none of those dreams had included leather. Or an audience that resembled some of her meditation dreams after a stronger than usual dose of the sacred taima. "OH! How absolutely _DEVINE_."

Rei stiffened at the sound. She'd only heard that voice once before. But she would never forget---- "Kei." Soban greeted her friend. "How was dinner?" "Lovely, as always. The ginger lamb just melted in your mouth." "Glad you liked it. What do you think of my pony?" Kei looked her up and down and Rei was astonished to see nothing but honest admiration in his eyes. "She's _gorgeous_. What's her name?" "Ippin-pi." Rei cringed a little at the syrupy-sweet name. Kei however seemed to love it. "That's sooooo precious." Kei walked around Rei, examining her as if she were prize filly. "That skin is so perfect, like silk. And her mane is so thick and lovely. You simply _MUST_ enter her in the pony trials. I'm sure she could win the harness race." Rei's eyes were beginning to show a little more of the whites. "No, she's strictly a show pony." For some reason Rei felt a stab of resentment at that classification and voiced her opinion with a little snort of protest. "I don't think she agrees." Kei said, looking over at Soban. "If you're not going to race her, are you going to show her?" "I don't believe so," Soban replied. "She's still a little skittish."

"Hey, Soban. Nice filly." A tall muscular man dressed in green and blue silk approached the small group. "What's a stiff like you doing with such a beauty?" "Hello Basho," Soban replied mildly. "something I can do for you?" "No, just thought I'd come check out the new filly." He reached for Rei, then jumped back as a heavy boot just missed his toes.

"SHIT!" He glared at Rei, then Soban. "You need to teach your pony better manners." "I think her manners are just fine." Soban's tone was cool. Her eyes were not. A wise man would have noted this. Basho was not wise. "I've always found that a little discipline goes a long way." Basho retorted. "Hey, Basho." Kei interrupted. "Haven't seen you in a while. Why don't you come get a beer with me an' we'll talk? "In a minute." Basho looked at Rei in a way that made her want to take a bath. "If you don't show a pony who's boss right away, she'll get spoiled." "Well, everybody's got different ways of doing things." Kei said. "That's why this is such a great place. Everybody minds their own business."

"Well, seein' as how Soban's never had a pony before I think she'd like a few pointers from an expert." He pulled a thin leather quirt from his belt and swished it through the air. "Just a few strokes across her flanks when she acts up - - -"

Strangely Rei wasn't afraid in the least. Not with Soban close by. She was just wondering if Basho's head would go crunch or squish when she kicked it off his shoulders with her clip-clop boots. "Basho." It was said softly, almost a whisper. Just that name and nothing more. Soban didn't move but everything seemed to get very still and quiet. Rei watched, fascinated, as all the blood drained out of the big man's face, leaving him parchment pale. "S . . .s . . ." Basho's throat closed up. He licked suddenly dry lips and tried again. "Soban . . .I was just joking. Just . . ." He looked at the quirt in his hand and dropped it as if were red hot. Soban stood, just looking at Basho for a few more moments. A dark stain covered the front of his trousers and an acrid smell filled the air. A small whimper broke past his trembling lips to disturb the silence. "I think you've had to much to drink." Soban said finally. "That can be dangerous. I know of a case where a man broke his neck falling down the stairs. Twice. The first time didn't quite finish him." Basho whimpered again, then turned and scuttled away bumping into several table on his way out.

"Idiot," Soban said mildly before turning back to Rei and Kei. "I've got to go make sure he gets out of here without causing more trouble." She winced at the sound of crashing dishes. Looking toward the sound they could see where Basho had run into a desert cart. "And clean up after him." She thought for a moment. "Kei, could you . . .?" Kei nodded immediately. "Ippn-pi, would you mind going with Kei? Just for a few minutes. I'll be right back, I promise." Rei didn't want to go. This was hard enough with Soban. But . . .She tossed her head, causing the arched red plume to bob gaily. "Good girl. I appreciate it." She ruffled Rei's hair affectionately and handed the leading string to Kei. "She's a little skittish but very intelligent. Just let her know what you want and move slowly." "Gotcha." Kei nodded vigorously as he accepted the lead. They watched Soban disappear after Basho.

