I lol'd (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
zarahjoyce) wrote2008-11-18 12:30 am
zarahjoyce) wrote2008-11-18 12:30 am
Entry tags:
Stories! For different fandoms!
I've been busy doing a read-through on all my stuff and I found these... gems? Heh. Most are years-old already, though. Mostly sentai stuff - though a Draco/Hermione fic of course is included!
Pairing, Fandom: Draco/Hermione, Harry Potter
Title: Blind Date
Word Count: 1816
Rating: G
Summary: Harry, Ron, and Pansy - three people stupid enough to set up Draco Malfoy on a blind date with Hermione Granger. What could possibly go wrong?
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
"For the benefit of anyone listening, I just want to clarify that I think this is an incredibly stupid idea."
Pansy raised a brow at Ron's fierce outburst. "Yes, Weasley, we actually heard you the first five hundred times you said that."
Ron straightened a napkin and placed it on his lap. He also took his wand out and readily placed it on the table. "I still think we should at least alert the other people," he said, looking around and noticing how crowded the place was. "Give them a bit of a head start to, you know, contact their love ones and write their wills--"
Harry reached a hand and clapped Ron heavily on the shoulder. "You do that, Ron."
He thought of doing just that, on his own, and abruptly shook his head. "Nah. I'll just use my wand if something happens. And, knowing Hermione? Something will."
Harry adjusted his blond hair but only ended up upsetting it further. "This wig is itchy, and too bloody long," he complained. "Plus, I can't see properly through these glasses. I want my old pair. Where are they?"
Pansy tugged one side of Harry's wig to straighten it. "I don't have them," she said sternly, adjusting her red tresses as well. "And you can't use your old one. Granger'll recognize you in those things. Plus, stop complaining about your wig. We need to have that scar covered, remember?"
"Cheer up, mate," Ron said, peering over the large spectacles he had on. "Just think, Hermione'll never suspect we're also here. Am I brilliant, or am I briliant?"
Stony stares met his declaration.
"Right." Ron's mood did not abate one bit. "I'm a bit surprised Ginny didn't show up, though. I thought she wanted this more than we do."
Harry sighed. "Well, remember, Fleur's having a baby again. Gin said she wanted to take down notes for once we... well, you know." He cleared his throat, his face turning a spectacular shade of pink. "Anyway, I think she made the pin Hermione's wearing right now. See?" He pointed at the pearl pin Hermione had on her blouse. "She enchanted it to record everything so she can watch it later."
"What? I bet that's just an excuse. This is her idea. She should be here in case dead bodies start piling up!" Ron said surly.
Pansy rolled her eyes. "I never knew you were the overly-dramatic type, Weasley. Oh, wait... no, no I already knew that."
Ron glared at her. "Shut up, Parkinson."
She inched her chin up. "Make me."
"Hey, hey! Hush!" Harry said, pushing them both away from each other. "I've got an idea. Why don't we not use our real names? I mean, that's the whole point of the disguise, right? To not have Hermione know that we're here?"
"Right, right. Sorry," Ron murmured. He threw a look of pure venom at Pansy. "Wait until you and I--"
"Shh! Incoming!" Pansy loudly whispered.
As one, they took their menus and used them as shields, until only their eyes showed.
"Have I ever mentioned how bad I think this idea is?" Ron asked, his words muffled by the menu.
"Just shut up, will you?" Pansy snapped.
And silently, they watched as a well-dressed man made his way to where Hermione was sitting.
Harry, Ron, and Pansy collectively held their breaths.
"You!" they heard Hermione exclaim.
Ron winced. "This is an extremely horrid idea." Slowly, his hand inched towards his wand, until Pansy smacked him upside the head with her menu. "Hey! Ow!"
"Shh!"
"Well, well. Girl with the pearl pin," well-dressed man - otherwise known to the world as Draco Malfoy - quickly sat on the chair opposite hers. "Fancy that."
Hermione raised a brow. "Yes, that's me, man with green cuffs," she stated, pointedly looking at the ends of Draco's sleeves.
"Hmm. Interesting. I guess I'm your date, then."
"I never thought you'd be the type who needed to be set-up on a blind date," Hermione said airily.
"Is that a compliment?" Draco's teeth gleamed. "I'll take that as a yes."
Harry glanced at Ron. "At least they're civil to each other."
Pansy glared at him. "What, did you think Draco would just whip out his wand and curse at his date just for being Hermione Granger? Please. He has more finesse than that." She turned her attention back to the unlikely pair. "He'll have to drag her out to an alley, of course..."
Ron and Harry both growled at her.
"Kidding! Or... you know. Not."
"What about you, Granger?" Draco asked, his voice smooth as silk. "I never thought you're the type desperate enough to actually go on one."
Hermione arched a brow. "For your information, I did this as a favor to Ginny," she said. "I so happen to have an unpaid debt to her - courtesy of circumstances you have no right to know - and by doing this I am paying her up twice over. What about you?"
Draco smirked. "Let's just say Pansy has a way with words."
Ron nudged Pansy. "What did you tell him?"
She thought that over. "Ah. I think what I told him was, 'I'd curse the place you use to make children until it shrivels up if you don't do as I say'."
Harry and Ron both gaped at her.
"Definitely has a way with words," Ron mumbled.
"So," Hermione said placidly, "is this your first time, then? Or have you been going on blind dates all your life?"
Draco blinked at her, then actually had the nerve to laugh.
"What? What did I miss?" Ron asked, looking around. "What's so funny?"
Harry shrugged.
Pansy also looked blank.
"Granger, have I ever told you that you are an extremely lovely--"
"Just answer the damned question," she snapped.
Draco shook his head but maintained his amused expression. "This will be the first time."
Hermione cocked her head to one side. "Oh. The first, then? Does that imply that you have plans of making it into a habit, then?"
Pansy frowned ferociously. "Is it just me, or is Granger acting weird?"
"Jealousy suits you, luv," Draco said, smiling at Hermione.
This time, Harry's wig almost fell all the way. "What?"
"Shut up," Hermione said. "If you must know, I'm just keeping count. This will be... my third, I think. Yes, my third." She glared at Draco. "And my most boring, by the way. Must be the company I have this time."
Pansy rounded on Ron and Harry. "What is she talking about? Did you set her up with others before?"
"No!" Ron said.
"Honestly, Parkinson - do we strike you as the type to actually set our best friend up for a blind date?" Harry snapped.
"Well, Harry Potter, I would like to inform you that that is precisely what you have been doing in the past hour!" Pansy shrieked.
"Oh." Harry looked abashed. "Right. Heh. I forgot."
"Look, look!" Ron said, pointing at the two.
"Your... third?" Draco repeated, suddenly looking very dangerous indeed.
Hermione looked very smug. "Yes. The third... this week, I guess."
Draco was silent for a few moments. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" Hermione grinned. "Why do you think I didn't make it last Tuesday? Or last Saturday for that matter?"
"You said you were swamped with work."
"And you believed it?"
Draco gritted his teeth. "Of course I did!"
"Why don't you ask Harry and Ron, then?"
The Slythetrin frowned ferociously at her. "Maybe I will."
Pansy smiled at the two Gryffindors. "I think this is the right moment to inform you that Draco's currently wearing his deranged look - otherwise known as the 'I'm-going-to-happily-murder-two-idiots' expression on his face." Then, the smile turned thoughtful. "Of course, the correct question for that is why is he wearing that--"
"Have I ever told you two before how extremely bad I think this idea is?" Ron burst out. "Because it is. Extremely--"
"Well, now that that's out of the way, shall we order?" Hermione happily picked up her menu. "I heard that their--"
"I've lost my appetite," Draco said.
Hermione frowned. "What? But I thought--"
Then Draco stood. "We're leaving."
She gaped up at him, and so did several other customers. "What? But--"
"I'm putting a stop to this right now. I told you this wouldn't work. It was a mistake to have kept it this long," Draco muttered.
Hermione was no longer looking so amused. "You... you're not... you can't...." she stammered.
"I can, and I will."
"Okay, what is he going to do?" Harry asked, glancing at Ron.
"Do we look like Trelawney to you, Harry?" Ron snapped.
"Draco, no!" Hermione's hands flew to her mouth. "You said--"
"Did Granger just call Draco 'Draco'?" Pansy wondered out loud.
Then they all gaped at the two when Draco suddenly grabbed her by the waist and hauled her up to him for a long, deep, searing kiss.
And the restaurant was filled with cheers and claps and cat-calls.
When they separated, Draco dragged his finger down her cheek. "I love you, Hermione Granger. There. I said it." He looked around the restaurant. "And I'm informing every breathing male to back off from her, because she's mine."
Hermione was busy blinking back tears.
Harry, Ron, and Pansy, in turn, were busy keeping themselves from flailing like fishes and getting heart attacks.
"You're such a bastard," Hermione sniffed. "Oh, I do love you too, Draco."
And suddenly, Harry, Ron, and Pansy were on their feet.
"What!" they shouted as one.
"Ron! Harry! Parkinson!" Hermione called, waving at them, and apparently seeing through their disguises. "Thank you for organizing this! Because of you, we no longer have to pretend anymore... we're free!"
"Yes, we finally are," Draco said, smiling at her. Then, he pulled her to his arms and kissed her again, in full view of everyone.
A second round of cheers was in order.
