Possession 7: Change Isn't Always Good

Ukyo grinned a horrid smile. “You should feel honored… I haven’t used this form in ages! I never had a chance to use it… and after all, I need a lot of moonlight to do it…”

Rei growled and glanced upwards. The sky was clear and the moon was full. She lowered her head and muttered a curse. “A werewolf…”

Ukyo laughed as his bones began to crack as they rearranged and grew. The skull on his chest was blazing with red light. “Not quite, girly… but close enough!” Ukyo’s mouth grew into a blunt muzzle as his crimson hair lengthened and stretched down his back. His open shirt stretched until it was torn to shreds. The legs of his pants were town apart as well, leaving only pieces hanging about his midsection by the chain that served as his belt.

Course, black fur sprouted from his dark skin. His fingers cracked and bent unnaturally until they formed wickedly sharp claws. His sneakers burst as his feet also became claws. His muscles bulged then tightened, shrinking and stretching. In moments, he had completely changed.

Standing three times Rei’s height was a monstrous dog in the shape of a man. The skull hanging from the chain around his neck dulled but remained wreathed in fire. Ukyo laughed; a deep, booming sound. “I am Gouka Ryouken! The master of Hell Hounds!”

Rei clutched her bokuto. “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

“You’re supposed to be DEAD!” Ryouken roared as he reared his arm back then sent his open claw hurtling toward Rei.

Rei jumped to the side the leapt onto his arm, dashing up its length much like she had done to his chain earlier. Once she was halfway up however, Ryouken’s other claw, closed into a fist, crashed into her and sent her flying.

Despite seeing stars, Rei snagged the top pole of a streetlamp as she hurtled by and swung herself atop it. She shook her head to clear it, then narrowed her eyes at Ryouken as he approached. He’s so powerful! She whipped out a talisman. Need to be careful… only have one more left after this… She flipped it into the air and brought her bokuto down onto it. “Fireball!”

A blazing ball arched forward towards Ryouken. He raised a monstrous paw and backhanded the spell, sending it careening into the sky where it dissipated. He then roared with laughter. “Your spells can’t do a damn thing against the might of Gouka Ryouken! Give up now, and your death will be quick!”

“Funny, I’m still waiting for you to leave that boy’s body. I guess you want to do this the long way, huh?”

“Joke while you can, human! I’ll destroy you!” Ryouken lumbered forward and raised his claw, slashing it at the priestess.

Rei leapt forward as his claws cut through the lamp post she had perched on. She landed just behind his head and raised her bokuto, driving it forward. It hit his flesh but slid off, unable to pierce him.

“RAHAHAHA!” Ryouken roared. “Your puny blade cannot hurt ME!”

Rei growled and kicked off and away from Ryouken, flipping backwards to land nimbly on the ground below. He’s right! My bokuto can’t hurt him! There’s got to be some source of power… Some thing…

Ryouken turned and bared his fangs. “Don’t think you can escape the might of Gouka Ryouken!” He began to rake at Rei with both claws.

Rei ducked and dodged, leapt and weaved, trying to stay out of range. After almost getting hit from a close blow, her eyes settled on the skull that hung around Ryouken’s neck, the skull that still glowed with red light. That’s it! If I can just hit that skull…!

At that moment a claw came hurtling her way, interrupting Rei’s thoughts. She ducked under it and lunged forward, the last move Ryouken was expecting. The demon reared back as Rei whipped out her final talisman. Alright… last spell… let’s hope I don’t miss! She flicked it upwards and struck it with her wooden blade. “FIREBALL!”

The blazing sphere flew upwards and struck Ryouken full in his face before he could even respond. “RAGH! MY EYES!” He stumbled backwards, blinded.

Rei seized the opportunity and crouched, leaping up towards the skull hanging from the chain around the monster’s neck. She spun her weapon and grasped it with both hands. “Be gone to the Hell from whence you came!” Mustering all her strength, she drove the bokuto into the skull.

For a moment, time stopped. Ryouken froze. Rei froze. The dog’s skull pulsed with light. Then, cracks began to be seen in its crimson surface. With a sound much like glass shattering, the skull blew apart into nothingness.

