Secrets, Happosai and Silk's Story
Secrets
Happosai and Silk's Story
Started by: Happosai
Happosai hid nervously in the crook of a tree, glancing back and forth verifying that he had no pursuers following him. Convinced that his precautions had worked he hopped back out of the tree and began walking to the large building across the street.
He was across town from the Tendo Dojo, but it took his several hours to get here. After doubling back and following several seemingly random routes Happi finally found himself right in front of the Nerima District Hospital.
He knew that if any of him enemies found out about his activities, he would be in too deep. They would never let him live down his 'weakness'. This was a secret he absolutely had to keep.
Happosai started heading toward the children's ward, several of the nurses waved at him as he walked by.
Silk, meanwhile was at the hospital for one of her college classes. She had just finished the class and was heading home, A hot bath and some hot tea were the only thoughts on her mind.
That's when she noticed the old lech walking calmly through the hospital.
"What are YOU doing here?" Silk asked as she casually put one foot on the lech's head, "No, Don't tell me: you're here to create another Hinako and steal the Nurses' under things."
"It always comes back to Hinako" Happi thought bitterly, "No one ever figures out that I saved that young girl's life."
Happi extracted himself from under Silk's foot and tried to recover his dignity. She had him and is almost on top of his secret, what to do? Might as well give her a close approximation to the truth.
"well, you see Silk, I'm here to visit a friend of mine.. yeah that's it."
Silk looked dubious, but her expression softened somewhat as she detected none of the usual perversion in the old man's aura, "Happi, you're on the floor for terminally ill children. Are you sure this is where you're friend is staying? Because if it's not..." the healer's face grew sad, "Well, it's hard to deal with. The kids here are wonderful, but there's not much we can do to help them, as hard as we try. They don't know that... they're so optimistic whenever we come up with something new, and never waver in their belief that we can help them, even when it doesn't work out... and that cuts worse than any knife."
Happosai drooped his head down, almost in sadness. There was no hiding it now, his emotions were taking over again. All he was trying to do was add a little happiness to the children's lives.
"Well, you see Silk," Happosai spoke softly still not looking up at her, "Several of my friends are waiting for me right beyond that door."
Before Silk could respond a tall blond nurse walked up with a large book in her hands. She stopped beside Happi and Silk and bowed to Happosai.
"Grandfather Happosai, Little Akira asked that you read some stories out of this book today." She smiled the most pleasant smile at Happi, who blushed under her smile.
Silk looked from the Nurse to the elderly martial arts master and back again, her face breaking into a wide smile as she realized that Happosai wasn't here to feed any perversion, but to help the children. Who ever would have thought? she thought to herself as she followed the nurse and Happosai into the room with the children. Who ever could have guessed this manipulative old pervert had a soft spot for kids? Not that I'm complaining... everyone has a secret life, I guess.
Happosai followed the nurse into the children's ward, but fell back a bit to stand close to Silk. He looked up at her almost forlornly. "Silk, my dear what you see here is between you and I okay? If Ranma or any of my enemies found out about this They would use it against me. I'm begging you to keep this a secret."
Silk smiled slowly, "If you really don't want anyone to know, I won't tell." she giggled. "That is, if you promise not to even TRY to glomp me for a week." her smiled was now a smirk, but her tone was gently teasing
"you've got a deal, sweetie.. one week, no more, no less" Happosai sighed in relief. "Since you know already, would you like to visit them with me? A pretty girl like yourself is bound to be able to cheer them up. "
Silk immediately rethought the deal. "Maybe more than a week... We'll talk about it later. And of course I'm coming: this I HAVE to see." she opened the door to the room and motioned Happosai in, then followed quickly after.
This particular part of the children's ward looked like a large playroom, with toys and small tables scattered about. Several of the children were playing quietly, a few sat in wheelchairs, and even a few more were wheeled in by the nurses for Grandfather's Visit.
The children immediately brightened up when the saw Happosai. "Grandfather Happosai!" Several of them shouted gleefully, more than a few gave Happi a Hug (easy since they were the same size).
"good morning children" Happosai grinned at them all " It's good to see all of you again. I want you all to meet my friend Silk" Happi motioned to Silk " She's going to help me read some stories today. " He then motioned to the children one at a time." Silk this is Little Akira, Sakura, Kiko-Chan, Ryoko, Asuko.... " He introduced them all down the line.