Then, laughing and literally glowing, Draco and Hermione ran out of the restaurant...
...leaving the other three bewildered beyond belief.
"What... just... happened?" Ron asked, still wearing a glazed look on his face.
"They must have... been dating without us knowing it," Harry said, seemingly talking to himself more than the other two. "I mean... Malfoy wouldn't have said that if they didn't... right?"
Pansy shook her head. "That actually explains so much," she said. "Why Draco's not in his manor on most days..."
"...why Hermione was so keen on not letting us Apparate without warning..." Harry contributed.
"...and why Draco's been so happy he's nearly bursting with gigglish, fiendish glee every time I see him! He's been dating Granger in secret and now we've forced them to come out in public!"
Ron frowned. "Because we forced them both to go on a blind date?"
Pansy beamed. "Exactly!"
"Well." Ron was still frowning. "Well."
Then...
"Have I ever told you how great I thought this idea was?"
Pairing, Fandom: Ensemble (though mostly Natsuki/Masumi), Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Trust
Word Count: 692
Rating: G
Summary: Souta firmly believes that Masumi ought to trust them all by now with his own Precious.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
Souta looked at Masumi, who was in turn looking at Natsuki. They were in the park, one of those rare moments where the whole team was enjoying some peaceful times together. Satoru and Sakura were engaged in a discussion about the possibility of another Precious, Eiji was on some bench dozing, and Natsuki was standing near a candy shop, currently confused and having difficulty deciding what type of sweets to buy.
"Here," Souta said, handing a soda to Masumi. "Bought that for Natsuki-chan, actually, but she said--"
"She doesn't like cola." The younger man accepted the drink and sipped. "Thanks."
"What would you like for today?" They overheard the candy shop owner ask.
Natsuki repeatedly tapped a fingernail against her cheek. "Eh... Natsuki's still thinking... thinking..."
Masumi almost smiled, but he caught Souta watching him with an annoying half-smirk on his face, so he masked the urge with a cough.
"What do you think she'll buy?" the ex-spy asked lightly.
"Chocolate," Masumi answered quickly.
Natsuki smiled widely, then said, "Natsuki knows! Natsuki wants chocolate!"
The candy shop owner nodded then began scooping chocolate bits into a bag.
"Well, well..." Souta muttered, amusement evident on his tone.
"What?" Masumi asked, a bit defensive.
"Nothing," Souta said, leaning back on the bench.
"Thank you so much!" Natsuki said, bowing to the owner. She pivoted, waved then said, "Chief! Sakura-san! Natsuki bought some chocolate and--"
"You do know," Souta began, "that Natsuki-chan is safe with all of us here, right?"
Masumi stopped in the middle of slurping his soda. "Eh? What are you talking about?"
"You've been watching over her more closely than you did before," Souta replied. "I've noticed that, ever since... well..."
They were both silent.
"Just say your point, Souta," Masumi said, watching as Natsuki turned to Eiji's direction, her purpose evident on her face.
Souta smiled widely. "You know, I've always thought that you're arrogant, agrumentative, cruel, obnoxious, annoying--"
"I think you want my fist planted on your face, ex-spy," he snapped, actually placing the soda bottle on his side.
"Ei-chan Ei-chan Ei-chan Ei-chan..."
"Not now Natsuki, I want to--"
"EI-CHAN!"
The monk abruptly rolled and fell off the bench.
Souta winced. "That's got to hurt..."
Masumi only smiled.
"Natsuki is so sorry, Ei-chan, but--"
"I was sleeping! I was sleeping and you--"
"But, Ei-chan--"
"I was sleeping! Sleeping!"
Masumi got to his feet, ready to go to Natsuki's side - that was, until Souta pulled his sleeve down and he was forced to sit again.
"What the--"
"Eiji's not going to hurt her," Souta said.
"Of course he--"
"Eh, Ei-chan... do you want some chocolate?"
"What? You woke me up for chocolate?" Eiji glared at the bag she was shoving to his face. "You're sure you don't have some celery in there?"
"You know, Masumi, this is exactly what I was trying to tell you," Souta said. "You've got to trust us more."
"What?" Masumi asked. "But I--"
"Souta-san, Masumi!" Natsuki finally turned to them, smiling and waving. She started to run. "I've got some--"
Masumi stood. "Oi, oi, Natsuki, watch out for the--"
"Aahh!" The warning came too late. She slipped on the banana peel and and fell to the ground.
"Natsuki you idiot!" Masumi said, shaking his head. But before he could get to her, Souta beat him to it.
"Are you all right, Natsuki-chan?" Souta asked, helping her up.
Natsuki rubbed her hip. "Mm. But... Natsuki's chocolate!" she said, looking aghastly at the scattered sweets. "Natsuki didn't get to give Souta-kun and Masumi..."
"Don't worry," Masumi said, placing a hand on her shoulder. He handed her some coins. "Why don't you go buy another bag?"
She smiled brightly at him. "Okay!" And off she ran again.
"You were saying?" Masumi asked Souta.
"I know what's precious to you," he said. "We all do. But sometimes, Masumi, you have to trust us more. With her." And with that, Souta walked away.
"Masumi, Masumi!" Natsuki said, grabbing his sleeves. "Look! Natsuki bought chocolate. Do you want some?"
He glanced at Souta, then smiled at Natsuki. "Ask Souta first, maybe he wants some."
"But how about you?"
"Later," he said.
Pairing, Fandom: Masumi/Natsuki, Sakura/Akashi, Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Fifth Wheel
Word Count: 401
Rating: G
Summary: Eiji is starting to feel like a fifth wheel in their team.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
Eiji sat down beside Souta, feeling dejected and rejected all of a sudden.
"Oy, you," he said, roughly nudging Souta's knee with his. Eiji scratched his head before leaning back on the sofa. "You've been here longer than I have. Don't you become tired of being like this?"
Souta, busy with his laptop, barely looked at him. "Being like what?"
"Look up and I'll show you."
Souta did - and saw nothing out of ordinary. Natsuki and Masumi were on the table, eating - well, more of picking out the peas from Masumi's fried rice, really. Sakura and Chief were on the other end of the table, in the middle of a seemingly serious discussion.
He turned to Eiji. "What are you talking about?"
Silver pointed at Natsuki and Masumi, then at Sakura and Chief. "We're the fifth wheels here, in case you didn't notice." Eiji rolled his eyes. "How come we get to be fifth wheels?"
"Ah." Souta just smiled. "Finally noticed, haven't you."
"Sakura-neesan barely looks at anyone else when Akashi's in her line of vision," Eiji notes, staring at the woman as she nodded at something Red just said. "We've all become invisible to her all of a sudden."
"And whenever I talk to Natsuki-chan, I can feel Masumi's breath on my neck, ready to tear it off just because I'm talking to her." Souta shook his head. "It's quite entertaining, really."
"That doesn't bother you?" Eiji asked, surprise.
"Well..." Souta closed his laptop and laid it on the table. "Before Natsuki-chan and Masumi became Boukengers, there were just the three of us. Seeing as Sakura-san was already like this around Chief then, I can say that it doesn't bother me at all. Word of advice - it's probably better to keep your opinions to yourself whenever Chief's around - Sakura-san won't pay much attention to them, anyway."
Eiji gestured at Masumi and Natsuki. "What about them?"
"Masumi's being protective of her, seeing as he was the one who found her and cared for her. He always thinks he's just looking out for her the way a father does for his daughter." Souta inclined his head. "I just beg to differ."
"Ah," Eiji murmured.
"If you want, Takaoka-san, I can just take you along with me so that you can meet cute girls. What do you say? Do you like the name Momoko-chan? I can--"
"Ah, maybe not."
Pairing, Fandom: Masumi/Natsuki, Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Darkness and Mystery
Word Count: 3631
Rating: PG
Summary: An alternate take on Task 33 - 34. What if, instead of Natsuki learning who she was from the Sun of Lemuria it takes over her, erasing everything and everyone she knew?
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
"Look," Sakura stepped forward, then pointed at the two figures walking towards them. "There they are! Chief!"
Satoru returned her earnest smile. "Mission accomplished," he said.
"Yeah!" Eiji said, grinning largely.
"Oi, oi!" Souta almost ran to Masumi and Natsuki as they approached. "Good job, Masumi!" he said, heartily slapping him on the back. He then turned to the girl beside him. "Eh, Natsuki-chan, I'm so glad you're back to your own self. Are you--"
Natsuki's eyes darted to him, widened, and she shrank deeper into Masumi's shadow.
"--all right?" Souta finished, his smile dying at the reaction he got.
Sakura frowned. It was highly unusual for Natsuki to be this quiet. "Natsuki," she said, reaching out to touch her arm, "how are you feeling?"
The girl shook her head lightly. "Please," she whispered. "I don't..."
"She's fine," Masumi firmly answered for her, then removed Sakura's hand. He quelled Eiji with a look when it looked like the monk was about to go into his own version of a welcoming committee. "She's just tired."
Satoru watched all of this with a frown.
"But..." Souta started.
"If that's all, then we'll go ahead," Masumi said loudly, glaring at the other man. Gently, he placed his hands around Natsuki. "Let's go, Nats--Hime-sama," he said softly. With a nod from the girl, they both began walking...
...leaving the other four stunned.
