The FURUBA ROUND ROBIN PROJECT 

Chapter Seven 

by  Neko-san
First Posted Online:  
History:  Theme: Sentai

Hatori pinched the bridge of his nose for what had to be the tenth time that evening. He mentally cursed Shigure. This was all his doing.

"Listen. I know you took quite a fall when you transformed, but we don't have time for this nonsense Ayame."

"But Ha-san! It's true! A monstrous blood thirsty beast! It cries out for sustenance! It won't rest until it's torn, ripped and devoured! We're just standing here! How awful, how tragic-"

"Ayame. That's enough."

"Okay Ha-san!"

The ever obedient Hebi made his way down the hall to the elevator with something between a skip and a frolic. Hatori followed, trying to hide his look of horror. Grown men just should not be allowed to do that. Especially not grown men with long silver hair and brightly colored floor length dress coats.

[On the first floor]

Momiji was rolling between corners in the hallways and holding his hands like a weapon, Hiro following behind him glaring. Momiji made a quick turn, his mind racing. He would find To-ru! He would be the hero! After all. To-ru was the princess in distress!

Yuki rolled his eyes as he watched his younger cousin ducking and dodging unseen enemies. Haru was merely standing behind him.

"Haru.. Perhaps you should be checking the other elevator? I mean… Honda-san might be wandering that hall or such. We don't want to miss her."

No answer.

He turned to see that Haru was still standing behind him, a small grin playing on his lips. He was looking at the end of the silk shirt he had given Yuki. It appeared that the shirt only covered him from about upper thigh. Leaving the expanse of his creamy skin showing.

Yuki flushed angrily and started to open his mouth when he heard shouting at the other end of the hall. He ran towards the disturbance, feeling black Haru's silent stare follow him as he moved.

"She's a complete idiot! You know yourself that she's probably in a broom closet upstairs saying excuse me and pardon me' to a mop! She's not the sharpest tack on the board."

"You shut-up! You don't know anything. You're just jealous because Kisa likes her more than she likes you!"

Silence.

Yuki had frozen and even Haru had raised a brow at this. It would appear Tohru had become the button to Momiji's temper. This was certainly a first. The nasty fighting words were hanging in the air around them. Hiro glared at Momiji, and Momiji wasn't backing down. He tensed up threateningly. Hiro laughed as though the very idea was ridiculous.

"What are you gonna do? You're not helping anything as it is. You lost Yuki somehow. You must be on the same page with that sorry excuse for-"

BAM!

Momiji stood over the unconscious body of his younger cousin with his fists clenched, a bruise forming on one of them. Yuki stared disbelieving, while black Haru raised his other brow and grinned at the uncharacteristic behavior. Yuki sighed and raised a hand to his forehead. We have a responsibility to Honda-san! We will work as a team and find her!! By the time he was finished this statement, he had his hands on his hips and was standing as thought posing. Horrifically like his brother. He immediately stopped.

[In an upstairs hallway]

"Oh mom… I'm so stupid… I got separated from Ayame-san. I should be more careful… I know it's silly, but I'm a little scared… I feel like I'm being followed…"

She rounded the next corner, obviously not paying attention, when she hit someone. POOF!

[In the elevator]

"Ha-san! Isn't this just great fun! Like those action shows! They always end up looking for a kidnapped comrade."

Ayame took this opportunity to go into action' mode. He threw his hair over his shoulder and struck a Charlie's angels' pose. Hatori crossed his arms and scoffed.

"Honestly. You and Shigure both act like such children." The elevator beeped, to signify they'd reached the third floor, and the door opened.

"You called?"

[Third floor hallway]

Tohru had stiffened from the contact. It had caused her heart to almost stop when the following pyon had sounded. As the smoke cleared, a small orange cat was sprawled on his stomach grumbling.

"K-kyo-kun!? Oh! I'm so glad to see you! I've been wandering around alone for almost an hour… I got separated from Ayame-san…I was so scared.."

Her voice had softened and she looked embarrassed. Her eyes were large and pleading as she kneeled down next to him.

His own eyed widened and he would be blushing if she could see it through the orange fur. "Oh go ahead…" He mumbled.

Tohru scooped up the annoyed little Neko and snuggled him, giggling. She blushed and smiled.

"I wanted to thank Kyo-kun again for coming to get me… I know how miserable the rainy weather makes you… and then you got pulled into all this…" She waved a hand, referring to the chaos'.

At that moment, they heard the beep of the elevator. It must be just down the hall. Kyo jumped out of her arms and motioned with his head for her to follow. He could see better in the dark, and if she could keep up with him, they might make it out of here sane.

Kyo's ears stood straight up, his tail freezing, mid-movement. His whole fuzzy body went on alert as he heard whispering. Tohru took up that alert' stance Kyo was always telling her to take. She narrowed her eyes and stared into the darkness as though she could see through it.

[Meanwhile]

Ayame stepped off the elevator and into Shigure's arms.

"Oh Gure! I was so worried… so scared and lonely awaiting my knight to make his appearance! We lost your little flower.. But I will try to heal the wounds in your heart…"

"Oh Aya.. I know you tried your best… you are my one true love! The pillar of my heart and soul!"

Hatori was already walking down the hallway, his hands in his pockets, grumbling something that sounded like Idiots.'

Ayame and Shigure shared a look before grinning. They ran forward in large bounds, reciting their favorite Power Rangers' phrases. Let's get em!' Yeah! We'll kick some major butt!' Let's work as a team!'

Ayame grinned and tossed his hair again. "Gure! You know I always work as a team with you!"

[Tohru and Kyo]

Tohru screamed and Kyo hissed as two large shapes came bounding down the hallway towards them, shouting.

Tohru backed into a door, and Kyo cursed loudly as he felt the familiar tingle. Tohru fell to the floor as Kyo transformed back.

Ayame and Shigure froze in their tracks and stared at the scene before them. Tohru was on the floor, looking disheveled and flushed, and Kyo was standing protectively in front of her, completely naked. Also flushed. Of course, they could both piece together what had happened in their minds, but that wasn't nearly as fun.

Just then, Yuki, Momiji and Haru carrying Hiro came flying from the other end of the hallway.

"Hold it right there evil-doer! You'll pay for your treachery! Back away from princess To-ru!"

"Baka neko! What the hell do you think you're doing to Honda-san?!?!"

"Damn! Lucky Kyo… We see him leave with one girl only to find him with another!"

"Shut up you damn cow! You're all such idiots! Can't you see what's going on here???"

Tohru stared at the floor, her eyes wide, and her face beet red. "Ano…" Came her quiet, rather hoarse voice. "Kyo-kun..? Could you … uhm.. Put on your pants?"

Ayame and Shigure were immediately in front of Tohru, their hands on their hips.

"We shall protect you from this fiend!"

"Hai! This monster won't lay a hand on our precious little flower!"

"Zodiac powers activate!"

They put their fists together and stood there as nothing happened.

"Aya, I told you to wear your ring!"

"But Gure… You know gold looks gaudy on my skin tone. It's so costume' looking…."

"But Aya..!" Shigure whined.

Hatori growled. He was finally getting close to losing his mind.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! ALL OF YOU!"

He stalked gracefully to the center of the hall and glared at everyone with the exception of Tohru. He offered her a hand up as Kyo pulled on his pants, growling and swearing.

"well well well. Isn't this nice? Everyone decided to throw a party and not invite me? I'm hurt.. really."

End of Chapter 7
Return to Chapter 6  
Continued on Chapter 8