Silk smiled at the children, kneeling and walking on her knees so she could be closer to their level, she gave each one a hug as they were introduced. "Pleased to meet you all."
The children looked at each other, like they were all having the same thoughts: new adult +big smile +not a doctor or nurse +came to read stories =fun! Their face broke into identical grins, "Silk-Chan!" they giggled and laughed and pulled both her and Happosai towards the corner, where two couches and some cushions sat opposite a small bookshelf. Kiko-Chan and Sakura-Chan pushed her down onto a pile of cushions and promptly found confortable places to lounge, draping themselves over her arms. They were quickly joined by some other children, those who had full control over their limbs helping those who didn't, until the healer was literally covered in kids, and Happosai was equally surrounded.
Little Akira clutched a story book until they were all settled, then solemnly handed it to Happosai, who took it with equal seriousness, and they all started giggling again.
Happosai smiled warmly at all the children, mussing Akira's hair as he took the book from him. "Ahem" Happosai started as he looked at the children, reaching into his Gi he pulled out a pair of reading glasses. He gave Silk a 'Don't Laugh' look and began reading.
"Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a Samurai, a Princess, and a demon.."
Happi started into an animated rendition of 'The Demon of Roshoman'. Punctuating the story with well placed sound effects with him and Silk acting out parts of the story.
Silk had a wonderful time, really getting into the part of the princess, who had perhaps more of a backbone than in the original story, but artists' license is always forgiven with children. It took the Nurses' reluctant reminders that visiting hours were over to bring them back to reality, and Silk realized she'd missed her night class totally. Nor did she care, she realized after a moment.
After a long set of good-byes and the children had extracted binding oaths that she would return the next week, Silk accompanied Happosai out of the ward. "That was wonderful!" she smiled warmly. "Why wouldn't you want other people to know you do this? it's a side of you I've never seen. A likeable one!" she grinned wryly at what they both knew to be a true implication: that Happosai wasn't generally and widely loved. "I really don't understand."
Happosai continued walking next to Silk. Never once looking at her or the nurses in a perverted fashion. This was going to be hard to explain.
"Silk, you see" Happosai started reluctantly. " I have a reputation to uphold. I am the most powerful and evil Martial Arts master in Japan. If certain enemies found out my reputation would be shot. " Happi then cleared his throat for emphasis. "Then there are some enemies much more evil than I am, I'm a Pervert but there are worse evils out there. They might try to do the children harm to get at me."
Happi glanced up at her. "You see why it's imperative that this stay between you and me?"
Silk frowned for a moment as they stopped in the cafeteria and She ordered some food for both of them. "I do understand what you mean. I have many powerful enemies, but mainly because of my family more than anything I did. And they do tend to take hostages, which is why I like living in Nerima. Almost no one here is so helpless that I have to feel guilty about endangering them." She stopped and chewed thoughtfully on a riceball, staring at the wall of the cafeteria with a far away gaze. "Yes, I know all about hostages... I'll keep your secret, Happosai."
Happosai let out a sigh of relief. "Good girl" he laughed as he munched on a riceball. "you've just saved me a lot of worrying." Happi became thoughtful for a moment.
"you know most people attribute my longevity to my perversion. That's only part of it. My long life span has a lot to do with children's Happiness spurring me on. "
"Interesting. I've heard of people using other's life force to supplement their lifespans, but mostly it's more like a leech sucking the blood from a wound rather than someone adding wood and then warming themselves at a fire." Silk mused as she twirled a few noodles with her chopsticks, "That and having a reason to live will keep one going long after one should have passed beyond."
Happosai became very thoughtful after that. He had never looked at it quite that way. In a way it was definitely like adding logs to a fire.
"I know, Silk. All i want to do is give those children hope and possibly a better life than I ever had. I want them to have a chance to be something."
Silk considered his words for a moment, "I think, then, that there is something I need to show you. Not nearly as pleasant as the children's ward, but this is part of _my_ secret life. Come on." she led him back up the stairs to the eighth floor. Psychiatric ward. Through a set of double doors to a darkened suite labeled "Suicide Watch". Inside several teens about Silk's age slept on beds made of soft cushions, and there was nothing sharp or string-like in the place. Silk and Happosai moved silently among them for a few moments, Silk checking to make sure they truly were asleep, then they went back outside into the hallway.