-
It was nearly midnight when Masumi left Natsuki's quarters. She had been unusually quiet, only asking a few questions here and there, which Masumi answered as best as he could. However, he could not do a damned thing about the lost look she had on her face, or the solemn way she regarded him.
She was wary of him, but accepted his presence because, so far, he was the only one she could trust. He was the only one she knew.
Hesitantly, she climbed on her bed to finally rest. She commented on how odd it was to sleep on such a thing, when for thousands of years she had slept in a capsule.
"And you... found me?"
"Yes."
"How? Did you open the--"
"You weren't in it when I found you. You must have opened it on your own."
"I... I see. And we... these people..."
"They are our friends."
"And you... are you my friend?"
"Yes."
"You saved me again, it seems." She blinked at him. "How did I become worthy of such loyalty from you, Inou Masumi?"
At this, he had to swallow heavily before saying, "You're my friend, Nats--Hime-sama. I'd do anything to protect you."
She smiled solemnly at him. "Natsuki. Is that what you call me? Such a lovely name. I wish... I knew who Mamiya Natsuki is," she said simply. "So I would know how it was that she found someone like you." And she closed her eyes and slept.
He stayed an hour after that, and just watched her sleep. He was on guard, on the alert in case someone else planned to kidnap and use her the way she had been. Masumi hated himself for being helpless to stop it from happening the first time. He would never, ever, allow that to happen again.
Masumi was careful to not make a sound as he departed. He assumed that he was the last one awake, and so he was caught unawares when he found the others seemingly waiting for him at the center room.
"How is she, Masumi?" Satoru asked him quietly, then nodded at Sakura when she gave him a cup of coffee.
"I told you," he answered, barely managing to suppress a yawn. "She's fine. Just tired. Good ni--"
"And you?" Sakura inquired gently. "Are you all right?"
Every part of him ached. There were wounds on his body that had not began healing yet, and he was half-mad with the desire to sleep. Still, he bragged, "Of course!"
"Natsuki..." Souta muttered, earning Masumi's swift look. "She's... she's a bit different, isn't she?"
There. That was the primary question in everyone's minds, and Masumi was surprised to hear Souta ask it. Souta, the ex-spy who was supposed to be the master at subtlety...
He caught the meaningful looks the other four exchanged, and immediately he was on the defensive. "What the hell are you talking about, Souta?" he fairly snarled. "Natsuki is Natsuki, and you're stupid if you--"
"You called her 'Hime-sama'," Eiji pointed out.
"A little slow in the uptake, Ashu?" Masumi snapped.
The insult had Eiji surging to his feet, ready to lunge at the younger man.
Satoru immediately quelled the sudden tension among them. "Everyone, I know we're all tired, and we all need some rest. For now, let's just be thankful that Natsuki is safe and well, and call it a night."
"I agree," Sakura said quickly. "Just as Masumi said, Natsuki may just be... tired, after all, she had been through a lot. Tomorrow, she'll be back to... she'll be herself tomorrow, you'll see." Realizing that she was close to babbling, Sakura bowed slightly and moved towards her quarters.
Everyone, including Masumi, did the same.
-
The following morning, Satoru, Sakura, Souta, and Eiji all came into the room, half-expecting to see Natsuki's bright grin and warm coffee welcoming and ushering them to the the start of a new day.
It was a bitter disappointment, then, when it didn't happen.
"I hate this," Souta muttered, slamming his hands on the table. "I hate feeling like..."
"Like everything's back to where it all began?" Sakura finished for him.
He nodded.
"What do you mean?" Eiji asked, biting into his celery.
"Masumi and Natsuki's first day here," Satoru elaborated. "It was very... awkward. Masumi was very arrogant and argumentative, always questioning everything and everyone. And Natsuki was... very eager."
"Happy," Sakura reminsced, smiling.
"Chipper," added Souta. "Despite that... they were still strangers, and that was how we treated them. Now, they're not strangers anymore, especially Natsuki-chan. But, yesterday... she acted as if she didn't know me. Me, Sou Sou Souta. I..."
"Is this... the effect of having her memory back?" Sakura asked, staring steadily at her tea. "Chief...?"
"Maybe it's the years catching up with her," Eiji commented, finishing his food. "All ninety-five thousand of them."
Everyone stared moodily at him.
"All right, bad joke."
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and out stepped Masumi. Casting a swift look around, he turned and walked directly towards Natsuki's room.
A few seconds later, his knocking and soft "Hime-sama?" were the only sounds heard.
The others exchanged looks again.
Masumi walked to them and wordlessly began arranging what looked like a breakfast tray.
Satoru spoke up. "I think it's time you tell us what happened to her, Masumi."
Irritated, he glanced at him. "Nothing's--"
"The hell there isn't!" Souta yelled. "She's also our friend, in case you haven't noticed. We deserve to know."
"Please," Sakura added softly. "Just tell us."
Masumi clenched his fists. Half of him wanted to let them figure the situation out for themselves, but the other half reminded him that they were, after all, his colleagues. Like Souta said, they deserved to know. "She doesn't remember any of us."
"What?" the others chorused.
"When her true memories returned... it completely took over her. It's like... it's like Natsuki never existed," Masumi spoke without feeling. He glared into the steaming cup of chocolate on the tray. "Happy now?"
"Masumi..." Sakura said, then stopped herself from putting her hand on his. He wouldn't appreciate it, she knew.
Satoru traded glances with Eiji and Souta, then focused on Masumi. "How did she... become this way?" he asked carefully.
"The Sun of Lemuria," Masumi answered shortly. "When she touched it..."
"Maybe that's our answer," Souta said, turning to Satoru. "Maybe if we can get her to touch it again..."
"It's worth a shot," the chief acknowledged, after a few moments.
"It's with the Questers, right?" Eiji asked. He stood. "No problem, then. I'll track them down and get it myself."
"I'll go with you," Souta said. He grinned at Masumi. "Natsuki-chan is also our friend. We'll get her back."
"Yes, we will," Sakura added, with confidence she didn't fully feel. She looked at Satoru.
"Then it's agreed," he said. "Boukengers, attack."
"Akashi," Masumi said, then paused when he got the attention. "I..." He cast a look at Natsuki's room. "I..."
Satoru nodded briefly, then clapped him on the back. "Understood," he said. "We'll contact you once we get it."
Masumi acknowledged that, then watched as they left.
-
"Hime-sama?" Masumi said. He entered the room, bringing the tray with him. "I brought you--Natsuki!" Food fell on the floor as he rushed to her side. She laid on the side of the bed, sobbing heavily, the covers sprawled all around her. Masumi placed both hands on her shoulders and tried to look at her face, but her hair made a curtain over most of it, making it difficult. "Natsuki," he called, shaking her gently. "What--"
"Ma...sumi?" she whispered, uncertain.
He wanted to pull her to him. She sounded so much like the Natsuki he knew... but something held him back. "It's me," he said. "What happened? Natsuki?"
"Don't," she said, placing her hands on his. "Please, stop them."
She was almost begging him in that voice. "What?" he asked, uncomprehending.
"The others," she said. "They're going to get... the Sun of Lemuria, aren't they?"
"Yes. They thought... if you touch it again..."
Then Natsuki gripped his hands, and Masumi had to stop himself from shouting. Her touch was vise-like. "If I get near it again, I'll die," she told him, her eyes burning in intensity.
All thoughts of his pain faded as he registered her words. "...what!"
"The Sun of Lemuria brought me back," she said. "But touching it again would cause me death. It'll only take my life into it, making it stronger." She let him go, only to wrap her arms around him. "Don't let them kill me, Masumi," she begged.
Masumi could only stare blankly as she pleaded with him over and over. Slowly, he raised his arms and wrapped them around her as well. "Yes," he said. "I won't."
"Thank you," she said softly, gripping him tighter.
His resolve made, he nodded against her. Masumi gently pushed her back, and dared to move the wet tendrils of hair off her face so he could see her eyes. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Hime-sama," he promised.
She smiled, slowly at first. "I trust you, Inou Masumi," she said.
-
"So, let me get this straight," BoukenSilver muttered, tucking the Sun of Lemuria under one arm, "that person Masumi brought back... isn't Natsuki?"
The others transformed back to their original forms, and the monk followed suit. "Yes," Sakura answered shortly.
"So, who is it?" Souta asked, looking at her for answers.
Sakura glanced at him. "The two of you saw Natsuki's parent's warnings the way I did," she said. "A parasite demon, the cause of Lemuria's downfall... one of them got trapped in the Sun of Lemuria somehow, and when Natsuki touched it..."
"It transferred to her, since's she's a live Lemurian," Satoru finished, nodding at Sakura. "It's probably the cause of her ancestors' deaths and why Lemuria ceased to exist."
"I thought the precious is some kind of energy source?" Souta asked again, looking at Eiji this time. "How could a parasite demon survive in it... for thousands of years?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Eiji said, "because frankly, I have no idea what's going on." Recklessly, he tossed the precious at Sakura, who caught it.
"The only way to get rid of it is to lure it back to this," she told them, staring into the precious. "Before it kills Natsuki, too."
"Let's go," Satoru said.
-
Because she asked for it, Masumi brought Natsuki to a high peak, where she could clearly see the city from where they stood. She smiled at him again, looking so much like the Natsuki he knew, that for a moment he was fooled into thinking that nothing was wrong.
Only for a moment, though.
"Your world is very different from Lemuria," she said softly, transfixed at the sight beneath her.