"OK . . .uhhh Ippin." At least he wasn't using Ippin-pi. His thoughtfulness made Rei feel a little better about the whole thing. "I'm sorry about Basho. People are usually more polite here." He bowed low. "Please forgive us." Rei returned the bow automatically, a move that set her plume dancing. "And please forgive me." Kei sounded honestly contrite. "Earlier . . .I should have known you were new here. I was rude. Please forgive me also." Kei bowed again. "Why don't you come with me." He pointed to a corner table where three people were sitting. "You can wait with my friends until Soban gets back. They slowly wove their way among the other tables, Kei keeping her on a light rein. He stayed close by her side and talked constantly in a low, soothing voice. Just as if she were a wild animal.

Around her Rei could see diners glancing up from their meals as they passed. Some did more than glance. Some frankly stared, men, women and more than a few who's genders were a little fuzzy. As Rei sorted out individual comments from the background chatter she was at first embarrassed by the many earthy and frankly sexual comments. As the two wound their way slowly among the tables Rei gradually realized that all of the comments were admiring of her and envious of Soban. Unconsciously she drew herself up a little straighter. To one diner she gave a haughty little toss of her plumed head. Another was honored with a playful little trot. These displays were rewarded with good natured cat-calls and several suggestions that Rei didn't fully understand. By the time she reached their destination she was flushed with excitement and Kei was dripping with sweat from his efforts to control a suddenly frisky young pony. He was, he thought, getting to old for this sort of thing. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Soban's pony Ippin. Ippin, these are my friends." Kei moved Rei into the corner, out of the way of other people trying to walk. "This is my _friend_ Toukou." An insanely beautiful young man with soft brown hair hanging past his shoulders stood and made a graceful bow. "Beautiful creature, I am so very sorry you've had to put up with this horrid old fart" There was a twinkle in his eye as he indicated Kei with a languid wave of his hand. "Fortunately you are now among civilized people." "Old fart?" Kei questioned indignantly. "Hmmmph. You're just jealous because you don't have MY fashion sense." Light flashed off the rings on his fingers as he indicated his print silk dress and blouse.

"Puleeeez," Toukou dismissed. "That is SO last decade." He grinned and twirled in a circle causing his low cut gown to flair. "Now THIS is the latest from London." "Toukou, you're frightening the poor little pony." He turned to Rei who was staring, bewildered at the byplay. "Please ignore my fashion impaired friend." Kei stage whispered. "And these are two old friends. Well, THEY aren't old," Rei was beginning to realize that Kei was just a little tipsy. "but their friendships is." This is Hanmaa." Kei pointed at an athletic young man with short, almost blue black hair. For a startled instant Rei thought it was Ami, in disguise. Almost immediately she realized that it wasn't. Ami had never held herself with that confident self assurance that only the trained athlete can have. Nor would she have ever worn tight leather pants, high boots and leather jacket. All dyed a brilliant scarlet. Beneath the carelessly open jacket Rei could see a yellow silk shirt covered with . . .kitties? The tough looking young man stared unsmiling at Rei for a second, then broke into a huge grin that was startling in it's warmth and winked at her. "And this charming young lady is Kawaikune."

