She was a thing of artificial tissue and techowizard gadgetry. She was a doll, fashioned in the likeness of someone who never was.
The series itself had come from a rift-traveller and was only noteworthy in its depiction of an ancient Japan with modern problems. Evil sorcerers summoning demons? Youths out for a quick powerup and ending up paying in a final manner? People from areas like Phase World or Rifts Earth saw things like that happen on a semi-regular basis.
She was also Ayano Kannagi, en-jutsu mage, wielder of the sacred sword Enraiha. She had power over fire, could throw bursts of it, and was essentially a Burster who could summon a sword that further enhanced those abilities.
She was also trained as a maid who was well acquainted with the domestic arts.
Ayano sighed as her shoulder was gradually rebuilt. Shoulders were tricky though, so she kept as completely still as she could while the repairer worked.
"Where is the A-type unit?" asked the Splugorth, his voice sounding from four different mouths at once.
"Destroyed and disposed of, great Master," said his minion. "Unfortunately, it was on Phase World and therefore could not be acquired easily. The retrieval squad attempted to acquire it, but were forced to destroy the existing model. A replacement is being built now."
The Splugorth, who went by the name of K'thew, glared at the minion. "The original could be displayed with minor repairs, it's not as if I plan on having the live version."
"It is as you say, Master," groveled the minion. "I must go oversee the search personally then."
People tended to think of the Splugorth as interchangeable cheap villains. To some extent they were correct.
Then there was the weird ones. Like K'thew, who as far as he (whose gender was actually not male or had a precise counterpart in humanoid species) knew was the only otaku Splugorth in existence.
Dribbling bits of slime as he slid from the pool, K'thew went to his trophy room and looked over the captives.
Gynoids, statues, wall scrolls, body pillows, and other knick-knacks were in place everywhere. The empty spot where the Ayano Kannagi maid-type should be seemed to throw everything else into disarray. Especially the Yukari and Nanase that should have flanked her.
K'thew thought for a moment, then came to a decision.
Tsunade faced the group. "As of now, three weeks have passed since the events in Konmei. We have to conclude that Jiraiya and Naruto are dead. Due to Akatsuki being spotted repeatedly in the area prior to that disappearance, it is entirely possible that Naruto was targetted by that group."
"It's only been three weeks," protested Hinata immediately. "We can't know that for certain."
"She's right," chimed in Sakura after a few moments. "They could just have gone into hiding."
"We can't afford to keep searching in the Konmei area," said Tsunade. "The jutsu that caught them has not been successfully duplicated, so we don't know where it would have sent them - if it sent them anywhere at all."
"Uhm, I hate to say it," said Kiba after a moment. "Why tell us?"
"Most likely she wants us to get the word out," said Shino.
Tsunade frowned at Shino, who apparently didn't notice.
"Huh? 'Get the word out'?" asked Sakura.
Shino inclined his head slightly. "We keep an eye out for Akatsuki agents. Their reaction to the news would tell us if they were actually behind the disappearance or not."
"Do you have a problem with that?" asked Tsunade.
"Only that it may have repercussions that are currently hidden," said Shino.
(Posted Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:31)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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