"How?" he asked, crossing his arms and also looking at the city.
"For one, our city was made of gold," she answered, lifting her hands and making a sweeping gesture. "Everywhere you look, you'll see gold gleaming under the sun. Ours was a prosperous civilization, you see." She glanced at him. "You might've liked it there, had you lived in my time, Inou Masumi."
Masumi stared at her, suprised.
"You're a treasure hunter, aren't you?" she said lightly.
"H-how did you...?"
Natsuki lightly touched her temples. "I have... flashes... every now and then," she said. "Natsuki Mamiya's memories are within me still. I saw you in a cave, and you were shouting at me to stay back, but... the cave collapsed, and... I helped you to get out. I pulled you out, and when you saw me covered in dust, you yelled at me because I didn't do what you said."
I saved you, you saved me, Masumi remembered saying to her before. That's why... you should always be by my side...
"And then I... I saw..." She shuddered a bit and quite suddenly collapsed to her knees.
"Natsuki!" Masumi said, rushing to her, catching her before she fell to the ground. "What hap--"
She grabbed his hand. "The Sun..." she whispered. "It's... drawing nearer... I can..."
"Masumi!"
"Akashi," Masumi said, looking up. Then, he spotted the precious in Sakura's hands.
"Get away from her!" Souta said, gesturing with his hands. "She's not Natsuki!"
"What?"
"L-lies," Natsuki said. She touched his face. "Don't... please, don't..."
Masumi nodded. He helped her sit, then sternly placed himself before her. "Stay back!" he yelled, spreading his arms wide. "Don't bring that thing any closer!"
"It's the only way to get Natsuki back!" Eiji said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Masumi sputtered. "She is Natsuki, you idiot!"
"There's a parasite invading her body," Sakura explained. "That's why she isn't acting like Natsuki, because the parasite controls her!"
"No!" Natsuki moaned. "You're all lying! Masumi, they want to kill me... please... destroy the Sun before it kills me... please!"
"The Sun's the only way to kill it!" Satoru said. "If we let her touch the precious, it will bring Natsuki back, Masumi!"
But he didn't listen to them. Masumi heard her breathing heavily behind him, and almost felt her suffering. Intense hatred filled him, and the only thought in his mind then was that he had to destroy the precious. He had to, for Natsuki's sake!
I won't let anyone hurt you, Hime-sama.
"Boukenger, start up!"
His first target was Sakura, who was holding the Sun at her hands. "Radial Hammer!" BoukenBlack aimed for the precious, but Sakura managed to throw the Sun to Satoru.
"What are you doing?" Sakura asked him.
"Black!" the chief yelled. "We're doing this to save Natsuki!"
"No!" he yelled back. "You're going to kill her!" He gripped his weapon harder, focusing his attention on Satoru.
"Masumi!"
BoukenBlack turned just in time to see BoukenBlue and BoukenSilver launch themselves at Natsuki. Each of them caught one of her arms and forced her to stand. "Get away from her!" BoukenBlack yelled. "Let her go damn you!"
"Satoru!" BoukenSilver said. "The Sun!"
"Masumi!" Natsuki was openly crying now.
"No!!!" In a desperate act, BoukenBlack got his laser as well. "Sniper mode!" He aimed at BoukenBlue, and prepared to shoot...
...but BoukenRed had suddenly appeared, knocking the gun out of his hand, and knocking him to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Masumi," he said, holding him down by the neck and with a knee at his back. "We're saving Natsuki this way..."
"You're... going to kill her!" he ground out.
"The only thing that will die is the parasite," BoukenRed said. "Don't you see? It tried to use you to save itself. And it's working... trust us, Black. We won't hurt her!"
BoukenBlack snarled, "If anything happens to her, I'm going to hunt you down, one by one, and I'm going to kill--"
"Masumi! Help me, please!"
He managed to turn his head, just in time to see Sakura raise the Sun of Lemuria on top of Natsuki's head.
"No!" she shrieked. "Stop! Masumi!"
"No!" he shouted. "Natsuki!!!"
The Sun shone brilliantly and showered upon Natsuki blinding beams of light. Natsuki opened her mouth, and a deafening, inhuman scream filled the air.
"Stop it!" BoukenBlack yelled desperately. Without warning, he transformed back to his original form. "Stop it damn you!"
A harsh wind engulfed the group, and the men valiantly held on to Natsuki as she writhed and gasped. Sakura fell to her knees, her hair whipping mercilessly against her face, but she managed to keep the Sun above the screaming girl.
"Ma...sumi!" Natsuki shrieked in a voice that wasn't hers anymore.
Blinded by rage, Masumi managed to throw BoukenRed off him. He shot to his feet and grabbed his pocket knife, then thundered towards Sakura.
"Masumi, stop!" BoukenRed called out. "Sakura!"
Sakura looked at him, saw his intention clearly on his face, and abruptly closed her eyes.
Just as Masumi was a few steps away from her, the Sun emitted another brilliant light - this time, it shot through Natsuki, and for a moment she glowed white. Then the light flew out of her, and headed back to the precious.
The wind howled again, fiercer this time, and managed to knock all of them down. BoukenBlue and BoukenSilver transformed back to themselves, Sakura dropped the Sun of Lemuria, and Natsuki fell to the ground.
Unmoving.
Masumi tried to get up, and found it infinitely difficult to do so. He could hear the others groaning, and realized that the wind had done them all damages. Masumi gripped his shoulder and rolled to one side - but he spotted Natsuki, and desperately he pushed himself to limp towards her.
"Nat...suki?" he called out, almost afraid.
Nothing.
He dropped to his knees and with shaking hands touched her face. "Natsuki," he said softly. "Wake up."
Still, nothing.
Masumi stared at her face, and he became filled with a curious feeling. He felt... empty. Hollow. His pain was forgotten, everything was forgotten, because he felt... nothing. Like this was all a dream, and in that dream, he could do anything.
It was with that feeling that he got to his feet. He saw his blade gleaming in the distance, and he picked it up. Slowly, Masumi surveyed the scene. Eiji was the closest to him. Eiji, who was trying to stand. Eiji, who held her mercilessly as she screamed and begged and tried to live...
You haven't released that Darkness in you yet, brat?
He took a step. He felt the blade bite into his palm. Another step. His grip became slippery with blood. Then, another. Until--
"M-ma...sumi?"
His step faltered. It was like he was doused with ice water. He whirled around to see that Natsuki's eyes were open, and when she saw him...
"Masumi?" she called again, louder this time. She pushed herself up until she was sitting. "I... where are we? And why... oh, Masumi, you're bleeding!"
"Nat...suki?" he whispered, almost disbelievingly. The blade fell from his hand.
"It worked," Masumi could hear Souta saying. "It worked! Eiji!"
"Sakura, are you all right?" he heard Satoru ask.
"Everyone's here?" Natsuki said, looking around, clearly confused. She took out a handkerchief and reached for his hand. "I... what happened? Masumi? Why are you bleeding?"
He couldn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her roughly and held her tight. "You're back," he whispered. "You're back."
-
"Everyone!" Natsuki called, waving her hands gaily in the air. "Natsuki prepared her special cake and coffee! Come on, let's eat! Chief, Souta-san, Sakura-san, Ei-chan..."
"Coming, coming!" Souta said, placing his guitar down and jogging lightly to the table. "It smells so good, Natsuki-chan!" He surveyed the table and inhaled deeply. "Mmm!"
"Of course! It's my specialty!" Then Natsuki went to the couch and grabbed Eiji by the arm. "Come on, Eiiiii-chan! You have to taste my cake! I even placed some celery and pepper in it for you!"
"Really?" the monk said.
"Really!" she answered. "Chief! Sakura-san... oh, where are they?"
"They're talking to Masumi," Souta said, slicing into the cake and carefully ignoring the parts with pepper and celery.
"Oh," Natsuki said. Then she smiled and said, "I'll go get them, then!"
-
"What do you want me to say?" Masumi asked them. "That I'm sorry?"
Satoru and Sakura looked at each other. "We know that you were just trying to protect Natsuki, Masumi," he said.
"So we just wanted to tell you that we understand," Sakura told him.
Masumi stared at her, hard. She knew he had every intention to kill her at one point then, and now...
"I understand," she repeated, softer.
Masumi looked away.
The elevator doors opened, and out came Natsuki. "Chief, Sakura-san, Masumi! Souta-san and Ei-chan will finish all the food if you don't get up there quickly!"
Satoru smiled. "Then I guess we've got to go then!" he said.
Sakura nodded, then briefly hugged Natsuki. "I'm so glad you're back," she said.
"Natsuki is glad she's back, too," Natsuki answered, grinning at Satoru.
Then the two moved to the elevator.
"Masumi," Natsuki said, grabbing his arm. "Come on, let's go."
For a moment, Masumi placed his hand over hers, and looked at her eyes. "Natsuki..."
"Hmm?" she asked, staring owlishly at him.
The darkness was still within him, he knew. But it could be quelled, as long as she was here, by his side. With him. "Don't leave me again, do you hear?"
She smiled brilliantly at him and nodded.
Part two on next post!
Pairing, Fandom: Draco/Hermione, Harry Potter
Title: Blind Date
Word Count: 1816
Rating: G
Summary: Harry, Ron, and Pansy - three people stupid enough to set up Draco Malfoy on a blind date with Hermione Granger. What could possibly go wrong?
