Possession 12: Sidetracked

Tenshi bit down on a pop tart as he hurried out of his house. Damn! I’m going to be late to school! Argh! And that’s the least of my problems! In his rush, he missed a step and fell flat on his face on the sidewalk just in front of his house. Rei hovered above him and regarded the twitching boy with a frown.

“Perhaps the demons won’t kill you. It seems you can handle the job yourself.”

Tenshi scrambled to his feet, staring longingly at the pop tart that had flown into the street when he fell. With a sigh, he turned away and began to dash down the sidewalk. “Very funny,” He muttered to the priestess. “But if I remember correctly, you were the one who almost got me killed last time. And the time before that.”

The priestess bristled. “I was unprepared for such a vicious attack. This monster is a lot more subtle than Gouka.”

Two days since the fight at the baseball diamond… “What do you know about this kind of demon anyways?”

“It’s a shape-shifter. A demon that can take the form of any creature or simple object around it. They only gain the appearances and abilities of the creature they imitate though, not their memories or mannerisms. As for basic abilities, they’re incredibly strong—”

“And fast,” Tenshi interrupted.

“…And fast,” Rei agreed. “They can also imitate hand-held weapons, such as blades or clubs. Nothing more complicated than that. From what I’ve heard, the only way a low-level spiritualist can banish one is to force it to assume its natural shape.”

“What does it look like?” Tenshi asked, slowing his run as he approached the alley.

Rei shrugged. “I honestly have no idea. Very few have ever seen a shape-shifter’s true body. It is said that the person who beholds them in that form gains power over the creature.”

Well, that’s perfect, Tenshi thought with a sigh. How can we fight something that could be anything… or anyone? Turning the corner into the alley, Tenshi almost collided with the figure awaiting him.

Kai waved. “Yo.”

Rei narrowed her eyes. “Be careful, Tenshi.”

Tenshi nodded slightly. “Erm… hey Kai… when’s my birthday?”

The blonde boy arched a brow and blinked his sleepy blue eyes. “Birthday? June fourth. Why do you ask?”

“A harder question,” Rei sighed in exasperation. “Anyone could figure that out.”

“When did we meet?” Tenshi asked quickly.

“In the second grade. Tensh, are you okay? You look scared, or something.”

Tenshi sighed with relief. “It’s nothing… let’s get to school before we’re late.” He began moving down the alley as Kai took moved along his right leaving Rei to float along his left.

“You’re starting to worry me,” Kai said as they walked. “First you seem to get away from your beatings without a scratch on you. Then you fight and pretty much beat up Izumi. Added to that, for the past few days you’ve been asking me questions we both know the answer to. What’s up? Are you sure you’re okay?”

Tenshi flashed a smile. “Yeah. Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”

“You have a kind friend, Tenshi,” Rei said with a smile of her own. “Be careful not to loose him.”

Tenshi grunted in agreement.

Kai glanced over at his friend. “Breakfast coming up on ya?”

“No… I lost my pop tart this morning. I’m fine.”

“Suure.”

Tenshi tuned out of the teacher’s lecture. Why does this stuff have to be so boring? You’d think they could try to make things a bit more interesting. He yawned and glanced at Rei who was sitting on the window sill beside him, as usual. At least she’s enjoying it, he thought. I wonder what she finds so int—

Tenshi paused as he felt his cheeks redden. Rei shifted her legs, giving the boy a clear view up her skirt. Even as a spirit, she still wore pant— He quickly turned away, feeling a dribble of warm blood leak from his nose. First Kawari, then Rei… I can’t believe this! I’m turning into a pervert! But… well, is it really that bad…?

“Are you alright, Tenshi? Your face looks flushed.”

                He snapped his head to the side to look at Rei’s concerned face. “N-no,” he whispered. “I’m fine. Just… Just trying to figure out how this demon found us…”

                Rei bought the story and nodded. “I’ve been thinking about the same thing. It must be attending this school as a student; otherwise it would have never known your name. And it could be anyone… I haven’t exactly tried to hide myself.”

                Tenshi dwelt on that for a moment. He couldn’t focus on it for too long as the image of Rei’s panties kept intruding on his thoughts. He felt his face go red once more. Idly, he began to think back to Kawari and the view he had snatched then. He sighed, but blinked as he remembered something.

                “Er, Tenshi? Your nose is bleeding,” Rei pointed out.

                Tenshi quickly pulled a tissue from the pack in his book bag and wiped the blood away. “Rei,” he murmured, “do you remember the other day? When I fell into Kawari?”

                “Yes. What does that have to do—” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that why you have a nosebleed?”

                “No! Well yes, but—Hey! It doesn’t matter.” Tenshi struggled to keep his voice down. “Remember how I said she saw you? And how you sensed that dark aura thing around her?’

                “Yes, I do.” Rei paused, picking up his line of thought. “Do you really think she might have something to do with this?”

