Endless Possibilities

Endless Possibilities

Author's Note: It's beginning to look a lot like Puff/Ruff...oh my God what was that first scene?

Chapter 11

XxXxX

Blossom slept uneasily, biting her lip and squirming. The darkness permeating the room was somehow thicker than usual, even with a stream of light pouring in from the hallway. In the darkness, a pair of red eyes watched her closely, a frown stretched across his lips. Every movement kept him entranced, every soft moan and gentle sigh. He inched closer, narrowing his eyes tenderly. He raised his hand, hesitating when she rolled over, facing him now. He swallowed and reached out, carefully tucking her hair back. She sighed blissfully, pressing her cheek against his hand.

“You are a strange child...” Blossom bit her lip as his fingers trailed down her cheek. He tilted his head, his chest tightening. He felt his lips tugging upward, a smile forcing its way to his face. Dark fingers gently trailed through her hair, lightly brushed against her pursed lips. The child gasped and swallowed hard, a blush spreading across her cheeks. He paused, gently cupping her cheek, to check on her sisters. The last thing he needed was an excuse to kill them.

The dark-haired sister laid with her back to him, curled up and clutching a green alligator doll. Just a doll, nothing more. He frowned, eyes traveling to the other sister. The Blue Child was curled up close to the Red Child, clutching the purple octopus doll. It was facing her, clutched tightly to her. Aku noticed with intrepid curiosity that her lips were gently pressed against those of the doll. He stroked his beard, unnerved by the strange toy. Although it was facing the Blue Child...one eye seemed to be watching him.

“Never mind this foolish toy...you child...what is it you're dreaming?” Aku whispered, returning his attention to Blossom. He swallowed hard, heat flying to his pale visage when his finger slipped between her parted lips. Blossom moaned and sucked on his finger, sending shivers through the demon's body, the likes of which he'd never before experienced. Aku quickly pulled his finger away, staring in awe at the child. She whimpered and curled tighter, panting and cheeks flushing. Aku's eyes widened.

“Ah!” Blossom sat up with a small scream, hands flying to her mouth. She looked around frantically, panting and rubbing her flaming cheeks. Blossom rubbed her cheek furiously, groaning and struggling to wipe away the drool coating the side of her face. She moved her legs and swallowed, slowly looking down. She blushed furiously and quickly floated out of bed, looking at her sisters in a panic. Thankfully neither had woken.

“Why does this keep happening to me?!” Blossom whispered, floating closer to the bed. The only good news was that the sheets weren't wet too. She breathed a sigh of relief and flew to the bathroom, biting her lip and closing the door slowly, quietly. She shed her wet underwear and threw them in the hamper in disgust. Blossom's mind was reeling as she wet a washcloth with warm water and sat back on the toilet, glancing nervously at the door.

“I've never wet the bed before...why is it happening now?” Warm water trickled down her legs, dripping gently on the floor. She sighed and shook her head. Was she wetting the bed? Logic would dictate that being the only explanation. But then why now?

“I keep having dreams...” She bit her lip and clenched her legs, a smile tugging at her lips. It wasn't entirely specific to just say she was having dreams. Blossom dreamed quite regularly, even if she didn't recall them all...vividly. No, every dream now was so eerily similar that just a slight mention...her cheeks flushed and her chest fluttered.

“Maybe...maybe I'm afraid...because he beat me...” Blossom's breathing became heavier, she leaned back and closed her eyes. She lightly bit her tongue. It would make sense, wetting the bed could be a logical response to stress. Her dad was gone and she was left, alone, trying to solve the mystery of how to fight an unbeatable opponent. Worse, he seemed to be as obsessed with her as she was with him. Blossom swallowed and caught her breath. Obsessed with him?

'It's just...because he's an enemy...he's a monster I have to beat...' Blossom took a deep breath and bit her tongue, a moan slipping free. He was a monster, but he was a different kind of monster. She still felt his breath on her face. It smelled like...fire...like ash. She clenched her eyes shut, imaging the rain pouring down. The sirens wailing in the distance. His harsh eyes, peering into her...so far into her.

'Different...he's...different...special...' The water gently trickled down her tense legs. Blossom swallowed, uttering a small whimper. He was a special...case. That was the only explanation; why she couldn't stop dreaming about him. She gasped in a breath, her mouth was dry as cotton. She'd been clean for a while now.

