Story: The Rabbit's Game (all chapters)

Disclaimer:  This is an original story owned by me.  Okay, it's not THAT original, but you get the point, right?

Ikimashou!

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"The Rabbit's Game" - by MadPanda

Chapter 1 - "Ask The Squirrel"
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"Kobe City.  Next stop, Kobe City."  The soft female voice echoed through the near empty train car.  "Please be kind to the other passengers when exiting the train, and remember to take your belongings with you.  Thank you for riding Japan Rail."  The announcement roused the one passenger in the car, a red-haired woman in a rumpled coat.  She gathered her large shoulder bag, got to her feet and stood by the doorway, watching as the station approached.

"Twelve years already," she sighed.  "After all this time, you'd think I'd be used to this."  The train pulled into the station, and the woman stepped off the train.  There were few passengers with her, as it was late in the evening.  She made her way out of the station, and went straight to the memorial.

There were still quite a few people surrounding the area.  Festive Christmas lights were strung on poles and other debris from the site, which was arranged in such an order so that, when seen from above, read "1.17" - the date of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 that killed over 6,400 people.  Flowers, cards, plush animals, letters and other mementos were scattered all over the memorial, and the woman added her own piece to the pile.  It was a simple white card, with the words "Dear Yume-chan.  Please forgive me.  Love, Alexa." written in Japanese.  She then walked over to a nearby bench, sat, and cried.

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There had been far too many days and nights like this for Alexa.  Far too many memorials to visit, far too many cards to leave.  She didn't relish the idea of doing this; she just felt it had to be done.  She couldn't prevent any of it, no matter how she tried.  She couldn't save the millions of people who lost their lives over the nearly 2,400 years of her existence.  Yet she felt responsible just the same, and this was her way of atoning for her sins.  And it was her way of remembering those she loved and lost along the way.

"Stupid curse," she mumbled to herself, watching the last of the visitors leave the monument.  "All of this, and so much more, could've been avoided.  All this over something so stupid!"  She tried to wrap her mind around the sense of it all, but seeing that she'd fail miserably, Alexa buried her head in her hands and let the tears come.

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"Um . . . excuse me."  A gentle voice reached Alexa's ears, and the woman  turned to see who the owner was.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I did not wish to bother you.  Everyone has left.  I do not think it is wise to be here alone, especially in your state."

"Alone?"  Alexa finally took a good look at the woman.  Jet-black hair curled around her youthful face, her eyes full of concern.  She was well-dressed against the winter's cold, in a white fur coat with matching gloves and earmuffs.  "Oh, yeah.  I'm sorry.  I usually come to these things when there are few people here.  I don't like crowds."

"A very odd habit, miss."  The other woman smiled, trying her best to lighten Alexa's dour expression.  "Still, it is late, and you should not be here alone.  Is there a place you are staying?"

Alexa did smile at that thought.  She rarely stayed anywhere, always moving from one disaster to another.  "Not really.  I was going to go to Peace Park in Nagasaki after I left here."

"You look very tired.  Come with me.  I'll take you to a hotel, and you can get some rest before your journey."  The woman felt compelled to help Alexa.  Maybe it was because she saw so much sadness and weariness in Alexa's emerald eyes.  Or maybe she was touched by Alexa's compassion . . .. or her odd choice of tourist sites.  'Why would someone want to put themselves through this much grief?' she thought to herself.  She offered a hand to Alexa.  "Please come with me, miss.  I would not want anything to happen to you."

Alexa took the woman's hand and stood up from the bench.  "I'm sorry to bother you like this.  My name is Alexa.  Alexa Melanos."  She gave the woman a very grateful bow.

"Misaki Ohta.  Please, call me Misaki!"  The woman bowed and smiled broadly.  "And don't worry . . . I'll take care of the bill."

"Well, if you insist . . ."  Alexa watched the cheerful young woman walk to her car.  Something about her made Alexa curious, beyond the woman's unusual generosity.  As she approached the car Misaki took out a cell phone and checked the hotel for a vacancy.   "You don't usually pick up strange women and take them to hotels, do you?" Alexa joked.

Misaki's blush was hard to hide.  "Well, no . . .it's just that, well, you look like you can use the rest.  And while you might be strange, you're not scary or anything..  No offense meant."

"None taken," Alexa replied.  "And you're right, it's been two days since I've slept.  Thank you very much."  She bowed to the woman.

"You're welcome!"  Misaki opened the passenger side door for Alexa.  "Shall we be going?"  She watched Alexa take her shoulder bag and toss it into the rear seats of the small car, then the two entered the car and began to drive to the hotel.

'Ohta-san, do you live around here?"

"Please, call me Misaki!" the car's driver interrupted.  "And yes, I live just outside of town.  I was visiting a friend of mine when I crossed your path."

"A boyfriend?" Alexa pried, raising a blush from Misaki.

"No!  It's not like that!"  Misaki shook her hands in defense, then realized she needed them on the wheel to drive.  "He was a friend of my sister's.  I saw him off on his trip home."

"Oh, I see.  Sorry to get you all flustered like that, Misaki-san." The passing lights were starting to become hypnotic to Alexa's eyes.

"Listen, Alexa-san.  Instead of a hotel, why don't you stay with me?  I've got room and it would be nice to have company, if even for the night."

Alexa's head was filling with sleep, and the prospect of signing into a hotel didn't sound restful at all.  She murmured a low "okay" and drifted off to sleep.

"Good.  I'll wake you when we arrive."  Misaki turned on the car's radio and tuned it to a soft music station.  She hummed along as she drove down the highway.

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Alexa had seen this dream many times.  So much so that she sat on her accustomed bench and waited for her guest to arrive.  He never appeared in the same form twice, but she always knew it was him by his sarcastic manner.  Sometimes Alexa enjoyed his company; other times she feared it.  Even so, it was a ritual.  Every night without fail.  Even if she had other dreams, or if she dozed off during the day, the appointment was always kept.  After not having slept in two days, she knew this would be one heck of a visit.

She sat on a bench in a flower-filled park and waited.  The sound of a carousel could be heard in the distance, along with some chirping birds.  Just as Alexa was close to figuring out what song the carousel played, she spotted a very annoyed-looking rabbit hopping towards her.  "If you say one word about me being late, I'll change into something carnivorous, I swear!"

"Sorry, I've been busy."  Alexa bent down to pick up the rabbit, but it jumped on the bench on its own and scowled at her.  "Hey, I was only trying to help!"

"I can do it myself, thank you very much!", the rabbit sneered.  "Anyway.  I see you're in Kobe again.  Did you say hello to Yu--"

"Shut up!" Alexa shouted.  "You don't get to say her name, understand?"

"Well, I did warn you, and you could've done something about . . . oh right, I forgot about the curse!"  The rabbit licked its paws and proceeded to clean its ears.  "Messy business, that."

"I'll never give in to you!!  Stop tormenting me and end this curse already!"  Alexa restrained herself from snapping the uppity bunny's neck, preferring instead to get to the point.  "So, what is it this time?"

The rabbit stopped its grooming and sat up on its haunches.  "For once, I have good news for you!  Since you won't profess your undying love for me . . ."

Alexa gagged at the very thought.  "Do the words 'snowball's chance in Hades' mean anything to you?"

"Your loss," the rabbit said, turning its nose up at the redhead.  "There is another way of removing the curse, but I've made a game of it.  I do so love games!"

"Really?  And it doesn't involve sleeping with you at all?"  Alexa's annoyance was quickly forgotten.  "So, how do I play?"

"It's very simple, really.  In fact, you've already started!  All you have to do is find a certain person and fall in love with that person.  Simple as that."

"But I've fallen in love many times.  Why now?"

"You see," the rabbit said with a professorial tone.  "You won't fall in love with me, and you will never do so.  But you may fall in love with one of my descendants.  You haven't yet, but you can.  Oddly enough, one just happens to live in Kobe.  Find that person, fall in love, and you'll fall in love with me by association.  I'll be happy with that, and you can live a normal life again."  The rabbit put a paw to its chin.  "You can even grow old and die if you want, though I don't know why anyone would want to choose that!"

"Live my life and say that, stupid varmint!" Alexa spat, tiring of watching the world pass her by and her lovers along with it.  "I'm sure there's a catch to it, right?"

"But of course!" the rabbit exclaimed happily!  "Otherwise, what fun would it be for me?"  It hopped closer to Alexa.  "I came to you in this form for a reason.  You have seven months to find your lover.  If you don't do so in that time, I'll kill the object of your desire, and you'll be stuck wandering the earth as you have been, having me haunt you with visions of disasters that no one will understand if you told them."

"Thanks for making it so easy," Alexa smirked.  "So, what, when the time comes you'll come hopping along and kill this person with your bare...paws?"

"Don't mock me, girl!", the rabbit warned.  "You'll know when the threat approaches, as you always do.  Just win the game before then, and you won't have a problem."

"Whatever.  So, who's the lucky guy?"

"Ask the squirrel."  The rabbit pointed to a neighboring bench, where said squirrel was unsuccessfully trying to gather a bunch of nuts together.  Alexa got up and went over to help the squirrel.  "Watch out, he bites!"

"Yeah, but at least he's not--deranged." Alexa turned to snap at the rabbit, but her last word reached only the empty bench she left behind.  She turned to the task at hand.  "So, Mr. Squirrel, who's my Prince Charming, huh?"

The squirrel stopped its scurrying to give Alexa the once-over, then ran over to its pile of nuts.  It selected one above the others and brought it to Alexa.

"A walnut?  What does this mean?"  Alexa watched as the squirrel bowed to her and went back to its chore.  "Um . . . thank you.  I think."

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"We're here!"  Misaki stopped the car and turned off the radio.  Alexa groggily lifted her head to see a medium-sized house built next to a small lake.  "Don't forget your bag," Misaki called as she entered the house.  Alexa reached over and pulled the bag out, throwing it over her shoulder and closing the car door.  She put her hands in her pocket and felt something round and hard in one.

"A walnut!"  She was shocked to see it in her hand.  "Now that's never happened before."  She looked at Misaki who waited for her at the threshold, and then back at the walnut.  "Doesn't make any sense."  She stuffed the nut back in her pocket and headed towards the house.  As she got to the door, she read the two nameplates that hung there; "Ohta Misaki, Ohta Kurumi".

Her eyes widened and she grinned, remembering the Japanese word for 'walnut' - 'kurumi'.
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End of Chapter 1

Disclaimer:  The following story is not true, though one two true events are referenced.  Daisuke Matsuzaka is property of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.  The Tokyo Dome is owned by somebody (don't sue me!), and Childish An Hour is a fictional band that appears in both "To Heart" and "Comic Party".  I don't own any of those properties.  I do own this story, though.  Just thought you should know that.  There, now that that's out of the way...

Ikimashou!

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Chapter Two - More Q Than A
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"Come on in, and have a seat.  I'll be with you in a moment."  Misaki led Alexa past the small vestibule where they left their shoes, and into the house.

"Nice place ya got here, Misaki-chan," Alexa said, her words practically dragging themselves out of her mouth.  The place was nice--a western-style living room, complete with sofa and chairs, greeted the two women.  A large wall unit held all types of entertainment decks, with a large plasma TV in the center of it all.  Another unit held rows of books and magazines.  It was very inviting; yet Alexa had no interest in any of it.  She just wanted to sleep, and the plush sofa called to her.

"Thanks," Misaki called from another room off to the side.  "It was our parents' place, and since I have been here since I was little, I did not have the heart to move from it.  It is a handful without Kurumi to help, but I manage."  She came in and saw Alexa struggling to take off her coat.  "You must be exhausted.  Here, let me help you."  She watched Alexa drop her arms in frustration, and then calmly undid the buttons and zipper on the long, wrinkled trench coat.  "This coat has seen better days, I believe."

"More than I have," Alexa deadpanned.  She unwrapped the scarf from around her neck and handed it to Misaki.  "Can I trouble you for a glass of water?"

"No problem!"  Misaki took off with Alexa's coat and scarf, while Alexa plopped herself down on the sofa.  She looked around the room and tried to get a look at a framed photograph which sat on an end table.  She leaned to get a closer look, but her head landed on a throw pillow instead.  Liking the feel of it, she left it there, and drifted off.

"I did not know if you wanted ice or not, so I--" Misaki entered the room to find Alexa fast asleep on the sofa.  "Hmmm...just like Ku-chan."  She put down the glass of water and went to get a blanket, nearly tripping over Alexa's shoulder bag.  Curiosity got the best of her, so she dared a peek inside.  She could make out a camera and a couple of notebooks, but not much else; she didn't want to open it for fear of being caught.  "She must be a photographer or something.  Her and Ku-chan would make quite a pair.  Much better than that stupid boyfriend of hers."  She watched Alexa sleep and studied her face.  "And she's much prettier than he is, too!  Maybe I should keep her for myself!"  She laughed quietly to herself, covering her mouth so as not to wake the sleeping redhead.  She left to gather the blanket, and placed it gently over her sleeping guest.  "Pleasant dreams, Alexa-chan."

"Come here, stupid rabbit!" Alexa mumbled in her sleep.  The comment brought a smile to Misaki's face.

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Alexa was awakened by the sound of someone rustling in a kitchen.  She raised her sleepy head from the sofa and caught the smell of coffee.  She removed the blanket and rose from the sofa, following the scent to its point of origin.

Upon reaching the kitchen, she spotted Misaki busily preparing breakfast for herself.  The girl was dressed in a long sleep-shirt, which clung to her soft curves.  "Good morning, Misaki-chan," Alexa drawled.

"Oh!  You startled me!"  Misaki caught the piece of toast she was buttering.  "Good afternoon to you!"  She pointed to the digital clock on the wall, and to Alexa's surprise, it was well past noon.  "I guess not sleeping for two days throws off your body's clock, ne?"

"True," Alexa slumped into a chair as Misaki poured her a cup of coffee.  She thanked the girl before taking a sip of the dark elixir.

Misaki let out a giggle.  "Just like her.  You both are slow starters."

Alexa raised an eyebrow.  "By 'her' you mean your sister, right?"

"Hai!" Misaki nodded enthusiastically.  "Ku-chan is always running from here to there, gathering stories for the Shinbun.  When she comes home--which is rare--she throws herself on the sofa and sleeps until at least noon.  Then she yells at me for not waking her up."

"So, she's a reporter?"

"A journalist!" Misaki corrected.  "She would say, 'Anyone can report a story; a true journalist puts you at the scene.  That's my mission!'"  She clenched her fist and looked sternly at nothing in particular before continuing.  "'Before I'm through, you'll feel the blood, smell the sweat and cry the tears!'  She was always a bit of a drama queen!"  Misaki ended her portrayal and went to prepare some toast for Alexa.

"Well, you can't fault her for being passionate about her job.  As long as it doesn't get her killed."

"It almost has, a couple of times."  Misaki sat at the table and placed the toast before a grateful Alexa.  "Once, she went to cover the tsunami in Indonesia, and she got attacked by some of the locals who wanted to steal her food.  She gave it to them, but they were so delirious they still tried to attack her."

"Talk about being part of the story..."Alexa mused.  "How did she get out of that?"

"She was lucky an American reporter was there to rescue her.  They are dating now."  Misaki's voice trailed off and she stared deeply into her coffee.

"You don't seem too happy about the relationship."

"This is true, I will not lie."  Misaki said sadly.  "He's not exactly what you could call a nice guy.  Not quite good looking, either.  He gets by, I guess, by just being pushy and loud.  I do not know what Ku-chan sees in him."

"Maybe she likes the rowdy type.  Some girls do, some don't."  Alexa noticed an odd look cross Misaki's face.

"And how about you, Alexa-chan?  What type do you like?"  Misaki gave her a sideways grin.  As many times as Alexa's seen that very grin on people, it never ceased to make her nervous.

"Well, if you must know, I like the quiet type.  I've given up on the rowdy types.  You can't fix them no matter how hard you try.  I like girls who are shy and play-"

"Girls, huh?"  Misaki picked out the one word in Alexa's answer the redhead manage to let slip.   "This is a good thing!"

"Why's that?"  Alexa waited for an answer, but Misaki contentedly sipped her coffee and smiled, savoring the flavor.

"Are you still going to Nagasaki today?"

"No," replied Alexa, still trying to read the girl's expression.  "I really don't have to go there for awhile.  I just wanted to get it out of the way before the crowds swarmed there and Hiroshima in August."

"Good, then you are not in a hurry?"  Misaki finished her coffee and gazed hopefully at Alexa, making the redhead blush.

"Um...no, not really.  What do you have in mind?"

"You will see!  Now, finish your breakfast and take a shower.  You can borrow some of Ku-chan's clothes, although..." Misaki sized up Alexa's bust line.  'You might have to use your own bra.  Ku-chan is not as . . . 'gifted' . . . as you are," she finished with a blush.

"Thank you..." The words slid out of Alexa mouth as she tried to gauge where this was all leading to.  'Okay, so she's hitting on me!  The sister of the woman who holds the key to ending my curse is hitting on me!  When I catch that stupid rabbit I'll--'

"Alexa-chan?  Is something wrong?"  Misaki drew Alexa from her thoughts, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Oh...nothing.  I was just thinking about something."

"Me, perhaps?"  The girl giggled and started to clear the table.  "Come on, it is already late in the day!"

Alexa just stared at her.  "Riiight..."

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The offices of the Tokyo Shinbun were abuzz with activity.  In one cubicle, a wavy-haired brunette was frantically trying to set up an interview with the Prime Minister and failing miserably.

"All I want to do is ask him a couple of questions about the death of one of his aides, that's all!  It'll only take five minutes!"  The woman waited for a few seconds and then stared at the phone in disbelief.  "Clearance?  I'm a journalist!  I have credentials!  What, do I have to be a member of the Diet just to talk to Abe-san now?  Hello?  Hello??"  She banged the receiver on the desk before slamming it down on the cradle.  "Arrrgh!!  Things were so much better when Koizumi was running the country!"

"That's 'cause Koizumi always made time for beautiful women!", a raspy voice sounded from behind one of the cubicle walls.

"Paul!" the woman shrieked happily.  "When did you get here?"

The tall blonde man entered the cubicle, placing a kiss on the woman's cheek.  "Hiya, Kurumi!  I just got in last night.  I went straight to your house, but your sis said you were out.  She walked me to the train and I spent the night in a hotel not far from here."

"And you didn't call me...why?", a visibly upset Kurumi asked.

"And spoil the surprise?  Nah, not my style!"  He waved his hand dismissively, then reached into his coat pocket, producing an envelope.  "If you're not busy this evening, I thought we'd take in a show.  Childish An Hour is playing at The Big Egg.  Wanna go?"

Kurumi practically jumped over her desk to reach for the tickets.  "I love those guys!  How did you...oh, never mind!"

"See," Paul said smugly, "It does pay to have connections!  So, are we on?"

"Sure!"  Kurumi received the tickets from her boyfriend and stared at them as if they were gold.

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Alexa had just come out of the shower and entered Kurumi's room, dressed in a damp towel.  Just as she sat on the vanity chair, a familiar pain shot through her eyes.  "Oh no...not here!", she pleaded!  "Not now!"

Misaki heard Alexa enter the room adjacent to hers, and so she thought she'd offer some help.  What she found surprised her: Alexa was sitting up staring into the vanity mirror, her green eyes wide and glowing eerily, her hands gripping the edges of the vanity.  "Alexa-chan!!  What's happening??  Alexa-chan!"  She tried to pry Alexa's hands off of the vanity, but the redhead held on for dear life.  "Alexa-chan!!  Speak to me!  Let me help you!!"

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Kurumi handed the tickets back to a smiling Paul.  "I'm sure you're gonna want something for pulling this off, but I don't care!  Meet me downstairs after work, okay?"

"Sure thing.  For now, I gotta get back to the Asahi Post.  Matsuzaka's going to Boston, and I'm doing his last English-language interview here tomorrow..  Gotta set things up.  See you tonight!"  He kissed Kurumi on the cheek and strolled out, leaving a happy journalist sitting behind her desk.