                “Maybe,” Tenshi muttered. “It’s worth checking out.”

                “Mr. Saishi. May I ask who you are talking too?”

                Tenshi sat straight up in his chair as the teacher called him. “No one, Hideyoshi-sensei!”

                “In that case, please keep your conversation with ‘no one’ down. I am trying to teach.”

                The class snickered. Tenshi slumped in his seat. Rei sighed.

                The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Tenshi was one of the first people out the door, feeling slightly moody since the teacher lectured him. I guess I should be quieter when I talk to Rei…

                The priestess walked just beside him. “So, any ideas on how to check out Kawari to see if she really is our demon?”

                “No, not really,” Tenshi muttered under the rising noise as teenagers crowded the hallway.

                Rei went to speak but was interrupted as a group of students passed through her. She turned to yell at them just as another student repeated the action. She growled and moved closer to Tenshi, walking right next to him. “I don’t want to float here… she might see me.”

                Tenshi nodded his agreement then spotted a flash of green. Turning to get a better look, he saw Kawari and her friends going down the hall that led to the gym. “Hey Rei, I think I found her.”

                “Great! Follow her!”

                Nodding, Tenshi broke out of the main stream of students to follow the green-haired girl down the hall at a safe distance. Rei still stayed close, avoiding the smaller groups of students who were also in the hallway. They followed the group of girls up until they stepped into their locker room.

                Tenshi stopped and sighed. “Great… looks like we’ll have to catch up with her during lunch, or after school…”

                “And let this chance slip away?” Rei bit her lip. “I have an idea. Let me borrow your body.”

                “Why?” Tenshi gave her a dubious look.

                “You can’t go into the girl’s locker room, but I can.”

                “What are you talking about? Even if you possess me, you’d still look like a guy. How do you think you can—” Tenshi paused then went pale. “No way… you’re not going to…Are you…?”

                Rei smirked. “Do you have any better ideas?”

                “Well… no, but still…” Tenshi whimpered. “Are you sure there’s no better way to do this? That we can’t just wait for her after school?”

                Rei gave him a steady glare.

                “Alright,” Tenshi sighed. “Fine. Just… get me back to normal when you’re done.”

                “Don’t complain,” Rei chided as she faded into a mist. “You don’t get a chance like that very often. If you weren’t so freaked out, then you know you would have enjoyed it. But if you tried anything, I would have killed you myself.”

                Tenshi felt the familiar numbness that filled his body when Rei took hold of it. The feeling of his cheeks turning red was the last thing he felt as his consciousness was pushed away. His vision blurred, and he could vaguely make out the hallway and kids around them as fuzzy shapes and colors. Give me some credit, he said/thought to Rei. I’m not that kind of guy.

                No, but you are a guy. Now in command of his body, Rei glanced around for a place she could change. Perfect, she thought as she spotted a boy’s bathroom. She walked over and slid inside, heading over to a stall and ignoring the two other boys in the corner.

                Rei locked the stall door and closed her eyes, pulling up an image of her own body. Now… I’m not sure how this works.

                You don’t?

                It just… happened… last time. She concentrated on the image, trying to will Tenshi’s body to change. Nothing happened. Hn… Tenshi, help me.

                What? How can I help? He sounded startled.

                Concentrate on my body. Hopefully, it’ll work. Rei felt a cautious presence in her mind as Tenshi joined the image. Just like the first time, she witnessed a pale blue glow infuse Tenshi’s body. She was sure that this light was spiritual; otherwise the boys outside the stall would see it and freak out.

                She brought her hands to her chest as she arched her back, letting the strange, numbing light infuse her. Rei felt herself stripped down to her skin within this light and felt it coat her with warmth. Tenshi’s body shrank, becoming more lithe and agile. Rei’s waist became narrower as its hips filled in. Her chest grew outward and her hair became longer and fuller.

                Soon the light faded, and the world came back. Rei gasped and lowered her hands. She glanced over her body, making sure that the changed had worked. Smiling, she closed her eyes once more. It worked, Tenshi. I’m in my own body.

Yay. He didn’t sound too enthusiastic.

Rei chuckled as she tucked in Tenshi’s shirts into her pants. The clothes were loose and baggy, used to being worn by a larger frame. When she was done, she tentatively unlocked and opened the stall door. Seeing the two boys weren’t paying attention, she quickly slipped out and moved towards the bathroom door, pushing it open and sliding out.

The halls were empty now, the break between classes now over. Alright… here we go. Taking a breath, she began to walk over to the girl’s locker room door. She began to, but never reached it.

A hand was placed upon her shoulder. “May I help you, Miss?”

Rei almost jumped out of her over-sized shoes. She spun around and the hand was withdrawn. The figure standing before her was tall and middle-aged. Brown eyes peered curiously down at her from behind wire frame glasses. “I’m sorry, did I startle you?”

