Dreams of an Absolution

"Sometimes I wanted to cry

When the people on TV were not quite the way we were

Somehow, I guess I just knew

But I didn't know I'd love you so much"

I Didn't Know I'd Love You So Much ("Repo! The Genetic Opera")


Dreams of an Absolution

Chapter 10

"-but then he punched the wall and the whole marker board fell off! There was this great big hole in the wall!" Blossom raised an eyebrow as she walked into the kitchen, setting her backpack down by her seat. She started to speak up, but Buttercup picked up where Bubbles had stopped.

"Yeah! It was so stupid! I don't know why they even hired him, he's just a dumb monster who hates humans!" Blossom snorted and glared, jerking her chair back violently. The feet scraping the floor caught everyone's attention. Bubbles tensed; Buttercup crossed her arms and glared back.

"Oh look it's the teacher's pet, let me guess you stuck around to talk to Mr. Rawr-Imma-Monster about how much humans suck?" Blossom climbed into her chair and crossed her arms, mimicking Buttercup's stance.

"Of course not! I was just worried about him, and he's not a stupid monster!" Buttercup sneered and Blossom bristled. Mrs. Keane lightly touched Blossom's shoulder, quelling her budding fury. Blossom simply stuck her nose up and huffed.

"He happens to be one of the smartest citizens in all of Townsville! You're just prejudiced against him like the rest of the city!" she stated. Buttercup rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah, I don't have any reason to hate monsters! It's not like they used to destroy the town every other day!" Buttercup pointed out. Blossom glowered and got pink in the face.

"He's a Monstro-American! He's not a feral monster like the ones that come from Monster Island!" The Professor took a puff of his pipe, drumming his fingers on the table.

"That may be true, Blossom, but the ban on Monstro-Americans holding public positions was only recently lifted. Whatever his real intentions, if your teacher hopes to avoid conflict, he should try to avoid stirring up old conflicts," Blossom groaned and slapped her forehead.

"Why is it his fault? What about the students and other teachers always calling him 'Monster' to his face? What about the downright biased attitude this entire city has against his ethnic group?" The Professor wore a bemused smile-Blossom bristled-and Buttercup just rolled her eyes. Bubbles seemed withdrawn, moreso than usual. For the first time in months, she and Blossom made eye contact for longer than a split second. Blossom shook her head and put her hands on her hips.

"It's no wonder Monstro-Americans are hostile toward humans, they aren't treated like the citizens they are! This is exactly the kind of behavior the civil rights movement was fighting against, Americans being mistreated because of their ethnicity!" Buttercup groaned out loud and threw her hands in the air.

"He's a monster! They eat people!" she shouted. Blossom stood up in her chair, suddenly, and thrust her mitt at Buttercup.

"He would never do something like that! And that's more than you can say about some humans!" She screamed. The Professor stood up, stopping the fight before it could escalate.

"That's enough, no more yelling, you two. Now...it's true that Townsville isn't the most accepting community in the world, but Mr. Uka shouldn't go out of his way to test the limits of its people. Some wounds haven't exactly healed yet, he needs to be careful about what he says," Blossom huffed and sat back in her chair, rolling her eyes. How could they possibly understand what it was like to be persecuted for something out of your control? How hard it was to be persecuted just for telling the truth?

Blossom snapped out of her train of thought when Ms. Keane spoke, breaking the tense silence.

"I mentioned it before, but I think I will talk to him. He may be having trouble with integration into human society, it's a bit of a culture shock," Blossom sat up furiously, looking bewildered.

"What?! You don't need to do that Ms. Keane, really! Uh...I'll talk to him! I'm sure he'll listen to me!" Ms. Keane chucckled and patted Blossom's back. Blossom had broken out into a cold sweat, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

"It's alright, Blossom, I helped Mr. Green with his integration process, I'm sure Mr. Uka and I can find some common ground," She smiled, but Blossom continued to stare back blankly. She swallowed and shook her head.

"I really don't think that's a good idea," she mumbled. The Professor put out his pipe, patting Bubbles on the back. The blonde remained as silent as ever.

"Why is that, Blossom?" He asked. Blossom swallowed and looked down.

"W-well...he...might get mad at us if our uh...mom goes to complain about him. He's very...defensive about his classroom conduct," Ms. Keane and the Professor both laughed. Blossom's face turned bright red; she looked up at Ms. Keane pleadingly.

