Having been invited inside, the girls sat and talked with their prospective Tamer over tea.
The first one, Natsume, was a cute near human looking Pokegirl with long brown hair. It was drawn up into a ponytail that hung in silken strands down her back, almost reaching her waist. The only features that set her apart from a human female were the small pair of angel wings on her back. They were greyish white in color and hardly seemed able to carry her in flight.
The younger girl, Kurumi, was also near human in appearance. She had short auburn colored hair complemented with a long red ribbon. Unlike her sister, however, she had a pair of furry round ears and a small bushy tail.
Each wore a type of school dress. Natsume's was long, almost reaching her knees, and was made of dark purple fabric. Kurumi's was short and more like your typical anime school girl's (i.e. white top with blue fuku and kerchief). They also carried large bundles with them, which he guessed contained their personal belongings.
Ryoga had listened patiently as Natsume explained how she and her sister were raised on a Pokeranch many miles from his home. When she came of age (seventeen), she was given to the ranch owner's son as his beginning Pokegirl. Only Natsume refused to be seperated from Kurumi.
Though the two weren't blood related, they were joined for Kurumi had imprinted on Natsume at an early age. Because of this, she not only saw her as 'big sister' but as something of a mother figure as well. And Natsume, for her part, feared Kurumi might be given to an incapable or abusive Tamer. In the end, he'd had to accept Kurumi as well.
Everything was fine in the beginning. But, in time, he began to show his true colors. It was Natsume he wanted. Kurumi was extra baggage, like his own sister (guess who?). But the boy had been fiendishly clever. He knew couldn't just dump her, that'd get his liscense revoked for sure. So he decided to stage a Pokegirl battle, one which he'd lose on purpose in order to be rid of Kurumi. When Natsume learned of this, she hatched a plan of her own.
That night, while he slept, she took Kurumi and ran away. It was an act of disobedience, she knew. A shameful and unforgivable act for any Pokegirl. After all, they were property and it was a Tamers right to do with his harem as he saw fit. But it was a shame Natsume would bear to protect her sister.
In the days that followed, they passed themselves off as strays in the hopes that a kinder, gentler Tamer would take them in. They would learn that the world could be a very cruel place, for strays were frowned upon. They were seen as refuse, throw aways no one else wanted. So they had to fend for themselves. Kurumi couldn't help feeling she was to blame. She was the one he didn't want.
No, that's not true. Natsume had said.
But, Natsume....
No. No buts. I have no regrets because we're connected you and I. Where one goes, the other follows. No matter what happens, never forget that, Kurumi. And never forget that I -
The rest had been silenced by Kurumi's kiss.
"Which brings us to where we are now. When we learned there were Tamers in this area, we hoped we could find one willing to take us in. But it seems we were late. Most of them had gone and the few we met didn't want us because they already had Pokegirls of their own." Natsume sighed, looking down into her tea cup.
The girls words weighed heavily upon Ryoga. How could he not feel compassion for them after learning what they'd been through? It was sickening to think there were those who treated Pokegirls with such blatant disregard. He vowed he'd never be like them.
Seeing the fire of righteous indignation in Ryoga's eyes stirred something within the girls, though neither knew what it was or how to describe it. But it was warm, and made their hearts beat a little faster.
"I'll do it." he said finally. Natsume and Kurumi's faces lit up with joy. Kneeling, they bowed formally, heads touching the floor in thanks. "Thank you, I promise Kurumi and I will do everything in our power to make you proud."
This time, he was the one who blushed. "Well, don't thank me yet. There's still a small matter I've got to take care of first." he said with a bit of nervous laughter, while scratching the back of his head.
"What might that be?" Natsume wondered.
"I kinda need help finding Professor Tofu's lab. So if it's not too much trouble.... ?" he trailed off. Wordlessly, the girls stood to their feet, Natsume taking him by the hand, and lead him out the door.
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(Posted Mon, 24 May 2004 02:15)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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