Rei raised a foot to Ryouken’s chest and pushed, springing backwards onto the sidewalk. She knelt, bokuto at the ready, and watched carefully.

Ryouken staggered. “Ergh…” He stumbled from side to side then grasped his head. “RARGH! NO! IMPOSSIBLE!” Just as they had appeared on the skull, a series of cracks began to form on the demon’s body. “I cannot be defeated! I am the mighty Gouka Ryouken! The master of Hell Hounds!”

“You should have given up when you had the chance,” Rei said as she watched the lines of red become more numerous.

Ryouken’s wild eyes settled on the priestess. “YOU! I’ll take you with me! I will not fail Master!” He lurched forward, but his right leg broke at the knee. His stump hit the ground and shattered up to his thigh. He reached forward with one arm to slow his landing but it collapsed in on itself. With a roar, Ryouken stretched out his other arm to grab Rei, but his weight was too much. His body shattered as it fell in on itself.

Standing in his place, swaying as if drunk, stood Ukyo. The real Ukyo.

He stared at Rei with glazed eyes. “Guh… which way… is home…?”

Rei stood straight and blinked. “Um… that way?” She pointed off to the left.

Ukyo turned and stared then began to stagger in that direction.

Rei frowned. Poor guy… hope he gets home okay… She looked around at the damage her battle with the demon Ryouken had done. A streetlamp had no head, there was a hole in the neighbor’s fence, and there were deep furrows in the road from the beast’s claws. Rei flinched. I think the city may be a tad upset…

With a sigh of relief, Rei turned to the house, but a sharp pang in her stomach stopped her in her tracks. She fell to her knees as another pang ripped through her. Ugh! I can… hardly hold on…! I stretch Tenshi’s limits too far… I need to get out of this body!

Rei climbed to her feet and stumbled to the door of Tenshi’s house, slipping inside while her body became enflamed with pain. She managed to close and lock the door, shuck off Tenshi’s shoes, and make her way to the stairs. As she climbed, she nearly fell backwards. Her vision began to swim.

Not… yet! Just… one more… Rei stumbled into Tenshi’s room. She fell towards the even as she began to black out. Ten… Tenshi!

Tenshi began to wake up slowly. Visions swam through his head mixed with disconcerted thoughts. With a groan, he rolled over, only to have his sleepy eyes burned by the sunlight streaming through his window. He rolled back over with a moan and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, glancing at his clock.

10:30? Oh right… today’s Saturday… guess I should get up… Tenshi yawned and swung his legs out of bed. He stood and yawned again, then trudged his way off to the bathroom. I need to get smaller bed clothes… these are way too baggy…

                Tenshi pushed the door open and stepped inside. I feel like I’m forgeting- “GYAH!” Tenshi fell back against the wall, staring at the image of Rei in the mirror. “Don’t do that! You scared me half to death!”

                Tenshi paused. …Why does my voice sound like hers? He blinked at stared at the image in the mirror. She’s… not moving… Tenshi waved his arm, watching the image do the same. What the hell…?

                A horrible though slowly dawned on the teenage boy. With a trembling hand, he reached behind his neck. He caught a tuft of long, chestnut hair. Tenshi’s eyes went wide. Slowly, he began to look down. He froze and stared at the two lumps on his chest.

                “Oh…oh… oh no… No no no no no….” Trembling hands reached up. Slowly, he pressed them against the soft, unyielding bumps. “Oh God….Oh God, I have boobs… Oh… my… God…” Tenshi began to shudder. Another thought entered his frantic mind.

                Almost afraid to find out the answer to his unspoken question, he lowered one hand. Lowered it towards his groin and patted his crotch. His eyes went wide.

                Tenshi screamed.

                In downtown Kakidashi, Kai was inspecting a motorcycle. He suddenly stood up in alarm as a flock of nearby pigeons took flight, startled. He glanced around.

                “What was that noise…?”

