HIDDEN WEAPONS UNITED

By Megan Earley

CHAPTER 4

"You heard me. You have been beaten by Mousse in battle. Soun has told me that he has actually beaten you twice. So therefore by law you must marry Mousse. Also it fits perfectly into my plan to get him away from my great-granddaughter. Once he is legally married to you, he can’t even look at her any more." She glared in the direction of the kitchen.

Destine stamped her foot. "I will not allow this to happen. I am not one of your people Cologne. I do not abide by your laws just as I do not ask you to abide by mine. Besides, he hasn’t beaten me in battle. We were sparring when he beat me. Technically that is not considered fighting. So...."

Destines words were cut short when Cologne hit her in the head with her staff. "You are to be quiet in front of the elders. Disrespect could mean death to an outsider."

"Better dead than without my own choice!" Destine grabbed the table and flipped it over. Grabbing one of the elders by the collar she threw her out the window. She turned and ran into the kitchen. ‘I need to get to Mousse. We have to get out of here.’ She reached up and felt the lump forming on her head. ‘I’ll get her for that.’

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Mousse listened to the commotion outside as he put away the dishes. ‘I probably should go out there to see what’s happening.’ He set down his towel and walked to the door. He was about to open it when it slammed into his face knocking off his glasses. He looked up to see a blurry form standing in front of him. "Who are you?"

"It’s me, Destine, come on, here’s your glasses." She shoved them into his hand and pulled him up the stairs.

"What’s going on Destine? What happened out there?" Mousse slipped on his glasses. ‘What could have scared her this much?’

Destine reached the top of the stairs and ran into the room she an Shampoo shared. She shut the door and grabbed her back pack. She started to put her clothes in it as well as her money and glasses. "We have to get out of here. Go into your room and grab your stuff. Do it quietly and come back here. Take only what you need. I’ll explain when you get back." She returned to her pack and threw in a small pouch and some bags marked with a strange symbol.

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Mousse ran into his room saw that his floor was soaked. ‘Not even going to ask.’ He grabbed his traveling bag from the closet. He tossed in one of his robes and two pairs of pants. Along with that he added a pair of shorts and a short sleeved shirt. ‘I already have everything else in here. That’s all I need.’ He slung the pack over his shoulder and hurried back to Shampoo’s room. He stepped inside to find Destine standing over the bathroom sink rubbing her head. "Des-chan, are you all right?" He stepped up to her and turned her around.

She looked up at him and quickly turned away. "I think I have just sealed both our fates. Soun has told Cologne that you have beaten me fighting. I tried to explain that we were just sparring but she would not listen. She hit me in the head with her staff and told me to be silent. I shot back at her and she told me that I was "crossing the line" so to speak. I snapped and ended up flipping the table. I then ran to find you." She covered her face and sobbed. "I’m so sorry."

Mousse walked up and put his arms around her. "It’s all right. Calm down, what could she have said to upset you this much?" He looked at the bump on her head. "You’re going to need some ice on that soon. What did she say?"

Destine looked up and dried her eyes. "She told me..."

The door opened and Cologne stood in the doorway. "She is to be your bride as by Amazon law. Don’t look so shocked idiot, you know full well that if you beat a woman in battle by law she is to become your wife. The two of you are to be wed at sunset."

Shampoo walked into the room. "Joke no work...what going on?"

Cologne turned to her. "Meet Mousse’s fiancée." She pointed to Destine.

Shampoo laughed. "Good joke grandmother. You win first place."

Mousse shook his head. "She’s not joking Shampoo. She’s serious about this." He glared at Cologne. "This old crone is trying to ruin Destine’s life as well as mine." He pushed Destine behind him and his body started to glow with his battle aura. "You won’t ruin anyone else’s lives!" He rushed at Cologne. "Dagger Strike!" Cologne narrowed her eyes and swung her staff. It hit Mousse in the stomach and sent him flying out the window and into a nearby tree.