"Blossom, I'm not going to tell him that its your fault I'm talking to him. I'll be speaking with him as one teacher to another, not as a parent to a teacher," Blossom swallowed and lowered her head again. She wanted to argue, but this looked like one situation she couldn't persuade in her favor. As the others began to discuss more pressing matters: dinner, how the day went for the two adults, plans for the weekend, Blossom's mind worked frantically. How was she going to get out of this mess?

How could she keep them both safe, without hurting either of them?

XxXxX

"And so, as you can see, it was the folly of these pitiful creatures in accepting the company of the European fools," Uka smirked and stood back, observing the notes on the board with sadistic glee. Blossom swallowed hard, sitting on the edge of her seat. She had no clue when it was going to happen...but it was supposed to happen today. She hadn't slept at all the night before, and it was only by genetic perfection that she was able to look halfway decent for class.

"Um...Uka-sensei, was it really their fault?" Uka chuckled and flipped through his history book, sitting down at his desk.

"Of course, child. They regarded these pale skinned fools as gods, and suffered rightfully so for their idiocy. Had they deserved to persist, they'd have realized the pale-skinned conquerors were simply more weak humans," Uka twitched in annoyance as the bell suddenly rang. Blossom swallowed hard, staying put in her seat while the others hurried to lunch. Uka closed his book and stared at her expectantly.

"Is there something that troubles you, Blossom? You are required to attend lunch, are you not?" Blossom nodded and tried to find the words to say. She sighed and put her books away, grabbing her lunch sack. She looked back at Uka as she started through the door. He merely smiled and began to shift into his true form. She continued to stare at him as the door shut on its own and the lights within the room dimmed.

"Good job, Blossom...just stare at him like an idiot..." She sighed and stalked off to the cafeteria. Maybe Boomer could help her think of a way to stop Ms. Keane from talking to him? Maybe...if he did it wouldn't be so bad. Blossom shuddered and shook her head. She wasn't sure she could bear it if she was wrong.

XxXxX

"Boomer! Over here!" Boomer scurried over to Blossom, who was standing near the school house, peering up to the second floor. She could see the window to her room. She could feel Aku on the other side. She sighed and looked down at her feet. Should she do this? She'd more than likely get in trouble for using her powers, but at the same time she just had to know what was going on.

"What is it? Hey! It's your turn to be it!" Blossom rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm. Boomer blinked and settled down.

"Not today! This is more important! I need to um...I need to..." She bit her lip. What was she doing? Spying sounded so bad, but it wasn't something bad, not this time. She just wanted to make sure everyone was safe, right? "I need to fly up there and peak in on Aku to make sure he's alright, I think someone might be trying to figure out who he is," Boomer gasped and nodded. Blossom smiled and started to float into the air, looking around carefully.

"Keep an eye out okay? If a teacher starts looking this way, let me know!" Boomer nodded and turned to keep a look out. Blossom smiled and floated to the window. She gasped; she was already there! Blossom swallowed and hit around the corner, peaking into the room as subtly as she could. She strained her ears, supersonic hearing pealing away the layer of concrete and glass, making their voices clear as day.

"So you've come to speak with Uka, is that so? To what do I owe this interruption?" Uka folded his fingers and glared at the short kindergarten teacher. Ms. Keane giggled and leaned against his desk. She seemed strangely calm given the glare Uka-sensei had fixed on her. Blossom shuddered; there was no way this could end well.

"My name is Cassandra Keane, I'm from Pokey Oaks Kindergarten. I've heard about you from a few of my past students and well, just decided I'd like to finally meet the man behind all the mystery!" Uka-sensei narrowed his eyes, glaring at the window, Blossom ducked away, praying her hadn't seen her. He snorted and looked at Ms. Keane once more.

"Is this so? What have they told you? How Uka is unfair? How Uka terrifies them in their sleep? I can scarcely imagine anyone speaking well of Uka, I am most unpopular among my students," His deep baritone was so confident, so blunt. Blossom blushed and shivered, grinning while she listened to him. Ms. Keane giggled again and shook her head.

"Oh I've heard a lot of negatives, I won't lie. But, I have to say you aren't as scary as they made you seem," Uka-sensei raised an eyebrow and slowly climbed to his feet. He dwarfed Ms. Keane, to say the least. Ms. Keane nodded and stood up straight as well. Uka-sensei began to stalk the room, eying the petite teacher.