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Alexa's eyes dimmed, and she finally let go of the vanity.  She was surprised to see Misaki holding her shoulders.  "Are you alright, Alexa-chan?  Your eyes...they were, well...and I could not reach you..."

Alexa caught her breath and tried to clear her head.  "My bag...please, bring my bag up here."  Misaki nodded and ran out of the room.  'What the hell!  Nothing was supposed to happen until mid-February!  And I never get one with this short a warning!'

Misaki rumbled up the stairs and gave Alexa her bag.  The redhead dug inside and fished out two notebooks, one with a blue cover, the other red.  Both had hand-written Greek lettering on them, which Misaki thought was a bit odd.  What got her attention more was the book Alexa was leafing through.  It was the blue one, which also had a drawing of a burning tree on the cover.  Whatever was in those books, they must have been very important.

"I was right!" Alexa shouted to herself, forgetting Misaki was in the room.  "This isn't on the schedule!  Damn him!!  What does he think he's doing?"

"What are you talking about, Alexa-chan?  And who is doing what?"  Misaki's face was full of confusion.  Alexa knew she had to say something, but she wasn't ready to let her new friend in on the more secretive parts of her life.  Not just yet.

"Misaki-chan," she began slowly, taking the girl's hands in hers.  "You're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you.  Heck, you might not even be able to understand me during this.  If by some miracle you do, you must--MUST--call your sister and tell her not to go to Tokyo Dome tonight!  She has tickets for a big concert, but there will be a terrible stampede and...and...just tell her not to go!"

"Is it really going to be that bad, Alexa-chan?"  Misaki's voice was like that of a frightened child.  "Please tell me!"

"I'm sorry, Misaki-chan, it's true.  I've never been wrong and--"  Suddenly Alexa's brain hit the brakes.  "WHAT?  You heard me?  You actually heard me?"

"Unfortunately, I did, Alexa-chan.  Please tell me this isn't true!"

"But...but how???  Nobody's heard me explain a vision--and actually believed it--in..."  Alexa stopped before giving away her true age, which probably would've confused her frightened friend more than she already was.  "That's not important.  You have to call Kurumi and tell her not to go.  Make up some excuse, lie, whatever--she cannot go to that concert!"

"But Alexa-chan!  How can you know this?  How can this be true?  And even if I did call her, she won't believe me without some kind of proof!"  Misaki went from confused to scared, her eyes wide and full of tears.

Alexa tried to calm the girl down.  "I don't have time to explain, and we won't get there in time, unless . . . " She paused, knowing there was one way to get there--her usual means of travel.  But she wasn't ready to expose Misaki to that yet, even if it meant saving the brunette's sister.  Then she got an idea.

"Misaki-chan, tell her not to go.  If she asks any questions, tell her that Paul won't be able to interview Daisuke-san tomorrow if you go.  That should confuse her enough.  Do you understand?"

Misaki saw the urgency in Alexa's face and knew the redhead wasn't lying, but how could she possibly know such things?  She slowly nodded and let go of Alexa's hands.  "I do not fully understand, Alexa-chan, but I will warn her.  I'll do my best."  She stood up, walked over to the nightstand by Kurumi's bed and put in the call to her sister.

Alexa didn't understand it all, either.  Too many questions swirled around in her head.  Most importantly, how could Misaki hear her, when no one in over two millennia could?  What was happening here?

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End of Chapter Two
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Disclaimer: All of the previous disclaimers apply.  Just in case anyone thought I changed anything or sold my soul to the (insert evil being here).  Off we go.

Ikimashou!

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Chapter Three - "Lies and Truth"
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Visions of a wild evening danced to a funky J-pop rhythm in Kurumi's head as she thought about the upcoming concert.  More so, she marveled at Paul's ability to get tickets at all.  But then, that was what she liked about him--the man always seemed to get what he wanted, never taking "no" for an answer.  In his professional life as the top reporter for the Asahi Post, or in his social life as the man about town, Paul was always the "go to guy", and he always got the job done.  She wondered if that extended to his personal life as well, as he was always kind to her and never said "no" to any request of hers.

The ringing of her cell phone dropped Kurumi from her clouds of awe for her boyfriend.  Only three people had her private number; Paul, her boss, and...

"Misaki-chan!  Hey!  You'll never guess what just happened!  Never in a million years!  Go on, just try it!  You'll never, ever guess!!"  Kurumi waited for her sister's reply but got silence on the other end.

Misaki took a few seconds to catch her breath, "Paul just offered to take you to see Childish An Hour at the Tokyo Dome tonight.  Am I close enough?"

Kurumi stared at the phone in disbelief.  "How...how could you possibly have--AH!  I get it!"  Her exuberance returned.  "There's one of those webcams here somewhere, isn't there?  This is one of those gags you see on those video sites, right?"  She started checking her cubicle for one of the tiny 'nanny-cams'.

"Ku-chan, please...this is not a joke, and don't ask me how I know about this..  But you cannot go to that concert!"  Misaki started to shake and wobble, so Alexa got up from the vanity chair and slid it under Misaki to keep her from falling.

"WHAT?  Are you kidding?  This is the concert of the year!  Do you know how hard it is to get tickets for those guys?  It's gonna be a madhouse!"

Misaki looked to Alexa for reassurance, before continuing.  "That is exactly why you cannot go, Ku-chan.  Something terrible is going to happen there.  So many people will want to go, there will be a stampede, and...and...." She couldn't hold back her tears any longer.  "Please, Ku-chan!  You must not go there!!"

"Are you alright, Misaki-chan?"  The excitement in Kurumi's voice was now dampened. "Why are you crying, and what's this about a stampede?"

"Please don't ask me about that, Ku-chan!" Misaki shouted back.  "Just tell me you won't go there tonight, okay?"

"You're beginning to worry me, Misaki-chan.  I don't know how you know about this, but I can handle myself!  Don't worry so much!"  She tried to be nonchalant, but Kurumi knew her sister well enough to know she was not prone to dramatics.

Alexa knew Misaki was losing control and had to do something to keep the girl focused.  She stood behind the chair, wrapping her arms around the crying girl's shoulders and whispered into her ear.  "Don't worry, I've got you.  Tell her about Daisuke!"

Misaki nodded between sobs and tried to speak calmly to her sister.  "I know you do not believe me, but this might convince you.  Paul is supposed to interview Matsuzaka-san tomorrow before he leaves to play in America, right?"

Again, Kurumi stared at the phone, dumbfounded.  "How...how did you..."

"If you go, he won't be able to do the interview  You both will be..."  Misaki looked up and saw Alexa's reassuring nod.  "Please, stay away from there tonight.  There will be other concerts, and I'm sure Paul will be able to get another ticket for you.  Just do not go tonight."

Kurumi heart sank as she listened to the sound of her sister's pleas.  She had always taken care of Misaki, even before their parents' death.  Now it was Misaki who was looking out for her.  "Alright, Misaki-chan," Kurumi said softly.  "I won't go.  I don't know what I'm going to tell Paul, but I'll think of something.  Please, don't worry about me, okay--it's my job to worry about you, remember?"

"Yes, Onee-chan." Misaki said between sniffles.  "We are sisters.  We look out for each other."

"Right!"  Kurumi didn't want to end the call on a sad note.  "Listen, since I'm not going out tonight, why don't I come home and we can have a nice dinner, just the two of us?"

Misaki looked up at Alexa, who still had her arms around her.  "I would love that, but there will be three of us."  She paused, raising her left arm to caress Alexa's face.  "There's someone...special...I would like you to meet."

"Really?  This should be interesting!  I'll see you later then.  Bye!"  Kurumi waited for Misaki's response, then closed her phone.  "Now that was strange!", she said to herself.  "Actually, I don't know what's stranger--her warning me like that, or her having 'someone special' for me to meet?"

------------

"Bye, Ku-chan."  Misaki blindly put the phone back on its cradle, not moving her eyes from Alexa's face.  "Thank you, Alexa-chan."  She reached up and cupped Alexa's face in her hands, drawing her face closer.  "If not for you, I...I..."  She pushed her head up and met Alexa's lips with her own, taking comfort in Alexa's arms and being able to let her tears flow while hidden as Alexa's long red hair fell around their faces.

Alexa felt herself flow into the upside-down kiss.  It was soft at first, then became deep and passionate, as if Misaki wanted to crawl up inside of her and stay there.  At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to keep this young girl consoled, to keep her safe and happy.  Concern and caring started to morph in desire and passion, as Alexa started moving her hands around Misaki's small breasts.  The brunette moaned into Alexa's mouth, and tried to pull her deeper into the kiss.

The sound of Misaki's moan must have pushed Alexa's sanity button, for the redhead's eyes shot open and she forcibly tore herself away from Misaki, stumbling to the floor.

"I...I'm sorry, Misaki-chan!  I didn't mean to--I mean, it wasn't..."  Alexa uttered, fumbling badly for the right thing to say.

Misaki sat lazily in the chair, her arms hanging at her sides.  "You do not need to apologize, Alexa-chan.  I kissed you.  I wanted to.  I needed to.  And you allowed me to.  You should never apologize for that."  She finally moved, turning in the chair to face Alexa.  "Besides...it was wonderful!"

On that, Alexa agreed--her deep blush confirmed the thought.  "But still, I--"

"--Took advantage of me?" Misaki interrupted.  "It was I who took advantage of you, Alexa-chan."  She stood from the chair, and walked across the room, joining the redhead on the floor.  "If anyone should apologize, it should be me.  You showed compassion towards me, and did your best to help me out of a desperate situation.  I repaid you with a kiss.  It was rude of me, I know, but I could not help myself.  Please forgive me."  She bowed her head and waited for Alexa's reply.

"I understand.  It was a 'heat of the moment' kind of thing.  It happens."  Alexa mentally kicked herself for making such a trite comment.  She put an arm around Misaki and pulled her close.  "Look, Misaki-chan.  I'm not an idiot, and I don't mean to sound vain.  I know you're interested in me, and I do appreciate your feelings.  Really, I do.  It's just, well, there's a lot that I have to tell you about myself before I can let you into my heart.  Things you may never understand.  Hell, things even I'm still trying to sort out.  Give me some time, okay?"

Misaki lifted her head and smiled at Alexa.  "Okay, I will give you time.  You have twenty minutes."  She kissed Alexa softly and traced a finger from her cheek, down the side of her neck, and around to the front of her chest.  "You had better get dressed.  You are...distracting me."  She smiled again, got up and left Alexa alone.

It was then that the redhead noticed that her bathrobe was wide open.  "This is gonna be much harder than I thought!"

---------

Kurumi sat at her desk with her head in  her hands, thinking of some way to disappoint her boyfriend without sounding like she was off her rocker.  "Okay," she said to herself.  "Whatever you do, don't use the words 'premonition', 'deja vu' or 'vision'.  I don't want either of us to be put in the loony bin!"  She pulled out her cell phone and called Paul.

"Hey, Kurumi!  Good timing!  I was just--"

"I'm sorry, Paul," Kurumi said softly.  "I can't make it tonight.  Something's come up that I really have to take care of."

"Well, that's kinda sudden.  Are you okay?"

"Yeah...it's not me, it's my sister.  Something's wrong with her and I have to make sure she's alright.  I know you went through a lot of trouble to get these tickets, and I'd love to go, but family comes first.  I hope you understand."  Kurumi wasn't lying, but she felt guilty just the same......

"Don't worry about it, babe.  We can do it some other time.  It's just as well, since I do have that interview tomorrow.  So it's for the best.  You take care of your sister, and tell her I said 'hi', okay?"

"I will."  Kurumi smiled broadly and gave a big sigh of relief.  "That's why I lo--like you so much, Paul.  You're so thoughtful!  I'll see you tomorrow.  Bye!"  Now that that was done, she was free to wrap her head around Misaki's problems.

------------------

"Bye, honey!"  Paul closed his phone and walked to the men's room.  Making sure it was empty, he slammed one of the stall doors.  "Damn!  I don't know how, but she must have been warned!  Someone's gonna pay for interfering!"

"Now, now, dear brother.  No need to be so angry!"  The voice--a soft, female voice--came from a couple stalls away.  A door opened, and out stepped a tall woman in a deer-brown blazer and skirt set.  Her close-cut hair was of the same color as the suit, and her eyes were as dark and deep as they were big and round.  She lightly stepped towards her brother.  "What's the matter," she said teasingly.  "Is someone messing up your game?"

"I think the word you're looking for is 'meddling', dear sister!"  Paul gave the woman a sneer.  "That someone wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

"Now why would I do a thing like that?" Fake shock appeared on the woman's beautiful face.  "Could it be because you tried to skew things in your favor, not to mention putting thousands of innocent lives at risk?  Now why would I possibly want to keep you from doing that?"  The woman smiled and leaned against the stall.

"Because you hate it when I have fun!" Paul countered.

"It's not 'fun', brother.  It's cheating!  As Goddess of the Hunt, I cannot allow this.  If you won't give up this game with that poor girl, at least play fairly. She's suffered enough because of your spitefulness.." The woman lowered her head, "...and because of my 'kindness'."

"It's her own damn fault!  If she had chosen me to begin with, none of this wouldn't have happened!"  Paul was fuming, and losing a grip on the disguise he was using.

"This is much different," the woman said calmly.  "You are a God.  That was but a fleeting whim in your lifetime.  She is a mortal trapped by cursed visions and immortality.  She only seeks what everyone else does: love, peace, happiness and eventually, rest.  She didn't want you, nor did she mean to hurt you.  In turn, she has suffered greatly, watching millions upon millions die, and losing those she's come close to over and over again.  She deserves to be happy."

"She deserves to suffer!  I'm not the only man she's scorned, you know!  Why, if Ajax were here, he could tell you stories about what happened to him that would curl your hair!"

"I think he deserved what he got," the woman said nonchalantly.  "I mean, he did rape the poor girl, dragging her out of the temple of Athena herself, no less!  Thanks to your stupid curse, no one believed her. Did he think the gods wouldn't find out about it?   I'm just glad that bastard got what was coming to him!"

"It was her fault!  The conniving little whore!  I will not forgive her for what she's done, and I won't stand for your interference!  This is MY game!"  Paul spat the line out like a spoiled brat.

"Consider me your referee, then.  Hurt her or cause her a great disadvantage in any way, and you will be punished."

Paul scoffed at the warning.  "What are you going to do...cause an eclipse or something?"

"It's that 'something' you should be worried about, dear brother!"  The woman returned to the stall from whence she came.  A soft ray of light shone into the stall and the woman was gone.

"Women," grumbled Paul.  "Can't live with 'em...can't kill most of 'em."  He exited the bathroom, giving the once-over to a handsome young man who was on his way in.

------------------------

Misaki sat on the sofa with her feet under her, mindlessly flipping through channels as she watched TV.  "All these channels, and nothing to see."  Her ears caught the sound of footsteps softly descending the staircase, and suddenly Misaki had something to watch.

A pair of long, toned legs in thigh-high black socks appeared on the staircase.  They extended upward into a short black skirt. Above that was an open-front bolero vest on top of a white t-shirt which strained to hold its contents.  A cascade of red hair followed that, and the owner of the ensemble landed at the bottom of the stairs and turned to Misaki.  "So, whatcha think?"

"I think my sister is going to be very jealous!"  Misaki let out a laugh that made Alexa a bit uncomfortable.  "No, I am not laughing at you," she reassured the redhead.  "It is just that, no matter how hard Ku-chan tries to pull off that look, it never works!  On her it looks, well, trampy!"

"And on me?" Alexa asked.

"I...I better not say."  Misaki's blush was enough for Alexa.  The redhead walked over and sat next to the shy brunette.

"We need to talk, Misaki-chan.  Are you ready?"  She watched the young girl nod, then took a deep breath to gather her thoughts and sort out what Misaki needed to know.  "Alright then.  How good are you at Greek Mythology and ancient history?"

"Pretty fair on both counts, I believe.  What does that have to do with this?"  Misaki gave Alexa a puzzled look.

"More than you could possibly imagine."

"Then I will do my best to keep up with you."  Misaki turned and put her head in Alexa's lap.  "Okay, I'm ready.  Please start at the beginning."

Alexa smiled down at the girl.  "Well. once upon a time, in Ancient Greece, there was a King named Priam.  One of the daughters was a beautiful girl named Cassandra."

"Was she as beautiful as you, Alexa-chan?" Misaki asked.

"Shhh!  If you keep that up, I'll just stop now!"  Alexa laid a finger on Misaki's lips.

"Now, Cassandra was very beautiful--so much so, in fact, that the god Apollo himself desired her.  One night, he had appeared before her with an offer--to be his concubine.  In return, he would give her the gift of prescience...the ability to know all possible outcomes of things.  Cassandra turned down the offer, not wanting to have to offer her body to him for such a gift.  She was also in love with someone else...the beautiful Helen."

"Well, if she was going to pass up a god, she must have really loved Helen." Misaki interjected.

"Well," Alexa continued.  "Apollo seemed to understand, and made a different offer.  This time, she would be his student, and in turn he would give her the gift of prophecy.  To this, she agreed, but what she didn't know was that Apollo's gift was tainted--she could only see tragic events, and if she were to tell anyone, they would not be able to understnad her or think her a liar.  He watched with glee as she suffered with these visions, especially when she tried to warn Helen about the Horse.  I'm sure you know about that part, right?"

"Oh yes!  I saw the movie!" Misaki answered happily.  "But...I don't remember the part about Helen and Cassandra."

Alexa resisted the urge to hit her on the head.  "Anyway, after the fall of Troy, Cassandra took refuge in the temple of Athena, where the warrior Ajax raped her.  Offending the gods, Ajax was killed by Poseidon at sea.  His ship was wrecked in a storm, and he was struck by lightning."

"He deserved worse!" the brunette huffed.

"Cassandra was later taken by King Agamemnon as a concubine.  Even through all this, she still had the gift of foresight, and still tried to warn people of their impending doom.  She warned King Agamemnon that his wife Clytemnestra was having an affair, and that she was planning to kill him.  She also told him that she would be killed as well."

"Oh no!" Misaki gasped.  "He still didn't believe her?"

"Of course not..the curse was still in effect, remember?" Alexa reminded Misaki.  "Clytemnestra had him walk on a blood-red carpet, telling him it was a sign of royalty.  He did so, but what he didn't know was that he was walking on a sacred tapestry, and that he was committing a sacreligious act.  He was killed for it, and Cassandra was killed as well."

"Oh, poor Cassandra," Misaki sighed.

"And here's where things get strange," Alexa said.  "The goddess Artemis felt badly that her brother's curse had caused all of this to happen to Cassandra.  She thought it was unfair for her to suffer through her life the way she did.  So, she brought Cassandra back and gave her the gift of immortality, in order to give her a chance to start over again."

"That's wonderful!  What a nice thing for her to do!"  Misaki saw the look of sorrow in Alexa's face, and her own happiness faded.  "What...what went wrong?"

"Artemis may have brought Cassandra back to life, but Cassandra was still cursed.  And since Apollo had no remorse for what he had done, he did not remove the curse.  So Cassandra was doomed to wander the earth, watching disaster after disaster and not being able to warn anyone about them...until today, when I told you about your sister."  Alexa closed her eyes and tried her best not to cry, but the tears came anyway.

Misaki reached up to wipe the tears from Alexa's face.  "So you are...you are..."  She sat upright on the sofa and looked at Alexa.  "Incredible," she whispered.  "What you must have seen, all this time.  What you must have been through.  How could it not have driven you mad, Alexa-chan?"

"It had, a few times.  I've even been committed a couple of times...and worse.  Time doesn't heal all wounds, Misaki-chan."

Misaki leaned over and put her head on Alexa's shoulder, grasping the redhead's hand in her own.  "You have someone who will listen to you now, Alexa-chan.  You have me."

"Yes, I do," Alexa sighed.  "And that's what bothers me the most."

==============
End of Chapter Three
==============

Disclaimer: Yup, I own this story.  I don't own the Tokyo Dome, Elvis, Godzilla, or the animated short I allude to in this chapter.  Those are all registered trademarks and/or properties of their respective rights handlers.  Wanna see where this all fits?  Read on, brave souls!  :-)

Ikimashou!

