"Father...I...I don't know what to say!" Shutaro Mendou kneels before his parents. There is no mark on his forehead to indicate the injury that wiped out two years of his memories. Beside the scion of Japan's richest family were several of his diaries and photo albums. After he had awakened in familiar surroundings, he was appraised of his amnesia, then sought out his journals to catch up. What they told him was shocking. "It is true, Shutaro," his father puffs his pipe. "Your desire to control those around you led to a confrontation with someone who proved to be more tenacious, patient and in the end, more ruthless than you." Mendou shudders, then bows low. "Father, Mother, I have disgraced myself before you, our allies and our ancestors! I beg you both to permit me to properly atone for my past misdeeds!" "Wait, Shutaro!" Hajime holds up a hand. "There's no need to seek THAT recourse yet. In a matter of speaking, you've already committed a form of seppuku...with help." "In what manner?" Mendou looks up. "With your loss of memory comes the loss of many things. You now only know the people with whom you spent the last two years through your diaries. Your classmates. The Oni who interested you so much. Ataru Moroboshi. All are strangers to you now. Shutaro, you've been offered a chance very few ever get: the chance to start over from the beginning and do it right the second time." The younger man sits up, considering his father's point. From what his diaries said, Shutaro thoroughly despised Ataru Moroboshi, considered him the sole cause of his many misfortunes, including his failure to obtain the love...of an Oni, an alien?! Yes, Lum was beautiful...he saw that in his photo albums. But how could he pursue someone like her...for two years?! Besides, she desired Ataru and had made it clear many times that she would brook no interference in her quest to win his love...and according to recent observations, had finally won it. Further, despite his many problems, Ataru held back until very recently from employing his clan's remarkable assets, then only used them to prevent Shutaro from interfering in an honourable alliance between Earth and Ataru's newly adopted home of Sagussa. After hearing about the many past incidents where Earth's very existence was threatened, Shutaro now saw the folly in blindly giving faith to things he didn't properly understand. Ataru HAD honour. It was a ninja's honour, honour demanding that Ataru not reveal his full strength and intentions unless he had no choice, but honour nonetheless. He cared for his world, was protecting it now from those who saw Earth only as an exploitable resource to be plundered at will. He wouldn't go to Sagussa without fulfilling his obligations to his birth world, which he was doing right now. How could Shutaro argue against that? "Father, Mother," he bows. "Yes, I have been given a second chance...and I shall not waste it. But first, I must personally apologize to the Moroboshi Clan for my past misdeeds concerning Ataru. Please, may I be excused?" Both nod. Mendou rises, then heads out of the meeting hall where a limousine awaited. "Good to have you back, sir," one of the Kuromegane smiles as he closes the door beside his employer's son, then trots to the driver's seat. "I wish I could reciprocate that, driver," Mendou sighs. "To the Moroboshi home, please." "Yes, sir," the driver guides the vehicle from the mansion... * * * Moments later, it stops in front of the Moroboshi home. The Kuromegane opens the door for Mendou, who gets out to stare at the quaint home. This was the home of the younger son of Earth's richest woman? From his diaries, he knew Ataru's family relations were in a state of perpetual feud, especially between his mother and grandmother. Sighing, he braces himself, then looks at the driver. "Have something to eat. I'll wait here when I come out." "Yes, sir," the Kuromegane bows, then enters the vehicle. My, what a change in the Young Master! Working for him might actually be fun again. The limousine drives off just as the front door opens and Kinshou Moroboshi steps outside. She stops, surprised to see Mendou there. "Hello, Shutaro. What brings you around today?" He sighs, then bows low. "Ma'am, I have selfishly brought untold misery and disruptions to this house and those who live within it. While I do not now understand why I did this, it is no excuse for my past actions. I have behaved in a disgraceful fashion towards you and your family and wish to..." "That's enough," Kinshou smiles. Hajime and Haruka must've let him have it back home. "Shutaro, it's alright. As far as I'm concerned, no real harm was done. As long as you dedicate yourself to be a benefit and not a detriment to this community, I accept your apology and hope the best for your future." "Thank you, ma'am," Mendou rises. "May I ask if your son is here, or has he returned from his trip?" "Well, Atako-chan did say that Lum-chan and Noa-san are safe," Kinshou gazes at the beautiful morning. "Right now, they're more concerned about getting food out to refugee camps this Oogi fellow created because not all of Atako-chan's people worship Lum-chan. Oh, it's so confusing. I just hope they get back before Oogi comes here to cause us more trouble. Anyhow, Atako-chan and Asuka-chan are inside if you want to see them. I have to go shopping." "Thank you, Moroboshi-san, I do," Mendou bows as Kinshou passes by, then heads into the home. Asuka Mizunokoji. Ton-chan's sister and Shutaro's fiancee...until he nearly tried to kill her. Gods, had he actually wanted to do THAT to such a beautiful woman?! "Asuka-san? Atako-san? Are you here?!" "Shuu-chan!" Asuka peeks out from the living room. "Come on in! We're just having tea! Will you join us?!" Mendou nods, then walks into the living room...and stops. "Oh, hello, Shutaro," Atako nods warily. He blinks. Atako, he knew, was once a Niphentaxian, a woman who, suffering from a deadly infectious virus, had come to Earth to die. Mendou tried to have her killed...and wound up nearly killing an innocent bystander. Fortunately, the