Happosai looked truly puzzled as they stepped back into the hallway. He loved live so much that he couldn't comprehend what could compel someone to take their own lives.
"I don't understand, Silk." he started uncertainly. "How do you help them out? I've never understood why someone would take their own life."
"Most of these are from the last set of tests. You've heard of 'Examination Hell?' For those who don't pass the college entrance exams, it's incredibly hard. The stigma, the disappointment of their families, the shame. Those tests are all they live for years of their lives, and when they fail... they can't see any reason to go on living... so they try to stop living. Those who don't succeed the first time or are detected before they can try end up here." she motioned at the window, then at the silent figure of the night nurse, who nodded in recognition "The qualifications for working this unit are unique. It's not training, nor personality, but every person who helps here is someone who understands. Someone who KNOWS what these kids are thinking, and knows that it's the wrong choice." Silk watched Happosai's face, waiting for her words to sink in.
Silk's words only took a few seconds to sink in. Then a few more seconds for the old man's brain to register. His expression became very thoughtful as he assimilated his findings.
He looked up at Silk with a sad thoughtful expression. " You mean" he whispered softly "That you tried this once?"
Silk smiled a slow, sad smile. "Not once, twice." She sat with her back against the wall, the darkness of the unlit hallway obscuring part of her face. "Once, after my parents died. I tried to die, but I couldn't. Every time I did something, like attack a bear, I survived barely the worse for wear. Until I came to Amazon village and started to live again. Twice, in Hong Kong I was kidnapped, raped and beaten, used as a subject for blood magic to raise a major demon. I tried then, but my friends stopped me. Every time it seems like luck, merest chance that I never succeeded. But I suppose that's how my name makes sense. Everyone calls me Silk. Shiru-ke. Tracer. But my name is Shi Un. Death Luck. DO you see?"
Happosai bowed his head. His emotions overwhelming him. He never knew Silk had been through so much stuff. He just assumed that she just as innocent as the rest of the Nerima crew.
Happi looked back up at Silk. He had tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry Silk, I never knew that you had been through so much stuff in your young life." he placed his hand over his heart. "You may not trust me Silk but I would never let anything like that happen to you and the rest of the kids here. If you ever feel that low again, come to me, I'll help you. This I swear!"
Happosai heard Silk move, then felt himself being lifted into the air, and Silk giving him a hug. "Don't worry about it." she whispered, "If I did that I'd be betraying everything I ever told these kids, and if anything, I _don't_ want to be remembered as a hypocrite."
Once again Happosai was stunned by Silk's actions. No one ever voluntarily gave him a hug. He smiled brightly and returned the hug without glomping. "I want you remembered as the sweet girl that you are." he grinned sheepishly "Just don't let them be too hard on me at my eulogy."
Silk smiled, holding the smaller martial artist at arm's length with no apparent effort, "I'll write it. Maybe 'He was a pervert, but he had a good heart. May all those who would challenge this statement step forward now so that they may have a little respect for the deceased pounded into their rocklike skulls.' and see who takes me up on it." she winked, then set Happosai down on her lap, "I have a proposal for you, old man. If you want, I can smuggle you in and out of the hospital with no one the wiser. You'd fit quite nicely into one of my school bags. I might even fit it with air holes."
Happosai brightened up even further at that statement. With Silk smuggling him in he would definitely be safe from discovery. Why Silk is in here all the time. It would work out perfectly. Somewhere deep down inside he knew that their relationship had changed.
"thank you Silk-Chan, you have probably saved me a lot of hassle. What do you want from me in return? Whatever it is you got it. "
"Anything?" she asked with a smirk. "Ok, I want permanent immunity to glomping and having my clothesline raided. Such will be a great sacrifice, I know. Even though you never succeeded in the former, the latter has been annoying at times... And if you'd not tell the others about this," she motioned at the suite around them, "I'd appreciate it. It isn't something I generally advertise."
Happosai was smiling from ear to ear, it had been decades since someone treated him like this. "Ohh but dear Perfume's undies are on the same line, but I shall make the sacrifice." he chuckled slightly. "And of course I'll keep your secret. We're partners in all of this now it seems."
"So it seems." Silk said softly, looking down at him with a thoughtful expression. "For someone known for being evil, you sure haven't been acting it. One would almost think you enjoyed being good." she tapped him on the nose, "Well, I think we're done here. You can back to the Curses and Cures for tonight if you want. I know how crazy it gets at the Dojo sometimes."