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
"For the benefit of anyone listening, I just want to clarify that I think this is an incredibly stupid idea."
Pansy raised a brow at Ron's fierce outburst. "Yes, Weasley, we actually heard you the first five hundred times you said that."
Ron straightened a napkin and placed it on his lap. He also took his wand out and readily placed it on the table. "I still think we should at least alert the other people," he said, looking around and noticing how crowded the place was. "Give them a bit of a head start to, you know, contact their love ones and write their wills--"
Harry reached a hand and clapped Ron heavily on the shoulder. "You do that, Ron."
He thought of doing just that, on his own, and abruptly shook his head. "Nah. I'll just use my wand if something happens. And, knowing Hermione? Something will."
Harry adjusted his blond hair but only ended up upsetting it further. "This wig is itchy, and too bloody long," he complained. "Plus, I can't see properly through these glasses. I want my old pair. Where are they?"
Pansy tugged one side of Harry's wig to straighten it. "I don't have them," she said sternly, adjusting her red tresses as well. "And you can't use your old one. Granger'll recognize you in those things. Plus, stop complaining about your wig. We need to have that scar covered, remember?"
"Cheer up, mate," Ron said, peering over the large spectacles he had on. "Just think, Hermione'll never suspect we're also here. Am I brilliant, or am I briliant?"
Stony stares met his declaration.
"Right." Ron's mood did not abate one bit. "I'm a bit surprised Ginny didn't show up, though. I thought she wanted this more than we do."
Harry sighed. "Well, remember, Fleur's having a baby again. Gin said she wanted to take down notes for once we... well, you know." He cleared his throat, his face turning a spectacular shade of pink. "Anyway, I think she made the pin Hermione's wearing right now. See?" He pointed at the pearl pin Hermione had on her blouse. "She enchanted it to record everything so she can watch it later."
"What? I bet that's just an excuse. This is her idea. She should be here in case dead bodies start piling up!" Ron said surly.
Pansy rolled her eyes. "I never knew you were the overly-dramatic type, Weasley. Oh, wait... no, no I already knew that."
Ron glared at her. "Shut up, Parkinson."
She inched her chin up. "Make me."
"Hey, hey! Hush!" Harry said, pushing them both away from each other. "I've got an idea. Why don't we not use our real names? I mean, that's the whole point of the disguise, right? To not have Hermione know that we're here?"
"Right, right. Sorry," Ron murmured. He threw a look of pure venom at Pansy. "Wait until you and I--"
"Shh! Incoming!" Pansy loudly whispered.
As one, they took their menus and used them as shields, until only their eyes showed.
"Have I ever mentioned how bad I think this idea is?" Ron asked, his words muffled by the menu.
"Just shut up, will you?" Pansy snapped.
And silently, they watched as a well-dressed man made his way to where Hermione was sitting.
Harry, Ron, and Pansy collectively held their breaths.
"You!" they heard Hermione exclaim.
Ron winced. "This is an extremely horrid idea." Slowly, his hand inched towards his wand, until Pansy smacked him upside the head with her menu. "Hey! Ow!"
"Shh!"
"Well, well. Girl with the pearl pin," well-dressed man - otherwise known to the world as Draco Malfoy - quickly sat on the chair opposite hers. "Fancy that."
Hermione raised a brow. "Yes, that's me, man with green cuffs," she stated, pointedly looking at the ends of Draco's sleeves.
"Hmm. Interesting. I guess I'm your date, then."
"I never thought you'd be the type who needed to be set-up on a blind date," Hermione said airily.
"Is that a compliment?" Draco's teeth gleamed. "I'll take that as a yes."
Harry glanced at Ron. "At least they're civil to each other."
Pansy glared at him. "What, did you think Draco would just whip out his wand and curse at his date just for being Hermione Granger? Please. He has more finesse than that." She turned her attention back to the unlikely pair. "He'll have to drag her out to an alley, of course..."
Ron and Harry both growled at her.
"Kidding! Or... you know. Not."
"What about you, Granger?" Draco asked, his voice smooth as silk. "I never thought you're the type desperate enough to actually go on one."
Hermione arched a brow. "For your information, I did this as a favor to Ginny," she said. "I so happen to have an unpaid debt to her - courtesy of circumstances you have no right to know - and by doing this I am paying her up twice over. What about you?"
Draco smirked. "Let's just say Pansy has a way with words."
Ron nudged Pansy. "What did you tell him?"
She thought that over. "Ah. I think what I told him was, 'I'd curse the place you use to make children until it shrivels up if you don't do as I say'."
Harry and Ron both gaped at her.
"Definitely has a way with words," Ron mumbled.
"So," Hermione said placidly, "is this your first time, then? Or have you been going on blind dates all your life?"
Draco blinked at her, then actually had the nerve to laugh.
"What? What did I miss?" Ron asked, looking around. "What's so funny?"
Harry shrugged.
Pansy also looked blank.
"Granger, have I ever told you that you are an extremely lovely--"
"Just answer the damned question," she snapped.
Draco shook his head but maintained his amused expression. "This will be the first time."
Hermione cocked her head to one side. "Oh. The first, then? Does that imply that you have plans of making it into a habit, then?"
Pansy frowned ferociously. "Is it just me, or is Granger acting weird?"
"Jealousy suits you, luv," Draco said, smiling at Hermione.
This time, Harry's wig almost fell all the way. "What?"
"Shut up," Hermione said. "If you must know, I'm just keeping count. This will be... my third, I think. Yes, my third." She glared at Draco. "And my most boring, by the way. Must be the company I have this time."
Pansy rounded on Ron and Harry. "What is she talking about? Did you set her up with others before?"
"No!" Ron said.
"Honestly, Parkinson - do we strike you as the type to actually set our best friend up for a blind date?" Harry snapped.
"Well, Harry Potter, I would like to inform you that that is precisely what you have been doing in the past hour!" Pansy shrieked.
"Oh." Harry looked abashed. "Right. Heh. I forgot."
"Look, look!" Ron said, pointing at the two.
"Your... third?" Draco repeated, suddenly looking very dangerous indeed.
Hermione looked very smug. "Yes. The third... this week, I guess."
Draco was silent for a few moments. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" Hermione grinned. "Why do you think I didn't make it last Tuesday? Or last Saturday for that matter?"
"You said you were swamped with work."
"And you believed it?"
Draco gritted his teeth. "Of course I did!"
"Why don't you ask Harry and Ron, then?"
The Slythetrin frowned ferociously at her. "Maybe I will."
Pansy smiled at the two Gryffindors. "I think this is the right moment to inform you that Draco's currently wearing his deranged look - otherwise known as the 'I'm-going-to-happily-murder-two-idiots' expression on his face." Then, the smile turned thoughtful. "Of course, the correct question for that is why is he wearing that--"
"Have I ever told you two before how extremely bad I think this idea is?" Ron burst out. "Because it is. Extremely--"
"Well, now that that's out of the way, shall we order?" Hermione happily picked up her menu. "I heard that their--"
"I've lost my appetite," Draco said.
Hermione frowned. "What? But I thought--"
Then Draco stood. "We're leaving."
She gaped up at him, and so did several other customers. "What? But--"
"I'm putting a stop to this right now. I told you this wouldn't work. It was a mistake to have kept it this long," Draco muttered.
Hermione was no longer looking so amused. "You... you're not... you can't...." she stammered.
"I can, and I will."
"Okay, what is he going to do?" Harry asked, glancing at Ron.
"Do we look like Trelawney to you, Harry?" Ron snapped.
"Draco, no!" Hermione's hands flew to her mouth. "You said--"
"Did Granger just call Draco 'Draco'?" Pansy wondered out loud.
Then they all gaped at the two when Draco suddenly grabbed her by the waist and hauled her up to him for a long, deep, searing kiss.
And the restaurant was filled with cheers and claps and cat-calls.
When they separated, Draco dragged his finger down her cheek. "I love you, Hermione Granger. There. I said it." He looked around the restaurant. "And I'm informing every breathing male to back off from her, because she's mine."
Hermione was busy blinking back tears.
Harry, Ron, and Pansy, in turn, were busy keeping themselves from flailing like fishes and getting heart attacks.
"You're such a bastard," Hermione sniffed. "Oh, I do love you too, Draco."
And suddenly, Harry, Ron, and Pansy were on their feet.
"What!" they shouted as one.
"Ron! Harry! Parkinson!" Hermione called, waving at them, and apparently seeing through their disguises. "Thank you for organizing this! Because of you, we no longer have to pretend anymore... we're free!"
"Yes, we finally are," Draco said, smiling at her. Then, he pulled her to his arms and kissed her again, in full view of everyone.
A second round of cheers was in order.
Then, laughing and literally glowing, Draco and Hermione ran out of the restaurant...
...leaving the other three bewildered beyond belief.
"What... just... happened?" Ron asked, still wearing a glazed look on his face.
"They must have... been dating without us knowing it," Harry said, seemingly talking to himself more than the other two. "I mean... Malfoy wouldn't have said that if they didn't... right?"
Pansy shook her head. "That actually explains so much," she said. "Why Draco's not in his manor on most days..."
"...why Hermione was so keen on not letting us Apparate without warning..." Harry contributed.