Sagussans intervened and cured her...and in doing so, wound up giving Ataru a sister. He hadn't seen her pictures...but he certainly liked the surprise. She is quite exquisite in a tomboyish sort of way. "Atako-san, I..." he shudders, kneeling beside her. "It's alright," Atako lightly smiles. "You want to apologize to me. I accept. Please forgive me for being wary around you, Shutaro. Once, I venerated you as a living deity. Then I despised your for hurting innocent people. Now I feel both intimated by you and sorry for you because of what you've endured." Gods, she IS beautiful! Mendou smiles in return, his teeth reflected by the sunlight. "Then I hope we can work on making ourselves feel more at ease with each other, Atako-san." Atako blinks. She hadn't taken the opportunity to really look at Mendou; she was too petrified for her life to think clearly that hectic night. The closest she had seen to his level of handsomeness was Oogi...and she knew that was after cosmetic surgery. So THIS was the man who inspired the Niphentaxian president. "Lets," she nods, reaching over to gently squeeze his hand. Asuka smiles as tea is poured... * * * "A Remarkable Destiny" a Urusei Yatsura lemon fic by Fred Herriot gorgo@kwangju.net **** **** **** Based on "Urusei Yatsura" created by Rumiko Takahashi **** **** **** NOTE: All standard lemon warnings apply. This is my second time at this, so please give me a break. I'll try to keep it as spicy as possible without going too overboard. WRITER'S NOTES 1) Koumoros is the home planet to Prim and the Prince of the Underworld, both of whom appeared in the matchmaking party episodes in the TV series and in the manga. 2) Bushi Roosei is a character from UY-TSY, first appearing unnamed in "Tag Race Mark Three" and named in "Oyuki's Story." Chara first appears in "Darling's Other Girlfriend." Sil Dedron, created by Lew Burton, first appears in "Noa." **** **** **** PART EIGHTEEN - NIGHT MANOEUVRES "So boring!" Ryooko stifles a yawn. "Keeping watch over these people. They're not going to hurt us, not after seeing the people in those camps." Shildy nods. Both watchmistresses sat on the "Hasei'cha's" bridge. People were now heading back to their ships for some fun and games. Catty intended to introduce a Niphentaxian sergeant and his friend to Ryuunosuke and Nagisa. They had come aboard when Priss, Benten, Linna and Nene beamed to the Niphentaxian flagship to help the communications officer crack through some difficult encryption codes which protected the Church of Lum's most vital secrets. Atop that, Honey and Oyuki were preparing to have some fun with Koosei...and that didn't mention what Ataru would soon be enduring at the hands of Lum, Noa, Shinobu and Sylia. Ahead of the Sagussan warpsloop, the six battlewagons of the First Holy Apostle Megane Crusade Squadron maintain their tight formation, their escorting destroyers forming a staggered line several kilometres to starboard. Several hundred kilometres aft, the water tanker "Lyme'cha"...a giant box with warp drive attached capable of holding 360 cubic kilometres of water...maintains its position over Phentax Twenty-three's capital city, now home base for coordinating the rescue efforts. People were still dying down below, but the death rate had sharply dropped off now that food and proper medical aid was being delivered. Already, the news of Lum's renouncing of her divinity, her urge for the Niphentaxians to rebel against their president, was spreading like wildfire throughout the Union. The Eliminator was heading in to demolish the System Destroyers which shielded Phentax Two from outside intimidation, thought Paama told Ryooko he might let them keep a couple in case someone decided this was an easy place to knock over. No sense in ensuring future friends couldn't defend themselves. Several colonies were under martial law, their governors and religious hierarchy arrested for high treason. Sporadic fighting between pro-Oogi and pro-reform elements had broken out elsewhere, but it was minor. Rumours of a new provisional council on Phentax Two were rampant though Ataru wouldn't take notice until Oogi was done away with. Eluza had rover units come in to jam all calls to the Niphentaxian fleet, now somewhere near Koumoros, to prevent Oogi from learning of the rebellion destroying his grip on power. Well, another night here, then time to go home, Ryooko sighs as she leans into Shildy's side. She was bored. Boredom made Ryooko a naughty girl, though she couldn't antagonize her future shipmates; they knew all her tricks. Perhaps go down and join in on the fun with Ataru and his friends, or perhaps meet Oyuki's nice friend and get acquainted? Much that making love to her bond-mate was enjoyable, Ryooko didn't mind a change of pace. Suddenly, a message arrives from the Niphentaxian flagship. "This is the 'Hasei'cha,' 'Netsuai no Megane,' Shildy here," the first officer taps the response button. "Problem?" "Is the admiral aboard?" a young male voice responds. "Yes, he's with the shipmistress right now," Shildy nods. "Standby." Turning to the crew status board, she notes what is happening, then turns back. "Sorry. The shipmistress has placed privacy guards on her personal comm terminal. Is it important?" "Yes, ma'am," the young man replies. "A message has been transmitted to all the colonies. A revolutionary council has been formed on Phentax Two, including representatives from the moderate Lum sects, the non-Lum churches and the atheist groups. That council has stripped President Oogi of his power. We're conveying this message to all our embassies. Admiral Yotsureta has been asked to convey our official greetings to Ataru Moroboshi in his capacity as the Fifth Republic's head of state." Shildy and Ryooko exchange looks. Privacy guards meant that Yotsureta was becoming very intimate with Eluza and Pony. Lyna's Soul, couldn't diplomacy wait for personal business to be done before rearing its ugly head?! "Well, you could come aboard and wait for the admiral to finish business with Eluza," Ryooko muses. Shildy exchanges a knowing look with her bond-mate. "Yes, ma'am!" the officer at the other end replies. "Standing by." Ryooko walks over to the bridge transporter controls, locks in on the message's origin point, then energizes. A moment later, a slender man appears on the bridge bearing a notebook. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant..." Shildy walks up to him. "Haitatsu," he bows, showing a buck-toothed smile akin to what Jerry Lewis might have used while playing a Japanese soldier. In fact, with his glasses and short-crop brown hair, Haitatsu might as well be the famed comedian's brother. Ryooko notices this right away. "Don't tell me; your parents were Church of Hollywood worshippers," she smiles knowingly. "Um...yes, ma'am, they were...in fact, still are in private," Haitatsu blushes. "Um, is there some place where I can wait for the admiral to be finished?" "Well, he might be detained for several hours still," Shildy looks at the status board. Eluza and Pony always took their time when both did the tamgh va ragh. "And Ataru will be just as busy, I'm afraid. Why don't you come with us to the cafeteria and have something to eat; you're not on duty right now, are you?" "Um...actually, the duty watches are kinda messed up now that we're so busy down on the planet," the lieutenant admits. "I don't have to be back right away, y'know." "Wonderful!" Ryooko claps her hands, then walks over to slip her arm around his. "C'mon! Food's this way!!" "O-okay," he stammers as they walk off the bridge, Shildy putting the controls on automatic before following... * * * "I look like some cheap tramp!" Honey exclaims. Now wearing a green lace bra, garter, panties and G-strings attached to thigh-length stockings, the physical education officer stares disapprovingly at the mirror in hers and Oyuki's bedroom. Koosei had his own room, which would be their next destination after Oyuki finished fixing herself up. "You look beautiful, Honey-chan," the Tritonian kisses her bond-mate. "You have to understand that other races have different standards of beauty and sexuality. Koosei-kun and I might be Sagussans physically, but in our hearts we still belong to our birth races. Besides, doesn't it give you a sense of anticipation?" "It gives me something," Honey grunts, then sighs. "I just hope someone doesn't see me like this! Let's go!" Oyuki clicks on her stockings, then both step out of their quarters. Honey scans both ways, then they head down to the end of the hall, where Koosei's room was. Sure enough, Spea and Amy step out of their room. Both stop, gaping at the two scantily dressed women. "What are you two doing dressed like that?!" the combat officer exclaims. "Is it Hallowe'en?!" "Oh, don't mind us, Spea-chan; we're just going to give Koosei-kun the time of his life!" Oyuki smiles. "Ta-ta." Both walk past the two. <> Honey frets. <> Oyuki grips her hand. Spea and Amy walk to the turbolift to take them to the bridge. Just as they step into the car, the coxswain breaks down in a peal of giggles. "Didn't they look ridiculous?!!" she falls to her knees, gripping her stomach. The doors close. "I dunno," Spea muses. "They did look kind of inviting. Maybe we should try it." "I didn't realize you were into S-and-M," Amy stares at her. "Only for you, love," Spea kisses her. Back in the hallway, Honey's face is now a violent cherry. "I told you they'd laugh!!" she gives Oyuki a withering stare. "S-s-sorry," Oyuki stammers, then both stop at Koosei's room. "Koosei-kun, it's us! Can we come in?!" "Sure," his voice echoes from inside. The door swooshes open, revealing Koosei in his bed reading a book. He lowers the volume, then his eyes widen in shock on seeing Oyuki and Honey standing at the door. "O-o-oyuki-ch-ch-chan!!" he stammers, his glasses fogging over. "Koosei-kun, you lonely man," Oyuki coos as she seductively shasays up to his side. "What are you doing all alone in this dark room?" Sitting down, she leans over his face, smiling hungrily as she takes his glasses off and sets them aside on the nightstand. "You weren't thinking of going off to be with someone else, were you?" she snarls, then glomps his mouth with hers, causing him to stiffen, then leans back. "I wouldn't like that!" *Lyna, she can sure press his buttons!* Honey gapes in awe as Oyuki straddles herself over him, her south gate poised right over his ram. *What have I got myself into here?! Du-oh, you did bond with her thinking Koosei-kun was dead, remember?!* Oyuki sits on Koosei's crotch, then blinks as an unwelcome feeling shoots up from her groin. Rising, she looks down to see his pants were flat. "Koosei-kun, he doesn't like me anymore!" she pouts, giving him a teary-eyed stare. Koosei stammers, shivers rocking his body from head to toe. Honey stares at his crotch as his ram stiffens and grows right before her eyes. "Lyna's Soul..." "That's better," Oyuki slinks back to his knees, then zips down his trousers, allowing that throbbing member to be free. "Oooh, hello, Mister Wonderful," she leans down, gently stroking the hard muscle with her fingers. "It's been a long time since I last saw you so healthy. I think I have to give you a physical." "O-o-oyuki-ch-ch-chan..." Koosei murmurs. She smiles at him, then leans up. Honey's eyes shoot out of her head as Oyuki swallows his ram wholesale, then she fights down a bout of nausea. Lyna, did she actually do THAT with him?! Yes, it was seen as acceptable on their home planets, but to waste fine sperm in the wrong place?! Did Oyuki actually swallow his seed before allowing it to flood her gate? Honey shakes her head, then looks back, seeing Oyuki staring concernedly at her. The Sagussan shrugs apologetically, then walks over to sit on the bed. "Try it," Oyuki smiles. Honey steels herself, then leans down as Oyuki gets clear. A tentative lick along one vein causes his ram to spasm suddenly, though no seed fires out. Thank Lyna he washed himself thoroughly down here after his time in regen; she, as a health specialist, knew what sort of critters could grow in this damp spot. Koosei blinks, his mind slowly recovering from the fog it always slipped into whenever Oyuki was playful with him. Someone's tongue was giving him a taste...and it wasn't his Oyuki-chan's! Looking down, he gapes on seeing Honey down there worshipping his engine. *What a brave woman!