"MOUSSE! NO!" Destine ran to the window and grabbed for his hand. Seeing that she could not reach him she tossed a chain at him. It wrapped around the branch he was on and he grabbed hold of it and used it to swing back to the window. Destine grabbed onto his wrists and started to pull him back up. ~WHACK!~ A strong blow hit her at the base of her skull. She dropped Mousse and crumpled to the ground.

Cologne stood over her and laughed. "Well if the two of you don’t wish to be married, I can always kill you."

‘Come on Destine, get up. You have to beat her.’ Destine looked around. She grabbed onto the nightstand and pulled herself up. "I don’t think so." She grabbed the lamp and threw it at Cologne. It crashed into her and knocked her over. "Mousse get out of here!" She grabbed the packs and threw them out the window. "And now for your enjoyment, Feero Fulé Fiqulos!" She threw down some flash bombs and jumped out the window. "I’ll return to finish this Cologne. Mousse grab your bag and run!" She landed with a soft thud and grabbed her back pack. Slinging it on she took off down the street with Mousse following close behind.

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Destine didn’t stop running until she reached the outskirts of town. Turning around she noticed that she had lost Mousse somewhere along the way. ‘Great, now I’ve got to go find him.’ She walked into a clump of bushes and opened her pack. She pulled out a short-haired black wig, a hair net, a few bobby pins, and some makeup. She pulled her hair up into the hair net and fastened the loose strands with the bobby pins. She applied the makeup and pulled on the wig. Pulling out a small mirror she looked herself over. ‘Good job as always.’ She put the mirror away and grabbed a pair of slacks and a T-shirt out of the pack. She pulled off her other clothes and slipped into the slacks and shirt. Repacking her bag, she stepped out of the bushes. ‘Now Cologne will never recognize me.’ She hid her bag in the bushes and went off looking for Mousse.

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Mousse turned the corner and stopped. ‘Great now I’ve lost her. Where could she have gone?’ He looked up and down the street. ‘Not here.’

He was just about to leave when he saw a young girl walking towards him. She looked up and ran to him. "I’m so glad I’ve found you Mousse! I was beginning to wonder where you could be."

Mousse stepped back a few feet. "Who are you and what do you mean you’ve been looking for me?"

The girl laughed and grabbed his hand. "Come on you should know me." Seeing that Mousse was still edgy she laughed. "I knew I was good but I didn’t think I was this good." She grabbed her hair and lifted it up. "Recognize me now?"

"Destine! Why the disguise? You scared me half to death." Mousse rushed forward and hugged her.

Destine placed the wig back on her head and straightened it. "Because Cologne is probably looking for us. Come on, my stuff is at the edge of town." She turned and ran off.

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They reached the edge of town in a couple of minutes. "There is a train heading to Yokohama in a few minutes. We need to get on it." Destine grabbed her bag and stumbled. "And I need to hurry up before my energy runs out." She turned and took off running.

"Why are we going to Yokohama? I mean, sure it’s a nice place to visit, but I don’t see any reason to go." Mousse caught up and set his pace to match hers.

"My sensei lives there. She told me that if ever I got into trouble to head there. I know she will take us in." Destine put her hand to the base of her skull. She looked at the hand and saw that there was blood on it. "Come on the station is right around the next bend."

She turned the corner and ran into Ryoga.

"Watch where you’re going miss." He smiled and helped her to her feet. "Where are you headed to in such a hurry?"

Destine pulled off her wig. "It’s me Ryoga." Placing it back on she replied, "Yokohama. We need to get to the ticket booth." Destine walked up to the booth and rang the bell. A middle aged man walked up and opened the window. "We need two tickets to Yokohama. Preferably on the next train." The man nodded and filled out two tickets. Destine paid for them and took the tickets. Turning around she walked back over to Mousse and Ryoga. "Here’s your ticket Mousse the train leaves in ten minutes." She turned to Ryoga. "Where are you headed to?"