-------------------------------
Chapter Four - Sisterly Love
-------------------------------

Alexa's mind was a whirlpool of emotions as she sat on the sofa, one arm firmly wrapped around a quiet Misaki.  'Should I have told her all of that?' she thought to herself.  She turned her head to see the young brunette deep in thought, processing the unbelievable tale she had just been told.  "Are you okay with all of this, Misaki-chan?"

The girl turned to face the redhead.  "Well, when someone tells you they are a cursed prophetess who has actually seen the Trojan Horse, it is rather hard to be 'okay with that', is it not?"  Misaki gave said prophetess a wink before continuing.  "It will take some time for it all to sink in, but I will be alright.  What is more important is whether or not you are okay with all of this, Alexa-chan."  Her voice was soft and caring.  "You have someone to confide in now--something you probably haven't had in a long time.  Will you be okay not having to bear the weight of the world alone anymore?"

Alexa thought that to be a strange question--better yet, she thought of the word "alone".  It had been part of her being for millennia.  Sure, she had lovers and had even fallen deeply in love twice over the past hundred years, but even then she had dealt with her curse alone.  Now there is Misaki, who not only knows about her curse, but who is willing to be a co-bearer of that curse.  Could Misaki bear even one or two of the horrors she has seen in her unnaturally long lifetime?  And if by some miracle she could, would she be able to stand it when Misaki eventually dies and she herself lives on...alone?

"I...don't know.  I'm sure to outlive you, and if I come to depend on you, and that happens...I don't want to think about it."

Misaki tried her best to comfort Alexa.  "You are afraid to face life without me?  To have me too close to your heart, only to lose me as you know you will?"  She lifted Alexa's head and stared into her green eyes.  "I understand that, and I think I understand you feeling this way now..  Even if you are immortal, you are deserving of love and happiness, just like everyone else.  And when you outlive those who you have loved, you carry their strength and love with you to help you through."

"Yeah, that's what I used to think, Misaki-chan."  Alexa turned her head away and lifted herself from the sofa, walking towards the bay window of the living room.  "It doesn't really work that way, y'know.  When someone I love dies, all it does is remind me of how alone I truly am.  What's worse, I see it coming.  It's not like they're suddenly ripped away from me; I see their deaths days, months, sometimes years in advance.  I don't tell them, letting them live their lives and love freely, while I try to make them happy until the end.  When they're gone, I try to carry on, but losing their love hurts so much."

Misaki tried to console Alexa, but a weak "I'm sorry" was all she could muster.

"The night you met me, I wasn't just visiting the Kobe memorial, I was mourning the last person I loved.  She lived here, and we spent a lot of time together.  I didn't tell her of my curse, but she knew something was different about me, and wanted to help.  I left her, knowing she was destined to love someone else, raise a family, and die in the Kobe Earthquake.  I didn't tell her that, of course.  I did tell her that, if she stayed by my side, that something terrible would happen to her.  She didn't care--she wanted to be with me.  So, I left her.  I left Japan, and did not return until after the quake."

"That's why you were crying," Misaki said sadly.  "Are you afraid you are repeating the same events with me?  That I will love you too much to let you go, and that you will leave me?"  Alexa was walking aimlessly around the living room, and stopped when Misaki grabbed her hand as she passed the sofa.  "Tell me, Alexa-chan!  Are you afraid to love me?"

Alexa snatched her hand away.  "Haven't you been listening?  I -can't- love you, Misaki-chan!  I -can't- lose you!"

"Then we will just have to find a way for me to live forever, or for you to become mortal, do we not?"  Misaki stood and embraced a stunned Alexa.  "My being able to understand you must mean we're destined to be together.  I am sure of this.  See for yourself!"

"It...it doesn't work that way, Misaki-chan," Alexa said, finally returning the smaller girl's embrace.  "I can't call up a prophecy--it just comes to me.  I haven't seen one with you in it...yet."  Her mood brightened a little when she realized that fact.  "You do have a point...but that doesn't mean I -won't- see a vision of you.  It just means I haven't."

"Good.  Then love me, Alexa-chan.  Please love me and let me be with you.  Let me help you in any way I can.  Who knows?  Since I can hear you, maybe I can change my fate.  Maybe I already have just by being with you.  No one knows for sure...not even you, my prophetess!"  She placed her head on Alexa's chest and smiled.  "We are destined to be together.  I do not need to be a prophetess to see that.  Love me, Alexa-chan."

Alexa found the brunette's argument hard to fight, and her conviction hard to shake.  'Maybe she's right,' she thought to herself.  'Maybe this time...'  She started to sway with Misaki in her arms, as if she was dancing to some music only she could hear.  Misaki picked up the slow rhythm and the two of them were soon lost in their private song.

------------------------

Early in the evening, a silver VW Beetle pulled into the driveway, and a raven-haired woman stepped out, closing the door behind her.  "I should've called before I got here," she mused.  "I hope I don't walk in on anything--if I do, it'll be their own fault!"  The woman smirked as she stuck the key into the front door of the house.

"Tadaima!", she yelled, alerting her sister of her arrival.  Truth be told, she was hoping to see Misaki running down the stairs dressed only in a sheet, scolding her for not calling first.  She was disappointed to see a fully-dressed Misaki quickly emerging from the kitchen and entangling her in a sisterly hug.

"Oh, Ku-chan!  It is so nice to see you safe and sound!" Misaki's grip on Kurumi got tighter with every word.

"I was safe until I got here!" Kurumi joked between gasps of air.  "Can you let go now?"

Misaki gave her sister an even tighter hug before letting go.  "Sorry, Ku-chan!  With what has happened--or did not happen, as the case may be--I am happy to see you!"

Kurumi kept an eye on Misaki, wondering what had gotten into her normally quiet little sister.  After removing her coat and shoes, she plopped herself down on the sofa.  "So, what's this about a stampede at the Big Egg?  And how did you know about it?"

"I'm doing well, Ku-chan, how about you?" Misaki replied, partly annoyed that her sister didn't ask how she was, and partly avoiding the question altogether.  "Have you eaten?"

"Don't give me that!  I want answers!  You can't just drop something like that on me and not expect to explain at least part of it!"

Misaki just smiled at her sister.  She knew the best way to counter Kurumi's reporter's tactics was to give a 'no comment' smile.  It frustrated the older sibling to no end.

"Well?"

The younger brunette walked over to the sofa and sat next to her sister.  "You would not believe me if I told you, so it is best you do not know.  What is important is that you are safe, and home with us!"

Kurumi stewed for a moment then turned her head away, obviously miffed.  "You always do that, y'know?  One of these days I'm gonna get inside your head and find out every little secret you've--'us'?"  She suddenly found a new lead to follow.  "So, who's this 'someone special' you mentioned?  He's still here, huh?"

"Well, this person is definitely special, but it's not a--"

"Misaki-chan, you're not allergic to anything, are you?"  A female voice called out from the kitchen.

"--he'."  Misaki finished her sentence and blushed furiously.

Kurumi raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips, trying to form a question but for once not being able to get the right words in order.

The tall redhead entered the living room wearing an apron, and holding two spice jars in either hand.  "I wanted to know because I like using--"  She caught sight of Kurumi, and her green eyes flared brightly for a moment.  Misaki leapt off the sofa to help steady her, and in a moment she was alright.  A bit winded, but alright.

"You...you must be Kurumi-san.  My name is Alexa Melanos.  I'm pleased to meet you."  Alexa tried to bow, but she began to stagger.  Misaki offered a shoulder and helped the girl to a loveseat.

"Same here..." Kurumi drawled.  She watched the goings-on curiously, wondering what could have caused the flame-haired woman's eyes to glow like that, and what it took out of her.  "Are you okay?"

"She just needs to catch her breath," Misaki answered.  "You startled her with your incredible hideousness.  It is a wonder she did not turn into stone."

"Ha ha ha," came Kurumi's droll reply.  "Seriously, should we be calling an ambulance?"

Alexa waved the woman off.  "No, but thank you very much for your concern.....  I'm in good hands here."  She took hold of Misaki's hands and gently held them.

The looks the two women gave each other answered Kurumi's question before she could ask it.  It didn't bother her--more like it surprised her.  To Kurumi, her little sister was the one she'd expect to go the "childhood sweetheart" route--meet 'the one', fall madly in love with him, and pump out a couple of kids while he slaved away at some office.  Misaki never dated, rarely talked about boys (or girls, for that matter) and always stayed focused on her schoolwork or, lately, her writing.  So seeing her emotionally involved with a beautiful woman was the last thing on Kurumi's mind.  Whoever this new woman was, she was sure Misaki loved her.

"Should I get you some water?"  Kurumi asked.

"Yes, please!" Misaki thanked her sister and waited for her to leave the room before whispering to Alexa.  "What did you see?"

"It's started...at Tokyo Dome...and that stupid rabbit was there!"  Alexa scrunched her lips as a foul taste entered her mouth.  She took a moment to process the vision, then she smacked herself in the forehead.  "Crap!  I forgot all about her!"

"What are you talking about, Alexa-chan," Misaki asked worriedly.  "And what is with the rabbit again?"

"Later, after your sister's asleep, okay?"  Alexa motioned to the kitchen, where Kurumi emerged with a glass of water.  "Thank you, Kurumi-san."  She downed the water quickly, took a deep breath and sat back in the loveseat.

Seeing the redhead was looking better, Kurumi noticed something familiar.  "Hey, aren't those MY clothes??"

---------------

Paul stood in the parking lot of the glittering white-and-blue stadium, which right now was awash in pandemonium.  "I don't see what the big fuss is about," he said smugly.  "It's not like they were seeing Elvis come back from the grave or anything."

"You just had to prove the old adage about yelling 'fire!' in a crowded theatre, didn't you, dear brother."  Artemis stood beside him, in a form only he could see.

Paul answered the ghostly goddess' question, oblivious to the bedlam in front of them.  "Hey, I have to make my student look good, don't I?  I can't just give her a vision and not follow through on it.  What kind of teacher would I be?"

"You do know there are those at Olympus who are not enamored of your mistreatment of the mortals."

"Isn't delivering messages Hermes' job?" Paul joked.  "Look, if they have a problem with me, they know where to find me.  Until then, I'll continue to have my fun."

"You will push things too far, brother, trust me," the goddess sighed.  "By the way, all of the players of your little game are having dinner as we speak.  Please allow them a night of peace before you--"

"Do not dictate to me!" Paul spat.  "I will do as I wish.  I do not fear you...or the others!"

"You should...' Artemis' transparent form faded into nothingness.

"Sisters can be such a pain!".

--------------------------

Kurumi watched as Misaki and Alexa cleared away the dinner dishes.  For two people who had just met, it seemed to her that they had been together for a lifetime.  What was it about this strange redhead that had her little sister so entranced?  Kurumi had to admit, Alexa was beautiful.  She didn't like the idea of the woman wearing one of her outfits, but she gave an approving nod noting how much better the ensemble fit Alexa.

Misaki had related to her sister how the two of them met at the Kobe Memorial, and Kurumi took it in stride.  Between the two sisters, Misaki would always be the one to help a stranger or take in a stray puppy, while Kurumi would ask a dozen questions before even thinking about such a reckless thing.  Helping a stranger is one thing; living with one in your house was quite another.  Kurumi held her questions, though  She saw that Misaki was very happy with this woman, whoever she was, and didn't want to disrupt that happiness.

Kurumi left the couple and returned to the living room, where she turned on the TV.  The first image she was was a helicopter shot of a crowd of people rushing out of Tokyo Dome.  A cold chill ran up her spine, as she realized she could've been in the middle of that madness.  "Well I'll be damned!"  She looked towards the kitchen, and back to the screen.  "I don't know what's going on here, but I'm sure as hell going to find out."

Alexa came out of the kitchen and walked past the TV, ignoring the images..

Kurumi weaved her head around the redhead's form as she passed by.  "Hey! Did you see this?  All kinds of cra--"

"Yeah, I know," Alexa interrupted.  "I'm glad you and your boyfriend are okay."  She had a distant look in her eye, as she headed up the stairs.

Misaki entered the living room and sat next to Kurumi.  "Is that Tokyo Dome?  Wow...it is crazier than I thought it would be!"  She turned to her sister and gave her a hug.  "Thank you for staying away from there, Ku-chan!"

"Uh, yeah..."  Kurumi was trying to make sense of it all, and couldn't.  "Where is she going?", she asked pointing to the stairs.

"She went to get her stuff out of your room, to put it in mine."

"Did she...did she sleep in my room last night?" Kurumi asked nervously.

"No...she fell asleep on the sofa."  Misaki let go of her sister and gave her a sly look.  "But that was last night..."  She smirked, letting the sentence hang before seeing the comprehension light up her sister's face.

"Misaki-chan!" the raven-haired woman shouted, then lowered her voice so Alexa wouldn't hear her.   "How much do you really know about this woman?  I mean, really!  You just met her last night!  She could be a con artist or something!"

"Right, Ku-chan.  Actually, I was the one who lured her here.  She was just minding her business.  So maybe I am the con artist or even worse...a -lesbian- con artist!"  She grinned and headed towards the stairs.

"What has gotten into her?" Kurumi wondered to herself.

---------------------

Alexa had moved her bag into Misaki's room, and was looking over her notes in the Blue Book.  "Well, I guess this one's done for now.  Hopefully the injury total won't be as high as I predicted, now that Kurumi's actually here."  She made a check mark next to the "Riot at Kobe concert" entry, and flipped the page.  "A ferry sinking in Taiwan...a major snowstorm up north...a couple of minor quakes..."  She closed the book and yawned.  "All those would be easier to deal with than this.  Maybe I misunderstood that idiot rabbit.  He never actually mentioned Kurumi by name."

"What are you talking about, Alexa-chan?"  Misaki was standing in the doorway of her room, admiring the redhead.  "You keep mentioning the 'rabbit'.  Wanna talk about it now?"

"Nah, it can wait.  You go enjoy some time with your sister.  I'm going to take a hot bath, and probably turn in early."  Alexa felt she had to really sort some things out.  "I'm sure Kurumi-san has a few questions for you."

"Awww..." Misaki moaned.  "And I was so looking forward to our first bath together."  She entered the room and gave Alexa a kiss.  "We still have to talk, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah," Alexa waved.  "Now go downstairs, before she thinks we're having sex or something up here."

---------------

One thing Alexa loved about the Japanese was their love for baths.  She sank into the tub and let the hot water envelop her, bringing back memories of the baths she had in Ancient Greece.  "These aren't nearly as spacious, but they're still soothing," she noted.  She put her head back and let her mind drift.

She found herself once again in the park of her dream.  As before, the carousel played in the background, and a group of squirrels were busily gathering whatever they could find.  Alexa waited for the rabbit to show, but was startled to see a deer standing peacefully in the middle of the field.  The deer was watching some butterflies fluttering around near its nose.  Alexa watched her, thinking there should be something happening right about now, but not sure what.

"Maybe you're waiting for Godzilla's foot to come crashing down on her, followed by a long piano chord?"  The voice came from her left, where the rabbit was nonchalantly eating a rice ball.

Alexa thought about the comment for a moment, then burst into laughter.  "That's it!  I knew I've seen it somewhere before!"

"You don't know how many times I'd wish it would actually happen," the rabbit said, his words full of disdain.

"I heard that!" the deer yelled.

"So, to what do I owe the honor of your presence...your beautifully naked presence, I might add," the rabbit leered.

Alexa looked down to see she was indeed absolutely bare, letting out a shriek that scared most of the birds out of the park.

"Here, you can use this."   The deer walked over and closed her big, soft eyes.  A cloak appeared around Alexa, covering her from her neck to her thighs.

"Thank you.  I'm glad someone in your family knows a thing or two about modesty."  Alexa glared at the rabbit, who simply grinned.  "Anyway, I've come to tell you I've won your stupid game!"

"Have you now?" the rabbit said incredulously.  "And how do you figure that?"

Alexa turned to fully face the rabbit.  Seeing Kurumi reminded her who she was really supposed to fall in love with--but she couldn't just drop Misaki, especially for her sister.  She was forced her to try to bluff her way past the rules of the game.  "Well, if the squirrel was right, and the Ohta sisters are related to you in some sick, twisted way, then I've already fallen in love with one of them.  You never specified which one.  And I'm already sure I'll be in love with her months from now, if not years from now.  So we don't have to drag this out any longer than we need to.  Just remove the curse and get the hell out of my life!"

The rabbit waited until Alexa's rant was over, and broke out in hysterical laughter.

"What?  What's so funny?"  Alexa was about to grab the rabbit and shake it back into normality when the deer gently nudged her.

"He's taking great mirth in your ignorance, Cassandra," the deer said sadly.

"Alexa!" the redhead spat back.

"Alexa, Alexandra, Cassandra, whatever," the rabbit said, finally regaining its senses.  "Whatever you calling yourself these days, you're still monumentally stupid!"

"What...what do you mean?"

"Did you actually think it would be that easy?  Why do you think the squirrel gave you a walnut?  Why do you think it was the other sister's life in danger?  Why do you think you've fallen in love with the younger sister instead?  And.."--the rabbit glared at the deer--"...why do you think my sister interfered on your behalf?"

Alexa was afraid of this, but she was hoping her bluff would work.  "So, you really did mean Kurumi, didn't you?"

The rabbit threw out its paws.  "Duh!"

"But they're sisters!" Alexa pleaded.  "What does it matter to you which one I fall in love with?"

The rabbit bounded closer to Alexa and looked her dead in the eye.  "It does matter, because they're only half-sisters!"

=============+
End of Chapter Four
==============

Disclaimer: Yup, it's that time again!  You all know the drill by now, so I'll just say this.  Story.  Mine.  Based on Greek myth.  Gods can't sue me.  So there.  On with the show!

Ikimashou!

-----------------------------
Chapter 5 - Rabbit Tracks
-----------------------------

"How much do you really know about her, Misaki-chan?"  Kurumi turned off the TV and put her head back on the sofa.  "Sure, she's beautiful and mysterious and all that, but don't you find her a bit...well, strange?"

"I think 'unique' is what fits her best, Ku-chan."  Misaki looked toward the stairs with a bit of worry.  "She has been up there for quite a while, ne?"

Kurumi wasn't going to let her sister's aloofness get the best of her.  "And her eyes!  Did you see that?  People's eyes don't just glow like that!  C'mon, Misaki-chan!  What is she?  A witch...a demon...or maybe even a--"

"Goddess," Misaki was barely listening to her sibling.  She was more concerned about what was happening to her new love.  "I hope she hasn't fallen asleep in the tub."  She left the sofa and walked towards the stairs.  "Do not worry, Ku-chan.  Alexa-chan is not evil.  She is just having a hard time, and I want to help her through it.  Once you really get to know her, you will come to love her too."  She left the room and climbed the stairs.

Kurumi sat with her head cocked to one side.  "I was gonna say 'alien'," she murmured to the space Misaki left behind.

----------------------

Alexa was at her wits' end.  Not only did her bluff fail, but now the rabbit had put her in an impossible situation, and that latest bit of news threw her completely off-balance.  "What do you mean 'half-sisters'?"

"Come now, Alexa," the rabbit said, rolling his pink eyes.  "You do know what that means, don't you?  Same mother, different fathers!"

Alexa got up from the bench they were sitting on and began to pace.  "So, what you're telling me is that one of your descendants fathered one of the sisters, right?"

The rabbit was miffed.  "No," he huffed.  "I wouldn't leave something as important as that to an underling.  What's that saying?  Oh yes, 'if you want a job done right'--"

"Please don't finish that thought!"  Alexa's head began to pound like a team of monkeys were building a railroad across her skull.  She sat back on the bench, as the deer gave her a concerned look.  She never liked the idea of the gods interfering in mortal matters, but more so when it came to people she had gotten close to.  It always made her life harder to try and sort out the messes they created...whether she saw them coming or not.

"Brother, could you please end this?  You're destined to drive the poor girl mad."  The deer was pleading with her sibling, but the rabbit simply grinned.

