Description: After Kula's attack on the YFCC, Shurui's faced with a decision: stay at the YFCC or relocate before NESTS barges in. Thankfully for her, she was friends willing to make the decision easier for her, even if it means placing themselves in danger. However, when the time comes, will Shurui's warnings fall on deaf ears, or will Kenji prove himself to be just as careful as he is enthusiastic?
The Young Fighters' Community Center: A place that you really don't see him in all that much.
He's a good kid, and he finds himself busy quite often with after-school activities... after all, being the secretary of the Student Council is a big deal at Gedo High means there's a lot of work cut out for him-- not because his title puts him in any kind of great esteem, but because he actually does have to -work-; students making messes, occasionally having to act as a mediator between students, and of course, trying to revitalize a student council that really would take no other part in the organization than to just have the special room set aside just for them.
So what would bring the likes of Kenji Ashima to a place like this?
He's worried, really. He wasn't at school the day that the invasion had happened, his flight back from one of his battles in god-knows where ending up delayed and missing a day of school. You can also bet he's probably one of the only students in Gedo history to go out of his way to get his missed assignments to hand them in anyway!
Still, he's got a purpose here. He knows mostly by word of mouth where she hangs out, having poked his head around here and there and asked as many people as he could to hunt down the girl that apparently the strangers that are looking for her can't find-- Shurui Chiang.
Rolling inside on the extended wheels of his Kick-Rollers, Kenji's dressed in casual clothing for this endeavor-- the nice jeans with the pre-rips in the knees, the "DO NOT ENGAGE LU BU" t-shirt, and the heavy chain hanging from his belt and hooking in to his wallet.
He is the walking paragon of fashion.
Stomping down the riggings back into the soles of the boot-sneakers, the Missile Fist starts asking around if anyone's seen her-- that girl he hasn't had a chance to talk to since their meeting in the park.
At first, it's a no sell. Some young fighters sniff derisively at the mention of YFCC's public secret of a hermit, usually giving Kenji a coment to the effect of 'why do you wanna see her' or a vague 'she's somewhere'. Eventually, the embodiment of haute couture manages to find someone- a young girl, in fact, who proclaims proudly that Shurui is sleeping in one of the spare rooms in the back, and that she said to make sure no one went back there 'if they looked weird or said something about reclaiming her or something'.
But Kenji does not look at all 'weird' to the young girl, and he MUST be a good guy because he has the COOLEST SHOES EVER. So, Kenji gets a free pass. Damn ten year olds.
As for Shurui's looks.... well, she's never been one to opt for much beyond what she can grab for little or no money, and here? .... No exception whatsoever. Curled up contently amongst some boxes with a book aside her with some magnifying lenses, there's only a grey t-shirt and a pair of striped sweatpants to her name. Eventually, somehow sensing the presence of someone near, Shurui grumbles and wakes up, grey hair mussed up from her unorthodox but somehow comfortable position. "Nnnhh...."
It's coming.
His efforts have proved to be in vain so far, but the talks continue. He checks with this person, that person, and every fourth one between. He asks if they've seen her, he asks if she's all right. He ... asks one of the teenage volunteers around his age for her phone number.
This is Kenji, what do you expect?
It's coming closer.
Still, finally, one of the children there takes a liking to his shoes, and he has to, of course, show her every facet of how it works, and explain how they're the single most awesome pair of shoes ever made in the history of man, and that it's a scientific fact. He's gotta do a couple of trick jumps, he has to show her how to click your heels mid-jump and extend them. He's gotta show her how he stomps his feet down and the riggings fold back under the boot-like sneaker. It's all very interesting. Still, eventually he gains safe passage!
It's almost there.
Kenji strides down the hall, putting a smile on his face-- smiling, but still very much worried. He's gotta get to the bottom of this, and find out what's going on as soon as he can. He's gotta try to help, too! Even if it involves weird guys with fantastic hair. And that's what leads him to the door-- the door in the back with the sound of a groan escaping from it. He reaches for the knob, but-- stops. No, that's not right. Kenji lifts his hand and raps firmly on the door.
"Shuuuuuruuuuuuiiiiiiii~!"
Yes, perhaps now it's clear: The young man with the aura as bright and warm as the sunlight...! She better have your sunglasses, or else this could get to be really sticky...
Sadly, no go on the number. "God, does she *look* like my type?" answers one volunteer irritably. "She looks like she's twelve for cryin' out loud."