"I don’t know. I was headed for Tokyo but I keep getting lost."

Destine smiled. "Why not come with us? The ticket master says that there is one more ticket."

Ryoga smiled and a small fang showed. "Sure." He walked over and rang the bell. He bought the ticket and walked back over to Destine and Mousse. "Well I’m ready, let’s get to the platform and wait for the train."

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The train entered the station just as they reached the platform. "ALL ABOARD!" The conductor shouted as Destine, Mousse and Ryoga climbed into the train. They found a room near the front and settled down.

Destine sat on the couch and curled up into a ball. Mousse walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. "Destine? What’s wrong?" Destine grabbed his hand and placed it at the base of her skull. He pulled it back and saw the blood on his fingers. "Des-chan you’re hurt! Wait here and I’ll go get something to treat that." He rushed out of the room and down the corridor. Reaching the front of the train he saw the first aid kit. He opened it up and grabbed some bandages, a couple ice packs, and some ointment. He was just about to head back to the room when a large man stopped him.

"What do you think you’re doing with those boy? Those are for first class passengers only."

"Please my friend is badly hurt and needs this stuff. Please let me help her." Mousse pushed his glasses up on his nose. "We have no supplies."

The man looked at him for a while and then nodded. "Take me to her. I’m a doctor. My name is Johnathon Ocean. I’ll see what I can do for her."

Mousse walked back down the corridor and opened the door to the room. Destine was lying down and holding her head. She had removed the wig and makeup. Ryoga looked up. "Do you have the stuff?"

"Even better, I brought a doctor with me." Mousse set the stuff beside Destine and sat down next to Ryoga.

"Now let me see." Dr. Ocean looked at Destine. "Young lady, could you please sit up?" Destine slowly sat up. "Thank you." He examined her eyes, took her temperature and looked at the bump on her head. "Would you lean forward so I can check the back of your head?" Destine leaned forward. "Thanks." He pushed her hair away form the base of her skull. "Well it seems you have a nasty gash back here. How did this happen?"

"I was attacked. The other bump was done by the same person."

Dr. Ocean nodded. "I see. Well, I can bandage you up for now but you will need to see another doctor when you get off." He put some ointment on the gash and wrapped it. He then took another bandage and wrapped it over the large bump. "You are going to need to lie down and keep ice on these wounds. Don’t eat anything and take small sips of cold water." He turned to Mousse and Ryoga. "Don’t let her fall asleep for more than thirty minutes at a time. I believe she might have a concussion." He turned and left the room. "Don’t worry about the payment. This one’s on the house."

Mousse got up and helped Destine lie back down. He placed the ice packs on her wounds and sat down on the floor. "That old hag will pay for this if it’s the last thing I do." He took one of her hands. "I promise you, she’ll live to regret the day she hurt you."

The train started and slowly pulled out of the station. Mousse sat by Destine watching her closely. Every now and then he would make her drink some water to keep her hydrated. Around 10:00 PM the train came to a stop. "Last stop, Yokohama." Mousse stood up and grabbed Destine’s back pack, he put it on and slung his bag over his shoulder. He lifted Destine into his arms and walked out of the room. He got off the train and looked around.

Destine turned slightly to face him. "My sensei lives on the edge of town about three miles from here. Just follow this street until you reach the end, then look for a dirt path and follow it. It will take you to her house." She winced and closed her eyes.

Mousse nodded and had Ryoga hail a taxi. They got in and Mousse gave the driver instructions. The taxi took them to the end of the road and let them out. Mousse paid the fare and tip. Ryoga turned on a flashlight and looked around. "Here’s the path. Shall we follow it or wait until morning?"