"She's been there before.  Besides, it's a fun trip, isn't it 'Cassandra'?"  He slurred her former name, and it only made the redhead angrier.

"And then you wonder why no one worships you anymore!" Alexa spat out.  "So, Kurumi's your daughter.  And you want me to fall in love with her--why?  And if I don't, you'd kill your own daughter?  I don't get it!"

The rabbit sat on his haunches and crossed its forepaws.  "You see, dear Alexa, certain gods are quite spiteful.  After you chose that bitch Helen, I saw into your future.  I would've been satisfied with your death at the hands of Clytemnestra and her boy-toy, but little miss 'goody-four-hooves' over there decided to grant you immortality."  He waved at the deer with scorn.  "Being an oracle myself, you'd think I'd have seen that coming, but it was done behind my back.  Needless to say, I wasn't exactly happy about it."

"Alexa, please." the deer said.  "The gods meant no harm in reviving you.  Usually we just turn those who suffer into plants or animals, or in the rarest cases, constellations or forces of nature.  We just wanted to give you a chance to find true love and happiness."

Alexa wasn't sure whether to be grateful to the deer, or to rip its head off.  "I...I sorta understand," she said softly.  "But don't you think it would've been nice to at least ask me what I wanted?  Maybe I wanted to stay dead, so I wouldn't have to suffer anymore."  She looked away from the deer as she cried.  "So, your measure of gratitude ended up bringing me more suffering and pain."

"But you have found true love and happiness, did you not?"

"Oh sure...only to have to give it up, or watch the ones I love die horrible deaths.  And now I'm forced to give it up again!" Alexa yelled at the deer, who shrank back against the redhead's glare.

"Ahem!" the rabbit cleared his throat.  "I'm not finished yet!  Now, where was I?  Oh yes, I was pissed.  Anyway, I wanted to get back at you.  Like you said, make you suffer.  So, knowing you'd go to Japan in 1983 and leave a year later, I got there after you left, and started my plan.  You already know how half of it turned out, don't you?"

"You bet I do...and I'll never forgive you for that!"  Alexa said bitterly.  "You could have left her out of it!  You could have let us be happy, or at least let her have her life.  You didn't have to kill her!"  She yelled at the rabbit, but he wasn't fazed in the least.

"I didn't kill her...well, not directly," said the rabbit matter-of-factly.  "That was your doing!"

Alexa got up and charged at the nimble rabbit.  "I'll kill you for lying like that!  I didn't kill her!"

The rabbit ducked inside a bush, out of reach of the rampaging redhead.  "I gave you the false vision of your failed romance with her and her death later on.  If you weren't such a slave to fate, you probably would have tried to make it work out instead of leaving her.  But you didn't.  She was heartbroken, but she got over you with a little help from me.  As you saw in your vision, she lived a happy life...until she died in the quake..  The End."

Alexa slumped to her knees.  She had often chastised herself for leaving, but not once did she ever think about trying to change the future.  It had always been set in stone, her visions were always accurate, so she felt she couldn't change things.  And she definitely didn't need to be reminded how the one false vision she'd ever have, cost her dearly.

"Sucks to be you right now, doesn't it?" the rabbit sneered.  "Anyway, since that worked out so well,, I'd thought I'd do it again.  I knew you'd be coming back to Japan to mourn her death, so I hatched the second part of my plan."

"But you weren't in the vision!  You weren't the one who she was happy with."

"True. Your former lover gave birth to Kurumi a year after you left her.  I left her after that, and waited for little Kurumi to grow up.  In the meantime, your lover fell in love with the man you saw in your dream, and they had a girl of their own...your precious Misaki!"

"Wait a minute," Alexa said, stunned.  "Both of them are Yume's daughters??"  She didn't know what to think...her headache was getting much worse, accompanied by a need for her stomach to escape her body.  "Misaki..."

"Well, it's not exactly incest, if that's what you're thinking."  The rabbit emerged from the bush but stayed a good distance from Alexa.  "In a way, it's like getting a second chance at making Yume happy.  Oh wait, I forgot--I'm trying to hurt you again, aren't I?"  The rabbit laughed, drawing the prophetess out of her confused stupor.  "That's why I added Kurumi to the picture.  You now have to choose once again between happiness and fate."

"But...Misaki...she's..." Alexa's mind was scrambled as she tried hard to find her place in all of this, and what to do next.

The deer, who had been watching this whole affair, softly walked to Alexa's side.  "If I were you, dear Alexa, I would choose Misaki.  She loves you greatly, as your Yume did.  And I know you feel the same about her.  In his own, twisted way, my brother has afforded you a chance at happiness..  I suggest you take it."

"And what, we're supposed to live happily ever after while her sister dies a horrible death?  Tell me, Artemis, what kind of justice is that?  How does he get to do that?  Doesn't her life mean anything to him?"

"Not really," the rabbit said, shrugging his shoulders.  "She's just another mortal child to me.  A pawn to be used in a game.  Nothing more.  You should've known that about us, Cassandra.  We toy with mortals, because we can!  In the long run, as long as she serves her purpose, what does it matter whether she lives or dies?"

"What does it matter?  She matters to Misaki, and she matters to me!   She also matters to someone she loves!"  She stood threateningly over the rabbit.   "Listen, Apollo.  I'm not giving up Misaki, and I'll find some way to keep you from killing Kurumi.  Even if you are a god, I'll find some way to stop you!"

The rabbit ignored Alexa's defiance.  "Like you could.  Please, girl, don't tempt me to end this game sooner than I planned."

"Brother, stop it!  You have done enough harm today!"  The deer turned to Alexa and pleaded.  "Wake up, and take care of the girls.  I'll do what I can for you.  Know that we do not agree with this, and are working to help you."

"Thanks, 'cause that's really been working out fine lately!" Alexa snarled sarcastically before everything faded out.

----------------------

Alexa opened her eyes to find herself submerged in the warm water of the bath.  She wondered how long she had been under the water, but her musings were interrupted when a pair of arms reached down and awkwardly pulled her through the surface.  Her head lolled to the side and her eyes found Misaki, frantically trying to get her to sit upright.  She opened her mouth to speak, but she coughed up water instead.

"Alexa-chan!"  Misaki cried, ignoring the water splashing all over her.  "Are you alright?  You had been up here for almost a half-hour, and when I came in, you were...I thought...oh, Alexa-chan!"  The smaller girl broke into tears, holding Alexa close.

"It's okay," the redhead said hoarsely.  "I just fell asleep...I, I wish I hadn't."  She gently pushed Misaki back a bit.

"You could have drowned, Alexa-chan!" Misaki said, grabbing a towel and helping Alexa out of the bath.  "Or could you have?  I mean, you are immortal, right?"

Alexa thought for a moment.  "Well, I've never tested it since I've been resurrected.  I've never tried killing myself, and no one's ever tried to kill me.  Even with all the disasters I've personally been to, I've managed to not get hurt."  She accepted the towel from Misaki and wrapped herself in it, then wrapped her arms around the smaller girl.

"This is good to know," Misaki said with a relieved smile.  "But please, be careful anyway, Alexa-chan.  I would not want you to find out the hard way that you can die."  She stopped for a moment, remembering that the only thing between her and the beautiful redhead was a towel..  Her face flushed as she looked into Alexa's eyes.

"I'm okay, Misaki-chan, really," the prophetess whispered.  "I'm not ready to die yet.  I have you, and I want to spend my life with you.  I won't let anyone take that away from me!"

Misaki noted the defiant look in Alexa's green eyes.  "Did something happen, Alexa-chan?" she asked softly.  "Did someone threaten you?"

"Kind of," Alexa answered.  "And I got some really...disturbing news concerning you both.  I have so much to tell you, and so much that I have to sort out."

"My role is to listen to you, remember?" Misaki smiled reassuringly.  "Whatever happens, I will always be by your side.  No matter what!"  She leaned up to kiss Alexa, but the redhead placed two fingers on the brunette's lips.

"No matter what, huh?  Well, after what I have to tell you, I sincerely hope you'll still feel that way."  Alexa let go of Misaki and started to walk towards the door.  "Look, take your bath, and we'll talk about it later.  I'm sure your sister..." She paused for a moment, wondering whether to correct herself, but decided against it.  "Your sister might want to use the bath soon, too."

Alexa stopped before exiting the bathroom, thought for a moment, took a deep breath, said a silent prayer to whomever was listening, and walked back to Misaki, meeting the brunette's lips with her own.  She didn't care if this was her former lover's daughter or not at that moment; all she cared about was that this was a second chance, and she was going to take it.  She broke the kiss, leaving a dazed Misaki hanging loosely in her arms.  "Thank you for saving me, Misaki-chan, whether I needed it or not."  She smiled, turned around and left the brunette in the bathroom.

"My pleasure," Misaki cooed, her fingers on her lips.

-----------------------------

Kurumi flipped through the pages of the Blue Book, hoping to find some clues as to just who this Alexa person was.  'This is nuts!', she said to herself.  'It's all in Greek!  Well, the dates aren't, but the rest?  And a lot of these go back so far!  What kind of list is this?'  A few dates were highlighted or underlined, and one was both--1/17/1995.  'That's the date of the big quake here!  Why is she keeping these dates listed?  And why is this one particularly special?  Did she lose someone in the quake, like we did?'

Her questions would have to wait, as she heard the bathroom door slide open and Alexa's bare feet padding towards her.  She hurriedly closed the Book, shoving it back into the shoulder bag, and sat on Misaki's bed.  Alexa entered the room dressed only in a towel, and Kurumi couldn't help but notice the girl's curvaceous form.

"Like what you see?" Alexa joked.  "Stick around...the towel comes off in a couple of minutes."  Her comments flustered the raven-haired reporter, as she knew they would.  She laughed and sat at Misaki's vanity.  "Sorry, I'm just teasing you."

Kurumi hadn't realized she'd been staring at the redhead, so Alexa's voice startled her back from wherever she was.  "I'm..I'm sorry for staring.  It's just...well, my sister has good taste."  She tried her best to make that sound like a compliment, and not like a come-on line.  Even so, she was blushing, and was about to leave the room.

"I don't mean to trouble you, but you wouldn't have a pair of pajamas or a nightshirt or anything like that, do you?  I'm used to sleeping in the nude since I'm usually by myself.  But now I--"

Kurumi pictured Alexa's naked form half-covered by a sheet as she slept.  She blushed furiously and shook the image out of her head.  "Ah, no, I mean, don't worry about it!  I have more than a few nightshirts you can use.  They might be a bit snug at the top, but I think you'll like them.  I'll go get a couple for you!"  She dashed out of the room before Alexa had the chance to thank her  Alexa raised an eyebrow, then set about taking care of the red mop sitting atop her head.

Upon returning to her own room, Kurumi closed the door and leaned against it, as if to bar any more of 'those thoughts' from entering the room.  "What the hell was I thinking?  No...I don't wanna know what I was thinking!"  She slumped against the door and tried to catch her breath.  "I don't even like girls!  And besides, she's Misaki's girlfriend...and she's weird.  Beautiful, but weird!"  She got up and gathered a couple of nightshirts from her closet.  "Just think of Paul, and how much he loves me," she said, trying to reassure herself.  "Yeah, that's it!  Paul loves me, and I love him.  This is just a case of momentary insanity, that's all!"  Kurumi neatly folded the nightshirts, more out of stalling for time than anything else.  "And that book?  What is with her?  I have to find out...I can't let her get to me!"  She swallowed hard and left the room.

Alexa heard the knock on the door and allowed Kurumi to enter the room.  She had her head down as she was brushing her hair out.  "Thank you very much, Kurumi-chan.  I hope it's alright to call you that, since I'm sharing your clothes and all. I'll get some new ones when I get the chance."

"No, it's not a problem at all," Kurumi answered nervously.  "Alexa, can I ask you a couple of questions?"

"Well, you're the reporter.  That makes you naturally curious.  Sure, go ahead."  She threw her head back, and Kurumi swore she could feel the heat from Alexa's blazing mane.

"How long have you been a freelance photographer?" the raven-haired woman asked.

"Oh, for quite a while.  It's something I picked up in my travels."  Alexa had a feeling where this was going, and wasn't about to give the reporter any more information than was necessary.  "Right now, I'm keeping an eye on Japan, as a lot of interesting things seem to be happening here."

"They always do," Kurumi agreed.  "You've been here before, then?"

"Sure, lots of times.  But I usually just do my shoot, give my pictures to the local paper, and move on.  It's a lot cheaper than staying in one place, paying rent, traveling, and then wondering if someone's broken into your place."

Kurumi thought this was the time to play her hand.  "Were you here for the Kobe quake?" she asked, remembering the date in the Blue Book.

"That was twelve years ago.  I was a kid back then.  I lost...I lost someone special to me.  I don't like talking about it."  Alexa turned away from Kurumi, saying nothing more.

The reporter in her wanted to dig deeper, but Kurumi didn't want to hurt the woman.  "I'm sorry for prying.  I just wanted to know more about the woman who stole my sister's heart."

"It's okay," Alexa said, turning back to Kurumi and wearing a half-smile.  "Oddly enough, I wanted to do the same thing--ask you about the woman who stole my heart."

Kurumi felt a warm sensation run through her.  'Now I see why Misaki fell for her,' she said to herself.  "What do you want to know?"

"Actually, it's about both of you."  Alexa took one of the nightshirts from Kurumi and made a twirling motion with her finger, signaling the reporter to turn around.  She then dropped the towel and slipped the nightshirt over her.  It was a baseball-style shirt, with black sleeves and a roaring tiger's head on the front. Alexa admired the fit in the mirror, and then sat next to Kurumi on the bed.  "How much do you remember about your mother?" she asked.

"Our...mother?"

==============
End of Chapter Five
==============

Disclaimer: My story.  Got it?  Okay.  Oh, and the last line in the first paragraph is from "It's In His Kiss (The Shoop-Shoop Song)", most recently done by Cher.  It's not mine, and yes, it's used without permission.  Please don't sue me..I love the song!  :-)

Ikimashou!

============================
Chapter Six - Like Mother, Like Daughters
============================

It took some time for Misaki to wash herself and finally get into the tub...  She was lost in the kiss given to her by Alexa.  It wasn't that she didn't want it--she was the one who tried to kiss her before the redhead left the bathroom.  It was the hesitation Alexa displayed before she suddenly turned and kissed Misaki that had the brunette so vexed.  "What is going on inside her?  Why did she back away, only to kiss me?  And what happens in her dreams that is so troubling to her in this world?"  Misaki had way too many questions floating around in her mind about the prophetess, but one thing was clear: she loved the woman, and the woman loved her.  It was like the old song said--"If you wanna know, if she loves you so, it's in her kiss."

Misaki let all the worries leave her mind, and thought only of the kiss, and only of the way it felt to hold the nearly-naked seer close to her.  She imagined herself sharing the bath with Alexa, the water caressing her lithe body the way the redhead would if she were here.  Touching her in places that only she knew existed, in ways only she knew how.  She thought of Alexa, and the many lifetimes of experience the woman must have had, and smiled broadly at the prospect of being the recipient of such experience.

--------------------------

"Why would you want to know about our mother?" Kurumi asked.  "Did you know her?"

"You could say that," Alexa replied.  She couldn't tell her the truth without divulging more than the reporter really needed to know.  "I...I just want to find out a little more about you two."

Kurumi was openly skeptical.  "How does asking about our mother give you information about us?"

"Simple, silly," Alexa grinned.  "Haven't you ever heard the expression, 'like mother, like daughter'?"  She leaned against the headboard of Misaki's bed and gave her arms a good long stretch upward.  She stopped to notice Kurumi was staring at her large breasts.  "In case you're wondering," she purred, pushing her chest out for closer inspection.  "They're real.  Wanna see for yourself?"  Alexa knew Kurumi wouldn't touch her, but getting a rise out of her was fun--it also kept the raven-haired journalist off-balance.

"I--they--er, I mean, I..." Kurumi sputtered, then shook her head to clear the odd thoughts pushing their way in to her head.  "I'm sorry, Alexa-chan," she said with an embarrassed bow.  "I shouldn't have done that."

Alexa waved her off.  "Don't worry about it.  I get that often...from men and women.  You're only human."  The redhead smiled to herself, remembering Yume doing the exact same thing so many years ago.  She had to make sure not to mention things like that to Kurumi, though.  "What was your mother like, Kurumi-chan?"

Kurumi blushed at the upgrade in her honorific.  "Well, she was an elementary school teacher.  I'd say she was one of the best, but I'd be biased.  All the kids loved her, and she loved them.  She was very kind, soft-spoken like Misaki-chan, but she was very determined when she had to be.  I guess that's where I get it from."  Kurumi paused for a moment.  "You know how kids always say their mom is beautiful?  Well, my mom is...was very beautiful.  Inside and out."

Alexa watched the emotions change on the other woman's face like clouds passing the sun.  One moment she would be smiling nostalgically at something, only to be on the verge of tears soon afterward.  Alexa has lost her own mother so long ago she had forgotten how, or even how she felt about it.

"I'm sorry if I'm hurting you, Kurumi-chan."  Alexa lifted Kurumi face to see tears had found their way down her cheeks.  "I didn't mean to--"

"No, it's alright.  I loved her, we both did, and it's been so hard without her.  She died twelve years ago, as Misaki was just starting school.  We stayed with aunts and uncles until we were old enough to claim this house.  My father--no, Misaki's father--was smart enough to leave a lot of money in trust for us.  He was an investment banker and we all lived pretty comfortably.  He even put up college funds for us both.  He was a kind man, a bit on the serious side, but that's what my mother loved about him.  She knew he was dependable, and that he loved her.  She never wanted more than that.'

'How true that was,' Alexa said inwardly.  Yume never wanted more than that from her, but dependability was something Alexa couldn't give...she felt it wasn't hers to give, that fate would not let her stay by Yume's side, and that someone else would make her happy.  Now that she knew the vision was a lie, that she really could have stayed by Yume's side, Alexa allowed herself a few tears for her own misfortune.

"Are you okay, Alexa-chan?"  Kurumi asked.

"Sorry...I'm a sucker for romance," Alexa replied, trying her best to cover her own feelings.  "I guess you both are the same way when it comes to love, huh?"

"Well," Kurumi thought, placing a finger to her chin.  "I'm more high-strung and high maintenance than Misaki-chan.  But I guess you're right.  Misaki's only been in a couple of relationships before, but she's been very loyal and loves deeply.  If that's what you're asking.  She doesn't get psychotic about it, though.  She just hasn't met anyone who loves the way she does.  Until now, maybe..."

Alexa smiled.  "And what about you?  Are you very loyal in your relationships?"  She leaned close to the reporter's face, making sure not to break eye contact with her.

Kurumi felt uncomfortable with the question, and even more so when Alexa's emerald eyes met her onyx ones.  Kurumi tried to answer the woman's question, but she was having way too much fun swimming in the depths of Alexa's eyes.  She had to get closer, and deeper into them.  Soon she felt the redhead's breath on her lips, and felt an urge to caress those lips with her own.

"Getting to know each other a little better, I see."

"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEE!!"  Kurumi was so startled, she probably set a sitting high jump record.  Both women turned to see Misaki standing in the doorway, arms crossed over her toweled body.  "It--it wasn't what it looks like, Misaki-chan!  Really!!  I wasn't going to--I mean, we weren't going to..."

Misaki watched Alexa giggling, and knew what she was up to.  "I will let it slide this time," she said, shaking her finger at her sister.  "But do not let it happen again!  She is mine, not yours!"  She walked over and grabbed a pillow.  "Now get out before I beat the hormones out of you!"  She watched as Kurumi scurried out of the room.  She closed the door behind her, sat down on her bed next to Alexa, and the two women broke out in hysterical laughter.

"You really should not do that to her, Alexa-chan!"  Misaki finally caught her breath and allowed herself to be cradled in Alexa's arms.  "She might take you seriously."

"Nah, she's got someone, so she'll keep her hands to herself.  Besides, she knows we're together, and I seriously doubt she'll do anything to hurt you."  Alexa kissed the top of Misaki's damp head.  "Are you jealous?"