* his mouth opens, surprised that the Sagussan would overcome her inbred revulsion at doing it orally with him, then he reaches down to gently stroke the crimson locks of her hair. "It's okay, Honey-chan...you don't have to..." Honey stares at him, a flash of gratitude in her eyes, then she slides up to lay beside him. "I don't mind it...as long as you control yourself when I do it in the future," she huskily purrs as her hand slides up to his forehead. "After all, we can't waste your precious seed on anything else other than where it's supposed to go...right?" she hums as the back of her hand lands on him. Koosei howls as her meisuyang thunder past his shields to cause total havoc inside his nervous system. Fire lances out from his brain to heat up every point on his body as Honey draws her hand down his face, under the crook of his chin, then begins to unbutton his shirt. She sits up, her other hand sliding over to unsnap Oyuki's panties. "Get ready," she winks. Oyuki watches as Koosei's manhood shakes in anticipation as Honey's hand drifts ever so closely to it. Lyna and Koori, she was holding him fast, enticing him only as a Sagussan could, ensuring his member couldn't vent its pent-up heat until Oyuki was ready to receive it. Smiling, she decides to add to his pleasure as she leans down to take his member once more into her mouth. For Koosei, it was as if he was in a hot bath. Every point on his skin was on fire, his nerves overloading from Honey's assault. At the same time, his groin was boiling as Oyuki's ministrations tried to force him to let go. His orgasm was coming, he could feel it. Buddha, he wanted to let go so much, but something...someone ...was stopping him. He focuses on Honey, drawing figure eights on his exposed chest, her meisuyang ripping through his skin. Okay, two can play at that game. His hands reach up to gently cup her ears, then he draws his fingers down the line of his chin, his own psychic rams lancing out. Honey cries out as her own shields overload from the gentle touch, then she leans back up as Koosei works to free her breasts from their constraints. As soon as those large mounds were clear of silk and the bra tossed aside, his hands start to work on them, tweaking her nipples as he concentrates his psychic attack there, force her to let go of her precious milk. *Damn, he learns fast!* Honey bites her lips as her hands reach back to help his massage her aching breasts. Other hands, Oyuki's, leap down to unsnap her G-strings, then unsnaps her panties away from her moistening gate, then a finger gongs her tower, causing the Sagussan to cry out with delight. "She's ready," Oyuki smiles. Koosei shifts Honey onto him, sliding her down toward his ready love machine. Oyuki reaches down to guide Mister Wonderful into Honey's waiting gate, then once the initial insertion takes place, she wraps her arms around Honey's rib cage and boosts her into a sitting position, allowing Koosei to thrust all the way in. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH...OYUKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Honey screams out as her legs swing around. Thank Lyna she was as agile as a professional gymnast; that last manoeuvre would've thrown out her hip joints. With her legs in place as braces, she starts to rise up and down on his ram, concentrating her meisuyang on allowing him to finally release himself into her waiting gate. Koosei grunts as he moves to hold back...but in the game of psi-sex, he still was the novice and Honey the thoughtmistress. Still, with her concentrating on one place on his body, he could focus his attention there, mount a credible defence to frustrate Honey and force the game back to his playing field. Honey grunts as she tries to overcome his defence; it was hard enough to get him to let go with Oyuki coming at her from aft. Oyuki blinks as she senses what is happening, then slips off the bed to walk around to the level of Koosei's head, then hops back on, her gate right over his face. Her hands snake down to force him right into her love box, where her thighs would hold him fast and allow Honey the chance to make him let go. Below, Koosei blinks surprisedly on seeing Oyuki's musky gate not an inch from his nose, then without thinking, leans up to dig in. It is enough of a break in concentration for Honey to exploit; she fires a concentrated burst at his meija to make it let go of its precious cargo. His member quivers, then Honey screams out in wild delight as his seed floods her gate with its special warmth. Her orgasm hits, her meisuyang blazing into him like a storm. "KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-KUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!" she screams out as she rides his machine straight to Sagurei. Koosei muffled cry escapes from somewhere deep inside Oyuki's love box as he collapses, his arms flopping to one side as his member deflates, allowing Honey to dismount. "Oyuki-chan..." "Oyuki?!!" Honey snarls suddenly, leaning down to gaze at him. "Does THIS feel like Oyuki?!" Her hand grabs his member and forcefully jerks at it, her psi- bolts forcing his meija to commence creating new seed for her bond- mate. Koosei screams out in shock, then tenses as he feels Oyuki's annoyed stare lock on him. "Koosei-kun, don't you know by now that it's very bad luck to offend your surei'cha?!" she icily hums. Koosei slinks back; one thing he never did was get Oyuki angry at him. "He'll get the idea soon enough, love!" Honey snickers. "Get away from there; it's your turn!!" "Okay!" Oyuki smiles as she hops off the bed, then slides onto Koosei's legs, her hand reaching out to take over caressing Mister Wonderful. Once she's clear, Honey slides up to park her gate right over his face. "THIS is Honey, mister...and her gate wants a facial, right