The ten year old girl proves much more amiable. In fact, as Kenji dimenstrates hismad skillz, the little girl's eyes slowly widen. Why, he;s proven himself to be the most awesome grown-up (well, to her, he'd be a grown-up) ever! .... At least, until someone else manages to bring in a Pretty Pretty Sailor Girl DVD for her and all the other girls to watch while their older siblings work out.
Shurui? Well, she proves to be a harder sell, *especially* with Kenji's sunny (LITERALLY) disposition. ".... wh..." So *that's* what gnawed on her brain long enough to wake her up. "...Grk-" where's her glasses fumblefumble-
Momentairely forgetting her perch atop some boxes, Shurui barely manages to keep atop them as her body strays to close to the edge in her mad dash for those shades. ".... K-kenji." A finger unceremoniously itches at her head. "Did you come to check on me too?"
"No, I meant-- your-- n-num-- augh." His head hung in defeat, his shoulders slouched. Alas, a misunderstanding like that!
But no, now he's at the back of the building, now he's got the more pressing matter nearly staring him in the face-- at least, if she could see properly. She wears those sunglasses all the time, and he's never really gotten the full story, so it's always been filed away as a severe sensitivity to light. More importantly, there's still a door between them, as Kenji stands leaning against the frame with his hands in his pockets. His head bobs forward a little to speak a little more clearly through the door, his voice still surprisingly upbeat given the circumstances.
"Well, I haven't seen you in school for so long, and I didn't really hear about what was going on-- I mean, I heard there was some weirdo there, but that's kinna par for the course, y'know? So uh, I was worried! And I thought I'd check up on you... if ... uh ... that's all right..."
He's scratching his head at the last part. Smooth, Ashima. Real smooth!
"O-oh." The volunteer blushes, suddenly catching on to Kenji's words. "S-sorry, but..." Her shoulders slump, miming Kenji's own. ...Well, you can't win them all. At least Shurui's a *little* easier. She likes guys! .... Right?
... Well, it's not like she ever shown much interest in either camp. .... Not that she's breaking any new ground in terms of behavior for a NESTS experiment. Not that Kenji knows that. In fact, poor Kenji's rather in the dark about the girl overall. Sure, she seems to have problems without her glasses, but she fights like any person without them!
Blink. Blink. The Guardian King's concerned words give Shurui pause before she finally swings her legs over the side, slipping down to stand on the floor in front of Kenji. "Man, I thought Tenma's clue you in what happened." She lets out a sigh. "At least you're okay, and the school's okay."
Time to come straight. "Can't remember exactly what I told you last time we met, but. There's people searching for me. Trying to find me. Remember that whole mess with Marise?" Shurui's mouth sets in a grim line. "They see me as theirs, and, since someone's tried to kidnap me, they want me 'back'. They were the ones who attacked the school. The weirdo you're thinking of is probably Igniz. He's... well, he's got this weird father complex going. I don't know where he stands in this, but he seems to call a lot of the shots. He's dangerous."
"Well, I didn't get the full rundown on what had happened. We've all been a little busy, but..." He considers his words carefully, at this point. "I imagine your problems are a whole lot bigger."
Kenji pushes off from the wall just outside the door now, finally presenting himself in full view if Shurui has her glasses on or not. In either event, his thumbs are hooked in his pockets and his hair is -fantastic-, but his face isn't the usual all-smiles sort that a lot of Gedo High knows so well. No, for once, maybe twice or the third time, he's looking a little down. And why shouldn't he? One of his friends is being accosted, on top of already being taken away by some saggy old hag and locked in a basement with one of his teammates.
So now Kenji nods, thinkign about this whole thing. Igniz, that's his name. And he's got a father complex of some kind? They have to have at least -some- resources, if they're gonna be doing any kind of raiding around schools and the like. Part of him considers other things, too. Maybe the other schools have some information to volunteer about what had happened? Maybe there's someone he can talk to. What if Tenma knows something? Shurui even indicated to it...
"Well, hey, it might not be much, but... if ever you need me to come charging out to whomp someone's ass, just scream my name. I'll be there to smack it down right fast and in a hurry." He even points, nodding with a stern expression.
"It's that whole hero thing. It's badass, and you don't mess with it."
"Everyone's got problems," Shurui offers, tilting her head. "NESTS is after more people than me, and my problems haven't been the worst of all, so don't go comparing. Plus, I've got help this time. There's a reason I'm here and not just running around on my own." Thankfully, by this time, Shurui's glasses are in place, keeping her from experiencing Kenji's full... uh, glory. Even if it may possibly be dampened slightly by his mood.
