Yuri sat sullenly looking at the three holes the arrows had made as they hit her windowframe. She gave a heartfelt sigh... it was obvious that all manner of interesting things were going on outside, but there she was, stuck indoors for the whole week. Shrugging, she took the three arrows and lay them carefully on her desk. She wasn't sure why, but she felt a need to keep them someplace safe. The arrows clicked together as they hit the desk, the sound seeming louder than it should in the quiet room. Behind Yuri, on her bed, Amy stirred. Her eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the light and trying to focus on the room. Eventually they settled on Yuri's face. "Y..Yuri-sempai?" Yuri looked down at Amy and smiled. "You're awake! How are you feeling?" "I'm feeling a little better now... where am I?" The Angeleye looked around the room, suddenly realising where she was. Laid in Yuri's bed, in her room, alone with her... she felt herself grow warm, her cheeks colouring. "Oh!" ************************************** Dark Heart High Netherworld Educational Establishment for the Universal Propagation of Evil. Founded by Mads ************************************** Part 33: Intersections! Jon 'Ojin' Rowbottom ************************************** Yuri smiled again, sitting down on the bed beside the girl. "You got hurt pretty badly by something... I brought you in here so you'd be safe." Amy pulled herself up, moving down the bed so that she was sitting close to Yuri. She badly wanted to just enjoy this perfect moment with her sempai, but she had to say what had happened. Balabalalde was mean and evil and dark... He would only hurt Yuri! She had to say something... "Yuri?" she said, a frown crossing her features. "What's wrong Amy?" "Balabalalde did this. All I did was run into him and then he... he hit me." Yuri leaned back, her face confused, still not wanting to accept what her friend was telling her. "No... that doesn't make sense! I mean... why would he?" Amy looked into Yuri's eyes for a moment, forcing herself to see what was there. Not for the first time, she hated the gift of the Angeleyes. Yuri didn't believe her. "Because... because..." Amy rose from the bed, tears starting to flow down her face. "... He doesn't deserve you! All he can see is your skin!" Tears streaming, the Magical Girl turned and ran from the room, fleeing down the stairs. She barely even registered the bulk of Troi as she passed him in the hall, or the way that he somehow seemed to swell as she went by. Moments later, Yuri had rushed down the stairs after her, but she was stopped short by her father as he slid in front of the open door. "And where do you think you're going, young lady?" "Daddy... I have to go and see if she's alright! She seemed upset, and..." The matter at the top of the dark shape shifted a little, as though it were shaking it's head. "I think that you're forgetting something, Yuri dear. You're -still- grounded. That means no going out except school, period." Yuri looked at him for a moment, considering defiance, then caught the look in his red eyes. Instincts born from a lifetime of living with a Dark Lord, albeit a now freelance one, told her that arguing would be futile. Reluctantly, she turned back up the stairs and headed to her room. Troi watched her leave, still shaking the mass that roughly corresponded to his head at the moment. Kids... what could you do with them? He chuckled, and went back to savouring the emotions that the Angeleye girl had left in her wake. The tears of the innocent... such a sweet morsel. And they weren't even bad for his blood pressure. ***** =-'~.^'-= ***** Yasuko wandered the streets, trying to think of the best way to put her plans into motion. Above all else, she seduced. She gave people what they thought they wanted, and she charged the highest price for it. Her parents had always taught her that there was nothing more evil. What she had to do was find some way to use that against Yuki, some way to find a way past the little peasants defenders. Then she'd be victorious for sure! ***** ^-^ ***** Yuri awoke early for a change the next morning, eager to be away and out of the house after being cooped up for so long. Dashing downstairs into the kitchen, she grabbed a waffle from the plate on the table and started towards the door. From behind his paper, her Father coughed subtly. "Yuri? Isn't it a little early to be heading out to school?" Yuri looked over her shoulder, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Anou... I wanted to try to get there in good time today..." "You wouldn't by any chance be using this as a way around your punishment, would you?" Yuri sweatdropped, shuffling awkwardly from one foot to the other, feeling her fathers eyes on her even through the morning news. "Now