now!!" she grabs his head and rams his face straight in. Koosei gags as his nose and mouth are overwhelmed by Honey's musk. Damn, she smelt just like Bushi. Reminded of his Ipraedies lover, he wraps his hands around Honey's hips and digs in. Her finger taps his forehead. "I'm not Bushi, either!!" "He would confuse us with her, wouldn't he?" Oyuki laughs. Koosei shudders, the heat of his embarrassment firing through his body. He knew the exact circumstances surrounding Honey's and Oyuki's bonding. In a way, he was glad someone volunteered herself to step into his place. Still, he felt violated that someone had psi-bonded to Oyuki before he could say anything about it. He knew marei'cha traditionally came before surei'cha on Sagussa. Not in THIS relationship! He then feels Honey's content smile shower him with her own love. Koosei gulps as their eyes lock for a moment. "If she loves you, so can I," both seem to say. Honey guides his head back into her, her own hands caressing his scalp as she drops her psi-shields. Koosei and Oyuki shudder as that psychic storm overwhelms them, their own shields collapsing in response. Mavan'shagh. Time of no secrets. They freeze for what seems an eternity as the experiences of three lifetimes, three people of three different worlds drawn together by Fate, flood through their souls like a whirlpool, catching them, holding them, then letting them go as the circle is finally complete, the three finally a family in the eyes of those who could truly see. Time reverts to normal as Oyuki's thrusting on Koosei's ram picks up speed. Koosei digs into Honey's gate with gusto, his tongue lapping up her juices and some of his spent seed to give her love box a thorough cleaning. He then jolts as his stiff member slides into someone else's gate. Oyuki. With that, he begins to gyrate his hips to give the Tritonian the ride of her life. A surprised cry escapes Oyuki's lips as she leans back, her own hips shifting to force Koosei to release himself one more time. The thunderstorm of a roaring orgasm rocks the Tritonian as Koosei's ram finally sends Oyuki flying to Sagurei. His member explodes deep in her body, flooding her with his special warmth, then as his own orgasm hits, he rams both his nose and tongue into Honey's gate, causing her to soar to that heavenly place in her bond-mate's wake. Koosei's strength finally fades as his arms fall from Honey's hips, his head dropping to the pillow as he takes in several ragged breaths to regain oxygen. Honey collapses back, feeling Oyuki's arms gently catch her as both try not to fall off the bed, allowing their own bodies to recover. A minute passes, then Honey slides off Koosei, sitting down to unsnap her garter and slip off her stockings. Oyuki rises, tossing aside her bra, garter and stockings, then both move to slide Koosei's shirt and trousers off. Blankets are drawn back as the two women cover themselves and their life-mate. Koosei's arm gently holds them in place as Honey and Oyuki hold hands over his heart. There was no need to say anything more; they knew what had happened and knew they wouldn't change it for the world... * * * "...so my pastor proclaimed that he would organize the Cult of Nagisa next month since there were enough people to take interest," Daiza laughs as he sips his brandy. Damn, that was dry...but since Nagisa's bond-mate Rabby had personally distilled it, he wouldn't make any negative comments. "Right now, I'll bet he's in jail back on Phentax Four. Wait until he finds out that you're a girl!" Everyone laughs as they drink up. The women hosting their new friends had slipped into relaxed clothing just before Daiza and Hirosa arrived. "So what're you going to do now?" Lufy wonders. "I mean, with what's just happened." "No one's said anything," Hirosa sighs. "I guess we're all taking time to think it all through before making any decisions. None of this has reached the fleet heading for Earth; are you sure it's wise to keep them in the dark?" "The only way a revolution succeeds is for popular support to firm up before the military can intervene," Rabby finishes her brandy. "Even better, split the military and get the part which aligns itself with the revolutionaries ready before the other half could react. I doubt the fleet admirals will want to attack the homeworlds with their ground troops, the home defence units and the System Destroyers all in the hands of the new government." "But as long as Oogi lives, he could still sway people to his side," Hirosa bites his lips. "We'll just have to get rid of him then," Rabby cocks her fingers, then pulls the trigger. "Precision strike. Great thing about dictatorships; when you get rid of the dictator, there'll be hell to pay for anyone who tries to take his place." "Let's just pray it doesn't cost too many lives," Catty pours the rest of the brandy into her glass. Everyone stares at the empty bottle. "Awwww..." "Well, let's finish this off," Catty drowns the shot in one gulp, "...then go down to the rec deck." "What'll we do there?" Daiza wonders. "You'll see," Catty titters. The seven walk out of the room, then crowd a turbolift to the warpsloop's recreation room, located on the keel of the main hull. It looks like the sitting room of a hunting lodge on Earth, painted in subdued colours. Large couches which could be remade into beds line three sides of a coffee table, the whole sitting on very thick fur rugs. A fireplace sits on the forward bulkhead. Aft, there is an exercise hall and doors leading to the ship's small pool. "Nice place," Hirosa whistles as they sit down around the coffee table. Catty turns on the fireplace, allowing the warmth to spread through the room. "Ah, that's feels great," she sighs, then slips off her tank top, then steps out of her jogging shorts. "Now, we take our clothes off and soak up the heat." Daiza and Hirosa gulp fearfully as Lufy and Rabby strip to their birthday suits. Ryuunosuke and Nagisa exchange surprised looks, then the latter shrugs, then stands to undress. "Ah, why not?" Ryuunosuke sighs as she rises, slipping off her