"...and why Draco's been so happy he's nearly bursting with gigglish, fiendish glee every time I see him! He's been dating Granger in secret and now we've forced them to come out in public!"
Ron frowned. "Because we forced them both to go on a blind date?"
Pansy beamed. "Exactly!"
"Well." Ron was still frowning. "Well."
Then...
"Have I ever told you how great I thought this idea was?"
Pairing, Fandom: Ensemble (though mostly Natsuki/Masumi), Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Trust
Word Count: 692
Rating: G
Summary: Souta firmly believes that Masumi ought to trust them all by now with his own Precious.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
Souta looked at Masumi, who was in turn looking at Natsuki. They were in the park, one of those rare moments where the whole team was enjoying some peaceful times together. Satoru and Sakura were engaged in a discussion about the possibility of another Precious, Eiji was on some bench dozing, and Natsuki was standing near a candy shop, currently confused and having difficulty deciding what type of sweets to buy.
"Here," Souta said, handing a soda to Masumi. "Bought that for Natsuki-chan, actually, but she said--"
"She doesn't like cola." The younger man accepted the drink and sipped. "Thanks."
"What would you like for today?" They overheard the candy shop owner ask.
Natsuki repeatedly tapped a fingernail against her cheek. "Eh... Natsuki's still thinking... thinking..."
Masumi almost smiled, but he caught Souta watching him with an annoying half-smirk on his face, so he masked the urge with a cough.
"What do you think she'll buy?" the ex-spy asked lightly.
"Chocolate," Masumi answered quickly.
Natsuki smiled widely, then said, "Natsuki knows! Natsuki wants chocolate!"
The candy shop owner nodded then began scooping chocolate bits into a bag.
"Well, well..." Souta muttered, amusement evident on his tone.
"What?" Masumi asked, a bit defensive.
"Nothing," Souta said, leaning back on the bench.
"Thank you so much!" Natsuki said, bowing to the owner. She pivoted, waved then said, "Chief! Sakura-san! Natsuki bought some chocolate and--"
"You do know," Souta began, "that Natsuki-chan is safe with all of us here, right?"
Masumi stopped in the middle of slurping his soda. "Eh? What are you talking about?"
"You've been watching over her more closely than you did before," Souta replied. "I've noticed that, ever since... well..."
They were both silent.
"Just say your point, Souta," Masumi said, watching as Natsuki turned to Eiji's direction, her purpose evident on her face.
Souta smiled widely. "You know, I've always thought that you're arrogant, agrumentative, cruel, obnoxious, annoying--"
"I think you want my fist planted on your face, ex-spy," he snapped, actually placing the soda bottle on his side.
"Ei-chan Ei-chan Ei-chan Ei-chan..."
"Not now Natsuki, I want to--"
"EI-CHAN!"
The monk abruptly rolled and fell off the bench.
Souta winced. "That's got to hurt..."
Masumi only smiled.
"Natsuki is so sorry, Ei-chan, but--"
"I was sleeping! I was sleeping and you--"
"But, Ei-chan--"
"I was sleeping! Sleeping!"
Masumi got to his feet, ready to go to Natsuki's side - that was, until Souta pulled his sleeve down and he was forced to sit again.
"What the--"
"Eiji's not going to hurt her," Souta said.
"Of course he--"
"Eh, Ei-chan... do you want some chocolate?"
"What? You woke me up for chocolate?" Eiji glared at the bag she was shoving to his face. "You're sure you don't have some celery in there?"
"You know, Masumi, this is exactly what I was trying to tell you," Souta said. "You've got to trust us more."
"What?" Masumi asked. "But I--"
"Souta-san, Masumi!" Natsuki finally turned to them, smiling and waving. She started to run. "I've got some--"
Masumi stood. "Oi, oi, Natsuki, watch out for the--"
"Aahh!" The warning came too late. She slipped on the banana peel and and fell to the ground.
"Natsuki you idiot!" Masumi said, shaking his head. But before he could get to her, Souta beat him to it.
"Are you all right, Natsuki-chan?" Souta asked, helping her up.
Natsuki rubbed her hip. "Mm. But... Natsuki's chocolate!" she said, looking aghastly at the scattered sweets. "Natsuki didn't get to give Souta-kun and Masumi..."
"Don't worry," Masumi said, placing a hand on her shoulder. He handed her some coins. "Why don't you go buy another bag?"
She smiled brightly at him. "Okay!" And off she ran again.
"You were saying?" Masumi asked Souta.
"I know what's precious to you," he said. "We all do. But sometimes, Masumi, you have to trust us more. With her." And with that, Souta walked away.
"Masumi, Masumi!" Natsuki said, grabbing his sleeves. "Look! Natsuki bought chocolate. Do you want some?"
He glanced at Souta, then smiled at Natsuki. "Ask Souta first, maybe he wants some."
"But how about you?"
"Later," he said.
Pairing, Fandom: Masumi/Natsuki, Sakura/Akashi, Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Fifth Wheel
Word Count: 401
Rating: G
Summary: Eiji is starting to feel like a fifth wheel in their team.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
Eiji sat down beside Souta, feeling dejected and rejected all of a sudden.
"Oy, you," he said, roughly nudging Souta's knee with his. Eiji scratched his head before leaning back on the sofa. "You've been here longer than I have. Don't you become tired of being like this?"
Souta, busy with his laptop, barely looked at him. "Being like what?"
"Look up and I'll show you."
Souta did - and saw nothing out of ordinary. Natsuki and Masumi were on the table, eating - well, more of picking out the peas from Masumi's fried rice, really. Sakura and Chief were on the other end of the table, in the middle of a seemingly serious discussion.
He turned to Eiji. "What are you talking about?"
Silver pointed at Natsuki and Masumi, then at Sakura and Chief. "We're the fifth wheels here, in case you didn't notice." Eiji rolled his eyes. "How come we get to be fifth wheels?"
"Ah." Souta just smiled. "Finally noticed, haven't you."
"Sakura-neesan barely looks at anyone else when Akashi's in her line of vision," Eiji notes, staring at the woman as she nodded at something Red just said. "We've all become invisible to her all of a sudden."
"And whenever I talk to Natsuki-chan, I can feel Masumi's breath on my neck, ready to tear it off just because I'm talking to her." Souta shook his head. "It's quite entertaining, really."
"That doesn't bother you?" Eiji asked, surprise.
"Well..." Souta closed his laptop and laid it on the table. "Before Natsuki-chan and Masumi became Boukengers, there were just the three of us. Seeing as Sakura-san was already like this around Chief then, I can say that it doesn't bother me at all. Word of advice - it's probably better to keep your opinions to yourself whenever Chief's around - Sakura-san won't pay much attention to them, anyway."
Eiji gestured at Masumi and Natsuki. "What about them?"
"Masumi's being protective of her, seeing as he was the one who found her and cared for her. He always thinks he's just looking out for her the way a father does for his daughter." Souta inclined his head. "I just beg to differ."
"Ah," Eiji murmured.
"If you want, Takaoka-san, I can just take you along with me so that you can meet cute girls. What do you say? Do you like the name Momoko-chan? I can--"
"Ah, maybe not."
Pairing, Fandom: Masumi/Natsuki, Gogo Sentai Boukenger
Title: Darkness and Mystery
Word Count: 3631
Rating: PG
Summary: An alternate take on Task 33 - 34. What if, instead of Natsuki learning who she was from the Sun of Lemuria it takes over her, erasing everything and everyone she knew?
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective creators; I’m just here to have fun with them.
"Look," Sakura stepped forward, then pointed at the two figures walking towards them. "There they are! Chief!"
Satoru returned her earnest smile. "Mission accomplished," he said.
"Yeah!" Eiji said, grinning largely.
"Oi, oi!" Souta almost ran to Masumi and Natsuki as they approached. "Good job, Masumi!" he said, heartily slapping him on the back. He then turned to the girl beside him. "Eh, Natsuki-chan, I'm so glad you're back to your own self. Are you--"
Natsuki's eyes darted to him, widened, and she shrank deeper into Masumi's shadow.
"--all right?" Souta finished, his smile dying at the reaction he got.
Sakura frowned. It was highly unusual for Natsuki to be this quiet. "Natsuki," she said, reaching out to touch her arm, "how are you feeling?"
The girl shook her head lightly. "Please," she whispered. "I don't..."
"She's fine," Masumi firmly answered for her, then removed Sakura's hand. He quelled Eiji with a look when it looked like the monk was about to go into his own version of a welcoming committee. "She's just tired."
Satoru watched all of this with a frown.
"But..." Souta started.
"If that's all, then we'll go ahead," Masumi said loudly, glaring at the other man. Gently, he placed his hands around Natsuki. "Let's go, Nats--Hime-sama," he said softly. With a nod from the girl, they both began walking...
...leaving the other four stunned.
-
It was nearly midnight when Masumi left Natsuki's quarters. She had been unusually quiet, only asking a few questions here and there, which Masumi answered as best as he could. However, he could not do a damned thing about the lost look she had on her face, or the solemn way she regarded him.
She was wary of him, but accepted his presence because, so far, he was the only one she could trust. He was the only one she knew.
Hesitantly, she climbed on her bed to finally rest. She commented on how odd it was to sleep on such a thing, when for thousands of years she had slept in a capsule.
"And you... found me?"
"Yes."
"How? Did you open the--"
"You weren't in it when I found you. You must have opened it on your own."