Rei did a double take at that. She was beginning to get used to names like whip, surrender and hammer. But uncute? And this girl wasn't just not uncute. She was adorable. From the top of her shyly lowered head to the bottoms of her dainty feet she was a froth of lace and gossamer that epitomized the ultimate in sweet femininity. The babies breath woven into the heavy tresses were a nice touch. Rei wondered if that fiery red hair were real or dyed. "Kawaikune," Hanmaaa barked. "Ippin looks tired. Do something about it." "Yes sir." Came the shy reply. Rei's mind was torn by conflicting thoughts. What was this sweet little girl doing with this awful bully? She'd talk to Soban, maybe she could do something for her. And what did . . .Hanmaa? expect this little girl to do . . .she gasped as surprisingly strong fingers pressed into her back and just under her breasts in a complex sequence. "Sorry 'bout this." A shy voice muttered. Rei gasped again. It felt like she was being being plunged under an icy water fall. She hadn't even realized how tired she was until she felt all her aches and pains washed away, leaving her ready to run a marathon.

"She's pretty good, for a _girl_." Hanmaa's voice was lazily insulting. Rei's head came up, eye's flashing with anger at the boy's chauvinism. The anger was replaced by bewilderment as she saw the little red head snuggle against the bully who in turn pulled her into a warmly possessive embrace. Before she could begin to sort out this new information they were interrupted. "Hello faggot." Kei stiffened, like a rabbit who sees a snake. Four snakes, Rei thought seeing the group of men in suits. They were a jarring intrusion and Rei realized how much she'd acclimated to this strange place. "Hello Gekkosan." Kei's voice was carefully respectful. Rei hated the way he seemed to shrink inside himself. Like a color photograph left too long in the hot sun. "Genkosan. Gen-ko-san." The words were drawled. "Respectful. I like that. But not respectful enough." He held out one meaty hand. "I don't have it with me." Kei's voice was overly controlled. "I wasn't expecting to see you today." Genko raked the small group, a look of disgust on his face. Rei noticed how much like a carp he looked. Sagging fleshy face, empty black eyes. "Don't' back talk, faggot." He casually back handed Kei, sending him staggering into the wall. "You and your _friend_" he sneered the word. "wouldn't want to come to the attention of the ministry of health, now would you?" Kei and Toukou both went grey at the threat. "You sick little perverts are still mentally ill deviants under the law. How long you think you'd keep you cushy little jobs if any one knew what sick bastards you are?" "I'll pay." Kei said desperately. "You know I will. I just wasn't expecting you . . ." "Double." Genko rapped. "For inconveniencing me."

"Double," Kei gasped. "But . . .but I can't . . ." his shoulders slumped. "Double." He agreed dully. "What about you two." He glared at the Hanmaa and his girlfriend. "Who are you?" "No one, sir." The boy replied quietly. "Just students." "Yeah? Are you perverts too?" He slapped the boy, lightly. Insultingly. The boy remained impassive under the assault. Rei gasped to herself as she saw the girls head come up suddenly. The little red heads eyes blazed with a killing hatred that calmed, slightly, when the boy squeezed her leg under the table. "No sir. We're just students. We just came in for a beer." Genko was about to question them further when he was distracted by Rei's restless movement. "What the hell is this? Another pervert huh?" He moved heavily toward her. Kei moved to block him. "Move, faggot. Or have you forgotten who your betters are?" Kei looked as if he would protest when Rei took the decision out of his hands. She was tired of this fat . . .she couldn't think of the right word. A Catholic girls school education had it's limitations. Pushing past Kei she started defiantly as Genko.

"Heh." A nasty smile spread over his face like a fungus. "Sweet." A moist hand went to cover one breast. Rei's right hand shot out with a metallic pinging sound. She hadn't realized that her leather encased hands were also shod with metal until her fist impacted with Genko's face. He dropped like a stone in a fountain of blood from his ruined nose. She caught movement from the corner of her eye and shifted to meet this new threat. She needn't have bothered. Genko's friends had been moving to his rescue. _Had_ being the proper and past tense. As Rei watched she saw where Hanmaa had gotten his name. One short, solid punch folded one of Genko's friends in two like a cheap fan, lifting him a good meter off the floor before dropping him like a used tissue. The other two men were moving toward the tiny red head. Hanmaa was fast, Rei knew. But no one was fast enough to save the little girl. Rei amended that thought moments later. One person was fast enough. She never actually saw her move, Rei realized later. There was just a poof of lace, as that ridiculous frilly dress puffed up as if from a blast of air. And one man fell like a broken doll, his arms and legs twisted at odd angles. The other man actually managed to lay his hands on the girl. She smiled at him. It was not a nice smile. And then he lay down quite suddenly. His body turned slightly as it bounced and Rei could see the side of his face was bright red as if he'd been slapped hundreds of times.