"If it were anyone else, I would be.  But I know you are only kidding with her, so I have no need to worry."  She paused and looked up at her girlfriend.  "Do I?"

Alexa answered with her tongue tracing the outline of the smaller girl's lips before pushing its way into her mouth.  That was a good enough answer for Misaki.

Back in her own room, Kurumi slumped on her bed.  "It's a good thing I'm going back to work tomorrow...I don't think I can take any more of this!"  She laid back and felt her lips.

-----------------------

Artemis strode through the marble-columned halls of the Court with a sense of purpose.  Her petition to the rest of the Twelve would be heard today, and they were going to do something about her twin brother.

"Off to stoke a fire now, are we?"

The voice stopped Artemis in her tracks.  To her left, a figure dressed in a slinky yet garishly colored leather jumpsuit emerged from behind a column.  "Y'know, you could just turn me loose on him.  I'm sure I can...keep him busy!"  Her voice was cool and leering, and to a lesser person than a god or goddess, very unsettling.

"That will not be necessary, Eris," Artemis answered, not the least bit flustered.  "I will be doing this the right way.  Besides, your methods always end up in disaster."

"Awwww...What fun is being the goddess of discord and strife if you can't cause any, eh?"  She walked up to the other goddess and the two headed for the Court.

"They will not admit you, so I see no reason for you to accompany me."

"Oh, I'm not going in." The spiky-haired brunette said.  "I just want to see who's in on this deal...and what trouble I can cause."

"The last time you were there, you started the Trojan War."  Both women turned to see Ares approaching.  In his usual blood-stained armor and smelling of rotted flesh, he was the personification of war.  "Granted, it was a lot of fun, but I don't think the rest of the group want anything like that on their hands."

"Ares!!"  Eris jumped in her brother's arms.  "You smell wonderful!  Still having fun in Persia?"

The god of war rolled his eyes.  "When was the last time you even saw a map, Eris?  It's called Iraq now."  He dropped his sister unceremoniously and sidled up to Artemis.  "So, Bambi, what about we have a little fun before the show starts, eh?"

Artemis turned her nose up at him, more from the use of the crude nickname than from his stench.  "I'd sleep with Cerberus first."

"I'm a better lover, but if you're into bestiality, well..."  Ares' attention was taken by the approach of Aphrodite, who was being swarmed by her usual entourage, the Graces.  She had a large golden collar around her neck with a chain trailing from it.  The chain led to the brutish Hephaestus, who held it tightly in one hand, while holding his blacksmith's hammer in the other.

"Still won't let that one go, will he?", Ares sighed.  "It was only one time!"

"For you and her, maybe, but as you know, she isn't exactly into monogamy...."  Artemis followed the contingent into the Court.

-----------------------

The room was cavernous; a large hall with rows of mahogany pews and brightly-lit torches.  At the back end of the room, on what appeared to be a stage, sat three tables set up in a inverted-V pattern.  Six high-backed chairs sat on either side, with a larger, more ornate throne at the center..

Artemis' group were the last to arrive, and so they took their seats at one end the table, with Zeus himself at the apex.  She, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena and Hestia sat to Zeus' left; while his wife Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hermes and Ares were to his right.  In the center of the arrangement stood an empty podium.

"Now that we're all here," Zeus bellowed, "we can get started.  That is, unless anyone has any objections."

Aphrodite lifted her head to speak, but Hephaestus yanked the chain around her neck, incurring a dirty look from the beautiful goddess.  "Fine, fine...I won't bring it up."

Zeus stood from the great throne.  "Good.  Now let us begin.  The case of Apollo and Cassandra will be heard and judged.  I expect a fair judgment, not a biased one."  He motioned to Artemis to begin the proceedings.

The goddess stood at the podium.  "Fellow Olympians.  I am sure you are aware of the circumstances involving Cassandra and our Apollo, my brother.  Some of you may know the unfair deal he has offered to her.  I wish to petition his deal null and void."  She paused expecting a response, but none came.  "As recompense for her suffering at the hands of my brother and others, I further petition to endow Cassandra and her herald Misaki with the titles of 'demi-goddesses'."

That got a response.

==============
End of Chapter Six
==============

Disclaimer: Okay...whoever doesn't know by now that this is an original story written by me, raise your hands.  Good, now go sit in that corner until I find out how to deal with you!  Everyone else...enjoy!

<b><i>Ikimashou!</i></b>

======================
Chapter Seven - "Judgment Day"
======================

A loud murmur swept through the Court upon hearing Artemis' request.  To punish a god for the mistreatment of a mortal was one thing.  To petition for that mortal to be lifted to the status of a deity, well, that was a whole other matter.  A matter the Olympians didn't take too kindly to.  "State your case, Artemis; but remember to tread lightly."  Zeus' booming voice roared through the Court, reverberating even in the marble halls outside the spacious room.

The goddess of the hunt nodded politely, and cleared her throat.  "For over two-thousand years, Cassandra has endured my brother's curse.  It is time that it be lifted, and that she be given recompense!."

"He may have cursed her, but it was you who interfered with her, Artemis."  The voice came from Athena, goddess of wisdom.  She knew of the situation, as well as the cause.  "While I am inclined to agree with you, dear Artemis, one fact has given me pause.  If you had not brought Cassandra back to life, she would not have suffered so.  Her death at the hands of Clytemnestra and her lover was her fate.  It was your own negligence in not having your brother remove the curse on her before giving her eternal life that prolonged her suffering.  The fault is yours, not Apollo's.  Truth be told, we should be considering your own punishment."

Artemis knew what Athena said was true, all of it.  Yet she was still taken aback, and felt the need to defend her actions.  "I...I didn't know the curse was still in effect!"

"That's because you didn't bother to ask your brother about it before you took matters into your own hands!"  Demeter, goddess of the harvest cut in.  "It was wrong of you to bring her back into this world without knowing what kind of life would be led by that woman."

"With great power comes great responsibility!" Hermes jokingly said, repeating the famous comic-book refrain.

"Mmm-hmmm...your own damn fault. That's what happens when you don't have a good plan."  Ares lazily sat back in his chair, his filthy boots marring the table.  "You had to have some idea of what she'd be like when you brought her back, didn't you?"

"Well, I..." Artemis lost her composure for a moment, but then righted herself.  "My intention was for her to have the time to find someone who would care deeply for her without putting her through any other horrible experiences.  It is true that I did not consult my brother as to the curse before I brought her back.  I asked him about it after the fact, but he would not lift the curse.  Knowing his spitefulness, I should have expected nothing less.  I regret what I have done, and have apologized to Cassandra, but I cannot undo what I have done."

Hephaestus' gruff voice entered the argument.  "You could have, but you chose not to.  You know as well as I do how we fashion the lives of mortals to our whim.  And just how easy it is to kill a mortal...especially one that was already dead to begin with."

"Aw honey," his wife Aphrodite chimed in.  "I for one applaud what she did.  She did it for love!  She only wanted Cassandra to finally be happy!  What's so bad about that?  Okay, so it's taken over two millennia, but you know what they say, 'love takes time'.  Now Cassandra has someone, and if Apollo can lift the curse, then all will be right with the world!"  She leered at Artemis.  "You deserve a reward for doing such a fine thing in the name of love!  We could--ACK!!"

Hephaestus yanked the golden chain around Aphrodite's neck, sending her forcefully into her seat.  "Don't you ever stop?"

"Gives a whole new meaning to 'ball and chain', doesn't it?" Hermes smirked to a chuckling Ares.

Zeus listened to all of this, and stood at his table.  "Enough!"  He then turned to Artemis.  "I know you would like to right the wrongs done by both you and your brother to this woman, but you both must also pay for what you have done.  Leave now, and we will discuss the matter further.  Hermes will come for you when we are ready with our decision."

"I will be ready."  Artemis bowed and turned to leave the Court.  Poseidon, god of the sea, stood from his chair and escorted her to the door.  "Don't worry, Artemis," he said, his voice as calm as a lake.  "I know you did what you thought was right.  Heck, I've intervened on her behalf as well, so I know where you're coming from.  I'll do my best to help you both."

"I do appreciate your help, Poseidon, though I fear the results."  Artemis kissed him on the cheek, and left the room.

-------------------------------------

For the first time in weeks, Alexa slept soundly and peacefully.  No dreams of disasters or a cold-hearted rabbit...in fact, she had not remember what she had dreamed at all, or if she even had done so.  What she did remember was how fast things happened last night.  How one kiss turned into so much more; how sweet Misaki's body tasted, and how warm it felt.  She remembered what making love with Yume was like, and how her daughter was so much like her mother.  She remembered not to call out Yume's name, as difficult as that was.  And she remembered the sound of the words "I love you, Alexa".  A sound she hadn't heard in over twenty years.  The prophetess looked down at the still-sleeping form of her lover, and sighed.

'Can I do this?  Can I really tell her everything?' The familiar feelings of fear and doubt started to creep into Alexa's heart.  'I have to tell her, but...would she still love me?'

Alexa's body suddenly tingled, as Misaki's face rubbed against her breasts.  The brunette roused from her sleep, kissing her way up to Alexa's neck and then her lips.  Misaki finally opened her eyes, and seeing she wasn't dreaming, gave Alexa a deeper kiss.

"Good morning to you, too, Misaki-chan!"  Alexa said, catching her breath.........

----------------------------

It was a miracle Kurumi didn't get killed this morning, what with her reckless driving being compounded with her scattered thoughts of the previous evening.  She left before her sister and her lover were awake, not wanting to be the butt of the pair's joke again.  Kurumi had to admit, though; they did make a good match, and she was very happy for her sister.

Even so, something about the redhead bothered Kurumi to no end.  She seemed to have a way of throwing people off-balance, and for a sharp reporter like Kurumi, it was something she wasn't used to.  The fact that the woman was smart and attractive didn't make matters any better.  "If she wasn't with Misaki, and I wasn't with Paul, I might just have...I don't know what I might have done!"  She made her way into the paper's private garage, locked the door and took the elevator up to the National News floor.

Kurumi waited impatiently for the doors to open.  When they did, she was greeted by her smiling boyfriend.  'Paul!  What are you--mmmm!"

The tall man cut her off with a kiss, before answering her question.  "I was just coming to ask if you wanted to go to Seoul tonight.  They're christening a new ferry service tomorrow that's supposed to symbolize better harmony between Japan and the Koreas.  All the big papers are sending reporters.  You probably have marching orders on your desk as we speak."

"But...what about your interview with Matsuzaka?"

"That's where I'm going now.  Make sure you're slated to go, then call me.......  We'll leave from Fukuoka and spend the night on the other side..  Talk to you later"  He didn't wait for a reply or a kiss, taking a step back and letting the elevator doors close ahead of him.

Kurumi stood staring at the shiny doors, dumbfounded.  "Oh-kay..."

"Hey!  Ohta-san!  You might want to see the Chief before you get started."  A young man in suspendered pants and thick glasses said to Kurumi.  "Sounds like you're going on a trip!"

"So it does, Akihito," the reporter replied.  Then a thought crossed her mind.  "Oh, by the way...could you do me a favor?"

"Sure, Ohta-san.  What do you need?"

Akihito was the paper's resident research analyst.  His skill at getting just the right info on practically anyone made him indispensable, yet his writing skills left much to be desired.  So he ended up behind the scenes, but his information touched every article.  If Kurumi couldn't get information on Misaki's girlfriend directly, she'd have to do it the hard way.

"I need you to look someone up for me.  Her name is 'Alexa Melanos'.  Whatever you can dig up--most likely pictures, since she's a freelance photographer."

"I'm on it!"  Akihito saluted the raven-haired reporter, and set about his task with a smile.  She wondered how long it would take before something finally wiped that ever-present grin off his boyish face.

--------------------------

Paul exited the elevator and made his way to the visitors' garage, spotting a spiky-haired brunette standing by his car.

"You haven't been sneezing a lot lately, have you Apollo?" the woman asked.

"Should I be, Eris?"  Paul didn't look at the woman, going around her and unlocking his car.

"With the way the other Olympians are discussing your fate, I was wondering if you needed an antihistamine."  The woman chuckled at her own joke, which wasn't funny to Paul.  "Oh, and it seems your dear sister got painted with the same brush you did--you're both in big trouble for messing with that prophetess, y'know!"

"Serves her right for meddling.  What are they going to do, chain me to a rock?"

"No," purred Eris.  "As much as I'd love to see that, I think they have better plans for you."  She tried to get into the passenger side door, but Paul kept it locked.  Eris huffed and simply willed herself into the front seat.  "Are we still on for tomorrow?"

"For now.  One way or another, Cassandra will not get the better of me.  She can't be in two places at once."  He started the engine and turned to Eris.  "Now, get out of my car!  I don't want people thinking I'm picking up prostitutes at work!"

Eris shot him a dirty look, and disappeared in a swirl of black leaves.

-----------------------

Alexa had been mindlessly flipping through the cable channels, waiting for Misaki to finish up in the kitchen.  They shared a quiet breakfast, and the redhead had offered to clean up, but Misaki wanted her to just relax.....  Somehow, Alexa thought, her girlfriend knew she needed time to gather her thoughts.  It was one of the many things she loved about Misaki--and about Yume.

"So, are we ready to have 'the talk' now?"  Misaki's voice caught Alexa's attention, and the two women faced each other on the sofa.  Misaki turned off the television, making sure there were no distractions.

Alexa's anxiety was obvious.  So much so that Misaki took her hands into her lap and gave her a reassuring nod.  "Whatever it is, Alexa-chan, just tell me."

Alexa couldn't look into her lover's eyes.  "I...I don't know where to start.  Or how to tell you this without it sounding strange or sick."

"We had passed 'strange' three prefectures ago, Alexa-chan," Misaki joked, trying to lighten the prophetess' mood.  "As for 'sick', let me be the judge of that...  I will still love you no matter what.  Now, just start at the beginning."

"Well," Alexa began, clenching Misaki's hands tightly.  'When you met me at the Kobe Memorial, I was...visiting someone I had lost in the quake.  Someone I had loved very deeply, but I had to let her go.  I wasn't able to open my heart to anyone else since then...until I met you.  Maybe it's her way of giving me a second chance.  Maybe it's just cruel fate.  Maybe she led me to you."

Misaki cocked her head to the side.  "To me?  Who was this person, Alexa-chan?"

Alexa swallowed hard and fought the urge to run.  "It was...it was your mother."

Misaki's eyes widened as she lost the feeling in her hands.  "My...mother?  You and my mother were...lovers??"

"Please, Misaki-chan, hear me out!"  Alexa felt her girlfriend's hands begin to slip away, and held them as tight as she could.  "it was a long time ago--before you or Kurumi were born.  I met her while she was in college.  We had...something special.  She loved me, and I her."  Misaki saw the tears in Alexa's eyes, and nodded for the prophetess to continue.  "I had gotten a vision of her in the future--your past--and how I was not to be part of it.  How she was to lead a happy life, with a great husband and two wonderful children.   I couldn't do that for her, and I wanted her to be happy, so I left her.  I also saw how she and her husband--your father--would die, and I didn't know what to do.  I couldn't tell her, because she wouldn't have believed me.  I had to let fate run its course."

"I...I am sure you only did what you thought was right, Alexa-chan.  I cannot fault you for that, nor for loving my mother."

"That's just it, Misaki-chan...it wasn't right!  I found out recently that the vision was a lie planted by Apollo.  He wanted me to leave Yume, so he could seek his revenge on me.  I could have...I should have stayed with her.  I should have made her understand.  I shouldn't have left her!"  Alexa fell into Misaki's arms, crying loudly and painfully.

The younger girl took time to absorb all of this, gently rocking the sobbing prophetess.  Part of her was angry at Alexa for what she had done, but she also knew it wouldn't be fair to blame her.  She waited until Alexa began to quiet down before she spoke.

"You tried to make her happy, Alexa-chan.  You had no reason to believe the vision was a lie.  You did what you thought was right.  Maybe it was fate that she would die in the earthquake--with or without you.  She made the most of her time, and lived a good life.  You gave her the chance to have that, Alexa-chan."  She held Alexa's head to her chest.  "I am not mad at you, and I certainly do not think you are 'sick' for loving both my mother and I.  If anything, it is because of you that I exist at all, and Kurumi as well.  Maybe it is like you said.  Maybe I am my mother's gift to you."

Alexa felt comforted by the brunette's words.  Maybe there was a reason for all of this after all.  She composed herself and looked up at Misaki.  "She was gone when you were little, so you probably don't know too much about her, huh?"

"I do know that she was beautiful, smart, and very kind.  She loved to teach.  I was just starting school when she died, but because of her teaching me at home, I was well ahead of my classmates.  She was warm and always smiling...that is how I always remember her."  Misaki settled into a long quiet pause, letting the memories of her mother wash over her.  "I could see how anyone would fall in love with her, Alexa-chan, even another woman.  I didn't know she actually had a female lover before."  She allowed a grin to crawl upon her face.  "That would probably explain my own inclination, I guess!"

Alexa smiled, listening to the sound of Misaki's chuckling.  For her, at this moment, all was right with the world.  Apollo be damned.

----------------------------

Artemis sat in the Olympic courtyard, a beautiful garden full of practically every flower one could think of.  She was oblivious to the flora, more concerned about her current situation.  "Maybe there was another way to handle this," she said audibly to no one in particular.

"You forget about your brother being an oracle, Artemis?"  Hermes appeared, the flowers swaying in the wake of his sudden approach.  "He's always a step ahead, y'know.  Can't trick him, can't cheat him."

"I know," Artemis said sadly.  "Even now, I'm sure he knows what the others have planned for him, and has acted accordingly."

"True, we know what he knows--that he knows what they know, and they know what he knows, but he doesn't know that they know something that he doesn't know!"

"STOP THAT!!"  Artemis clenched her head as a crushing pain found its way to her temples.  "Enough with the riddles!  What are you jabbering about?"

"Come with me and you will see!"  Hermes took the bewildered blonde by the hand, and they left an airy trail of swaying flowers in their wake.

They soon appeared at the podium inside the Court.  "One down, one to go!" Hermes said proudly.

"Do you know where her brother is?" Zeus asked the messenger god.

"I've got a fix on his coordinates, Cap'n!  Do ya want me to beam him aboard, or should I assemble an away team and recover him?"

Zeus was not amused.  "Just...go."  He watched as Hermes saluted him, and dashed off...and returned less than a few seconds later with a very annoyed Apollo.

"One malcontent present and accounted for, Sir!"  Hermes snapped a salute, waited for Zeus to waive him off, and returned to his seat with a grin.

Apollo glared at the speedy lad before turning his ire to Zeus.  "Let me guess.  You're about to punish my sister and I for crimes against the prophetess Cassandra, correct?"

"Yes...and no," the thunder god replied.  "Artemis.  Your request of granting demi-goddess status to Cassandra and her herald has been denied.  Cassandra already has immortality and limited foresight, so in essence she already has that title.  Her herald, however, is not a subject of ours, so I cannot grant her any such title or power.  I am sorry."

Apollo grinned eerily, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"As to your part in Cassandra being a demi-goddess, your penance is banishment from Olympus for one year.  You will live on Earth as a mortal."

Artemis' shock sent Apollo into hysterics.  "Oh, the look on  your face now, dear sister!  So, who's Miss Big Bad now?"

"As for you, Apollo," Zeus' booming voice ceased the sun god's cackling.  "Do not think you have gotten off lightly in this matter!  You also will be banished from Olympus, and forced to live on Earth as a mortal."

"Heh, saw that coming." Apollo said smugly.  "Not a problem, as I practically have a life down there anyway!"

"Silence!  I am not done yet!  You will also remove the curse you have placed on the prophetess Cassandra, effective immediately!"

"You do know that this will remove her foresight, right?"

"I am aware of this, and to that end, I also demand that you, Artemis, rescind your gift of immortality from the prophetess!"