“Oh! Um… no, not at all,” Rei said with a nervous laugh.

“May I help you?” The man asked again.

“Erm… well, no, I’m a…a…” Drat! What can I tell him? “…I’m a new student.” She flashed a smile.

“Oh, really? I didn’t know we were expecting one.” The man held out his hand. “I’m Principal Kenji. Here, come with me to my office and we’ll get things straightened out.”

Rei’s eyes widened. Oh no…”

What? What happened? Tenshi’s panicked thought asked.

Erm… I kind of bumped into your principal… Rei had little choice but to follow the elder man down the hall.

Okay… that’s okay, right? I mean… you got rid of him… right?

Not exactly…

Well? What did you tell him?

…That I was a new student…

WHAT?!

Rei flinched. Principal Kenji arched a brow as he held open the door to the main office for her. “Are you alright, miss…?”

“Kodama… Kodama Rei. And yes, I’m alright. Just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Kodama. There’s nothing to be nervous about.” The man smiled and led her into his own personal office. “Please, take a seat,” he said as he gestured to the two chairs set before his desk.  Rei blinked and did as told as Principal Kenji sat down in front of his computer.  “Kodama Rei, eh? Let’s see here…” His hands flickered across the keyboard. After a moment, a frown crossed his face. “We don’t seem to have your records on file…”

Rei! What’s happening? What’s going on?

The priestess ignored the rising anxiety in the back of her mind and focused on coming up with the right answers. “Well… my family moved fairly quickly. It might take some time for my… records… to come in.” Ye gods I hope that’s right… what are records anyway?

“Ah, I understand. That happens sometimes. We have some spare uniforms on hand. I’ll have our nurse, Miss Suichi, fit you while I look for an opening for you.” Principal Kenji reached over to a small speaker box and pressed a button. “Miss Suichi? Could you get miss Kodama fitted for a uniform?”

“Yes sir,” came the muffled response.

REI!

Don’t yell!

Rei could almost hear the growl in the back of her head. What’s going on? Tell me what’s happening!

Alright! Rei paused. She knew he wasn’t going to like this. Well… I’m getting fitted for a uniform.

…

…Tenshi…?

Say that again.

…I’m getting fitted for a uniform.

Oh, okay. That’s what I thought. WHAT?!

Rei flinched again. A moment later, a woman walked entered the office. She smiled at the priestess. “Hello. I’m Miss Suichi. Follow me and we’ll get you your uniform.” Flashing another smile, she held the door open for Rei. The priestess stood up and walked over and together they headed towards a back room.

“Enjoy your stay at Kakidashi High!” Principal Kenji called after them.

I knew this was a bad idea! I knew it!

Tenshi! Please, relax! I’ll handle this. Rei bit her lip. If I can, she added to herself. I still have some time, but my control is slowly slipping… it won’t be long until I’m forced into the Astral Plane…

For the next ten minutes, the school nurse took her measurements then vanished into another room, returning with a shirt and skirt for Rei. Miss Suichi then left to give the priestess some privacy as she changed. Rei did so, trying to figure out a way out of the current situation. Glancing in a nearby mirror, she idly thought about how much better she would look if she had knee-high socks instead of Tenshi’s short ones. And that she needed some better loafers.

Argh! What am I thinking about? Focus, Rei! Reluctantly, she pushed open the door and stepped out into the hall.

Miss Suichi grinned. “My, you’re a cute one, aren’t you? Come with me please. Mr. Kenji found a place for you.” Still smiling, she turned and began walking down the hall.

Oh bloody Hell…

Bloody Hell? What’s that supposed to mean? Things can’t get any worse!

Well, they’re putting me in a class… Rei paused then widened her eyes.  She quickly raised a hand to her lips. Tenshi! Watch your language!

Why me…

The priestess blocked out the sound of weeping that came from the troubled Tenshi. Miss Suichi had stopped in front of a door. She knocked once, then headed inside.

Maybe I can slip away… Rei began to turn, but was stopped as the nurse appeared again.

“Alright, dear. Go on in. Mr. Ikuraka will take care of you. I hope you have a nice time at our school.” Again, Miss Suichi smiled.

At least they are polite… “Thank you very much,” Rei said with a smile of her own. She bowed respectfully and mournfully entered the class room.

Mr. Ikuraka was a short man with small eyes set inside of a round face. He was also going bald. “Ah, Miss Kodama is it? Welcome!” The teacher turned to the assembled students and gestured to Rei. “Class, meet Miss Kodama Rei. She’ll be joining us for a while.”

Drat! Bowing to the class, she managed yet another fake smile. My face is starting to hurt from smiling so much…

Mr. Ikuraka hummed to himself as he looked around the room. “Let’s see, where shall we put you… Ah! I know. Miss Kodama, you can sit at the seat next to Mr. Kitsunaki.”

Rei’s heart stopped.