"HEY!" Hanmaa yelled, stomping toward his girl friend. "What do you think you're doing? I could have handled this." "Ha!" The red head snapped, her voice no longer quite so demure. "A clumsy tomboy like you? What do you - - -" "Clumsy? CLUMSY!" Hanmaa's voice rose alarmingly in pitch. "Why you baka----" The two broke off their argument abruptly as they realized all eyes were on them. The little girl put one hand behind her head with an embarrassed laugh while Hanmaa twiddled his fingers nervously. Unnoticed Genko had regained his feet. Shaking his head like a wounded bear, and just as dangerous, he reached for Rei with a growl of rage - - -and promptly levitated in a short arc that brought him slamming to the floor with enough force to shake the building. Stirring feebly he was helped to his feet, and off them to slam back into the floor. He'd hit the floor a third time . . .Rei was positive she heard something break . . . before anyone realized that Soban had returned. As Genko rose into the air a fourth time Rei could see the muscles in her back and shoulders bunch. Soban had enormous upper body strength, probably Rei realized, to compensate for her crippled legs.

"Police----freeze!" Rei's head jerked around to see a fifth man in a suit. He had a pistol out and pointed at Soban. "Assaulting a police officer Soban? That's a violation of your parole. You're going back inside. And this time you're never coming out." Rei had mere moments to assimilate the thought that the four men in suits had been police officers. Police officers extorting money. That thought was shoved aside by the sight of a fifth officer pointing a gun at Soban. Genko hit the ground with a thud as Soban dropped him. No one really noticed, their horrified attention on the gun.

The policeman moved and Soban shifted. To stay between her and the gun, Rei suddenly realized. On the heels of that realization came another - - - Soban was growling. A harsh rumbling sound that couldn't possibly issue from a human throat. "Shut up," The pistol shook as the policeman wished for a bigger gun. "Shut up. Shut up or I'll shoot you." Shut up. Rei agreed. Just calm down. She wondered if she dare move, if she could just get close to Soban. Calm her down. Somehow she knew Soban was doing this to protect her. *I won't let anyone hurt you* Dammit. Rei could sense the tensions building. On the periphery Hanmaa and his surprising girl friend shifted slightly to get into a better position. All of Rei's attention was on Soban, willing her to calm down. To, for Kami's sake, show a little sense. Even as she prayed she knew it was too late. Soban's muscled bunched for a last suicidal charge. The policeman's finger tightened on the trigger.

"Hey,"The sudden interruption brought a gasp from the diners. "If I can't kill anyone, neither can you." The policeman had time for one astonished look as his pistol was plucked from his hand. Angel. Rei gaped in amazement at the tall, dark beauty. "I've been watching kareoke," She said sourly. "And drinking beer. I'm out of beer." She pinched the pistol between her fingers, reducing it to a small crumpled mass. The policeman's eye's rolled up in his head, helped along by a jolt of lightning from Angel's fingers. "Geeez. What a wimp." She dropped the policeman with a thud and wiped her hands on her trousers. "Hey, how about a cold one over here?" "See,"The red head told her boyfriend. "Didn't I tell you you'd have a great time for your birthday?" "Next time," The boy put some bills on the table to pay for the meal. "just buy me a puppy." "How 'bout a piggy?" The girl said in sly tones.

"Owwww!"