Artemis bowed her head.  "This will render her as a normal human being.  Able to live her life without the horrors of those visions.  And when the time comes, she will die."  Her voice was sad, yet grateful.  It was what she believed Alexa wanted.

Apollo smirked.  "This changes nothing in my plans."  He turned to leave.  "We're done here, right?  I have other pressing matters to attend to."

"You may go.  Hermes will handle your duties until your sentence is completed."  Zeus watched as Apollo left the room, then turned his attention back to Artemis.

"There was one little detail he overlooked, dear Artemis, and I will entrust this matter to you."  Zeus smiled as he spoke to Artemis.  She glanced over to Poseidon, who gave her an even bigger smile.

"I will do as you ask, Zeus."

"Good.  You will speak to Cassandra and her herald.  Tell them what I am about to tell you...and then you will speak to the herald's sister, Kurumi.  It is time she became a bigger player in your brother's game."

=================
End of Chapter Seven
=================

Disclaimer:  Hi there!  For those who may have forgotten (or just for the heck of it), here's the sitch:  This is an original story by Don Johnson (a/k/a MadPanda).  All characters are prperty of said Panda, except the gods and goddess who appear herein.  They belong to themselves.  I'm just borrowing them.  Okay, on with the show!

Ikimashou!

========================
Chapter Eight - The More You Know
========================


Kurumi sat at her desk, putting the finishing touches on what would undoubtedly be the lead story of the day--the suicide of one of the Prime Minister's top aides.  It had taken two days for her to get all of the facts, as well as an exclusive interview with the Prime Minister himself.  Now all she had to do was hit the "send" button on her computer, and another front-page by-line was secured.  That would have to wait a bit, as the research analyst Akihito returned from his "mission".

"Well, Ohta-san, I have good news and bad news.  Which do you want first?", the young man said.

Kurumi leaned back in her chair and yawned.  "Both.  I'm tired and I don't have time for games.  What did you find?"

"That's the bad news," moaned Akihito.  He waved a thin empty folder at Kurumi.  "I couldn't find a single article, picture, citing, or mention of an 'Alexa Melanos'.  I even tried digging up vital records, but nothing turned up."

"Really?"  The reporter's curiosity overtook her tiredness.  "And the good news?"

"Actually, it's the 'weird' news!"  He reached into his soft briefcase and pulled out a thick folder, full of pictures, forms, clippings and notes........  "Seeing as 'Melanos' isn't exactly a household name, I did a cross-reference of photographers with the name, and that's what came up."

"There are that many photographers with that last name?" Kurumi asked, her eyes staring at the huge pile in front of her.

"Kinda...and here's where it gets strange.  Note the first five pictures, and the names attached to them."`

Kurumi examined the photos, her eyes growing wider with each shot.  The first was of the Hindenburg zeppelin crash, taken by a Cassandra Melanos; next, scorched shadows where people once stood in Hiroshima, also by Cassandra Melanos; the third was of the aftermath of an earthquake in Mexico City, taken by Alexandra Melanos; fourth was of a pile of bodies being burned in Ethiopia, also by Alexandra Melanos--this one had a notation attached, "First evidence of AIDS epidemic"; the last photo was of people running away from the World Trade Center in New York.  It too was taken by Alexandra Melanos.

Kurumi let out a whistle.  "Whoever these women were, they sure had a knack of being in the right place at the right time!"

"You don't know the half of it!  Some of these articles go back as far as the 1800s, and there are illustrations that go two hundred years before that!  It's as if following disasters was a Melanos family tradition!"  The researcher then reached into the file and pulled out some submission forms, used by photographers to enter their works.  "Then there's this.  Note the handwriting..."

"It's an exact match!  The first names are different, but the last names are too close to be anything but the same!  Wait a minute!"  Kurumi thought for a moment, remembering the two books Alexa had in her bag, especially the way the information within them was catalogued and dated.  She couldn't read Greek, but she could read dates.  "No, that's impossible!"  She then barked at the researcher, "Do you have any photos of this--I mean, these women?"

"I think you were right the first time, Ohta-san."  He nervously produced a thin folder, which contained copies of pictures and identification badges.  The names were different, but the pictures were definitely of the same woman.  "I know some people take after their parents, Ohta-san, but that's creepy!"

"Creepier than you'll ever know!"  Kurumi's heart stopped for a moment, seeing Alexa's face in all of the pictures.  She regained her composure after a moment.  "Thank you, Akihito!  You're definitely 'the man'!"

The young man blushed, rubbing the back of his head.  "Aw, just doing my job, Ohta-san!  Besides, this one was a challenge, and I had fun...although..."  He thought for a second, then dismissed the thought.  "Nah, no one would ever believe me.  I have a hard enough time writing true stories!"  He laughed and waved at Kurumi as he walked away.  "Well, off to another adventure!  You know where to find me!"

"Yeah, thanks again!"  Kurumi looked again at all of the information dumped in front of her, and wondered what to do with it all.  Should she tell Misaki?  Should she confront Alexa?  Should she break this amazing story?  Is it even possible?  It was too much to deal with right now, especially since she had a date with Paul shortly.  She put the folders in a file cabinet and locked it, sure that no one else had the key.  The raven-haired reporter was about to leave for the day, when she noted the computer screen, still asking whether she wanted to send her article off to the copy editor.

----------------------------------

"The city has changed so much since I was last here," Alexa sighed, her hands full of shopping bags.  "Thanks for showing me where the good shops are."

Misaki beamed as she walked in step with her lover, her own load carried in both hands.  "It was my pleasure, Alexa-chan!  In fact, the person I think who will enjoy it most will be my sister, since she can now have her clothes back!"  The two women laughed heartily as they approached Misaki's home.  It was indeed Misaki's pleasure to take Alexa around, treating her to the type of pampering the prophetess never allowed for herself.  For Misaki, it was akin to finding a clear, shiny piece of crystal, taking it to a cutter and getting back the most flawless diamond she'd ever seen. 

All of the attention made Alexa uncomfortable at first, but she soon gave in to her girlfriend's indulgence.  It made Misaki happy to care for Alexa, and to the redhead, it was worth all the fuss.

As they approached the house, Misaki saw Paul sitting on the front steps..........or at least, it looked like him.  She looked closer and saw that this person was a dead ringer for her sister's boyfriend, only in a female form..  Alexa also saw the woman, and an odd feeling came over her, like she had seen this woman somewhere before.

"Excuse me," Misaki began.  "Can I help you?"

"Actually, I have come to speak to both of you.  Why don't we go inside?"  The woman stood and let Misaki pass so she could open the door.  As Alexa passed, the woman gave her a sad smile.  The redhead opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the other woman.  "All in good time, Cassandra," she whispered.

"This is a very comfortable home you have here, Ohta-san.  I can see why you would not wish to leave it."  The woman took off her shoes and walked over to the loveseat, taking a seat.  "Oh yes, very comfortable.  How much have you told her about yourself, Cassandra?"

The other two women dropped their bags at the door, took off their shoes, and took a seat next to each other on the sofa.  "For one," Alexa began, "I use the name 'Alexa' now.  And yes, she knows all about me."  Misaki nodded in agreement.  She figured the two women knew each other from Alexa's past, and left it to them to do the introductions.  "Second, it's rude to enter a person's home and not introduce yourself.  Even if you are a goddess!"

The woman looked at Misaki apologetically.  She stood and bowed to the younger girl.  "Please forgive my manners, Ohta-san.  You may call me Phoebe, as I am prohibited from using my goddess form, Artemis."

Both women eyed the newcomer curiously.  "Prohibited?", they said in unison.

"It is a long story, but to put it concisely, it is my penance for...helping you, Cassan--I mean, Alexa."  Phoebe sat back into the loveseat with an exasperated sigh.  "I knew something like that would come back to haunt me.  I never guessed it would take so long."

"One minute, please," Misaki's voice whispered.  "You are Artemis?  The same one that brought Alexa back to life?  The goddess Artemis?"  With each question, Misaki's excitement grew.  She stood and gave a very deep bow to the sandy-haired woman.  "I am very honored to meet you, Artemis-sama!"

"Please, save your reverence.  For now, I am not worthy of it...and please, call me Phoebe."  The woman's voice was sad, the realization of her situation finally hitting her.  "I have come on your behalf, Alexa, to inform you of what we have done in your behalf--or against you, depending on how you look at it."

"On my behalf?  Do you mean what you were talking about in my dream, when you said the gods were doing something about Apollo?"  Alexa leaned forward to get a better listen.

"How much have you told your herald about Apollo's little game?", Phoebe asked.

Misaki's eyes widened.  "Herald?  What does she mean, Alexa-chan?"

"Hold on, Misaki-chan," Alexa replied, holding her lover's  hands and giving them a gentle squeeze.  She then turned her attention back to the former goddess.  "I hadn't told her anything about it yet, Phoebe.  I did tell her about her mother and I, and how I came to have the power of immortality and foresight."

Phoebe nodded, then sighed.  "Well, she might as well forget about that last part, then."

"What do you mean?" Misaki asked.

Phoebe thought how to put things for a second.  "As I said to you previously, I had wished to put an end to the game my brother had been playing with you and the Ohta sisters.  I appealed to the Olympian Court on your behalf.  I had also hoped, as recompense for your pain and suffering Alexa, to make you both demi-goddesses."

It was difficult for Misaki to fathom the idea of being a demi-goddess, but Alexa knew what that entailed.  "I practically was a demi-goddess, Phoebe.  What more could you have done?"

"I...I tried to get the same status for your herald here," she looked at Misaki, who was still working over that title.

"Do you mean that, since I can hear her, I was to be appointed her 'herald', and that people would have listened to me?  And how am I able to understand her visions at all?"

"That was also my doing, and for that, I am being punished.  I was sent here by Zeus himself to take back all that I have done to you both."  Phoebe turned to Alexa.  "You will be once again mortal, and allowed to live out your normal lifespan.  Also, to atone for Apollo's crime against you, your visions are to be ended.  This being the case, there will no longer be a need for your herald to interpret your visions.  You can both live normal lives."

The news came as both a big relief and a great sadness for Alexa.  She had long since grown tired of having the cursed visions, and dealing with the horrors contained in them by herself.  Now, however, she had Misaki, and they were all set to face the future together, hopefully helping millions of people by warning them in advance of disasters yet to come.  Alexa bowed to the tall, lanky woman.  "Thank you, Phoebe, but I would've liked to been able to choose whether or not I wanted to keep these abilities."  Her voice was hesitant and nervous; she had the feeling this wasn't the end of it.

Phoebe returned the bow and waited for Alexa to sit.  "I'm truly sorry, Alexa, but the choice was not yours to make."

The room fell silent for a moment, so Misaki took this as a cue to voice her questions.  "Excuse me, Phoebe-sama.  Your brother, Apollo...is his earthly form named Paul?"  She knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from the former goddess' mouth.

"You are correct, Ohta-san.  The fact that he is dating your sister is all part of an elaborate plan he has to get revenge on Alexa for not choosing him."

"Leaving her to be raped by Ajax and killed by Clytemnestra was not enough revenge for him?"  Misaki's usually quiet voice took on a darker, angrier tone.  Alexa hadn't seen this side of her lover, and was afraid of what the rest of the story would do to her.

"That is why I intervened, as you already know, Ohta-san," Phoebe answered calmly, trying to quell the younger girl.  "Alexa, maybe now would be a good time to explain my brother's plan to Ohta-san."

Alexa turned to Misaki and held her hands tightly.  "I don't even know how to begin telling you this, Misaki-chan, but..."

"Please, Alexa-chan.  I have to know this--it affects all of us."  Misaki swallowed her anger and tried to be supportive for her lover.

"Remember what I told you about your mother and I?  There was something I left out--I didn't want to hurt or confuse you.  But now, you have to know."  Alexa could no longer look in the brunette's eyes, fearing the emotions she might find there.  "Kurumi's father...it's....he's Apollo."

"Then that means...oh, no!"  Misaki tore her hands away from Alexa's grasp and covered her own mouth in disgust.  "She is sleeping with her own father?  Does she even know?  Oh, this is terrible!!"   She felt her stomach turn, and her head began to pound.  "How long have you known about this, Alexa-chan?"

"He told me he was related to her, but I didn't know it was Paul, I really didn't!" Alexa pleaded.  "I hadn't seen him in over two thousand years.  He came to me in my dreams as a rabbit and told me all sorts of things.  That's where his challenge to me came."

"So he is the rabbit?  And what challenge do you mean?"

Alexa proceeded to tell Misaki all about the 'game' Apollo had put her through, including having her choose between loving his daughter--and keeping him in her life, or living forever, cursed by his horrible visions.

"And what of us?  Is our love part of his 'game' as well?  Do you truly love me, Alexa-chan, or is this part of the 'game' as well?" Misaki was enraged at Apollo, but she began to take her frustrations out on Alexa.

"No, Misaki-chan.  I fell in love with you the moment you found me on that bench by the memorial.  He had nothing to do with that.  But when he found out, he twisted the rules so that I had to choose between you and Kurumi-chan."

"This is true," Phoebe added.  "it is why I gave you the ability to understand Alexa's visions.  In order to, 'level the playing field', as it were."

"Is that why you were flirting with her last night?"

"No...I was just teasing her.  Nothing more.  She was asking questions, and I had to throw her off somehow.  I'm sorry if it looked like more than that."  Alexa looked the smaller woman square in the eyes, trying to leave no doubt as to her feelings.   "I love you, Misaki-chan, more than anything else.  I would have chosen you even if the gods hadn't intervened."

"You're forgetting one little detail, Alexa."  Phoebe moved to the sofa and sat on the other side of Misaki.  "If we had not intervened, and she had chosen you, then Apollo would kill your sister, as he no longer had any use for her."

"Is...is this true, Alexa-chan?"  Misaki's voice softened, and her heart was torn.  "So, now that you have chosen to be with me, he will surely kill her.  And it is our fault!"  She began to cry, resting her head on Alexa's chest.

"No, Misaki-chan.  It's not our fault--it's his.  Even if I had chosen her over you, I think he would've killed her to take her away from me.  He's twisted enough to do that!"  Alexa cradled her lover, and looked to Phoebe.  "Is there any way we can stop him?"

"I'm afraid not," the other woman replied, "In fact, since it is not you who made the choice, but the Olympic Court, the matter is out of your hands.  But do not worry about your sister, Ohta-san, for she has the ability to stop him herself.  She will be fine."

Misaki stopped crying upon hearing this.  "What do you mean by that?  How can she stop him?"

"You both forget...since she is the daughter of a god, she is at the very least, a demi-goddess.  Zeus himself has awakened the power within her; all she has to do is to realize that it exists, and use it."

"And just how is she supposed to do that?" Alexa snapped.  "I don't think we can just walk up to her and say, 'Hey, Ku-chan!  Guess what?  You're a demi-goddess!  And your boyfriend's really a god who's out to kill you 'cause your sister's lover jilted him over two thousand years ago!  Now, use your shiny new magical powers to stop him'!"

Phoebe smirked.  "No, we have foreseen the problem and have found a solution, and it involves you, Ohta-san."

Misaki stared at Phoebe and then to Alexa.  "What could I possibly do to help her?"

----------------------------

"Aww...is someone a widdle cwanky 'cause hizum's wost his pow-wahs?"  Eris' sarcastically teasing voice echoed through the sound system in Paul's car as he drove into the visitors' garage.

"Sure, laugh it up while you can, slut," Paul shot back.  "A year is nothing to me.  Keep that attitude up, and you'll be the first person I'll kill when I get my godhood back!"

Eris herself appeared in a swirl of black leaves, sitting in the front passenger seat.  "I kinda like you this way...darker, edgier...easier to kill..."

"Don't try me!" Paul snapped.  If it wasn't that she was necessary for his plan--more so now because of his mortality--he'd have nothing to do with the goddess of strife.

"Come on, love...just havin' some fun with ya.  Anyway, it's all set.  I've already started spreading rumors about the ferry, and a spark or two here and there should do the trick, thanks to some cute ruffians I met along the way."  Eris smiled, pleased with her handiwork.

"Good.  Just make sure they don't act too early.  I no longer have foresight, so I can't plan for any...unforseen events.  Understand?"

"Gotcha!"  Eris gave Paul the 'thumbs up' sign, then turned to see Kurumi approaching the car.  "Whoops!  Here comes the missus.  See ya in Korea!"  She winked and left in a flourish of black leaves.

--------------------

The closer Kurumi got to Paul's car, the more apprehensive she felt.  She had no idea why--their relationship was going well, and this trip would be the brief romantic getaway they haven't had yet.  "I should be excited, but I feel...scared!  Why?"  She hesitated a couple meters from the car as Paul exited it and opened up the passenger side.

"Your chariot awaits, m'lady!"  Paul said with a bow.

"Th-thank you, kind sir," Kurumi returned the bow and entered the car.  Paul closed the door behind her, then re-entered on the driver's side.  He started the engine, and they made their way to the highway.

"Is something wrong, babe?" Paul asked.  "You haven't said a word since we started moving."

Kurumi couldn't look him in the eye for some reason.  Something was definitely wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was.  She didn't want to tip him off, either, so she tried to keep her anxiety in check.  "Oh, it's nothing!", she said with a nervous smile.  "Just some stuff at work.  I'd just finished the story about that suicide in Abe's cabinet.  Gruesome stuff...hard to get out of your head, y'know?"

"Yeah, so I've heard.  My work's done as well.  Matsuzaka's a nice guy.  I'm sure he'll be missed here, but he's gonna make a fortune in the States.  A talent like that doesn't grow on trees."  Paul continued the 'shop talk' with Kurumi, but he noticed her slight distance and reluctance to look at him.  Something was amiss, and for his plan to work, that something would have to be taken care of.

-------------------------------

"You know, it usually takes a minute or so for Hermes to return from even the hardest tasks...he's late!"  Zeus gruffed as he sat on his throne.

"Well, you did give him quite a task.  We've never sent anyone to another culture's heavenly realm before," Hera said, trying to calm her husband.  "He probably had trouble crossing the barriers."

"Not really!"  The messenger god's voice started the elders, as he peeked at them from behind the throne.  "You forget, one of my duties is being the god of translations, so for me, there are no borders!"  He finished with a heroic flourish, one that was completely ignored by Zeus.

"Whatever.  Did you get them to agree?"

"Well," Hermes whined.  "I think you're gonna have to do that.  Oh, and you might want to put these on."  He handed both of the gods a pair of sunglasses, then donned a pair himself.  "You're gonna need 'em!"

Hermes waited until everyone was ready, then moved to the center of the near-empty Court.  He stood at the podium and grabbed a microphone that dropped from the ceiling.  "Ladieeeees aaaand Gen-tle-men!  The Olympic Court is proud to introduce, all the way from Japan, the lovely, the talented, the all-powerful, the Goddess Who Shines In The Heavens herself...the Shinto Goddess of the Sun...Amaterasu!!"

Hermes dramatically pointed in the direction of the Court's main door, but it did not open.  Instead, a small burst of sunlight appeared, growing brighter and brighter until it seemed the sun itself was in the room.  Soon the overpowering brilliance toned itself down a few gigawatts, until a figure could be seen emerging from it.  A beautiful woman, dressed in a flowing traditional Japanese kimono emanated from the glow, which itself seemed to follow her like her aura.  She approached Hermes and whispered into his ear.  He nodded and relayed the message to the Greek gods.

"You rang?"

==============
End of Chapter Eight
==============

Disclaimer:  Blah, blah, blah.  You know this by now.  :-)

<b><i>Ikimashou!</i></b>


=========================
Chapter 9 - "The Warmth of the Sun"
=========================

Disclaimer:  (Keys up megaphone, ignoring feedback)  "For the last time!  This is an original work hatched in the devious mind of one MadPanda--who, disguised as Don Johnson, a mild-mannered writer for a great metroolitan fanfic archive--fights a never-ending battle for Truth, Justice, and free pocky for everyone!""

Ikimashou yo!


==================
Chapter Ten - Game Over
==================


"Ugh!", Phoebe groaned as she tried to lift herself off of the sofa.  "Cursed mortality!  If this is what mortals feel like every morning, I want no part of it!"  The sound of her own voice made her headache worse.