It would be easy just to dismiss Kenji's offer and simply take it as evidence that she's not alone, but Shurui's already thinking. No, he wouldn't have him protect her; she'll deal with situations like that as they happen. However? "... Hm. Maybe you *can* help me. This place- it's gonna get attacked by NESTS. If you can help protect the kids here if they decide to attack during the day, that'd help me more than anything. I might not be able to help you; I might make a run for it. So everyone can focus on getting everyone to safety instead some being distracted about whether someone's gonna kidnap my ass." Her lips thin in a straight line. It *may* make sense to relocate entirely, before anything happens. But where to? Maybe K' might have some ideas. "You saw me that one time. Can't afford to chance that happening *ever* again."
"But remember. If the chips are down, run. I don't care if you'll look like an ass; I don't want to see anybody I personally know kidnapped by NESTS. I'll be forced to do things I don't wanna do." She folds her arms. "Can you do that on top of everything else? And don't face off NESTS by yourself, no matter how easy you *think* it is. Get friends, or run away." She folds her arms, clearing her throat. Wow, that came off as a little *too* serious. "You have my number. If you're worried about my location, call or text me."
He can help? Seriously? Kenji's posture shifts just slightly as he listens carefully to what she has to say, his expression just a little bit pensive. All right... protect the kids? Help them get out? Help -Shurui- get out, more than that? Looking off to the side, the young man suddenly holds his chin between his thumb and forefinger, his expression becoming intense. "I may have to tarnish my near-perfect attendance record that's ruined because of tournament fighting anyway, but..."
The Missile Fist's arm whips up in a strong thumbs-up, even while his hand remains on his chin. It adds to the effect with the smoldering gaze and the sudden, impromptu attempt to lighten his spirits, and perhaps the girl on the run too. "I will have to do everything in my power, and then some!!"
Pulling himself up straight, arms folding, Kenji lets his head slope to the side. "I'll see if Tenma, Stasya, and Hakuya want to do something, too." Hakuya... well, that's a maybe. Where -did- the cheeriest member of the Guardian Kings run off to? Still, the others-- they might be able to help out, maybe.
His hand comes up to his chin. "Maybe I could make a few calls to... mmm, hmmm, yes..." Though he lets himself trail off for that moment, the brawler hooks his thumbs into his pants pockets and nods. "I'll do everything I can."
"Thanks." Shurui's lips turn upwards in a slight, if tight, smile. "I'll be able to take care of myself, then, as long as all the other details are taken care of. If NESTS focuses on kidnapping people who can't fight back... not sure if I'd want to live with that."
AUGH CHEERY BRIGHTNESS Even with the tinted glasses, Shurui finds herself squinting. "Just don't be stupid, okay? Again, it's not worth it to get captured. I'm not good at just waltzing into a place and begin exploding things to save your ass or your friends." ... Not that she wouldn't try. She'd just... bring help. Blackmail/Tempt K'/Whip with delicious food or the promise of hurting NESTS. Grab the rest of the Guardian Kings. That sort of thing. Taking off her glasses as she winces her eyes shut, she rubs her eyes with her opposite forearm. "God, your aura's fucking bright. I'm surprised no one can see it with normal sight," the Gedo girl comments as she places the rose-colored glasses back. "Did you get training or is it just always that way?"
"Man, don't worry. I understand it's serious-- really, I do. But... if you just sit there and worry and try not to chill out and take a breather every now and then, you're gonna lose your mind." To a lesser degree, he could compare it to his feelings while cooped up on the Seiryuu for the entirety of the Jinchuu tournament-- penned in with the Pacific Resistance with a broken left arm. The time he could get on the deck, reading the volumes of manga that he managed to smuggle into his bag before leaving home? That kept him relatively sane.
But then she says something that surprises him. His aura's bright? She's surprised that... what?
Kenji squints, leaning in a little more. "You ... what? What are you talkin' about? I never had any training before... what are you talking about?" And then he gets a little closer, a little more curious. "You can ... see stuff?"
There's giddy glee hidden somewhere in the depths of the young man, hidden somewhere in the back of his throat.
The confusion present in Kenji's face and words make Shurui's own face go blank; she truly forgot that she hadn't really *told* him anything about why all these strange people were chasing her. After all, it's not like she's shown herself to be this superpowered fighter or... well, he's familiar with psi power, but wouldn't NESTS be after Stasya and other psi-using fighters as well? Hell, why not more highly powered psi fighters, like that weird Thai dictator that got quickly overthrown or whatever his name was.
