Waking Mercury cpt 7

Ami, upon entering the Academy was greeted by her new teacher, Juni Asagai. “Ohiyo Asagai-sensei, Ano… where is Lancebrooche-kun?” Ami had looked around noting that Juni was the only adult there. Although, a few students were milling near the back of the room, getting ready for the class.

The impeccably dressed teacher gave Ami a slightly sardonic grin. “What’s the matter Mizuno-san? Don’t think I can run a school on my own?” Juni smiled fully now at Ami’s slightly uncomfortable look. The striking woman reached out and placed a hand on Ami’s shoulder, causing the young girl to blush at the contact. The disguised yoma noted that and focused her eyes onto that of her student, trying to gauge her thoughts. Nervousness, confusion, admiration? Hmmmm. “I’m just kidding Mizuno-san, relax.”

When her teacher removed her hand, Ami released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. The young girl watched, unconsciously transfixed as Juni slowly walked over to the desk that she had remembered Jade Lancebrooche sitting at. Ami couldn’t help but take everything in about the woman in front of her. Something about her presence demanded attention. From what she wore, the makeup she had on, even the way she walked was ingrained into the young geniuses mind.

Although she was easily the smartest girl her age (and arguably one of the smartest people in Japan) Ami couldn’t understand why all these things were so interesting to her. Wow! Asagai-sensei has a very intense charisma. I wonder why I wasn’t affected this much the last time. It’s just that everything about her, even her outfit is perfect, such style. Ami watched as her teacher retrieved a couple items from her assistants desk. Her hand drifted up to her shoulder where Juni had placed her hand earlier. It tingles… it feels nice.

Unbeknownst to Ami, in anticipation of today and her mission, Juni, had purposely caused some of those new feelings to intensify. This yoma, like most of her kind could read, enhance, and sometimes install emotions. Juni, or Garabon as she was called in the Dark Kingdom, was able to scan thoughts as well. Lucky for her, Ami was at the stage in her development where boys (or in her case girls) started to interest her. A bit of a late bloomer, but for the knowledge yoma’s plan it worked out perfectly.

Juni gathered what she was looking for and slowly walked back towards her student. Her eyes sparkled in amusement at the look of awe on Ami’s face, and something else… desire perhaps? The disguised Yoma quickly scanned the young geniuses thoughts. Hah!! This will be easier than I anticipated. Well, perhaps not. The poor girl doesn’t even know what it is she’s feeling. I wonder if she’s ever been exposed to it. Juni thought back to Ami’s records and her meeting with her mom. Probably not, she never knew her father and I doubt her mother exposes her to her predilections. Her last thought was in reference to Ayanee’s slightly lustful thoughts towards her the previous week. The teacher almost blushed, remembering exactly what it was Ami’s mother had been thinking.

Ami was broken from her thoughts when her teacher handed her a few books, disks, and CDs. “In answer to your previous question Mizuno-san, Jade-kun needed to take a break for a family emergency.” That answer in all actuality was the truth. Jadeite had left early that morning for Spain to go search for his reincarnated brother. Before leaving, he had stopped by the apartment that she was staying at while carrying out her operation. He had told her that he would be gone for an undetermined amount of time, and that she was to continue with the plan without him. Jadeite had also left her with the disks that had all the information on Ami and her mother.

Juni brought her thoughts back to the girl in front of her. “These CDs are to be used with the simulators while in class. The books and the disks are for independent study at home. Do not let anyone else use them, they have been designed for your study needs only.” Ami thought that odd, but didn’t say anything about it. She gratefully took the armful of supplies. Her mind started to regain it’s focus on studies rather than her teacher. After a few moments she succeeded, mostly.

Class went by rather fast for Ami. She was totally entranced in the virtual reality setting. Her particular study atmosphere was a small very secluded cove on a beautiful white sand beach. She would sit and feel the sand under her feet and the sounds of waves crashing in her ears. All the while images would appear in front of her, either floating in space, or in a book that would appear out of nowhere. So impressed and entranced by this, she never realized that while people were starting to develop this technology it was still another twenty or so years till completion.

When Ami completed the study part of the session, Juni, or a digitized version of her appeared in the simulation. She was only 5’5 without her heels, this version of her had discarded them in favor of bare feet. Her normally styled hair was let loose and gently blowing in the breeze. Ami was starting to get flustered again as she took in what her teacher’s image was wearing. A thin yellow sarong wrapped around a black one piece bathing suit. It complimented her and her curves very well.

Ami now feeling a bit self conscious looked down to what clothes her subconscious conjured up for herself. Simple but effective clothing, she wore a pair of cutoff jeans and a overly large button up shirt covering a t-shirt. The outfit was topped off by a big straw hat that protected her from the virtual sun. It was then that she wondered. If her subconscious dictated her clothing and the atmosphere, then did it also clothe Asagai-sensei? And if so just exactly what was her mind trying to tell her?