"I... I see. And we... these people..."
"They are our friends."
"And you... are you my friend?"
"Yes."
"You saved me again, it seems." She blinked at him. "How did I become worthy of such loyalty from you, Inou Masumi?"
At this, he had to swallow heavily before saying, "You're my friend, Nats--Hime-sama. I'd do anything to protect you."
She smiled solemnly at him. "Natsuki. Is that what you call me? Such a lovely name. I wish... I knew who Mamiya Natsuki is," she said simply. "So I would know how it was that she found someone like you." And she closed her eyes and slept.
He stayed an hour after that, and just watched her sleep. He was on guard, on the alert in case someone else planned to kidnap and use her the way she had been. Masumi hated himself for being helpless to stop it from happening the first time. He would never, ever, allow that to happen again.
Masumi was careful to not make a sound as he departed. He assumed that he was the last one awake, and so he was caught unawares when he found the others seemingly waiting for him at the center room.
"How is she, Masumi?" Satoru asked him quietly, then nodded at Sakura when she gave him a cup of coffee.
"I told you," he answered, barely managing to suppress a yawn. "She's fine. Just tired. Good ni--"
"And you?" Sakura inquired gently. "Are you all right?"
Every part of him ached. There were wounds on his body that had not began healing yet, and he was half-mad with the desire to sleep. Still, he bragged, "Of course!"
"Natsuki..." Souta muttered, earning Masumi's swift look. "She's... she's a bit different, isn't she?"
There. That was the primary question in everyone's minds, and Masumi was surprised to hear Souta ask it. Souta, the ex-spy who was supposed to be the master at subtlety...
He caught the meaningful looks the other four exchanged, and immediately he was on the defensive. "What the hell are you talking about, Souta?" he fairly snarled. "Natsuki is Natsuki, and you're stupid if you--"
"You called her 'Hime-sama'," Eiji pointed out.
"A little slow in the uptake, Ashu?" Masumi snapped.
The insult had Eiji surging to his feet, ready to lunge at the younger man.
Satoru immediately quelled the sudden tension among them. "Everyone, I know we're all tired, and we all need some rest. For now, let's just be thankful that Natsuki is safe and well, and call it a night."
"I agree," Sakura said quickly. "Just as Masumi said, Natsuki may just be... tired, after all, she had been through a lot. Tomorrow, she'll be back to... she'll be herself tomorrow, you'll see." Realizing that she was close to babbling, Sakura bowed slightly and moved towards her quarters.
Everyone, including Masumi, did the same.
-
The following morning, Satoru, Sakura, Souta, and Eiji all came into the room, half-expecting to see Natsuki's bright grin and warm coffee welcoming and ushering them to the the start of a new day.
It was a bitter disappointment, then, when it didn't happen.
"I hate this," Souta muttered, slamming his hands on the table. "I hate feeling like..."
"Like everything's back to where it all began?" Sakura finished for him.
He nodded.
"What do you mean?" Eiji asked, biting into his celery.
"Masumi and Natsuki's first day here," Satoru elaborated. "It was very... awkward. Masumi was very arrogant and argumentative, always questioning everything and everyone. And Natsuki was... very eager."
"Happy," Sakura reminsced, smiling.
"Chipper," added Souta. "Despite that... they were still strangers, and that was how we treated them. Now, they're not strangers anymore, especially Natsuki-chan. But, yesterday... she acted as if she didn't know me. Me, Sou Sou Souta. I..."
"Is this... the effect of having her memory back?" Sakura asked, staring steadily at her tea. "Chief...?"
"Maybe it's the years catching up with her," Eiji commented, finishing his food. "All ninety-five thousand of them."
Everyone stared moodily at him.
"All right, bad joke."
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and out stepped Masumi. Casting a swift look around, he turned and walked directly towards Natsuki's room.
A few seconds later, his knocking and soft "Hime-sama?" were the only sounds heard.
The others exchanged looks again.
Masumi walked to them and wordlessly began arranging what looked like a breakfast tray.
Satoru spoke up. "I think it's time you tell us what happened to her, Masumi."
Irritated, he glanced at him. "Nothing's--"
"The hell there isn't!" Souta yelled. "She's also our friend, in case you haven't noticed. We deserve to know."
"Please," Sakura added softly. "Just tell us."
Masumi clenched his fists. Half of him wanted to let them figure the situation out for themselves, but the other half reminded him that they were, after all, his colleagues. Like Souta said, they deserved to know. "She doesn't remember any of us."
"What?" the others chorused.
"When her true memories returned... it completely took over her. It's like... it's like Natsuki never existed," Masumi spoke without feeling. He glared into the steaming cup of chocolate on the tray. "Happy now?"
"Masumi..." Sakura said, then stopped herself from putting her hand on his. He wouldn't appreciate it, she knew.
Satoru traded glances with Eiji and Souta, then focused on Masumi. "How did she... become this way?" he asked carefully.
"The Sun of Lemuria," Masumi answered shortly. "When she touched it..."
"Maybe that's our answer," Souta said, turning to Satoru. "Maybe if we can get her to touch it again..."
"It's worth a shot," the chief acknowledged, after a few moments.
"It's with the Questers, right?" Eiji asked. He stood. "No problem, then. I'll track them down and get it myself."
"I'll go with you," Souta said. He grinned at Masumi. "Natsuki-chan is also our friend. We'll get her back."
"Yes, we will," Sakura added, with confidence she didn't fully feel. She looked at Satoru.
"Then it's agreed," he said. "Boukengers, attack."
"Akashi," Masumi said, then paused when he got the attention. "I..." He cast a look at Natsuki's room. "I..."
Satoru nodded briefly, then clapped him on the back. "Understood," he said. "We'll contact you once we get it."
Masumi acknowledged that, then watched as they left.
-
"Hime-sama?" Masumi said. He entered the room, bringing the tray with him. "I brought you--Natsuki!" Food fell on the floor as he rushed to her side. She laid on the side of the bed, sobbing heavily, the covers sprawled all around her. Masumi placed both hands on her shoulders and tried to look at her face, but her hair made a curtain over most of it, making it difficult. "Natsuki," he called, shaking her gently. "What--"
"Ma...sumi?" she whispered, uncertain.
He wanted to pull her to him. She sounded so much like the Natsuki he knew... but something held him back. "It's me," he said. "What happened? Natsuki?"
"Don't," she said, placing her hands on his. "Please, stop them."
She was almost begging him in that voice. "What?" he asked, uncomprehending.
"The others," she said. "They're going to get... the Sun of Lemuria, aren't they?"
"Yes. They thought... if you touch it again..."
Then Natsuki gripped his hands, and Masumi had to stop himself from shouting. Her touch was vise-like. "If I get near it again, I'll die," she told him, her eyes burning in intensity.
All thoughts of his pain faded as he registered her words. "...what!"
"The Sun of Lemuria brought me back," she said. "But touching it again would cause me death. It'll only take my life into it, making it stronger." She let him go, only to wrap her arms around him. "Don't let them kill me, Masumi," she begged.
Masumi could only stare blankly as she pleaded with him over and over. Slowly, he raised his arms and wrapped them around her as well. "Yes," he said. "I won't."
"Thank you," she said softly, gripping him tighter.
His resolve made, he nodded against her. Masumi gently pushed her back, and dared to move the wet tendrils of hair off her face so he could see her eyes. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Hime-sama," he promised.
She smiled, slowly at first. "I trust you, Inou Masumi," she said.
-
"So, let me get this straight," BoukenSilver muttered, tucking the Sun of Lemuria under one arm, "that person Masumi brought back... isn't Natsuki?"
The others transformed back to their original forms, and the monk followed suit. "Yes," Sakura answered shortly.
"So, who is it?" Souta asked, looking at her for answers.
Sakura glanced at him. "The two of you saw Natsuki's parent's warnings the way I did," she said. "A parasite demon, the cause of Lemuria's downfall... one of them got trapped in the Sun of Lemuria somehow, and when Natsuki touched it..."
"It transferred to her, since's she's a live Lemurian," Satoru finished, nodding at Sakura. "It's probably the cause of her ancestors' deaths and why Lemuria ceased to exist."
"I thought the precious is some kind of energy source?" Souta asked again, looking at Eiji this time. "How could a parasite demon survive in it... for thousands of years?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Eiji said, "because frankly, I have no idea what's going on." Recklessly, he tossed the precious at Sakura, who caught it.
"The only way to get rid of it is to lure it back to this," she told them, staring into the precious. "Before it kills Natsuki, too."
"Let's go," Satoru said.
-
Because she asked for it, Masumi brought Natsuki to a high peak, where she could clearly see the city from where they stood. She smiled at him again, looking so much like the Natsuki he knew, that for a moment he was fooled into thinking that nothing was wrong.
Only for a moment, though.
"Your world is very different from Lemuria," she said softly, transfixed at the sight beneath her.
"How?" he asked, crossing his arms and also looking at the city.
"For one, our city was made of gold," she answered, lifting her hands and making a sweeping gesture. "Everywhere you look, you'll see gold gleaming under the sun. Ours was a prosperous civilization, you see." She glanced at him. "You might've liked it there, had you lived in my time, Inou Masumi."
Masumi stared at her, suprised.
"You're a treasure hunter, aren't you?" she said lightly.
"H-how did you...?"