T-shirt. Both men's eyes dance lasciviously over the bodies of their hosts, stopping over their firm mounds upstairs and the trimmed forests partially obscuring their love boxes downstairs. Daiza stares in awe at Ryuunosuke, surprised that the tomboy-turned-pilot is in such good shape. Yes, he once worshipped Nagisa, but why would he NOT desire the other Terran-turned-Sagussan? After all, even now Nagisa loved Ryuunosuke. Likewise, Hirosa's eyes swam over Nagisa, awed that as a woman, she is perfect in every way. "I thought as much," Catty muses as she kneels beside Daiza, her hand exploring the bulge in his trousers. "Daiza-kun, Ryuu- chan's never had the chance to see what a man can do for a woman. Would you like to help us show her how wonderful that could be?" "Y-y-yes, ma'am..." he stammers, shuddering. Catty and Lufy kneel beside him, the former undoing his trousers while the latter peels off his shirt. Ryuunosuke walks up, her eyes widening on seeing his quivering manhood now exposed. While feeling the arousal her bond-mates felt on coming close to achieving their fulfilment, another thought crosses the tomboy's mind: THIS was the big deal between men and women? "Ryuu-chan still doesn't understand," Catty gently kisses Daiza, then gazes at her. "Come here, Ryuu-chan." Ryuunosuke walks over, sitting on the table. Lufy guides one of her hands to gently grasp his throbbing member. "Easy, now... don't squeeze," Catty warns. "Just move your hand up and down it; that excites him more. Go on now." Ryuunosuke nods, gently stroking the hardening muscle. It was warm to the touch, yet she still couldn't fully comprehend what was the big deal. Still, her empathic senses were detecting a growing hunger inside him, his eyes locked on her as he wordlessly urged her to pick up the pace. Going to her knees, she gently increases the tempo. That causes him to cry out in shock, making her let go. "What did I do?!!" she shudders. "It's okay!!" Catty calms her. "He wants you to do that! Go on; don't stop now!!" Meanwhile, Rabby has divested Hirosa of all his clothing, then started pumping his engine. Nagisa watches this with disinterest; after all, when she still had that particular appendage, she did it to herself all the time. No big deal. Rabby notices that, then maintaining her strokes, helps Hirosa off the couch and onto the thick carpet just before the fireplace and lays him down. Once he is relaxed, Rabby squats on his legs, increasing the strokes as she begins to psionically urge him to give up his precious seed. Nagisa sits down beside Hirosa, who now appears quite content. He then stares at her, his hand reaching up to gently stroke her cheek. "As a woman, you're very beautiful." "Thank you," she smiles, then leans down. Their kiss is gentle and tender. Nagisa then adjusts herself to lay beside him. "I wish I could say something good back to you," she shrugs. "I'm still too used to seeing women as the object of my desire, not men." "It's okay," he kisses her, his hand tracing her hair. "Nagisa-chan, may I give you pleasure?" Nagisa blinks, her heart fluttering at his gentle request, then she nods. Hirosa guides her to sit on his chest, then slide her gate over his mouth. Taking a whiff of her musky scent, he gently reaches in, stroking his nose on her tower before taking a tentative lick. Nagisa gasps in surprise on feeling his wonderful tongue go to work on her gate, then shudders as a wave of erotic energy lashes into her from behind. Looking back, she gapes on seeing Rabby shift herself onto his ram, then settle in. Hirosa gasps as his manhood thrusts into Rabby's gate, then he starts to pump in and out. Fortunately, Nagisa and Ryuunosuke had long ago eliminated their bond-mates' doors, so the entry doesn't cause Rabby any discomfort. The Niphentaxian finds his attention divided between thrusting into Rabby and licking Nagisa's gate clean, the latter an impossible task since her gate's juices were flooding her thanks to his gonging her tower. Rabby gently squeezes Nagisa's plump mounds, Hirosa's hands reaching up to assist. Nagisa moans with delight as her body is caressed and touched by two people wanting her to have the time of her life. At the same time, Hirosa's engine thrusts in and out of Rabby's gate, the heat in his loins building to critical mass. Sensing that it was soon time, Rabby pulls away from Nagisa, her hands reaching down to gently massage Hirosa's groin, her meisuyang firing in a final burst of energy which sends him over the top. The pilot howls with delight as Hirosa's seed floods her gate, her orgasm's energy racing through her primary bond to trigger Nagisa's. The former waitress gasps suddenly as her hips lock up, her juices probably drowning Hirosa along the way. As she falls forward, her eyes glance down to see him lapping every bit of it up, giving her a thorough cleaning before his energy is exhausted and he collapses to the rug, panting contently. His eyes lock on hers, a flash of love and desire gently caressing her heart. "Were you pleased, Nagisa-chan?" he smiles. "Oh, yes," Nagisa nods. "Will you give me more pleasure?" "Your wish is my command." Nagisa takes a deep breath, then moves to position herself over his groin, Rabby gently sliding out of the way. Meanwhile, Daiza had been moved behind a couch so he could lay back and enjoy Catty and Lufy fulfilling their desires. Ryuunosuke sits to his side, her hand absently stroking her tower as Lufy poises herself over his rock-hard engine, then slides it into her gate. The pilot howls with delight as she begins to pump him for all he's worth. Catty sits behind Lufy, her hands kneading the latter's breasts as she kisses the bare of her neck and collar, the former's meisuyang running rampant through Lufy's nervous system. Daiza himself is having the time of his life. His first sexual encounter and it was with three beautiful women. Though one was still hesitant on the idea of him invading her. He glances right to gaze at Ryuunosuke, his breath taken away by her well-sculptured form, the perky breasts she once bound