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"Now don't worry," Kei tugged at one of Rei's heavy boots. "Soban will be back soon. She just had to take care of a few things." Rei braced her other foot against the desk in Soban's office to keep from being pulled out of the chair. "Weeeerrrrr?" "Oooops. Sorry." Toukou fumbled with the straps holding her bridle in place. "Better?" "Uhhh." It felt strange, almost unnatural not to have the bit in place. "Yes . . .yes. Thank you." "Feels strange, doesn't it?" Kei said sympathetically. "NO . . .um . . .yes, it does." Rei replied in subdued tones. She flinched as Toukou went to remove her gloves. "It's alright," Kei assured her. "Soban told us to do it. Remember?" "Boy, this is going to take time to fix." Toukou held up a glove and the broken chains attached to it. Kei shook his head. "I told her that twenty four carat gold was too soft." "Gold." Rei said faintly. "Yeah." Kei tugged at the buckle that fastened Rei's body harness. Pulling it free he jingled the chains. "All of it, buckles, chains, connectors. Even the shoes," He toed one of the boots. "It looks nice, but it's impractical." "Gold?" "Too soft. But then I think the chains were more symbolic than- ---

"GOLD!!!" Rei screeched. "Why yes." Kei seemed surprised by Rei's reaction. "Soban had this custom made weeks ago." "Custom made?" Rei was beyond shock. "Didn't you know?" Kei held up the bridle and showed her a small plate affixed to the soft leather. "Are those . . ." Rei slowly traced her name. "Rubies. Yep. She insisted the whole thing be done only in black and red. It was a rush order too." "How much . . .?" Rei asked faintly. "How much did it cost?" "Oh, well . . .ummm." Kei looked acutely embarrassed. Toukou came to his rescue. "Soban didn't show us the receipt. But considering that this is made from glove leather and sized to fit only you . . ."

Distantly Rei wondered how Soban knew her size. " . . . the current price of gold and figuring in the gemstones . . ." Toukou's lips moved as he calculated. "I'd say this very fetching ensemble would run between nine and eleven million Yen." "Gaaaaa." Rei tried to un-swallow her tongue. "Eleven m . . .m . .million!!!" "Somewhere in that neighborhood." That was a very _nice_ neighborhood. Suddenly Rei thought of something. "Wait a minute. If Soban has that kind of money . . .she could go to any private school in the country. What's she doing----" "Soban is a minor. _Legally_ she can't control money or property. She's fine as long as she maintains a low profile. And then . . . where else can she go," Toukou paused, obviously searching for the right words. " . . .the way she is." Rei's lips tightened angrily at Toukou's words. "Money can't make people talk to you, or look at you without flinching. She's accepted here," Toukou continued. "And she has friends . . .now." He looked directly at her. "I'm glad she has you and the other girls. She's been alone for a long time." "Other girls?" Kei and Toukou looked at each other.

At some unspoken signal Toukou reached into a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper. On it were photographs of Makato, Minako, Ami and . . .Rei. "Wha . . .?" Rei took the paper gingerly between two fingers, as if it were a snake that might bite her. "Why . . .?" "Soban gave copies of this to everyone at the Island and . . ."

"Wait . . .wait . . .Island?" "Island of Misfit Toys. Didn't you know?" "Ummm, errr . . .that is," Rei stammered, unable to think of an answer. "Anyway, what does that have to do with our pictures?" "Soban made it clear that if any of you," Kei tapped the paper. "showed up here and the only table open had been reserved by God---- God was going to go hungry."