"You do not find Uka imposing? Frightening? Most who lay eyes upon a monster of Uka's stature are stricken with horror," Ms Keane actually laughed in earnest this time; honestly, Blossom had to struggle to not laugh herself. Uka-sensei's head shot up; Blossom had her back pressed against the side of the building, panting. She had just missed getting caught.

"Mr. Uka-would you prefer Uka-san, by the way-there's no need to act so stiff. I've worked with many Monstro-Americans before, I'm actually a certified integration specialist for the state's school district," Uka-sensei paused and stroked his beard, one hand slipping into his pocket.

"I've heard of such positions...your duty is to aid monsters, such as myself, in the process of fitting into human society?" Ms. Keane nodded and Uka-sensei snorted, turning to the new white board and folding his hands behind his back.

"I've lived among humans for more years than you've seen, Ms. Keane, I need no aid in 'fitting in', as I have no desire to do so," Ms. Keane nodded.

"Oh I'm sure! That isn't why I'm here, I think you're doing an outstanding job. I've heard nothing but the best about you from one of my old students," Blossom and Uka-sensei both perked up. Uka-sensei turned to look at Ms. Keane, his eyes wide in curiosity.

"A past student?" Ms. Keane seemed to notice the look, her grin brightened.

"Why, yes! If we can keep this private...it would seem you've taken a liken to my favorite student as well," Uka-sensei grinned brightly, stroking his beard and now fully facing Ms. Keane.

"So it is you who is responsible for the Red Child's education? I am impressed...you managed to challenge such a child?" Ms. Keane nodded, throwing a glance toward the window. Again, Blossom was pressed against the building, her cheeks bright red. She didn't want to get caught, but she wanted to hear more!

"Believe me, trying to keep up with a child as bright as Blossom was a challenge. But it never ceased to amaze me just how quickly she learned! Have you tried giving her something new? She just has to see a few examples and," Ms. Keane snapped her fingers. Uka-sensei was leaning across his desk, in rapt attentionm, "Just like that, she'll have it completely figured out!" Ms. Keane sighed longingly and shook her head, wearing a distant smile.

"Yes...this is true, there appears to be no bounds to her intellect..." Uka-sensei muttered. Ms. Keane lightly wiped her eyes, as she continued.

"You really like her don't you?" Uka-sensei nodded shamelessly. Ms. Keane giggled, "She's a fabulous student, if a bit of a perfectionist. And I know, most of the city-really most of the world-may have turned its back on her, after what happened, but...I'm glad I get to be a part of her life. I think she's going to be someone really special some day," Blossom blushed darker, her eyes misting over. At about that moment, a pair of baby-blue eyes met hers.

"Ms. Utonium, get down here this instant!" Blossom nearly screamed, whipping around to spot an angry teacher looking up at her. She sighed and floated to the ground, sulking. The voices had vanished the moment she lost her concentration.

"Just what were you doing, young lady?" Blossom crossed her arms and sighed, staring at the ground.

"Nothing just...um...wondering if Uka-sensei had finished grading our quizzes from Tuesday," The teacher kept a fierce glare fixed on her. Blossom sighed again and kicked her foot, "I'm sorry, it won't happen again,"

"This is your only warning, next time, I'll turn you in to Principal Durry," Blossom nodded, watching the miserable human walk away. She narrowed her eyes, debating the building pressure behind them. Boomer grabbed her hand, snapping her out of her deliberation.

"What was it? Did you find out? Was it bad?" Blossom blinked and looked up at the window. She laughed and shook her head, pulling Boomer toward the playground. They still had enough time for a game of tag at least.

"No actually it was...really...good."

XxXxX

When Blossom arrived home from tutoring Boomer, she spotted Ms. Keane in the drive way, getting out of her car. She stopped next to her old teacher, staring with watery eyes. Ms. Keane smiled brightly when she saw Blossom, walking with her to the door.

"Good afternoon, Blossom! How was school?" Blossom blushed as she stopped next to Ms. Keane. Without a moment's hesitation, she dropped her backpack and threw her arms around the older woman's waist. Ms. Keane gasped and wrapped her arms around Blossom, laughing sheepishly.

"Is everything alright, Sweetie?" Blossom nodded and sat up, giggling and wiping her eyes. She shook her head and hugged Ms. Keane again, "So why are you crying?" she asked tenderly. Blossom's throat tightened and she hugged her tighter.

"It's n-nothing...I'm just...glad I met you..."Ms. Keane laughed softly; it was a knowing sound. She hugged Blossom tighter and the two stood there like that. The others could wait a little longer.