now dear..." her mother moved across to the table, laying down a second plate of bloodberry waffles. "Don't be too hard on her. Don't you remember being young?" Troi chuckled, the grim sound seeming more suited to a dungeon than a kitchen. "Quite clearly, yes. I suppose that you are right... but be sure to be back home on time tonight." "Oh daaaaddd!" The dark mass lay down his paper and sighed. "Yuri dear, I am Troi Mikagami. I have destroyed worlds, overthrown kingdoms, despoiled wonders. Don't 'Oh dad' me. You'll be home on time, or I will know why." Her fathers tone was leaden, but the authority was undermined somewhat by her mother, winking over his head. Yuri nodded at both of them and smiled. "Okay... I'll see you both later!" She blew her parents a kiss and headed out the front door, subconsciously stepping over the place where Amy had sat every morning since she arrived at Dark Heart High. Only today, the space was empty. Yuri looked around, trying to see if the girl was somewhere else on the street, but there was nothing. Yuri's smile faded as she moved away, walking slowly towards school. She really hoped that Amy was alright. ***** 6_6 ***** The courtyard of Dark Heart High was crowded with students arriving for their studies. At first glance they filed through the yard and into the school just like at any other such establishment. On a closer inspection however, the subtle differences became apparent. The crouching gait of those who had weaponry to hide, the sinister stares the students lavished on one another, the overall air of barely suppressed malice. It was a sight to make an evil heart brim with pride. There were, however, some exceptions to the rule. LeiLei, obviously, stood beside Bala with her usual smile, somehow looking both innocent and knowing at the same time. Balabalalde himself seemed out of sorts, no longer his usual self, crackling with barley contained malice... today he seemed almost nervous. So did Craig, pacing uncertainly close to the main building, periodically scanning the throng of students. So, to an extent, did Ki, though to the untrained eye he seemed as laconic as ever, leaning with his back on a school wall. Yuri walked through the crowd mostly unaware of the attention that was being paid to her, her mind dwelling on just why Amy could be acting so strangely. She shook herself out of it, seeing LeiLei waving to her from across the yard. Smiling and waiving at the girl, she wandered across to the pair, thinking carefully of what to say. "Morning, Yuri!" Chirped LeiLei, smiling warmly at her friend. "Hi LeiLei... how have you been?" "Oh, okay. It's a shame about you being grounded..." Yuri nodded "Yeah... the only visitor I was able to have in the house was Amy, and then only because she was hurt." Yuri carefully watched Bala as she said this, seeing the way that his eye twitched ever so slightly when she mentioned the girl. Her voice grew a little more quiet as she spoke again. "LeiLei... did you see what happened to Amy yesterday?" LeiLei paused, blanching just a little before she answered. "I... we... we're really sorry Yuri!" Balabalalde froze beside her for a second, looking down at the young girl in confusion before she continued. "It's just... Amy was running somewhere and she wasn't looking where she was going... she ran straight into Bala and... you know how strong he is! We wanted to tell you, but we couldn't get to see you and when we went back to find her, she was gone!" The whole explanation seemed to be delivered in one long breath, and by the end of it LeiLei looked so distraught that Yuri wasn't in any doubt. She smiled at her friends, suddenly feeling so much lighter. "Oh, LeiLei... it's okay. I just needed to make sure what had happened." She hugged the girl, and smiled up at Balabalalde. "I knew it wouldn't have been your fault." Bala nodded, torn between relief that Yuri was happy and confusion at what LeiLei had said. After all, all he had really done was bat the girl aside... what else was he supposed to do when an enemy smashed into him? Yuri let go of LeiLei and looked around the yard, the crowd of students that had previously occupied it starting to thin out. "We should probably head to first period... can you remember what we have?" LeiLei thought for a minute. "I think we have Game Theory... c'mon, I hear that Ms. Reitetsu is really harsh on latecomers." As they set off towards the building, LeiLei pulled gently on Bala's arm, looking up at him. Craning upwards, she whispered just low enough that Yuri wouldn't hear. "Don't tell anything. For her sake." Watching from across the yard, Ki carefully read the girls lips. This situation, like much in the school, warranted further attention. Every piece of information was something he could study... ***** ;_; ***** The game