XxXxX

“Alright class! It's time for recess!” The day had moved painfully slow. Blossom's attention seemed to be growing increasingly distant. The Hotline hadn't rang in days, it was a very eerie turn of events. Considering that a being who could, for all argumentative purposes, be their most powerful enemy, was hiding somewhere, it was strange to see such a lull in activity. In fact, the most exciting aspect of the recent days had turned out to be the inclusion of the Rowdyruff Boys in their class.

“Blossom! Could you please wait for a moment?” Blossom paused, hovering blankly in midair. She hadn't even realized that she was hovering toward the door. Ms. Keane approached her with a smile; Blossom noticed that Boomer hadn't left the room either. The pink-eyed puff stared up at her teacher in confusion.

“Is something wrong Ms. Keane?” She asked, eyes darting to Boomer, who was watching her with an odd look in his eyes. Was it hopeful or apologetic? She really couldn't tell. Ms. Keane cleared her throat, reigning in Blossom's attention.

“Well Blossom, you see Boomer has been having a lot of trouble in class. Now I've tried to help him, but given the recent circumstances I just don't have quite that much time on my hands. I was wondering if you...could possibly tutor him? You're my very best student and I just know you can help him,” Blossom frowned and crossed her arms, glaring at Boomer. The blue ruff stared back in confusion. Suddenly his face lit up, bright red, and he looked away.

“I...suppose I could...” Blossom blushed and looked away, 'It would keep my mind off other things...' Blossom sighed and nodded, floating over to Boomer's table. She huffed and sat down next to him, giving him a sideways glare. Boomer swallowed and smiled nervously. Ms. Keane beamed and strolled over to the table.

“Alright Boomer, Blossom has agreed to help you catch on. Now, as I'm sure you know, Blossom is very smart, she'll be able to answer any questions you have. But I want you to respect her, this is for your benefit, alright?” Boomer nodded, glancing at Blossom. His face got red and he quickly looked back at his paper. Blossom sighed and glanced at Ms. Keane, who mouthed a 'thank you'. Blossom smiled and leaned closer.

“So...what are you having trouble with?” She asked diplomatically. Still, her voice carried a definite edge. Boomer laughed sheepishly and scratched his messy hair.

“Uh...everything?” Blossom smacked her head and sighed. She'd figured as much, Boomer wasn't a shining star of brilliance.

“Alright, but what are you having trouble with right now?” Boomer blinked and looked down at his paper. He rubbed his chin and picked up his pencil. He sighed and pointed to the first blank.

“What's the answer to this one?” Blossom stared at him, a look of utter disbelief on her face.

“...That's where you write you name, Boomer...” She said in an incredulous deadpan. Boomer looked down at the paper, then back at Blossom, eyes narrowed and a look of serious concentration on his face.

“How do I spell it?” Blossom pushed her gaping mouth closed. He was serious, completely serious. Blossom turned to look at Ms. Keane, who was pink-faced, trying to stifle her giggles. Blossom shook her head and sighed.

“Okay...let's start with the basics...” Blossom muttered. Boomer slowly nodded. He distinctively had no idea what she meant. But...Blossom had to commend his dedication.

XxXxX

“Man what is he doing? He is so stupid,” Brick muttered, glaring in the window at Blossom and Boomer. Butch sat next to him, chuckling in agreement.

“Yeah what a moron,” Brick snickered and nodded, grinning down at Butch.

“Getting help from a Sissypuff, what a loser,” Butch laughed and slapped his knee.

“Yeah I know! He's such a loser!” Brick and Butch laughed again, halting abruptly when a red ball rolled up next to them. Butch swallowed hard, twitching violently as he started to reach for it. Brick snatched the ball away and scanned the crowd. Buttercup was laughing in the middle of a group of boys.

“Ha! I win again guys!” Brick narrowed his eyes, glaring at the red ball. He stomped through the crowd with a mean laugh.

“You guys are weak! Getting beat by a girl!” He looked back. As expected, Butch had quickly followed him, bouncing and grinning excitedly. Buttercup smirked and shoved her mitt into Brick's chest, knocking him back a step.

“I'm the best on the playground!” She scoffed, grinning smugly. Brick glared, glancing at Butch, who was twitching again. Brick rolled his eyes and shoved Buttercup backward.