"Relax, Phoebe-sama.  It is only a hangover."  Misaki came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee, which she offered to the former goddess.  "You should drink this.  It will make you feel better."

Phoebe blindly gestured to the coffee table.  "Just set it there, please.  I'll get to it momentarily..or as soon as the world decided to settle."  She heard the cup and saucer being placed gently on the table.  "Thank you, Misaki-san.  How did things go last night?"

"Well," Misaki said with a blush.  "See for yourself."

Phoebe finally allowed herself to open her eyes, and thought she was having a hallucination.  Before her stood Misaki, dressed in an ornate silk bathrobe, her head bowed and face fully blushed.  A warm glow surrounded her, just bright enough to not blind the former goddess' eyes.  Misaki was radiance personified.

Phoebe closed her eyes for a moment, and opened them again, making sure this wasn't another side effect of human alcoholism.  Then she remembered the visitation Misaki was to have received last night.  "So, I take it things went well?"

"Oh, yes, Phoebe-sama!"  Misaki's smile was brighter than her aura.  She told the sandy-haired woman about the dream she had in which Amaterasu appeared, and the gift she received from the Shinto sun goddess.  "I would like to show it to you, but I do not believe it is best, considering your, 'condition'."

Phoebe forgave the smirk on the young girl's face.  "Goddesses do not have hangovers." She huffed, then the two women shared a small laugh.  "Does Alexa know of this?"

"She does, Phoebe-sama.  We talked about it before we...um...before she went back to sleep."

The deepening blush in Misaki's face told Phoebe a little more than she needed to know.  "This is good news, then!  Now that you have received your gift, I am sure Alexa will be able to reclaim hers."

Misaki's eyes widened.  "Reclaim?  Do you mean she can really become immortal again?  And what of her visions?"

"Quiet, please!"  Phoebe's head was still pounding, and Misaki's excited voice was only making it worse.  She remembered the cup of coffee on the table, and took a few sips of the strong brew.  "It was part of the bargain Zeus made with Amaterasu.  She has to accept her abilities willingly, though after the night you two shared, I'm sure she will choose to do so."  Her sly smile made Misaki turn away in embarrassment.  "Is she still asleep?"

"Yes, Phoebe-sama," Misaki answered over her shoulder.  "Should I wake her?"

"No, let her sleep.  She must wake up under her own power, otherwise you may interrupt her dream."  Phoebe took in more of the coffee, and sat back in the sofa as her head began to clear.

"I understand, Phoebe-sama."  Misaki finally turned around to again face the other woman.  "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, thank you.  And you do not have to refer to me as 'Phoebe-sama'.  Right now, you are more of a goddess than I."

"No, Phoebe-sama...Phoebe-chan," Misaki corrected herself.  "You may have lost your power, but that is only temporary.   You are still a goddess and always will be."  With that, Misaki bowed and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

'You had better hold on to this one, Alexa,' Phoebe mused to herself.

----------------------------

Alexa had noticed a few changes had been made since her last foray into the park of her dreams.  For one thing, it was as silent as a grave.  The carousel had stopped working, so the beautiful music of its calliope was not to be heard.  No animals greeted her; no birds were in the trees or in the sky.  Even the sky was empty, with neither the sun nor moon present...

"Hmmm...I guess this means I'm not supposed to be here today."  Alexa raised herself from the bench and started to leave, but stopped when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye.  "An owl?"

The large-eyed bird flew to Alexa's side and spoke to her in a feminine voice.  "So, you are content to just leave things as they are and go back to the waking world?"

Alexa took in her still surroundings once again.  "I guess so, since nothing seems to be going on."

"And you would be fine with just leaving it this way?"

The redhead shrugged her shoulders and stared off into the distance.  "Well, it's not like I can do anything about it."

"That is how you handle most everything, isn't it, Cassandra?"  The owl's voice was accusatory, almost scolding.  "You leave things as they are, not giving yourself the chance to change them "

"Hey, it's not my fault!  I can't change fate!  If things are meant to be a certain way, then who am I to go against that?"

The owl shook her head, "Have you not learned anything...especially from Yume?"

"What does she have to do with this?"  Alexa snapped.  "And who gives you the right to judge me?"

"It is what I do."  The owl hopped off of the bench and onto the ground, morphing itself into a tall woman with shoulder-length brown hair.  "I am Athena, goddess of wisdom and truth.  I am here to show you how you really are, and to give you the opportunity to change."

"Look, I've beaten myself up enough for leaving Yume, and she has forgiven me.  I'm past that now.  Why are you bothering me?"

"Because it is still your nature to leave things to fate.  If she had not forgiven you via her daughter, you would not have tried to seek out her forgiveness.  Just as with your abilities.  Whether you wanted to keep them or not, you let then be taken away from you without a fight."

Alexa listened to all of the goddess' accusations and could not argue against them.  "I was relieved to not have those damn visions anymore!  How would you like to go around with that kind of horror in your head forever?  Knowing how so many millions of people would die, but being powerless to do anything about it."

"But you -are- able to do something about it.  Your herald Misaki had the ability to understand you.  Between the two of you, many lives could have been saved.  Yet you allowed your gift to be taken away from you."

"That was no gift...it was a curse!!"  Alexa's anger made the goddess take a step back.  "Now I'm free of it!  Now I'm happy!  Don't I have the right to be happy?"

"You do," Athena said softly, trying to calm the raging woman.  "But you also deserve to be happy on your own terms.  Can you truly say you are happy, now that you are a mortal and Misaki is not?"

"As long I have her, I'm fine!"

"And what happens when you no longer have her?"

Alexa paused for a moment, as Misaki's voice saying the word 'forever' echoed in her head.  "Forever.  She said we could be together forever.  But it's not that simple, is it?"

"It is if you want it to be, Cassandra.  All you have to do is want it, accept it of your own free will, and it is yours.  You can change your fate, and that of so many others."

"But...that would mean I would have to accept the visions again, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, it does."  Athena approached the woman and sat down beside her.  "Cassandra...Alexa, I was present at the trial of Artemis and Apollo, and I know what you have been through.   As Artemis has told you, we are trying to correct our mistakes.  As a condition of Misaki receiving her gift from Amaterasu, we were told to offer you your abilities back in total.  We were not forced to give them to you, so you are not forced to take them...  Given your love for the herald, and her ability to help you, I think you would make the right decision."

"To be with her forever...I would do anything for that.  I would endure any pain if it meant I could be with her forever."  Alexa finally smiled and turned to Athena.  "I won't make the same mistake I made with Yume, Athena.  Please, let me have my abilities back.  Please let me be with Misaki forever!"

"All you had to do was ask!"  Athena gave a broad smile, turned back into an owl and flew off into the distance.  Alexa felt a cool breeze blowing against her skin, as the sound of birds returned to the park.  The sun was rising, and she was sure that soon, the carousel would start once again.

Another sound reached Alexa's ears as a vehicle approached her along the pathway.  It was a plain white delivery truck, with the word "ACME" emblazoned on the side.  The truck pulled to a stop in front of the bench where Alexa sat, and out stepped a man in a white uniform.

"Package for Alexa Melanos," the man said, holding the small box under one arm and holding out an electronic tablet.  "Sign here, please!"

Alexa looked at the man dubiously, then signed the tablet.  "Let me guess......Hermes?"

"Hey, it's a livin'!"  The messenger god grinned and handed Alexa the small package.  "There's a little extra in there from some of the other gods...  It'll help you along."  Hermes climbed back into the truck.  "Well, gotta go.  There's a coyote out in the desert waiting for his latest package!  Say hello to Artemis for me, 'kay!"  And with that, the truck sounded two beeps and peeled off into the distance.

Alexa shook her head with a laugh, then examined the package.  It was a simple white box marked 'Acme See-It-All Instant Oracle Kit'.  "You've got to be kidding," she smirked as she opened the box and found a small vial of fluid.  "If I turn into a hairy monster or something, I'll make sure to kill Hermes first."  Alexa took a sniff of the murky liquid and was amazed that it smelled like coffee.  "Oh well, here's goes nothing!"  She downed the stuff in one gulp.

----------------------

"Good morning, honey!"

"Good morning yourself, baby!"  Paul yawned, roused from his slumber.  He turned over to find not Kurumi, but Eris lying next to him in bed.

"What the hell are you doing here?  Where's Kurumi?"

Eris placed a finger to his lips.  "She's in the shower, silly boy!  Now keep your voice down...don't want her to know what Daddy's doin', now do ya?"

Paul kept his voice to a menacing whisper.  "Why are you here, slut?"

"Awww...is that anyway to talk to a comrade?  I'm just here to remind you that we're good to go.  All you have to do is give us a sign, and that whole 'friendship and harmony' shindig will be history!"

"Whatever, as long as I get rid of--"

"Yeah, yeah...look, you being mortal and all, you might want to pay attention to certain details concerning your little girl/lover...details you haven't quite planned for."  Eris' voice hinted at something, but the former sun god wasn't hearing it.

"Nonsense!  I have planned for every detail.  Just make sure you keep up your end, and things will be fine.  Now get out!"

"You're cute...myopic, but cute!"  Eris left the bed, naked as the day she was born.  "Don't say I didn't warn you!"  The swirl of black leaves marked her exit, disappearing just as Kurumi exited from the shower.

"Who were you talking to, Paul?"

"Oh, just some contacts in Pyongyang and Tokyo.  I wanted to confirm the schedule for the ferry launch today."  He beckoned her to come back to bed, but she declined, choosing instead to gather some clothes. 

"Sorry, Paul, but we'd better get started.  We'd have had more time if we went straight to Busan from Shimonoseki.  It's quite a trip down from here."

"Hey, you're gonna quibble over free plane tickets?  Besides, you wouldn't want to ride the ferry both ways, would you?"  Paul kept up his cool demeanor.  "And it's a nice scenic trip, too!"

"You've got a point."  She called out as she returned to the bathroom.  "Now get up already!  We've got a lot to do today!"

"That we do," Apollo mumbled under his breath.  "That we do."

--------------------------

"An apple?"  Misaki's eyes widened.  "The whole thing started over an apple?"

Phoebe grinned.  "Well, it wasn't just any apple, it was a Golden Apple.  Whoever claimed it was to be worthy of Paris' love."

"And he was Alexa's brother, right?"

"Yes.  As handsome as she is beautiful.  All the women loved him, and I dare say a few men as well.  When Eris tossed that apple into the wedding party, you should have seen the mad scramble for--"  Phoebe's story was cut short as Alexa poked her head into the kitchen.  The former goddess tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't resist. 

Misaki turned to see what brought about such a reaction.  "Wh-what happened to you, Alexa-chan?  And why do you smell like burnt coffee??"

"I dunno," the redhead slurred.  "I was in the middle of a dream, and when I woke up, It felt like something exploded in my face."  Sure enough, her face was covered in soot, as was the front of the long nightshirt she wore.  Her hair was windblown, with patches of ash and soot all over it.

"You didn't by any chance receive a package from Hermes in your dream, did you?" Phoebe asked between giggles.

"How did you know?"

"Call it a hunch...his packages always backfire."  Phoebe got up and offered a damp cloth to Alexa.  "Here, take care of yourself."

"Coulda been worse, I guess.  There is a good side to this....I have my abilities back!"

Misaki left her chair and jumped in Alexa's arms, almost knocking the taller girl into a nearby counter.  "This is wonderful news!  Have you tried them out yet?"

"Not yet...I'm still waking up," Alexa grinned.

Phoebe sat back in her chair with a worried look.  "Does this mean I am forgiven for what I have done to you?"

The redhead looked over her girlfriend's shoulder at the other woman and smiled.  "Yes.  Yes it does, Phoebe.  I know you were only trying to be kind to me, and I shouldn't have held that against you.  If anything, I should be thanking you; if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Yume, and I wouldn't have met Misaki."  She gave the smaller girl a big hug.  "You wanted to give me a chance at happiness, and you've done that twice over.  Thank you, Phoebe."

"Yes, thank you, Phoebe-sama!"  Misaki said, echoing Alexa's gratitude.

The sandy-haired woman felt a blush creep up on her face, as well as a smile that wouldn't stop widening.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Misaki pulled away from Alexa's arms.  "Amaterasu-sama said I was to help Ku-chan unlock her own abilities.  Do you know what they are, Phoebe-sama?"

The former goddess thought for a moment.  "Not off-hand, but I would assume she would have some of Apollo's traits.  I don't think foresight would be one, as you have the Light of Truth and Alexa has premonitions.  That would leave some...pretty interesting options.  Apollo is also the god of healing, as well as the bringer of plagues.  He is also the god of archery and poetry, and he controls--well, controlled--the Muses.  I suggest we find her and see what her gifts are for ourselves."

"Yes, and we'd better do it soon," Alexa chimed in.  "There's no telling what he'd do to her...even without his power."

"I'm so happy we can help Ku-chan...and that everything will turn out well!"

"I'm happy too, Misaki-chan!"  The renewed prophetess joined the other two at the table.  "I'm also hungry.  What's for breakfast?"

"Eggs, toast, rice if you want, and there's still some coffee left."

"Oh no, no more coffee for me!  I'll have tea instead!"

The three women laughed and shared their first breakfast together.

----------------------------

The drive from Seoul to Busan was indeed beautiful, as Paul said it would be.  Unfortunately, Kurumi didn't get to enjoy much of it.  Her mind was somewhere else, letting the scenery blur by her.  She didn't mind doing the story, as any international endeavor always had plenty of politicians around to dig up dirt on.  Her mind fell instead on her growing distance from Paul.  The more she sat beside him, the more she felt the butterflies in her stomach had morphed into small birds, fighting to get out of their cramped cage.  With each passing kilometer, the need to set those birds free became more urgent.

"Can we...can we pull over?" the reporter asked.  "I don't feel so good.'

Paul gave the raven-haired woman a curious look, then swerved off of the road. "Sure, baby...you're not car-sick, are you?"

Kurumi undid the seatbelt and tried to exit the car.  "No...not usually.  I just...I just need to step out for a bit."  She took two steps outside of the car, dropped to her knees, and emptied her stomach on the ground.

She did feel a little better in the cold air, but that feeling died when Paul came over and wrapped his arms around her.  "No!  Just let me be!  I'll be alright in a moment!"  She hadn't realized she was yelling at him, or that she had practically ripped herself from his grasp.

Paul's patience was beginning to wear thin.  This was an unforeseen inconvenience--one he didn't have time for.  "Come on, honey.  Get back in the car.  Once we get to Busan, I'll get you a--"

"I said NO!!"  Kurumi turned on him, her voice full of fear, and to Paul's surprise, unnaturally loud.  "I don't know what's going on, but whenever I'm near you lately I feel...I don't know...repulsed!"  She felt another wave of sickness coming on, and tried her best to keep her coat from being splattered.

Paul had had enough.  "I don't have time for this," he mumbled under his breath, marching over to the ill woman and grabbing her by the collar of her coat.  "Get in the car, Kurumi!"

Once again, she tore herself away from him.  "Paul!  What are you doing?  What's go--!!"  The last thing Kurumi remembered was something hitting her head extremely hard, twice.  She didn't know what the first was, but the second was definitely the frozen ground.  It was the last thing she saw before everything went black.

"Oh, what a manly thing to do!  Hitting a girl when she's down."  Eris' voice sarcastically called out from inside the car.  "What's next?  You're gonna drag her over here by her hair like the Neanderthal you are?"

"Shut up and open the back seat so I can put her in!" Paul snorted.  He picked up Kurumi roughly and literally flung her into the car, caring not how she landed.

"I'd hate to see how you treat your children...oh wait!  She IS your child!"  Eris shook her finger at him scoldingly.  "You're a bad daddy!  I should report you for child abuse...among other things!"

"Just shut up and get in!  We still have a long way to go!"

"So bossy!!  I don't even know why I listen to you.  It's not like you're a god anymore."

"You do it because you get off on the mayhem, you twisted bitch!" Paul said as he re-entered from the driver's side and started the engine.

"Well, yeah," Eris smiled.  "There is that.  Besides.  I have my own reasons."

"Whatever.  Just shut up, will you?  You're giving me a headache!"

"Have you forgotten, dear Apollo?  That one of the things I do best!"  Eris' shrill laughter echoed in the car as it sped toward Busan.

------------------------

"Do you know where your sister is, Misaki...chan?"  Phoebe nervously added the honorific, and was pleased by the smaller woman's approving nod.

"Usually she is working at the newspaper office,  but they often send her out into the field."  She turned to Alexa, holding her hand.  "Could you see where she is, oh great and powerful prophetess?"

Alexa slapped her girlfriend's hand lightly and laughed.  "I could probably tell you where she -will- be and what will happen to her, but I don't think I can tell you where she is now.  You, oh bright and shiny one, have that power."

Misaki's smile brightened.  "I do?  Really?  How do I do that?" she asked excitedly.

"It's very simple," Alexa smirked.  "Just call her on her phone and ask her where she is!"

Phoebe couldn't help but laugh as Misaki's lips pursed into a pout.  "That wasn't nice, Alexa," the sandy-haired woman giggled.

Misaki gave her girlfriend a smile.  "I had that coming, did I not?"

"You did...now call her."

"She's not picking up!  It went straight to voice mail."  Misaki didn't like the feel she was getting after making the call.  It wasn't unusual for Kurumi not to answer her phone, but for some reason, the younger Ohta sister felt something was wrong.  "Could you try for me, Alexa-chan?"

"It doesn't usually work that way, remember?  The visions come to me, I don't go looking for them."  Alexa thought a moment.  "Then again, with your help and a stronger vibration, maybe..."  She closed her eyes and concentrated, trying to seek out Kurumi in the future.  After a couple minutes, her green eyes opened wide and glowed intensely, tears flowing from them.  She had found her target, but it was a horrible sight.  She then reached for Misaki's hands, gripping them and using them as an anchor.  The prophetess' eyes dimmed slightly as she began to wind the vision backward, as close to the present as she possibly could.  There was a lot of darkness, but it ended suddenly as Alexa felt Kurumi being struck.

Misaki watched at the light went out in her lover's eyes and they returned to normal.  "Phoebe-chan, please go up and get a cool damp cloth!"  She waited for the former goddess to leave, then spoke to Alexa, her voice just above a whisper.  "What did you see, Alexa-chan?"

"We have to get to Busan as soon as possible!"  She told Misaki what she saw, and the younger girl covered her mouth in horror.

"Can we prevent this?" Misaki cried.  "Can we save her?  We need her to stop him!"

"Did she find Kurumi?" Phoebe asked as she handed the damp cloth to Misaki.

"Yes!  She's going to Busan with your brother, and he's going to kill her!"  Misaki glared at the doe-eyed woman, snatching the cloth from Phoebe and gently wiping Alexa's sweaty face with it.

"It's not her fault, Misaki-chan," Alexa sighed.  "No need to take it out on her."  The redhead took the cloth and continued to wipe her own face.

"I'm sorry, Phoebe-sama," Misaki bowed.  "I was upset with him, and lashed out at you.  Please accept my apologies."

Phoebe placed a hand on Misaki's shoulder.  "I understand your anger.  We have to do something.  Were you able to see exactly where they were going to be, Alexa?"

"Yes.  The Busan Ferry Terminal."  Alexa did some quick calculations, but frowned with each answer.  "We can't get there in time by conventional means.  I think I can get us there, if all of my powers have been restored..."

Phoebe nodded her comprehension, but Misaki looked confused.  "What do you mean, Alexa-chan?"

"Think about it, Misaki-chan.  How do you think I was able to get from place to place so quickly with only ancient transportation?"

The brunette thought for a moment, then smiled when the answer came to her. "You can teleport?"

"I used to be able to, but it was always alone, and since I couldn't be sure if I landed on someone, it was always tricky.  Doing it with two other people--if I can do it at all--will be even trickier."

"I have an idea!"  Phoebe stood up, bringing Misaki with her.  "See if you can tell if what Alexa said is true.  While you're looking, see if there's a place we can land that is out of view of the general public."