"Oh . . .ah . . .well then . . ." "The word on the street is" Toukou grinned. " is that the four of you rank just slightly below Kami-sami and are to be treated as exceedingly delicate and rare princesses at all times." "Ahhh, well . . .that's ummmm . . .nice?" Rei had finished dressing in her school uniform while she was talking. "Ahhhh . . .where is Soban anyway?" "Oh," It was Kei's turn to look uncomfortable. "She had some . . .uh . . .business to take care of upstairs. She'll be back in a little while." "Business? Not those policemen?" Rei had visions of Soban dumping bodies down a storm drain. And while Genko and his _friends_ were poor specimens of humanity she still didn't want-----

"Police . . .? OH! No, no, nothing like that. Soban called a . . .uh . . .friend," "Yakuza." Toukou put in helpfully. "A _friend_," Kei stressed. "who will _talk_ to them about what they did. I don't think well have any more trouble." "Soban was pissed that we hadn't talked to her about this before. It's only natural that policemen should make a little extra on the side . . .but Genko was way out of line." "Oh . . .was he?" Rei's knowledge of the world was increasing by leaps and bounds. "If she's not taking care of that, then where is she?" "I really don't think----" What Kei did or didn't think was destined to remain forever unknown as the door opened and a small grey haired woman wearing a dark green kimono entered the room. "OH! I'm sorry I didn't know anyone was in here." She bowed once. "Please forgive me." As quickly at that she was gone. "Who was that?" Rei looked at Kei and Toukou. "Does she have something to do with where Soban is?"

Their expressions answered her question. Without a word Rei was out of the chair and out the door. "We've got to stop her!" Kei's forward lunge was halted by Toukou. "What are you doing?" Kei shook off Toukou's hand. "What are _you_ doing?" "I'm going to stop her." "How?" Kei looked startled. "Ummm, well I'll just . . .then I'll . . .uhhh." "I think we should let Soban handle this." Toukou tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What say we go rent a video?" "Okrahoumaa?" Kei said hopefully. "You know, watching musicals is _very_ stereotypical."Kei gave him his best 'sad-puppy-dog' face. Toukou shuddered, knowing he couldn't fight the _look_. He still hadn't gotten that _song_ out of his head from the last time. Shutting off the lights he followed his partner out the door. *The corn is high as erephants eye . . .*

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The corridor was empty by the time Rei made it out of the office. Glancing up and down the corridor she saw a door swinging shut. Moving quickly she caught the self-locking door before it closed. Opening it gingerly, she was beginning to get a little wary of opening doors around this place, she was relieved to find a prosaic set of stairs. Pattering quietly up the stairs she halted at the top, stunned to find herself apparently a century back in time. "It's amazing, isn't it? It looks just like a daimyou's residence." Turning, Rei found herself confronting the elderly woman she'd been following. Blushing, she quickly bowed. "Gomen, I am very sorry to intrude. I was just . . ." Her voice trailed off in confusion. What could she say? 'I was just following you because I want to know what the hell is going on?' Her confusion was evident on her face and the woman took pity on her. "My name is Baba Jun." She bowed. "And you must be Hino Reisan." "Ummm. Yes. I am Hino Rei. How did you know . . .?" She stopped, remembering the sheet with her picture. "Oh." "Soban has talked about you so much. I feel I already know you." Baba Jun gave Rei a warm grandmotherly smile. "She has?" This was just getting stranger and stranger. "Ummm. Gomen, but are you . . .that is . . ." Again she fumbled to a stop. Curiosity had led her into vulgar curiosity. And now she didn't know how to extricate herself without making things worse.

"Please," A tiny wrinkled hand lay itself across Rei's own. "don't stand on ceremony. We get so few visitors. And as a friend of Soban's I feel as if you are family." She paused, suddenly looking sad. "Please forgive an old woman's presumption. Of course a young girl like you may not want----"

"No, no." Rei hastily assured Baba Jun. "I thank you. It is very generous of you to forgive my rudeness." "Would you like some tea?" "Oh, uh . . .yes. Thank you." Rei paused a moment. "Are you related to Soban?" Baba Jun's face lit up with a smile that transformed her. "Oh, my dear. Thank you so much for the complement. No, I'm not a relative. I wish I were. I did help raise her though." Rei blinked in surprise as she absorbed that tidbit. Suddenly she remembered something Minako had told them, about Soban's ubringing. It Baba Jun helped raise Soban . . .that meant that she was----" "Yes, dear." Merry brown eyes twinkled up at her. "I'm a whore. Retired."