Her virtual teacher walked up to her and sat down so they were facing each other. She was in rather close proximity. If Ami just leaned out a little bit, she would be touching her teachers toes. Ami gulped thinking what it would feel like to play “footsie” with the older woman. Wait a minuet what am I thinking? This is my teacher, and a woman!! Ami’s mind wondered for a few moments. Both her and Juni’s images just sat there seemingly enjoying each others company. Not that there is anything wrong with that I suppose. Well the woman part anyway. But, why out of all the girls I have been around, out of anyone I’ve ever been around is Asagai-sensei the only one that’s ever affected me like this? Well, Kino a little I guess. But, nothing this intense.

Ami shook the thoughts from her head, deciding to think about them at a more appropriate time. When she was ready to start again, the simulated teacher started to speak. “Are you ready then Mizuno-san?” Ami nodded in the affirmative. “Very well, let’s discuss today’s lesson. Also, before we start. I want you to talk to me in person when class is over.” Ami swallowed hard thinking that perhaps Asagai-sensei had read her thoughts.

The rest of the lesson Ami was somewhat distracted by what her teacher wanted to speak to her about. Aside from that it was an excellent experience. It was indeed a one on one session where both of them discussed the lesson, and Juni was there to answer any questions Ami might have. Truth be told, Ami even had one or two very intelligent questions that Juni couldn’t answer. Although she did promise Ami to help look them up.

Juni, for her part, was totally blown away by the intelligence that Ami was displaying. Her young student was able to keep up a conversation unlike anyone she has ever encountered. Incredible! Give her five, ten years, this girl will easily be my match in any subject that can be studied by man. Hmmm, I might actually enjoy this assignment after all. Having someone that can keep up a decent conversation in the Dark Kingdom would be pleasurable indeed.

As the simulation winded down Ami was once again left alone to review what she had learned and discussed. Juni, on the other hand, activated a switch that slowly drew energy from the rest of the students in the room. Even though Jadeite had instructed her to take Ami’s as well, something had made her decide not to. She wondered on that, but let it pass, deciding instead to leach just a little bit extra from the rest of the “cattle”.

Due to Juni’s instructions to win Ami over to the dark kingdom, she had her set up on a totally different program then the rest of the students. They were force fed information and programmed to forget the rather unpleasant experience. Only the truly promising students would receive one on one training with the yoma of knowledge. And of course payment for any of these studies (with the exception of Ami) was a small portion of your energy. A fair price to pay for intelligence, thought Juni.

As class ended Ami watched her classmates slowly make their way out of the room. Most seemed a little sick and exhausted. The way they all looked concerned her a bit. But, she had felt no ill affects from using the VR device so she wasn’t to troubled by it. An after affect of using it so long? I’ll have to ask Asagai-sensei about that. Ami paused for a moment remembering that her charismatic teacher wanted to speak to her, alone. Maybe tomorrow! The young genius swallowed hard and made a break for it, trying to dodge between her sluggish classmates and leave before Juni noticed.

The plan was hastily made and sadly, doomed to fail. The yoma of knowledge was not one to forget something. Especially when it concerned the first person who has piqued her interest in the last thousand years. “Mizuno-san, could you please wait a moment. I need to speak with you.”

The failed escapee stood dead in her tracks. She slowly spun around to face her teacher And if her suspicions were correct, a horrible death by embarrassment. All of the other students had shambled out by this time, leaving Ami to face Juni alone. For some reason this made the young girl feel an awful lot like a small fish swimming with a shark.

Juni had immediately picked up on Ami’s embarrassment. The disguised Yoma smiled inwardly as she decided to play with her new student for a moment. “So Mizuno-san, what did you think of today’s class?” The beautiful teacher started to slowly walk to Ami. Her eyes flashed with mischief and hunger, as a small smile played on the corner of her lips. Ami was totally dominated by her teachers presence, to the point where all she could do was stare dumbly. “By the way, that was an interesting outfit you had me in.”

Ami immediately blushed harder than she ever had before. Juni thought for a moment how cute Ami looked in red. That thought startled and embarrassed her. Due to her own discomfort, she decided to spare her student. “I’m just kidding with you again Mizuno-san.” Ami toned down the color, but only a little. “Don’t feel to embarrassed by it. I’ve had people make me naked before so your version was actually rather nice.”

Juni flashed Ami a grin that was meant to be disarming and comforting, but it didn’t seem to help. Not for the reasons she thought though. In that moment, Ami, for the first time in her young life, thought of another person naked. It was an incredible picture, one that left the poor girl slightly catatonic.

The mock seductress sweat dropped, at the bizarre look her student was wearing. Curious, she quickly scanned her thoughts. Wow!! For such an innocent, she really knows how to picture somebody naked. I wonder if I could take that body shape. A small glint appeared in the teachers eyes. Definitely, something to try.

Ami, by this time, had finally snapped out of it and was able to act normally again. “uhm, sorry about that.” The mortally embarrassed girl lowered her eyes to the ground. She was almost on the verge of crying, she was so embarrassed.

Ooops! The disguised yoma thought. I suppose I pushed it a little to far with the seductress bit. A different tactic seems to be in order. Unfortunately, Ami was defiantly not prepared for that. Annoyed at herself for not thinking of it, Juni, started to make amends. “No need for you to be sorry. I’m the one who should apologize, I shouldn’t tease my students.” Especially one as cute a as you. The humbled teacher barely stopped herself from muttering her last thought. It certainly would not have helped the situation.