“Oh yeah? I bet I can clobber you!” Buttercup laughed and snatched the ball from him, earning her a vicious glare. She twirled it on her mitt, one hand resting proudly on her hip.

“I bet I make you run home crying,” Brick's cheeks turned red and his fists clenched tightly. He started to take a swing at Buttercup, but caught himself. Ms. Keane had given the boys a long lecture about fighting, and causing trouble. While he really didn't care, he didn't want to lose another recess listening to her rant and complain. Brick snorted and glared at Buttercup.

“Alright fine! I'll make you eat those words!” Buttercup laughed and threw the ball at him.

“Fine you can start!” Brick clutched the ball tightly he growled and swung it fiercely at Buttercup, her back still to him. The green puff whipped around and caught it, smirking. Brick just snarled in return. Buttercup hurled the ball back at him, both annoyed when Butch snatched it and reared back to throw it.

“Take this Sissy!” Brick snatched the ball from him. The force of the throw sent Butch tumbling forward, hitting his face in the pavement.

“Get lost, I'm gonna beat her!” Brick barked, rushing toward Buttercup dangerously. The green puff just laughed and led him away, though the crowd surrounding the two followed them wherever they went. Butch blushed heatedly, sitting up and rubbing his dirty face. He crossed his arms and swallowed hard, glaring at his retreating brother.

“F-Fine! Y-You suck anyway dude!” Butch frowned and looked around nervously. He slowly stood up, kicking at the pavement, watching the cloud of dust slowly settle again. Looking down, he noticed several chalk drawings covering the black pavement. He blinked and looked around, spotting a group of three people sitting far away, drawing on the pavement. He turned back, watching Brick continue to chase after Buttercup in a frenzy.

“Um...maybe...but...uh...” Butch twitched violently, torn between following the crowd watching the other two, or going to investigate the people coloring the ground. After a painful deliberation, he finally began walking toward the other end of the playground, whistling at the multitude of colorful drawings. He laughed out loud, finding one that was of a lion attacking a weird horse with a horn on its head. Butch wiped his eyes and froze upon spotting the culprit. She looked up at him, her blue eyes locking with his dark green ones.

“Hi Butch! Um...what are you doing?” Bubbles asked with a slight titter. Robin and Mike looked up, the former with a smile but the latter with a nervous shudder. Butch scratched his hair and turned around, spotting the crowd in the distance. He frowned and turned around again. He froze, Bubbles was floating just inches away from him. Butch's face turned bright red and a powerful twitch nearly jerked him off his feet.

“Um...I was...did...you draw these?” He managed to stutter out. Bubbles floated to the ground, beaming with pride at her hard work. Butch swallowed nervously.

“Yup! Do you like them?” She turned on Butch, hitting him again with her big blue eyes. He hadn't noticed before, and frankly he wished he could stop noticing.

“I guess...they're okay...for...for a big fat wimp!” He stumbled over the words, looking away in embarrassment. Clearly even the ruff wasn't convinced by his own choice of words. Bubbles giggled, hands over her mouth. Butch turned to her, glaring and twitching again. Bubbles looked back at Robin and Mike, then turned to Butch with a bright, sweet smile.

“Do you want to color with us, Butch?” Now the Rowdyruff looked completely terrified. He took a nervous step back, craning his neck, trying to find his brother. Brick was locked in the heat of battle, he never even looked in Butch's direction. Butch frowned and looked down at the pavement. His lip trembled slightly, but he quickly looked up and shrugged, a defeated look on his face.

“Uh...s-sure...” Bubbles squealed and grabbed his hand, dragging him over to the others.

“Butch this is Mike and Robin, they're my best friends! Guys this is Butch! He's one of my worst enemies,” Butch puffed up with pride, grinning. He faltered, realizing he had nothing cool to say. He sighed and sat down, waving awkwardly. His face twitched, head jerking to the side.

“Um...hi?” There was an awkward moment of silence. The three stared at each other while Bubbles had returned to drawing, singing a happy song. Robin broke the silence first, smiling brightly.

“Hi Butch, nice to meet you,” She said cheerfully, returning to her own drawing. Mike laughed nervously and looked away.

“H-Hi...n-nice to uh...yeah...” He stared at the ground, chalk shaking in his hand. Butch frowned and scratched his head. He twitched again when a piece of chalk was held out to him. Bubbles giggled and smiled.