so tightly and the triangle of black curly hair framing her inviting gate. She blinks as she feels him staring at her, then gazes at him. A touch of anger floods up from inside, typical annoyance she felt on sensing a man stare at her. However, she couldn't blame him for staring; they were all starkers and sooner or later, she would have to be with a guy if she ever wanted to have children. Trying his best to ignore Lufy's wild pumping on him, Daiza reaches out to touch Ryuunosuke's cheek. Automatically, her hand fires up to block him, then sensing his peaceful intentions, allows him to trace a finger along her chin line. He stops at the tip of her chin, then traces up to gently explore her lips. Ryuunosuke watches him, trying to sense any hostile intent but finding none. He really liked her, wanted to be close to her but wouldn't allow himself to be directly solely by his lusts. That fills her with a touch of warmth. "Sorry," she smiles. "I ain't really used to having a guy get this close to me." "I'm not used to having three girls be this close to me..." he counters, then suddenly grits his teeth. Ryuunosuke tenses as worry shoots through her, then her body quivers involuntarily as Daiza fires his load deep into Lufy's gate, the flood of her orgasm racing into Catty and Ryuunosuke so they could share in her delight. Ryuunosuke's hands reach down to massage her throbbing tower and dampening gate, her own body heating up in response to Lufy's sudden blast-off to Sagurei. As the blonde pilot allows herself to dismount Daiza's deflating manhood, Catty reaches up to invigorate it with new life. The Niphentaxian moans as the doctor savagely thrusts at him, a new flood racing into his groin in response. Ryuunosuke watches with awe as his manhood, which seemed to peter into nothingness for a moment there, surges back to full strength as Catty preps it for her gate. Damn, he must be in real pain after having Lufy go at him. "Hey, hey, slow down there, Cats!" she calls out. "Don't rush it! Fuck, you're really gonna hurt him!!" Catty ignores her as she slides herself up to insert his ram into her waiting gate. Lyna, finally she can relax and have some real fun. Finding Hirosa and Daiza had been a real coup; she doubted that Nagisa or Ryuunosuke would've wanted to get anywhere close to Ataru even after he calmed down. Still, she and Lufy would pay their respects to the Daimon'cha when the chance came. After all, he was as much a part of their intimate family as they were a part of Ryuunosuke's and Nagisa's. Daiza moans as the slender doctor begins to rock and roll on his love machine with a vigour he'd never expect from a Tritonian! With Lufy and Ryuunosuke off to either side, he concentrates on Catty, thrusting in and out in a frenzy as he tries to appease her quickly so he could get to the one HE wanted before fatigue finally overcame him. Catty keeps up with him, not even bothering to fire her own psi-bolts to force him to pick up the pace. In a minute, his member erupts anew, sending another shower into Catty, her orgasm rocking her from head to toe simultaneously. Lufy and Ryuunosuke shudder as Catty's empathic burst floods them, but it wasn't as bad as when the blonde pilot took flight to Sagurei; most of the doctor's energy is focused on herself and quenching her desires. Catty drops to her hands, breathing out as she tries to replenish her oxygen, then she leans down to give Daiza a chaste kiss. "Thank you," she smiles, rising off him. The Niphentaxian groans as he rolls to one side, the pain in his groin not debilitating but still noticeable. Oh, Goddess, he never thought a woman like Catty could be THAT rough! Blinking, his vision clears to reveal that he is starting right at a triangle of black pubic hair. Wait a moment; Catty had no hair down there and Lufy was a real blonde, which meant... "What're you staring at?!" Ryuunosuke demands. By now, Nagisa has knelt herself on Hirosa's legs, her hand hesitantly reaching out to his quivering member. "It's okay," he nods. "I know you're scared. It won't hurt you." Nagisa bites her lip, then gently wraps her fingers around it. My, it was as big as hers whenever Nagisa went off to the washroom to relieve the unique desires a man experienced. Nodding, she begins a gentle stroking, feeling the blood rush into the muscle as nerves click in to prepare Hirosa to fill another woman's gate with his precious seed. Licking her lips...this wasn't so bad!...she leans down to gently exhale on his tip. Hirosa cries out as that fire rips through his whole body, then stares wide-eyed on seeing Nagisa supposedly ready to devour him wholesale. "Must you do that?!" Rabby feels her stomach turn over. Nagisa winks, knowing her bond-mate's revulsion, then turns back to exhale anew on his throbbing tip. Hirosa gasps as he writhes under her prodding, hoping to do something to chase her breaths away. Nagisa smiles as she keeps him in place. Once in the washroom, a cold wind had whipped through while Nagisa had relieved herself at the urinal, causing her no end of delight. It was nice to know that other men could take pleasure in having someone gently exhale on his member. "I think you're ready," she muses as she slides herself up, poising herself over him, then gently sits down. Hirosa's hands slide under her thighs to ease her descent, then he cries out in delight as Nagisa's gate takes his manhood in wholesale. Nagisa gasps suddenly, then her body shudders as another flood of warmth flows through her. Remembering what Rabby did to make Hirosa send her to Sagurei, she begins a gentle rocking motion with her hips and knees, allowing her to slide up and down on his ram as they began the steady march up the stairway to bliss. "Can you switch to the bottom?" he grunts. "My hips can't take much more of this!" "Oh...okay!" Nagisa nods. Rabby slides to Nagisa's side, easing her bond-mate onto one arm. Once the pressure is off, Hirosa tucks his legs in, then cupping Nagisa's hips, boosts himself on one elbow so she could lay on the rug and he could relax on his knees, getting