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" . . .then she said 'please Baba, can I have him? I promise I won't break this one.' Well, that salary-man sobered up fast, I promise you. He took one look at Soban, who was grinning like a maniac holding a bread knife in one hand and a headless doll in the other. He dropped Mai and took off running. Probably didn't stop until he hit the ocean. And maybe not then." Rei wiped her streaming eyes. Baba Jun had been telling stories of Soban's childhood and Rei had been alternately horrified and delighted. Like this last story. Horrified that a ten year old should have to see one of her surrogate mothers being beaten by a drunk. Delighted at her quick wit that had driven the man off. "Oh . . .oh . . .I wish I could have seen that." Baba Jun smiled mistily. "It was her favorite doll. Her only doll come to think of it." Her smile turned a little sad. "She never played much as a child. She grew up too fast." Baba Jun straightened a little in her seat and poured tea in Rei's cup. "She was such a tiny thing, but she never seemed to notice. That was the last time we ever had problems like that. She went to the local yakuza and told them if they couldn't provide protection we weren't going to pay anymore. They were afraid of her, you know."

"Why?" That was something Rei didn't understand. The undercurrent of fear that seemed to surround everyone, even Baba Jun who obviously had a great deal of affection for Soban. Even she was a little afraid. Rei had been alternately exasperated, distrustful, angry and . . .well she'd felt lots of things. But fear wasn't one of them. "Why would the yakuza be afraid of her?" "Because _she_ wasn't afraid. Of them or anything else." Baba Jun's voice turned serious. "Once, when she was very small, about seven or eight I think, one of the local under-bosses didn't think she showed enough respect. She told him respect had to be earned." Baba Jun's eye's unfocused as she thought back to that time. "He was going to teach her a lesson . . .he burned her. With a cigar. He smiled, took a big puff. The end glowed red, like the eye of a demon. And he pressed it against the palm of her hand. I can still see her. Such a tiny thing. They'd dragged her out of bed. Two big men holding her. She didn't make a sound. He did it again, and again and . . ." Baba Jun's voice broke. "again. She looked him straight in the eye and said 'You need a hotter fire.' "

"Bastard!" There was a sharp crack and Rei looked down to see shattered pieces of her cup littering the table. "Gomen," She grated. "I will pay for the cup." Her jaw muscles clenched as she fought for control. "This . . .under-boss. Does he have a name?" She'd show him how a _real_ fire burned. An inch at a time before she sent him to hell. "There's no need to worry child." Baba Jun patted her own the hand. "He's been dead for many years." Rei stared at her. "Did Soban . . .?" "No, dear. He took his own life. He never recovered from losing face to a small crippled girl." Baba Jun looked sadly pleased. "Soban was right, respect does have to be earned." Gathering up the pieced of broken cup she glanced at a clock artfully built into a lacquer box. "She must be through about now. Why don't we go see." Rei rose and followed Baba Jun from the kitchen and down a short corridor, lined with silk hangings. " . . .woodsman leaped up and fell back down a number of times. Then he walked around inside at his wit's end. Tearful he awaited his death. The sun set . . ." Rei heard Soban's husky low voice before she saw her. The huge western style bed dominated the room. In the center of the bed was the most beautiful woman Rei had ever seen. The maturity of her face and the slight greying of her hair showed she had to be well past middle age. It took Rei a moment to realize that her eyes didn't track, but wandered aimlessly. At first Rei thought she might be blind. A woman in a white nurses uniform shifted in her chair and the beautiful woman suddenly focused on the nurse. "Frantic, the woodsman howled to the heavens, 'Save me, Your Majesty!' Within moments the tiger came back, folded her forelegs and lowered her head before the woodsman. He climbed onto her back . . ."