“You'll need this silly!” Butch took the chalk from her. He looked down at the scene the three had created. He bit his tongue, and lowered the chalk to the canvas. A smile spread across his face. He looked up at Bubbles and his face heated up.

XxXxX

“Boomer! Hey wait, don't leave yet,” Boomer dropped to the ground, staring at the girl approaching. He glanced back, but his brothers were already long gone. He frowned and turned back to Blossom with a confused glance.

“Uh...what did I do?” Blossom crossed her arms and glared at him. The blue ruff wilted, taking a nervous step back.

“Listen I...Boomer you...” Blossom sighed and unfolded her arms, resting her hands on her hips. Why was this so hard to say? She was more than arrogant enough to tell him to his face, and he was more than dumb enough to need told in such a way. Blossom cleared her throat and frowned. Maybe the real reason was that she didn't want to really follow through with what needed to be done.

“Why so serious?” Boomer asked, rubbing his chin. Blossom coughed nervously and gave him a stern leer.

“Boomer you need some serious help so...maybe...alright...okay, fine I'll just say it. Boomer will you go with me to the library for a couple hours? You're really, really, really far behind and I wouldn't feel,” Blossom trailed off when Boomer shrugged and interrupted her.

“Yeah sure...uh hey...” Boomer suddenly turned red. He swallowed hard. He kicked his feet and shuffled back and forth. Blossom watched intently, it wasn't often she saw the blond boy so intense. Boomer tapped his chin and looked up. He swallowed again and sighed.

“I'm...sorry about...that...thing with the...and you...uh...sorry...” Blossom blinked and a smile tugged at her lips. She managed to hold off a few seconds, before bursting to a peal of giggles. Boomer stared at her in shock, but Blossom waved her hand, diffusing his concern.

“It's...it's okay Boomer...come on, let's go,” She still giggled as the two started out the door, “This is going to take a while!” She exclaimed, laughing out loud. Boomer stared blankly as they flew off toward the library. The pink and blue streaks raced across the clear blue sky, through puffy white clouds, and over the metal city below. A dark figure watched the vision, his fingers laced and his eyes burning to match his venomous frown.

“This Blue Boy...he has made the Red Child laugh...such a simple act, one not of his own doing, and yet. I find that this sudden closeness greatly INFURIATES me!” Aku gripped the arms of his throne, a growl building in his chest. His stinging chest, clenching so tightly that he was amazed to not be impaled by that accursed sword itself. Aku grabbed his chest, hunching and snarling.

“These wicked children...have forgotten their purpose, their mission...they have become too close...they provide NO distraction to my...my observations...” His voice lost its steam and trailed off in the end. What was it he was truly planning? It centered on her, the Red Child. The Deliverer of Darkness felt as though he couldn't even fathom a thought not in some way directed at the powerful child.

“No...this is not simple curiosity. This child, she will make me unbeatable! No Samurai with a sword of this or any other world could EVER oppose me once I have her!” Aku rose, holding out his hands. A sphere of energy appeared in his hands. Within it, he could see her, all of her. This was no simple coincidence. As he peered deeper and deeper into the Red Child, Aku felt his chest warm, clench, scream, and tingle. This child, she was to be his.

“You are a just and powerful adversary...but within you lies something so great...so incredible...that this world dares not to face it! This power...it shall be mine! You, child...shall...be...MINE! AH! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!” Aku crushed the sphere and arched his back, his maniacal laughter echoing in the deepest reaches of the Pit of Hate.

XxXxX

“Yes...yes it is coming to fruition. Soon, so very soon, it shall be ready, completed, prepared for use..there is just one vital component missing...what's this? Those rotten children, no! No, I don't even want to look at them. I cannot bear to observe, hear, listen, even think about such accursed, vile, useless creatures! Rest assured...fear not...let it be known that though I've been out of sight, you have not been out of mind. I have seen what you have done. I have watched you in your strength, your weakness, your...divinity...I am not gone, dead, invalid. Just a bit longer...then you will help me dig your own tomb!”

The monitor crackled weakly, smoke rising from the edges as the picture flickered. Frozen on the screen was an image of Blossom, near naked and humiliated. Glowing like an angry goddess.

Octi watched from the smashed computer console. He wore the same mindless, lifeless expression.