"... O-oh yeah," she finally says, recovering. "That's why Marise and NESTS were after me. It's not that I'm all that powerful- it's just that I can see people's auras. It's a mind thing; my real sight's shitty and always has been, even with glasses. I think my mind's just translating things into a language I can deal with." She folds her arms. "Everybody's aura's different in some way; even if I find someone who's bright like you, it'll be different in some way. Usually, it reflects their personality, but it also shows me what area's weak and what area's strong when I really focus on a person." Shurui itches her head with an index finger, seeming embarrassed. "Marise wanted that ability for some reason. Like seeing everyone as weird glowy colors is a good thing." She shudders.
"You don't wanna know what she looked like. That shit still gives me nightmares." A quilt of oily mouths, screams, and teeth. There's sure to be people whose auras are just as bad or far worse, but for now? She takes the cake. "You're a shiny yellow...... person. In my sight. The shades help cancel out most of the shine, but I think my eyes get themselves confused and think they're looking at something really bright. I'm still figuring this shit out."
When she explains it, it all seems to sink in-- and after she finishes explaining, time passes. It's brief, but the silence from the young man is almost a physical presence unto itself. Then it just -clicks-. He has to put it to an analog, parallel it to things that he's read in comics before. Still, he gets it-- and he gets it pretty well, even! This prompts him to let out a sudden, "OHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kenji scratches the back of his head, somewhat sheepish. "Sorry I can't dial it down any, uh... still, that's kinna weird. I mean, don't get me wrong! It's cool that you can do that sort of thing, but when you asked before, it reminded me of this time Asai was asking me about training and..." His hand lifts, waves a little. It's a long story, the gesture's meant to say.
Looking down at himself, Kenji actually does stop to think about that. His expression becomes a little pensive, read in his stance, his mood. "But naw. I've never really had any trainin'. I mean, I'd occasionally spar or get into drag-out fistfights with my sister, but I never had a lick of training in my whole life. It's not even like I really know how to control it, I just kinna ... do it."
And then he takes a step back. "Still, um. Er. If it hurts that much, I can skip out, if you want to. I didn't mean to give you any more headaches than y'already got, y'know?" Kenji still looks curious, though. He's got questions about those eyes, and what she can see, who she can see, the things that she's seen!! Most important of all, the one that he sneaks out as he starts edging himself towards the door. "How long've you been able to do that?"
The silence, though brief, causes Shurui to feel briefly that she may have somehow shocked Kenji, or, in a more extreme case, causes something to pop in his brain. After all, it's a very weird concept to explain!
Then, an epic explosion of understanding nearly causes her to fall back, the Gedo girl just barely catching herself before falling over. "Nono, you got it wrong. I wasn't complaining because I thought you could change it. You can't. Not unless you die or get close to death. That's your energy; the stuff that fuels you and makes you you." She stuffs her hands into her pockets with a shrug. "... Well, you fight pretty good, and you got a lot of energy to spare. You're not going to run into any of the same problems I did."
Sensing his edging towards the door, Shurui frowns. "... Don't take it as a reason to not be around me. I'm more used to it now that I was when I first met you. So don't freak out on me, okay?" ... Of course, this'd be the first time she's ever felt paranoid enough to believe, despite what Kenji may be doing in reality (which is being a naisu gai), that her powers could push someone away. .... Time to stomp that out altogether; she's not going to have it!
Then he throws out a question that makes Shurui stop to think. "Nearly as long as I can remember," she finally says, truthfully. "There was a time when I couldn't, but I guess I developed it out of a need to survive. Kinda like how your body conpensates for something it lacks. Just with me... it kind of chose a different path." The reason why it did Shurui can guess at, but it's a guess that would reveal a lot more than she'd care for Kenji to know at this point. He's her friend, yes, but the idea that she could possibly be just three years old, or that she was once a completely different person scientifically changed to be something else? Not an easy fact to talk about, especially when you yourself aren't sure just what the circumstances of your birth are.
She decides it may be better to cut the conversation short, for both their sakes. "Anyway, don't worry about giving me a headache; I gotta swing by the Qwukie Mart anyway." Combing pale fingers through her hair, she adds, "... Uh, just... don't get too caught up in trying to be a hero, okay? You got people who care about you, same as me. Never throw that away."
With that, she stuffs her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, passing by the Guardian King. "See ya."
Log created on 00:31:59 08/14/2008 by Shurui, and last modified on 19:23:09 08/22/2008.