"A brilliant idea!"  Misaki's aura glowed brightly as she held out one hand in a loose fist.  "Shinjitsu!" she yelled, and the Light of Truth appeared.  She pointed the lantern towards Alexa, and an image of a busy seaport appeared behind the prophetess.  A ferry marked "Venture" came into closer view.  A black town car pulled into the ferry's loading bay, and Paul could be seen inside, as well as another woman..

"Eris!" Phoebe hissed.  "What is she doing there?"

There were many other people gathering at what looked like a large reviewing stand, complete with banners, flags and a podium.  With all of the attention there, a nearby alley was empty.

"There!  We will go there, Alexa-chan!"  Misaki recalled the lantern, and drew her aura into herself.  "We must hurry!"

"I'll do my best!" Alexa said nervously.  It really had been quite awhile since she teleported.  She had become fond of taking her sweet time to get from place to place, only using teleportation when absolutely necessary.  "I'm going to need your help, Misaki-chan.  Phoebe, since you don't have your powers, you stand between us."  When the other woman did as she was told, Alexa and Misaki took each other's hands, encircling Phoebe.  Once again Misaki's golden aura glowed brightly, while Alexa drew the power in and sent it back in a wave of green light.

Phoebe watched the light show repeat and increase in ebb and flow, until she herself was bathed in warm pale green light.  It only took a couple seconds, but it seemed to her like time had slowed and the world outside the light had faded away.

----------------------

A good-sized throng had gathered to hear the local politicians crow about the new ferry.  So enthralled were they that they didn't notice the bright light that flashed not far from them.  Three women soon emerged from the nearby alley, a bit wobbly but no worse.

"Good thing we all ate before we left," Misaki joked.

Alexa ignored the comment.  "Come on, let's get closer to the ferry."  The three women moved around the crowd, and into the terminal.  "It doesn't look like they've arrived yet."

"That is good," Phoebe mused.  "We can get to the loading bay before they do."  As they made their way down to the auto bay, Phoebe noticed two guards at the entrance.  "We have to get past them."

"Leave that to me!"  Misaki's confidence surprised both Phoebe and Alexa.  She came out from behind the corner where they were hiding, and strode over to the two men.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"  One of the guards said.

"No, but I can help you."  Misaki's soft voice drew both guards closer.  "You both must be very tired, and in need of some rest."  Her aura began to glow, and soon the guards were enveloped in its soothing warmth.  They both slumped to the ground, lost in a peaceful sleep.

Misaki drew in her aura, admired her handiwork, then turned to the other women, beckoning them to come quickly.

"Has she done that before?" Phoebe asked as they ran toward Misaki.

"Not exactly..."  Alexa's blush and sly giggle made Phoebe lose a step.  They soon reached Misaki, and all three moved on to the auto bay, dragging the sleeping guards with them.

---------------------

"Good!  They haven't started yet!"  Paul took in the surroundings, then turned to Eris.  "Go tend to your minions.  I'll let you know when I'm ready."

"You sure you want to go through with this?" she asked, giving him one last chance to reconsider.  "I'm telling you, Apollo, you might want to--"

"Damn it, woman!  Just shut up and do what I asked!"  Paul's head felt like it was going to split open.  "Get out of here!"

"Have it your way!"  Eris left the car, slamming the door behind her.  Rather than transporting away, she walked into the crowd.  Paul wondered for a moment why she chose to do so, but then dismissed it as he had more important things to worry about.  He drove towards the ferry's auto bay.

----------------------

"We christen thee, 'Venture'!"  Two women, one Japanese and one Korean, pressed a button on the podium as they stood on the reviewing stand.  A large champagne bottle swung from a crane, crashing into the side of the ferry.  The crowd cheered as the ferry's horn blew, and they moved toward the ferry's passenger entrance.

From their vantage point in the auto bay, the three women saw cars beginning to approach the ferry.

"Is he in any of those vehicles?" Phoebe asked.

"He should be in the black town car--that one!"  Misaki pointed to the first car to enter the ferry.  It moved in and found a parking spot.  "Something is not right," the brunette noted.  "I see Paul-san, but the woman who was with him is not there."

"Maybe she's up with the crowd," Alexa answered.  "Whatever the case, we have to get over there before he moves her!"

The three women started to move, but were startled by Paul's voice.  "You can come out now!  I know you're already here!"  He exited the car and casually leaned against it, waiting for the women to show.  "I had thought you'd be here lying in wait.  Just like my dear sister the huntress to do something so predictable!"

Phoebe glared at her brother.  "It does not matter, Apollo!  Your game ends here!"

"I think not, Artemis!  Even between the three of you, you cannot stop me!  You have no powers, and the younger Ohta is nothing more than a walking light show."  He then scowled at Alexa.  "You, my former student...even if you do have your powers back--as I'm sure you were stupid enough to ask for--what are you doing to do, tell me my future?"

"Don't dismiss us so easily, Apollo!"  Alexa shot back.  "You yourself are no longer a god, which makes you all that easier to kill!"

"That may be so, but I have friends as well!"  A swirl of black leaves rose up behind Apollo, and Eris emerged from them.

"Well, looks like the party's about to start, eh?"

"Where have you been?  You were supposed to be here."  Apollo angry spat at the spiky-haired blonde.

"I have my own agenda to deal with here, you know," Eris mused.  "Can't pass up an excellent opportunity for mayhem!"

"Why are you working for him, Eris?"  Phoebe demanded.

"Who said I was working -for-him, dear Artemis?  I'm working -with- him!" She quickly disappeared, then reappeared with Kurumi, who was still unconscious.  "Wakey-wakey, sleeping beauty!" she sing-songed, slapping the raven-haired reporter.  "You don't want to miss this!"

"Stop it!!  Let her go!!" Misaki started to charge at Eris, but Alexa held her back.

"Not yet, Misaki-chan!  We can't fight her!"

"Listen to your lover, little girl!" Apollo teased.  "I'm running this game, and you'll move when I tell you!"

Kurumi started to stir, the pain loudly registering in her head.  "What.......what's going on?  Paul!  Why did you attack me?" 

Eris turned her roughly to face the other women.  "Your boyfriend brought you to play with your sister and her friends.  Isn't that nice of him?"

Misaki broke free of Alexa's grip, but was stopped short by Eris' glare.  "You don't want to try me, little one!"

A bewildered Kurumi stared into Apollo's eyes, searching for some sign of the person she had been in love with.  Apollo met her confused stare with laughter.  "Why, Paul?  Why are you doing this?"

"Maybe you should ask your little sister and her lover!  They know all about it!"

"What is he talking about, Misaki-chan?  What's going on here?"

Alexa stepped up behind her girlfriend.  "There's no other way to do this, Misaki-chan.  Just show her."

Kurumi's eyes widened as Misaki started to glow, her aura covering both her and Alexa.  "Shinjitsu!" she called, and the Light of Truth appeared.  Kurumi's mind had trouble registering what it was seeing at first; so many images, so many strange ideas to try to grasp.

"What is all this?  Gods, goddesses, curses, Alexa-chan and our mother?  The Kobe quake...oh no!  Misaki-chan...and Paul!  Why?  How did Misaki-chan...?"  As her mind asked question after question, the Light answered it in vivid detail at the speed of thought.  Soon it all became clear, even down to the reason for her repulsion to her lover-turned-torturer.

Kurumi eyes widened in fear and disgust.  "You're my...my father?"

"Not exactly 'daddy dearest', but at least he waited until you were grown up to molest you!"  Eris' shrill laughter rang in Kurumi's ears.  "Not that you were complaining, mind you!"

"That's enough, Eris!"  Phoebe shouted at the goddess of strife.  "She's going through enough misery without having you add to it!"

"That's what I do, dear Artemis!"  Eris smirked.

Kurumi started to feel sick all over again, but something else came through in Misaki's Light...something only she could see and feel.  It took away the pain and illness she was feeling, and gave her strength.  It was warm and powerful.  She stopped struggling in Eris' arms, and let the Light reach deep into her.  She slumped in Eris' arms as Misaki called back the Light.

"So now you know," Apollo sneered, grabbing Kurumi by the throat and tightening his grip on her.  "Not only are you my daughter, as well as my lover, you are my puppet--my sacrificial lamb!  I have no use for you anymore, other than to kill you and watch your sister and her lover suffer...and then I will kill them, along with my traitorous sister!  I will be free of the whole lot of you!"

Kurumi reached deep in her soul to find what the Light had shown her about herself...her true self.  "You will do no such thing, Apollo!"

Both Apollo and Eris cried out as Kurumi's body suddenly radiated an intense amount of heat, scalding Apollo's hand and forcing Eris to quickly let her go.  "True, I am all the things you said I was, Apollo, but you have forgotten one thing; as your daughter, I am also half-goddess!  And right now, that makes me stronger than you!  That makes us all stronger than you!!"  She lunged at Apollo, but was stopped by Eris.

"You may be able to hurt him, but you sure as hell can't take me!"

"Ku-chan!" Misaki cried out.  "Are you alright?"

"Never been better, Misaki-chan!"  Kurumi grinned, and generated enough heat as to make Eris take a step back or be cooked.  Even the floorboards below her feet began to warp and buckle.  "You three take care of that bastard.  I'll handle this bitch!"

Misaki nodded, excited by her sister's new-found power.  The three women rushed over to Apollo, who was still holding his hand and writhing in pain.

"How does it feel to be the one in pain, instead of the one causing it?" Alexa said, glaring at Apollo.  "Guess you didn't see that one coming, huh?"

"Laugh all you want, bitch!" Apollo tried to scramble to his feet, only to be kicked back to the ground by Alexa.  "You'll pay for that!"

"I don't think so!" the redhead said, kicking him in the stomach.  "You've made me suffer all this time, lying to us and hurting us!  You've hurt the people I love, taken away someone precious to us, and now you want to kill us?"  She reached down and grabbed Apollo by the lapels of his coat....  "If anyone's gonna pay, it's you!"

Apollo laughed at Alexa's threat.  "It's already too late!  Eris!  Forget about her!  Get your people started!"

Eris gave Kurumi one more look, putting on an air of false bravado.  "You're lucky I have something else to do, or I'd mop the floor with you!"  She left in a swirl of leaves.

"Where is she going?"  Kurumi demanded.  "Tell us!"

"She's my trump card!" Apollo laughed as Alexa harshly threw him to the ground.  "I knew you three would come to try to save Kurumi here, so I had to...even things out a bit!"

"What have you done, brother?"  Phoebe asked.

"You'll find out right about...now!"

An explosion erupted on one of the upper decks, followed by the sound of screams and people scattering.  The blast knocked the women off of their feet, and made Apollo laugh with maniacal glee.  "Guess you didn't see THAT coming, eh prophetess?"

Alexa shook her head for a moment, then cursed herself.  "How did I not see that?"

"Simple, you were so focused on saving Kurumi, that you didn't see the big picture!  Now all these people will die, and you can't do a thing about it...then again, you'll be dead too!"

"Not If I kill you first!"  All eyes turned to see Kurumi, standing tall and in an archer's stance.  The air around her warped and wobbled as she drew back on an invisible bow.

"What are you doing?"  Apollo recognized the weapon his daughter wielded, and feared for his life.  He tried frantically to find his footing.  "Eris!!  Get me out of here!"

The strife goddess' shrill laughter rang through the auto bay.  "Sorry, love!  I'm done taking orders from you!"

Apollo was beside himself with terror.  "I trusted you!!  Help me, Eris!!"

"Silly rabbit!   What part of 'strife and discord' don't you understand?  You were a fool to trust me, and now you'll get just what you deserve!"  Her laughter faded as another explosion sounded above them.

The other women again stumbled from the blast, but this time they crawled away from Apollo, not wanting to get caught in whatever amount of damage Kurumi was about to dish out.  The raven-haired woman was unfazed by the explosion, standing her ground and keeping her aim true.

"You don't know what you're doing!  That's not a toy!!  Put it away!!"  Apollo's cries went unheard by Kurumi, who pulled further back on the bow.  "You don't even know how to use that!!"

"Let's see if I can, shall we?" The demi-goddess focused all of the heat surrounding her into a single point at what would be the tip of the arrow...  "Goodbye, Paul!"

Whatever scream Apollo tried to make was drowned out by the sound of the arrow, now a beam of pure sun-fire.  It screeched along quickly, striking the former god directly in the center of his chest.  It fried him to a crisp, burning through both flesh and bone, until there was nothing left.

Her task done, Kurumi crumpled to the ground in a sobbing heap.

The other three women were completely stunned by what had taken place before them.  Another explosion jarred them back into reality, and Misaki rushed over to tend to her sister.  "Ku-chan!  Ku-chan!!  Are you alright?"

Alexa soon followed her.  "She must be tired, overwhelmed by what she went through."

Phoebe stood near the pile of ashes that used to be her brother.  "You were warned, dear brother.  Your punishment is just beginning...may Zeus and Hades have mercy on your soul!"

"We have to leave!" Alexa cried out as thick smoke began to fill the auto bay.  "I don't know how much damage Eris has done, but I'm sure we can't stay here any longer!"

Kurumi lifted her head.  "Maybe I can help," she said wearily.  "Take my hand, Alexa-chan."

Alexa did as she was told, while Misaki took Kurumi's other hand.  Phoebe held on to Alexa, while Kurumi focused her mind on leaving the ferry.  Soon a golden ray of sunlight beamed down into the auto bay, and the four women vanished into it.

----------------------

The last thing Apollo remembered was the excruciating pain of his own human flesh burning into nothingness.  It was something he'd sooner forget.  He became aware that he was alive, though not in human form.  "I must have been restored in some way...or at the very least, some sort of spirit."  Gravity kept him earthbound, so being a spirit was out of the question..  He took a look at his surroundings, and cringed.  "Well, that explains things."  He sat at the bank of a river.  On his side, the grass was green and trees provided ample shade.  On the other side, however, there was only death--dust, patches of long-dried grass, rotted trees, even skulls of animals.

"Welcome to the river Styx!"  Apollo turned to see Eris leaning against a tree.  "Don't get used to the view, you won't be staying long."

Apollo looked at her in disbelief.  "You mean I'm actually dead?"

"As the humans like to say, 'DUH!'  Of course you're dead!  What, did you think your daughter's little arrow was a toy?"

"But why have I not been returned to Mount Olympus?" Apollo asked.

"It's simple, idiot," Eris teased. "You're dead!  This is where the dead go.  It's actually ironic that you died on a ferry, since you now have to use one to get to Tartarus!"

Apollo scowled at the snickering goddess.  "Why didn't you help me?  I thought were on my side!"

Eris casually walked past him.  "You haven't been paying attention, have you?  Like I said, I just wanted to cause some trouble and strife, and thanks to you, I did!  Even better, I caused some for you!  I didn't take too kindly to how you treated me, and I was going to get my revenge on you!"  She stopped at the edge of the river, watching a long boat approach the shore.  "I was even nice enough to warn you that you'd get yours in the end, but did you listen?  Nooooo!  So now, you'll get what you deserve!"  Eris waved the boatman closer.  "Well, that's my two cents on your situation, and here's two more."  She walked back to Apollo and handed him two coins.

"What is this?" the former god sneered.

"Your fare.  Charon demands it.  I wouldn't suggest not paying him."

"And what happens when I get to the other side?"

"That's up to Hades.  Word is you're to be chained to the sun and forced to drag it across the sky.  And since it's always daytime somewhere, you're probably in for a lot of dragging.  Sucks to be you, doesn't it?"  Her shrill laughter only served to annoy Apollo.

"Well, when my penance is up and I get my godhood back--"

Eris waved her finger at him.  "You can forget about 'getting your revenge'.  You're not to ever set foot on the human world ever again!  And most of your duties have been dispatched to others, so all you have to do is serve time, love!"  She saw the boatman Charon point his staff at Apollo, and took that as her cue to leave.  "Well, you've got a boat to catch, and I have havoc to wreak.  Don't keep the ferryman waiting!"  She disappeared in a flurry of black leaves, as Apollo begrudgingly stepped onto the narrow boat.  It would be the last time he'd ever set foot in the world of the living.  "Damn women," he cursed under his breath.  "Damn them all!"

-----------------------

"So let me get this straight," Kurumi said to her sister as they sat in their living room.  "You and I are demi-goddesses, but from different realms; Alexa-chan is a prophetess who has lived for over two thousand years; and Phoebe-san is really Artemis-sama, Paul...Apollo's sister, but she's not a goddess anymore?"

Misaki nodded.  "That's the short form of what I showed to you at the ferry, Ku-chan."

"And we're not supposed to tell anyone about any of this?  You do remember I'm a reporter, right?"

"It would not be a good thing to do, Ku-chan."  Misaki took her sister's hands in her own.  "It would cause a lot of trouble for all of us..or at the very least, get you locked away in the crazy house!"

Kurumi started to protest again, but dropped her head.  "I guess you're right.  No one would believe me anyway.  So, what do we do now?"

"I believe I can answer that question," Phoebe said as she entered the room, Alexa right behind her.  "I have been asked by Zeus himself to bring you to him.  Your duties as a demi-goddess will be explained in full.  Also, you will be given control of the Muses, seeing as you are the heir to Apollo's role.  I suggest you accept them, and use them to further the causes of humankind."

"Me?"  Kurumi couldn't believe what she was hearing.  "There must be someone more qualified--or at least more, well, 'godly'--to do this!  I'm just a reporter, nothing more!"

"But you are something more, Ku-chan!"  Misaki stood and smiled at her sister.  "You're special!  Half-human, half-goddess!  You can do things people only dream about!  Just think of all the stories you have written, and how you wished you could have done more than just write about what was happening...now, you can actually do something about it!  You can make changes, help to make the world a better place!"

Alexa came over and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend.  "And we'll help!  Between the three of us, there's nothing we can't do!  But first, you have to find out what you're capable of, and meet the gods and the Muses.  They will help you get started, and when you're ready, you can come back here, right Phoebe-chan?"

"She's right, Kurumi-san," Phoebe turned to Alexa.  "And that's Artemis, if you don't mind!"

The three women all gasped as a beam of moonlight poured over Artemis.  "You've been re-instated as a goddess, Artemis-sama!" Misaki cried out happily.

"Yes, thanks to Alexa.  Her forgiveness went a long way in helping to reduce my sentence, as did my aiding you to defeat my brother.  I am most grateful to you, Alexa, for your forgiveness, and your friendship."

"I should be thanking you, Artemis," Alexa replied.  "I felt really bad about what happened at the ferry, and about not being able to save those people.  You showed me that sometimes there's things that are just fated to happen...like Kurumi getting her power.  If we had saved those people, we would have lost her.  Tough choices have to be made sometimes.  Hopefully, we won't have to make them ever again."

Artemis nodded in agreement.  "Come, Kurumi-san.  It is time for us to take our leave.  In terms of human time, we will return soon."

Kurumi gave her sister a hug, and then gave one to Alexa.  "Please take good care of my sister while I'm gone.  Don't make me have to fry you to a crisp when I get back, okay?"

"Don't worry, Kurumi-chan.  I'll do my best to keep her safe."  Alexa meant every word of it, and Kurumi felt secure enough to leave.  Soon Artemis and Kurumi faded in the beam of moonlight, and Alexa and Misaki were left alone in the living room.

The brunette held onto her lover as she watched her sister disappear.  "Do you think she'll be okay, Alexa-chan?  Will this be too much for her?"

"Nah, she's a big girl.  I think she can handle it.  She's got a lot to adjust to, but there's more than enough people up there to help her out...more help than I got, that's for sure."  Alexa turned and embraced her own demi-goddess.  "Don't worry, Misaki-chan.  She'll be fine."

"That's 'Misaki-sama', if you don't mind!" the petite brunette grinned through her impersonation of Artemis.  "And are we going to be alright, Alexa-chan?"

"Definitely.  We'll have our bumps, but it'll be alright."

"I want to be sure."  Misaki started to glow and call for the Light of Truth, but Alexa stopped her with a long, passionate kiss that told her more about their love--and their future--than the lantern ever could.

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END
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