theory classroom was a little strange looking. Rather than the work tables Yuri was used to in the other classes, the desks in the room were baize topped, each with both a chessboard and a calculator built into the surface. The front of the room had a blackboard, covered in strange mathematical symbols that in their way looked far more imposing than anything found in the Occult classes. Yuri took a seat near the side of the class near Bala, looking around at the other students. Most of her class were there - Ki, Craig and Yasuko were taking their seats, looking her way every once in a while. It seemed for a while as though Amy wouldn't show up, but eventually the girl entered- looking somehow smaller than usual and choosing a seat on the other side of the class from Yuri. Yuri gave her a friendly wave as she sat down but she didn't respond, simply turning her head to look at the teacher. Yuri sighed sadly and did likewise. At the front of the room sat Ms. Reitetsu; a thin, pallid woman wearing a very large pair of glasses and a plain, blue grey suit. She smiled calmly at the students as they filed in, exposing overgrown canine teeth. When everyone was seated she rose, chalking the words 'Game Theory' across the blackboard. "Good Morning class." She said, her voice as level and calm as her appearance. "Welcome to Game Theory. I hope that you have by now all settled down into your usual studies here at Dark Heart High, because now that your induction's are finished, we can get on and teach you something that will truly be useful to you." Some of the students shuffled a little at this, looking around the classroom sceptically. Reitetsu watched them impassively, then continued. "Others may teach you the philosophy of our kind... our history... our combat. But I will teach you how to play." She walked over to a box on a dais beside her desk and drew out a chess piece. "This is a pawn. On it's own it is weak, certain to be taken. But used correctly, it can bring the downfall of kings. What I will teach you are the tactics and strategies that will enable you to beat your enemies. Today, we will start with the basics. Pair off and take out your chesspieces and I shall see how capable you all are." The class busied themselves with the business of forming pairs. Yuri moved across the class towards Amy, wanting to see what was wrong, but the Angeleye turned her back on her before she was halfway across the classroom. Standing in confusion for a moment, Yuri jumped as a hand was laid on her shoulder. "Partners?" Ki said, taking his hand away. Yuri looked around... Bala had already paired with LeiLei and it seemed as though most of the rest of the class was similarly taken. She nodded, sitting opposite the boy at his desk. Yasuko was also having difficulties finding a partner. She had managed to be deft enough to avoid Craig for long enough that he gave in and partnered with an easier target, but now she was left with little choice of partner herself. Indeed the only one left was... the Angeleye. She rolled her eyes and sat down opposite the girl, setting up the chess pieces with barely a glance at her chosen opponent. "Aren't you supposed to be sitting with that Yuki girl by now?" Yasuko sneered, still not looking up from the board. "Not today..." Yasuko look up, a curious look on her face. She smiled widely. "Oh? Have the two of you had... a disagreement?" Amy didn't respond, focusing simply on setting up her pieces. Yasuko cocked her head a little, watching the girls sullen movement. This was... interesting. "Don't be like that." Said the demoness, forcibly trying to make her tone seem light and friendly. "Maybe you could tell me what's wrong?" Amy stared at her incredulously. "Why would you even care? What do you know about anything? You're just a Demon!" Yasuko's eyes turned cold as she placed a piece heavily down onto the board, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the sudden silence. "I know more than you might think, girl." Yasuko's tone was ice-cold, then shifted to one of exaggerated resignation. "But fine. All I wanted to do was to talk to you." Amy's expression changed, now looking as though she was on the verge of tears. This was ridiculous... she shouldn't be talking about this to anyone, let alone to this demon girl... but nobody else would listen, and she couldn't talk to Yuri and if she didn't say something to someone then she didn't know what she'd do... Before Amy knew what she was doing, she had started talking, everything coming out in a rush. "It's just that... Balabalalde beat me up and Yuri won't believe that he did it and if she doesn't believe that then what can she think of me and she likes him more than me and I don't know what to do... I... I..." She sagged, eyes brimming over with tears. Opposite