Rei recognized the story. This was one of her favorites as a child, "The Tale of the Trusty Tiger." She could see Soban now, propped up in the bed on the far side of the beautiful invalid, reading from a book. It wasn't the woman's eyes, Rei realized watching her hands twitch aimlessly, but something more serious. "It was Your Majesty's kindness that kept me alive. But now we shall be lost to one another, for I fear I shall not escape wild beasts. To guarantee my safety, could you favor me with your escort . . ." There was something wrong . . .something that niggled at the back of Rei's mind. Remaining quietly just outside the entrance of the room she tried to understand what had caught her attention.

The book- ---Rei felt the fine hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Soban's book, the one she was reading from. She was holding the book _upside down_. " . . .I'm a poor man of the west gate, and after I leave you we're not likely to meet again. . . ." Soban couldn't read. Rei watched her carefully turn the page of the book she couldn't possibly read. " . . .The tiger, however arrived at the appointed place before the appointed hour. Unable to find the woodsman, she actually entered the west gate, where she was seen . . ." It took two years to learn the basics of katakana. More years for the hiragana. And finally kanji. Hours each day to get each stroke. The ming and written styles. Kun and On pronunciations. " . . .The woodsman ran to the rescue, crying out to the crowd, 'This tiger once kept me alive. I beg you all not to harm her!' . . ." The opulent bedroom faded from Rei's sight. The comfortable bed was replaced by a narrow hospital cot. On it a lay a small bandaged wrapped figure, violated by wires and tubes that kept the small body alive. Time changed the scene to a school room. A bent, scarred child, struggling to understand the lessons. To concentrate through pain, physical and mental. Time passed, the teachers no longer even pretended to teach the girl. "'I shall plead for your life; if I fail, I shall die with you.' As the woodsman spoke, the tiger's tears fell to the ground." "I always cry at this part too." Baba Jun handed Rei a tissue. "Soban is really very good at reading stories, isn't she." "Yes," Rei wiped her eyes. The vision faded and she was back in the bedroom. "Yes, very good."

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"I'm sorry you had to wait." Soban said gruffly. "It was no problem," Rei said cheerfully. "Babasan and I had a nice talk." Soban tried to glare at Baba Jun, but failed to impress the old woman who grinned unrepentantly. "I think we can go now. I'll call you a taxi," Soban levered herself to her feet, grimacing slightly. "Are you all right?" "I'm fine. I just get a little stiiiiiifff." Soban yelped slightly as Rei scooped her off the ground. "Just _what_ do you think you're doing?" "I'm _not_ just a show pony." Rei grinned at the girl in her arms. "I think I'm a pretty good saddle pony too." "Would. You. Put. Me. DOWN!" Soban was not amused. "Wheeeeee." Rei whinnied at Soban. "Thank you for the tea." She sketched a short bow to a grinning Baba Jun before heading out the door.

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"This is ridiculous." Soban groused, again. "I am perfectly capable of walking." "Whhhhhrrrrr." Rei answered, again. "Would you cut that out!" "Geee," Rei answered in words for the first time. "I guess I'm a _bad_ pony. You'll just have to punish me." Fascinated she watched a slow flush rise from under Soban's collar to cover her face. This was FUN. Coming to a door she shifted Soban slightly in her arms so she could open it. "This is NOT funny. I'm not going to tell you ----" Unfortunately Rei was not paying attention to where she was going. "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there . . ." He really did have a lovely voice, Rei thought. Numbly she watched Zoisite swaying back and forth on the stage. The sequined gown was a bit daring, but red was definitely his color. "They were young and they had each other Who could ask for more? . . ." Soban buried her head in Rei's chest with a little whimper. Turning Rei fled as if the flames of hell were licking at her heels. "At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (here) At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana Music and passion were always in fashion . . ."

 

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Go toChapter 7

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