                Tenshi sat in the corner formed by the bathtub and the wall, curled up. He was breathing heavily, in a state of shocked alarm. Near the door, the image of Rei began to fade it. The priestess looked weary an tired, dressed in an outfit similar to Tenshi’s shirt and jeans, although a much better fit.

                She blinked owlishly at Tenshi. “I think you woke the dead with that scream, Tenshi… no pun intended.” Rei yawned.

                Tenshi leapt to his feet. “What the Hell did you do to my body?! I’m a girl! I look like you! I have boobs!” He raised his hands and squeezed them for extra emphasis.

                Rei leveled her gaze at him. “Firstly, they are called breasts, and I would much appreciate it if you would not squeeze them. Secondly, I did nothing to your body. It just… happened.”

                “Happened?” Tenshi nearly shrieked. “A boy just doesn’t happen to turn into a girl!”

                “Please calm down, Tenshi. You’re acting like a terrified schoolgirl.” She smiled as Tenshi gave her a smoldering glare. “I was loosing the fight, Tenshi. Then I had a vision of you coming to my aid. After that, your body changed. I don’t know how, but you did this to yourself.”

                “Impossible… I would never do this to myself…”

                Rei giggled. “Admit it. You have an interest in the female body, don’t you? You’re a boy, after all.” She noticed that he looked about ready to jump out of his skin and kill her. “Erm… or maybe you just heard my desire for my own body, in which case changing back may be as simple as concentrating on your true self.”

                Tenshi watched her suspiciously. “Are you sure that would work?”

                “Not really, but it’s worth a try, isn’t it?”

                Tenshi still doubted her, but decided to try it anyways. He had to admit, this situation did make him curious, but no way would he be stuck in Rei’s body. He began to think of his own body, pulling up a mental image of himself. Geeze, I look pathetic…

                Rei watched him as he concentrated. If this is anything like the Shadow Body technique of the Kagebatsu, this should work. But I still don’t understand how such a thing could happen…

                At first, nothing happened. Tenshi was about to give up when he began to feel an odd sensation throughout his body. He opened his eyes, but could see only light. A light that penetrated deep into his soul. He felt an odd numbness and an inability to move, scream or shout out. Soon, a new sensation was felt. He felt his body grow and broaden, though curiously, he felt himself get weaker. He grew taller as his waist filled in, becoming less narrow. In moments, the light began to fade, and his clothes were no longer baggy, but fit comfortably. Tenshi was Tenshi again.

                The boy let out a sigh of relief, then raised his eyes to Rei. He still felt shaken up. “You know… this doesn’t change things. I still want you to go. Being turned into a girl… I can’t handle any more of this freaky stuff. I’m sorry, but now you have to leave.”

                Rei rubbed the back of her head. “Erm… about that… I… kinda can’t…”

                “…What?”

                Rei sighed. “Tenshi, my soul is bonded to yours… I can’t just up and leave at any time. For me to leave you like… like you want me to, the connection needs to be severed.” She lowered her head. “I’m sorry for all the trouble you’ve been through, Tenshi…”

                Tenshi rubbed his head. Why do things always have to be so complicated? “How do I sever this link?”

                “You can’t… only a priest can, and only one who truly knows the ways of spirits.”

                “Well… I guess I can head to the local shrine tomorrow… see if the guy there can help…” Tenshi yawned. “I feel so sleepy all of a sudden… so tired….”

                Rei managed a smile. “It’s from the transformation. Lie down and get your rest, Tenshi. Tomorrow… tomorrow you will sleep much easier.”

                Tenshi rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah… I guess so.” He bit his lips. “I’m really sorry about this Rei… but I can’t—”

                “Don’t worry,” Rei interrupted, “I understand.”

                “Right… um, do you think I could get some privacy? I still need to use the bathroom…”

                “Oh, of course.” Rei smiled again and drifted into the hall as Tenshi closed the door behind her. Once out of sight, her expression changed to one of great sadness. I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you, Tenshi… but… it is necessary for me to stay… Tenma must be stopped… but… I can’t fight him alone… I need you, Tenshi… but I will not force you into helping me… It’s not your battle, after all… Rei sighed and faded into nothingness.