her, Yasuko's eyes were wide as she tried to process what the girl had said. This was... better than she could ever have hoped for. Not just a problem for Yuri, but maybe even a hook to keep Bala from interfering as well. The succubus suppressed a chuckle as she tried to think about the possibilities. Yuri's endless string of triumphs over her would be done with... and then people would see just who was an 'incompetent minion'. "There now." She said, unconsciously laying a comforting hand onto the magical girls arm. "Doesn't it feel better to talk about things? Now..." she gestured at the chessboard before them. "Lets play." ***** -_- ***** Ki looked down at the chessboard, one eyebrow raised. "You're leaving yourself open, Yuri." Yuri blinked, looking at the board. "I am?" she shook her head in confusion. "I'm sorry... I'm not thinking straight today." Ki shrugged, moving to take Yuri's knight and leaving her rook open to capture in two moves. Though Chess wasn't the clans traditional game, the Steel Thorn clan ensured that their scion should be familiar with all forms of strategy. He lay the knight aside, then fixed Yuri with a serious gaze. "I have things I need to discuss with you, Yuri. There are some things that I need to ask you." Yuri looked confused. "Oh? What's that?" ***** /(-_-)\ ***** In the bad part of town, three figures walked, far from the lessons in Evil that they were supposedly to be taking at the time. The largest one looked around, still not fully understanding why they were cutting class. "Maug want to know why we not at school!" The second tallest sighed, the light reflecting from his glasses as he slouched forwards. "I am here, my unerudite friend, because I received a note I judge to be of interest. You are here because I told you to be here. Okay?" Maug nodded slowly. The other figure slumped back on a wall, his leather jacket creaking. "So what was this note? It's gotta be something good ta make us bunk of Casual Torture 102." "It was." Came a much deeper voice from the alleyway. The two dimmer thugs froze in surprise, while Glasses simply turned to face the source of the voice. "Good morning, Lord. I am here, as you asked." "Good." Came the voice. "Word has it that you have reason to dislike Yuri Mikagami." Leather Jacket sneered and nodded. "We sure do. Thanks to that friend of hers we spent a week in traction." Maug nodded to, though much slower. "Yea... how we to know little girl have strong guy with her?" "Indeed. Well, what would you say to the opportunity to face her again... on better terms?" Glasses smiled broadly. "That, my Lord, is something that we would very much desire." The shape in the alleyway moved forwards, chuckling in a most unhealthy sounding way. "Good." There was a pause, then a brief strangled scream from the three thugs, followed by a deep, deep silence. Melvin Mikagami smiled down on his troops, their eyes now holding the familiar sheen of those possessed. "Are you ready to serve your lord?" Glasses grinned even wider, a look of insanity now more prevalent than ever. "With our lives, Lord Mikagami." ***** Authors Notes: Gah. This was a little trickier to write than I'd anticipated- as always happens with these things, I got hit by crippling writers block and found myself running repeatedly into a brick wall. But, on the plus side, it did get done. ^_^ Two impro's, no skips. Yes, Amy does still feel just the same about Yuri, but she's starting to feel a little less sure about how Yuri feels. Yasuko might seem alike an unusual sympathiser, but she has all manner of potential uses for what she can find out and, weird though it is, seems the most likely member of the cast to be able to sympathise with Amy, after the Heavenly Marshmallow Princess Cherry Bomb 'incident'. But hey, maybe that's just me. ;p I do apologise for bringing back Maug, Glasses and Jacket, but something about that just felt so -right-. After all, every villain needs incompetent minions, and since Yasuko and Craig are otherwise occupied and unlikely to help anyway, those three fitted the bill better than anyone else I could think of. Well, here's hoping that I haven't done much damage and that I'm able to sign up for another part at some stage... - Ojin ***** Lisa sat behind her desk in the nurses office, making a list of general business supplies. Aside from the truly immense range of potion components, metallic gewgaws and other paraphernalia of the successful mad scientist, she remembered to jot down a couple of things in the 'special order' section of her list, the place reserved for the mundane items that she could, with good timing, sell at a stupendous mark-up. Ki - 2 bags 'Happy BunBun Rabbit Chow.' Yasuko - 4 boxes Lovely Bakery Instant Cookie Mix. Lisa smiled. Supply and demand was an amazing thing, sometimes.