"Destine needs help. We cannot wait. Lead the way... on second thought, here take Destine, I’ll lead." He handed Destine to Ryoga and took the flashlight. "Let’s go." He followed the path until it came to a small clearing. At the other side sat a small cottage. There was a light lit in one of the windows and smoke was coming from the chimney. Mousse walked over and knocked on the door. Inside he heard a dog bark and run off. A few minutes later he heard footsteps coming to the door. It opened and in front of him stood an old lady dressed in a plain white yukata robe. She looked past Mousse to Ryoga. Her eyes widened and she rushed outside. Mousse turned around, "Um miss?" The woman ignored him. She looked at Destine and turned back to Mousse. She started signing to him. "I cannot understand you ma’am." Mousse sighed.

The woman pulled out a piece of paper and a pen she wrote something on it and handed it to Mousse. "I’m deaf and I can hardly read lips. It’s pointless for you to talk to me. Who are you? Why is my Destine so badly hurt? Who is the man carrying her?"

She handed the pen to Mousse. He wrote the answers on the back of the paper and handed it to her. She nodded and beckoned for them to come inside. A dog walked up to Mousse and sniffed his hand. Destine struggled in Ryoga’s arms. "Put me down. I can walk. I just need a bit of help."

Ryoga set her down and Mousse walked over to her. He helped her up and she put an arm over his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

Destine nodded. The woman turned and signed something to Destine. "She says to follow her and she’ll take us into the kitchen." Mousse nodded and followed after the woman.

"Um Des-chan, what’s her name?" Mousse pointed to the woman.

"Her name is Tide. Like the ocean currents." Destine sighed and leaned against Mousse for support. "Is Cologne always like that?"

"To me yes, but usually she’s indifferent towards other people." He smiled, "I’ve never seen anyone who could stand up to her attacks for so long. You’re really something special Des-chan."

Destine smiled. Suddenly she stumbled and grabbed Mousse’s arm to try and keep herself up. She sat down on the floor and looked up at him. "I’m so sorry for causing you this much trouble."

"Des-chan, it’s all right. Would you let me carry you so that doesn’t happen again? You don’t have enough strength to keep walking." He reached down and scooped her up. "I keep forgetting that even though you’re almost as tall as me you’re really light when you don’t have that robe on." He smiled and followed after Tide. "How long have you known her? How did you learn from her?"

"I’ve been living with her since I can remember. I left two years ago to go explore. She’s been like a mother to me. I don’t know who my real parents are. I learned the techniques easily. As I said I’ve lived with her as long as I can remember, I had to learn sign language to communicate with her. Until I was completely fluent we communicated by writing on a piece of paper."

Tide opened a door and lead them into the kitchen. "Through here." She signed.

Mousse stepped into the room and set Destine down in one of the chairs. She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks friend."

Tide looked over at her and signed "Is he like you?"

Destine nodded and spoke as she signed so Mousse and Ryoga could understand, "Yes he is a hidden weapons expert like myself. I met him in Nerima. He was raised in," Destine grabbed her head and moaned.

Tide walked over to the stove and put a pot of water on to boil. She turned back around. "Tea be ready soon." She walked over and undid Destine’s bandages. "Have Mousse take you to doctor in the morning." She took a wash rag and ran it under some warm water. She set it to Destine’s head and started to wipe away the blood.

Suddenly the dog looked up and started to nudge Mousse’s hand. "Destine, what does the dog want?"
Destine signed the question to Tide and turned to Mousse. "Someone’s at the door."

Tide handed Mousse the cloth and pointed at Destine’s head. Mousse nodded and started to clean up Destine’s wounds while Tide went to answer the door.

She soon came back into the room. "Destine, you have friend here." Tide signed.

Destine looked up. ‘Who would know I’m here?’

Her question was soon answered. A person walked into the room wearing old shawl over their head, a pair of loose pants rolled up at the bottoms, and a robe that was way too big. The person removed the shawl and looked at Destine. "Nihao."

Mousse dropped the rag as Destine shot up from the chair. "SHAMPOO!?"

END CHAPTER 4