Happosai just shugged a bit at the comment. Evil is just a reputation. I do some good deeds I just don't like people finding out." He laughed a little to himself. "Believe you me the Dojo is too much for me sometimes. I'll make you some Jasmine tea you'll never forget Silk-Chan."
With that he began to lead Silk back out of the hospital. Careful to make sure no one saw him.
Right before they got to the hospital exit, Silk grasped Happosai by the neck and placed him into her mostly empty backpack, not closing it all the way so he could breath. "Let's see how this works, eh?" she walked out of the multi-story layer cake of joy and pain, hope and despair, everything that is human is within the walls of a hospital. From an evil hentai master everyone knows all to well bringing joy to children to the well adjusted and supposedly happy college student who no one really knew at all. Silk walked out of the gates and down the street.
Happosai rode comfortable in Silk's bag. remaining silent, his thoughts turned inward on the events of the day. Silk now knew more about him than any one else, even Cologne. It was a disturbing thought but somehow reassuring.
Once the two of them made it back to "Curses and Cures", Happosai jumped out of the bag. Looking around he noticed that Perfume and Scarf were not around, he then went to the kitchen to make good on his promise about the Jasmine tea.
He returned a few minutes later with the tea kettle and two cups. after pouring them both a glass he smiled at Silk.
"You know Silk-Chan, that I have several martial arts techniques that I would love to pass on to my heir." He began slowly. "Unfortunately not a single one of my students have the willpower or spirit to learn them from me. I want to offer to teach you, my dear."
Silk sipped her tea then set the cup back down, "Happosai." she looked at him squarely, "I thought Ranma was your heir, and if he's not good enough to learn them what makes you think I am? besides, I never studied Anything Goes martial arts, just Snake style Wu Shu, Chin na, and some Aikido. I don't fight AT ALL like Ranma and Akane do." she took another sip of tea, "This is good tea, by the way."
Happosai blushed slightly at the compliment. that style of tea was his favorite. "It was Cologne's favorite, until we had our inevitable falling out." Happosai's mind seemed to reminisce for a moment. "About the training though, Ranma, Akane, Soun, and Genma are fine students of the Anything goes style. However, I know more than just 'Anything Goes', I know secret spiritual, Chi, and pressure point techniques that none of them have the patience or willpower to learn. These are the techniques I would like to pass on to you."
Silk absently stirred her tea with her thumb then licked the liquid off before stirring again, a habit she had acquired years ago and had never trained herself out of, "So, you feel that none of your current students would be able to handle the training. I take it you feel that I could?"
Happosai grinned at that. "Of Course Silk-Chan!" he wasn't sure how to explain it but he tried. "You posses courage, tenacity, patience, intelligence and cunning in abundance. BUT most of all you posses spirit. More so than any of my other students. The secret techniques I want to teach you I only attempted to teach to one other person. She had the spirit but not the heart to use violence when necessary." he bowed his head slightly. "You might be my last hope for passing these along."
Silk smiled, tapping the old master's head with a chopstick from the rack in the center of the table, "If it means that much to you, I'll learn them. And I'll pass them on to whoever ends up as my heir. I'm the sole possessor of many secrets, what's another set but another method of insuring the continued survival of them all?" she laughed, standing and stretching her arms above her head, several vertebrae could be heard popping as she stretched, catlike. "I believe in living history. You keep alive traditions that are useful, meaningful, and positive. You progress past those traditions that are detrimental and counterproductive. The passing down of wisdom and techniques is only detrimental to your enemies, after all." her smile was an odd mix of a predator and a minx, a combination that spoke volumes about her personality.
Both Silk and Happi had similar mixed expressions. The playful predator fit them both quite well. "Alright then Silk-Chan" Happosai smiled playfully. "I'll start your training as soon as you're ready. be warned though, I have been known to be a harsh master."
Silk laughed heartily at that, "What can you offer harder than what I have done already? Can you name one?" she gazed at him levelly, and he was forced to shake his head. "When my friends convinced me to stay in this world, they never promised it would be easy. James quoted Winston Churchill: 'All I can offer is blood, toil, sweat, and tears.' Life is a harsh master, but One I choose to serve, just as you do. And he hasn't felt need to discharge either of us from his service yet." she smiled, draining the last of her tea, "So, when do we start?"