Natsuki lightly touched her temples. "I have... flashes... every now and then," she said. "Natsuki Mamiya's memories are within me still. I saw you in a cave, and you were shouting at me to stay back, but... the cave collapsed, and... I helped you to get out. I pulled you out, and when you saw me covered in dust, you yelled at me because I didn't do what you said."
I saved you, you saved me, Masumi remembered saying to her before. That's why... you should always be by my side...
"And then I... I saw..." She shuddered a bit and quite suddenly collapsed to her knees.
"Natsuki!" Masumi said, rushing to her, catching her before she fell to the ground. "What hap--"
She grabbed his hand. "The Sun..." she whispered. "It's... drawing nearer... I can..."
"Masumi!"
"Akashi," Masumi said, looking up. Then, he spotted the precious in Sakura's hands.
"Get away from her!" Souta said, gesturing with his hands. "She's not Natsuki!"
"What?"
"L-lies," Natsuki said. She touched his face. "Don't... please, don't..."
Masumi nodded. He helped her sit, then sternly placed himself before her. "Stay back!" he yelled, spreading his arms wide. "Don't bring that thing any closer!"
"It's the only way to get Natsuki back!" Eiji said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Masumi sputtered. "She is Natsuki, you idiot!"
"There's a parasite invading her body," Sakura explained. "That's why she isn't acting like Natsuki, because the parasite controls her!"
"No!" Natsuki moaned. "You're all lying! Masumi, they want to kill me... please... destroy the Sun before it kills me... please!"
"The Sun's the only way to kill it!" Satoru said. "If we let her touch the precious, it will bring Natsuki back, Masumi!"
But he didn't listen to them. Masumi heard her breathing heavily behind him, and almost felt her suffering. Intense hatred filled him, and the only thought in his mind then was that he had to destroy the precious. He had to, for Natsuki's sake!
I won't let anyone hurt you, Hime-sama.
"Boukenger, start up!"
His first target was Sakura, who was holding the Sun at her hands. "Radial Hammer!" BoukenBlack aimed for the precious, but Sakura managed to throw the Sun to Satoru.
"What are you doing?" Sakura asked him.
"Black!" the chief yelled. "We're doing this to save Natsuki!"
"No!" he yelled back. "You're going to kill her!" He gripped his weapon harder, focusing his attention on Satoru.
"Masumi!"
BoukenBlack turned just in time to see BoukenBlue and BoukenSilver launch themselves at Natsuki. Each of them caught one of her arms and forced her to stand. "Get away from her!" BoukenBlack yelled. "Let her go damn you!"
"Satoru!" BoukenSilver said. "The Sun!"
"Masumi!" Natsuki was openly crying now.
"No!!!" In a desperate act, BoukenBlack got his laser as well. "Sniper mode!" He aimed at BoukenBlue, and prepared to shoot...
...but BoukenRed had suddenly appeared, knocking the gun out of his hand, and knocking him to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Masumi," he said, holding him down by the neck and with a knee at his back. "We're saving Natsuki this way..."
"You're... going to kill her!" he ground out.
"The only thing that will die is the parasite," BoukenRed said. "Don't you see? It tried to use you to save itself. And it's working... trust us, Black. We won't hurt her!"
BoukenBlack snarled, "If anything happens to her, I'm going to hunt you down, one by one, and I'm going to kill--"
"Masumi! Help me, please!"
He managed to turn his head, just in time to see Sakura raise the Sun of Lemuria on top of Natsuki's head.
"No!" she shrieked. "Stop! Masumi!"
"No!" he shouted. "Natsuki!!!"
The Sun shone brilliantly and showered upon Natsuki blinding beams of light. Natsuki opened her mouth, and a deafening, inhuman scream filled the air.
"Stop it!" BoukenBlack yelled desperately. Without warning, he transformed back to his original form. "Stop it damn you!"
A harsh wind engulfed the group, and the men valiantly held on to Natsuki as she writhed and gasped. Sakura fell to her knees, her hair whipping mercilessly against her face, but she managed to keep the Sun above the screaming girl.
"Ma...sumi!" Natsuki shrieked in a voice that wasn't hers anymore.
Blinded by rage, Masumi managed to throw BoukenRed off him. He shot to his feet and grabbed his pocket knife, then thundered towards Sakura.
"Masumi, stop!" BoukenRed called out. "Sakura!"
Sakura looked at him, saw his intention clearly on his face, and abruptly closed her eyes.
Just as Masumi was a few steps away from her, the Sun emitted another brilliant light - this time, it shot through Natsuki, and for a moment she glowed white. Then the light flew out of her, and headed back to the precious.
The wind howled again, fiercer this time, and managed to knock all of them down. BoukenBlue and BoukenSilver transformed back to themselves, Sakura dropped the Sun of Lemuria, and Natsuki fell to the ground.
Unmoving.
Masumi tried to get up, and found it infinitely difficult to do so. He could hear the others groaning, and realized that the wind had done them all damages. Masumi gripped his shoulder and rolled to one side - but he spotted Natsuki, and desperately he pushed himself to limp towards her.
"Nat...suki?" he called out, almost afraid.
Nothing.
He dropped to his knees and with shaking hands touched her face. "Natsuki," he said softly. "Wake up."
Still, nothing.
Masumi stared at her face, and he became filled with a curious feeling. He felt... empty. Hollow. His pain was forgotten, everything was forgotten, because he felt... nothing. Like this was all a dream, and in that dream, he could do anything.
It was with that feeling that he got to his feet. He saw his blade gleaming in the distance, and he picked it up. Slowly, Masumi surveyed the scene. Eiji was the closest to him. Eiji, who was trying to stand. Eiji, who held her mercilessly as she screamed and begged and tried to live...
You haven't released that Darkness in you yet, brat?
He took a step. He felt the blade bite into his palm. Another step. His grip became slippery with blood. Then, another. Until--
"M-ma...sumi?"
His step faltered. It was like he was doused with ice water. He whirled around to see that Natsuki's eyes were open, and when she saw him...
"Masumi?" she called again, louder this time. She pushed herself up until she was sitting. "I... where are we? And why... oh, Masumi, you're bleeding!"
"Nat...suki?" he whispered, almost disbelievingly. The blade fell from his hand.
"It worked," Masumi could hear Souta saying. "It worked! Eiji!"
"Sakura, are you all right?" he heard Satoru ask.
"Everyone's here?" Natsuki said, looking around, clearly confused. She took out a handkerchief and reached for his hand. "I... what happened? Masumi? Why are you bleeding?"
He couldn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her roughly and held her tight. "You're back," he whispered. "You're back."
-
"Everyone!" Natsuki called, waving her hands gaily in the air. "Natsuki prepared her special cake and coffee! Come on, let's eat! Chief, Souta-san, Sakura-san, Ei-chan..."
"Coming, coming!" Souta said, placing his guitar down and jogging lightly to the table. "It smells so good, Natsuki-chan!" He surveyed the table and inhaled deeply. "Mmm!"
"Of course! It's my specialty!" Then Natsuki went to the couch and grabbed Eiji by the arm. "Come on, Eiiiii-chan! You have to taste my cake! I even placed some celery and pepper in it for you!"
"Really?" the monk said.
"Really!" she answered. "Chief! Sakura-san... oh, where are they?"
"They're talking to Masumi," Souta said, slicing into the cake and carefully ignoring the parts with pepper and celery.
"Oh," Natsuki said. Then she smiled and said, "I'll go get them, then!"
-
"What do you want me to say?" Masumi asked them. "That I'm sorry?"
Satoru and Sakura looked at each other. "We know that you were just trying to protect Natsuki, Masumi," he said.
"So we just wanted to tell you that we understand," Sakura told him.
Masumi stared at her, hard. She knew he had every intention to kill her at one point then, and now...
"I understand," she repeated, softer.
Masumi looked away.
The elevator doors opened, and out came Natsuki. "Chief, Sakura-san, Masumi! Souta-san and Ei-chan will finish all the food if you don't get up there quickly!"
Satoru smiled. "Then I guess we've got to go then!" he said.
Sakura nodded, then briefly hugged Natsuki. "I'm so glad you're back," she said.
"Natsuki is glad she's back, too," Natsuki answered, grinning at Satoru.
Then the two moved to the elevator.
"Masumi," Natsuki said, grabbing his arm. "Come on, let's go."
For a moment, Masumi placed his hand over hers, and looked at her eyes. "Natsuki..."
"Hmm?" she asked, staring owlishly at him.
The darkness was still within him, he knew. But it could be quelled, as long as she was here, by his side. With him. "Don't leave me again, do you hear?"
She smiled brilliantly at him and nodded.
Part two on next post!
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Hehe!
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I only read Blind Date. Hehe. No time for anything else. But I'm glad I did! Ron's so funny. :D And I like your Pansy. Hehe. And the way Hermione made Draco jealous... hahaha. Great fic! You should write more!
And I'm glad the D/Hr was at the top of your list. :D :D
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This was my entry for a fic exchange (not the dmhg one, though) but I thought it was too... blah. Hehe. Don't read the others! Unless you knew the fandoms!
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Okay, I won't read the others... don't have time. Hehe. But I will read your other D/Hr ones! I do love the way you write Pansy and Ron. And Harry too, hehe. It's always great to read your fics coz of your characters (other than Draco and Hermione). :D
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