“It’s ok, I should learn to get used to it.” Ami shyly whispered her next sentence. “It makes you stand out from the rest of my teachers.” It was almost a response to Juni’s flirting. Except Ami was staring straight at the ground when she said it.

“Well, I’ll tone it down until you feel a bit more comfortable with me.” Juni, intentionally chose the word “me” over “it“.

Ami actually took note of her teacher‘s choice of words. I think I would like that. She didn’t know how or why, but at that time Ami realized that she actually liked her teacher. But, how can I feel that way? I just met her a few days ago. And she is my teacher, and intelligent, and beautiful, and… uh oh. Ami paused for a second. Thoughts for when I get home and have time to sort them. The young girl calmed herself for a second and pushed all of these new thoughts, doubts, and emotions aside. “Ano… What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

Juni accepted the change of topic, for now. “Actually, while hooked to the simulator it detected a problem with your eyes. Have you had trouble seeing lately?” The answer was immediately apparent by the look on Ami’s face. “I see, So how long has this been a problem?” Another sad and embarrassed look crossed The young students face.

“About a year.” The young girl replied, obviously ashamed of this.

Juni didn’t want to chastise her to badly, but ignoring a problem like that could really give you problems. “And why did you ignore it Mizuno-san?” As she said this A nagging voice in the back of her head asked why she would even care. Ami was just silent and stared at the floor. Ignoring the voice Juni continued. “You are a very intelligent young woman, you have to had known that the problem would not go away. That type of thing only gets worse.”

“I just didn’t want to have to get glasses. I knew it wouldn’t go away if I ignored it, but I hoped that it would.” Ami answered her teacher, but her gaze was still directed at the floor. She was too embarrassed and ashamed to look her teacher in the eyes.

“And why was that, are glasses so bad?” I can’t believe I am doing this. I don’t even remember the last time I was nice to anyone I didn’t have to suck up to.

“Because glasses make you look ugly, and I have enough problems fitting in already.” Ami almost looked like she was going to cry.

Juni, almost felt sorry for her. People see what you project Ami. Enough of this, I for one don‘t think that self pity suites you at all. “What, do you mean to say? Do my glasses make me look ugly?” A slightly angry look crossed her face, as Juni feigned insult.

Ami gasped and stuttered quickly correcting herself. “No!! Not… Not at all. Your glasses fit you perfect, you look beautiful with them. Uhm that is I…” Ami started to stutter realizing what she was going on about.

So she thinks I’m beautiful. Juni had read as much from Ami’s mind, but to hear her say it out loud was a totally different thing. “You know, I have a wonderful store that I buy my glasses from. Perhaps I could take you to pick out a pair.” Ami looked up at her teacher with a nervous look on her face. “With your mother’s consent of course.” Ami slowly nodded, as, Juni, correctly guessed what she was nervous about. Damn the human’s hang ups on age. This would be a lot easier without them.

“Well then perhaps we should set a date for that. Ask your mother to stop by tomorrow, ok?”

Ami gave a small smile and nodded yes. “I will. Ano… If that’s all, I need to get going.” The poor girl had been totally overwhelmed with everything that happened this afternoon. She needed some time alone to sort it all out. “I really enjoyed class today Asagai-sensei. Thank you… for everything.” Seeing no protest to her leaving, the young genius grabbed her bundle of books and disks, and headed out the door.

Juni quietly watched as her student left. My, my, my, Ami this is going to work out deliciously, for both of us. You will make a wonderful protégé to me in the Dark Kingdom. The Yoma of Knowledge silently chuckled to herself. After a moment she started to think about how all of this could actually work. Once they left earth it would be different. While here, however, a great number of things needed to be considered.

As things were, Juni, was treading on thin ice and she knew it. Being a two-thousand year old Yoma, age didn’t make any difference to her. However, Garabon was well aware of the silly human laws that could easily interfere with her plan. And then of course there was Ayanee, Ami’s mother. If she got involved it could prove to be a problem. Garabon had yet to figure out how to deal with her without loosing Ami’s trust.

With those thoughts playing around in her head, Juni/Garabon, started to close up the school. She used a small bit of her power to straighten the room up, and reset the machines. Double checking that everything was ready for the next day, Juni gathered her things and headed home for the night. I need to be careful. Actually falling for this girl could be dangerous. This is only work, it can’t be anything else.

As she thought of the genius girl, Juni locked the door and started walking down the road she normally took home. True she could have teleported, but she found that occasionally mixing with the “cattle” could be a fun and enlightening experience. At least it relieved boredom. Juni continued walking not paying attention and absorbed in her thoughts. So caught up was she, that she didn’t notice a small group of bored young men started trailing her. Some really, really stupid young men.

End of chapter 7!!

First time that I used honorifics through the whole chapter!! Yay? Nay?

So… What do you think? Questions? Comments? Drop me a line Poepah@yahoo.com, I will always respond to an e-mail.