better leverage to thrust into her. This was also a good way to introduce their north gates, which Hirosa takes advantage of immediately. At first hesitant, Nagisa feels her revulsion at a man invading her body flood away as he gives her a series of chaste yet gentle kisses, then throwing her arms around him, drowns him with a monster lip- lock that nearly takes his breath away. Hirosa pants as he continues to pump Nagisa's gate for oil, leaning on his hands to give him the best leverage possible. Soon enough, that familiar rush rips from every corner of his body into his groin, causing his member to let got of his precious seed a second time, flooding Nagisa's gate and triggering her own erotic launch to Cloud Nine. She cries out, her arms tightly embracing him as she hangs on for dear life, awaiting the moment before her own body would cool down. In a minute, she feels his deflated member slip out of her damp gate. Hirosa tries not to collapse over her though he was sorely tempted; he didn't want to crush Nagisa after giving her such pleasure. Leaning down to kiss her, he lowers himself to his side as he gazes into her brown eyes. "Were you pleased?" "Oh, yes," she kisses him, allowing him to gently hold her against his well-honed chest, the fatigue finally catching up. "Oh, yes, that was sheer pleasure..." Rabby slides up to embrace Nagisa from behind, the three allowing themselves to doze off by the light of the fire. Meanwhile, Daiza was wondering whether or not Ryuunosuke would sock him through the deckhead. The tomboy was fighting down her own embarrassment on feeling his gaze touch her most private place, a place she had only permitted herself, Nagisa, Rabby, Lufy and Catty to touch before. Still, she did strip in front of him, so she had some responsibility for attracting his attention...and she was very warm after delighting in her bond-mates fulfilling their desires with him. Daiza looks over his shoulder to see Catty and Lufy dozing by the couch, the pilot in the crook of the doctor's arm. Both stare dim-eyed at him, their smiles urging him to give Ryuunosuke a taste of what he gave them. Sighing, he stares at Ryuunosuke, offering a friendly smile. "Why are you ashamed of people staring at you?" "'Cause it causes trouble!" Ryuunosuke sighs. "Look, man..." "Ryuu-chan," he bites his lips, then blinks. *Did I call her THAT?!?!* he mentally exclaims. "The more you deny your beauty, the more trouble you'll have fully accepting that you're a woman, both in your mind AND in your heart. Men will look at you. Men will want to get close to you. There's no reason for you to fight their attention when it's just looking. If they say something offensive or try to touch you, then yeah, get angry. But if they're just looking at you, don't let it bother you so much." Ryuunosuke blinks. "Yeah, I suppose I shouldn't react so badly when it's as simple as that..." "Ryuu-chan, I desire you very much," Daiza admits. "And if you let me, I will give you as much pleasure as I can. If you don't want it, I can stop right here and now...especially after these two had their way with me," he thumbs Lufy and Catty, now gently snoring, content smiles on their faces. "They really let you have it, huh?" Ryuunosuke smiles, then looks over to see Nagisa relaxing in Hirosa's embrace. "Well, if Nagisa-chan can do it, so can I." Daiza smiles as Ryuunosuke slides over so they can stare each other in the eye. He slides one arm around her, then gently draws her face to his. Their first kiss is a gentle peck, then they firmly press their lips together. Ryuunosuke slides her arm around him as their mouths open, their tongues seeking the other out as his hand gently sides over the curve of her hips, stroking her buttocks but not sliding dangerously close to her gate. Ryuunosuke pulls back, then reaches down with her free hand to his stiffening ram. "Shit, you men really don't get enough, do you?" she smiles as her fingers gently caress his engine. "Neither do you women," he reaches down to play with her nipples, his thumbs flecking the tips to get them really hard, then he leans down to draw one into his mouth. Ryuunosuke pants as Daiza laps at her nipple, the warm burst causing her to speed up on his ram. She doesn't go too fast; after watching Catty, she knew that overexciting him wouldn't allow him the chance to really enjoy it. Both her hands reach for his ram, steadily stroking it up-and-down, up-and-down the whole length, causing it to shudder in anticipation of releasing its built-up cargo somewhere, even into open air. Daiza bites his lips as he feels the heat build within him, then he rises up to deliver another warm kiss. "Ryuu-chan, I'm gonna have to let go soon. I don't think Eluza-san would like her carpet wrecked because of it." Ryuunosuke stares at him, then takes a deep breath in. Point of no return, she realizes, then nods. They share another deep kiss, then she gazes at him. "How do you want me?" "Just lay on your back; I still got enough in me to handle this," he shifts her onto her back, then poises himself over her. "I'll try not to lean too much into you." Ryuunosuke nods, spreading and bending her legs so he could have better access. Daiza looks down as he directs his member right into her tower, gonging it once and causing Ryuunosuke to howl with delight, then with his hand, forces it into her wet gate. "Here I go," he pushes down on his hips. The tomboy sucks in her breath as this *thing* fills her gate to the bursting point. Oh, shit, he was so damn BIG; Nagisa's or Lufy's hands couldn't compare to what Daiza was using on her. At the same time, a content buzz rushes up from her groin as the rightness of it all comes to her. She is a woman, she was always a woman, she will always be a woman. Everyone who cared for her, liked her, loved her knew that and had moved to help her realize it with as minimal cost to her self-esteem as possible. Now she could be really happy. Daiza leans down to kiss her as he picks up the tempo of his thrusts, keeping them from being too violent to spare both him and Ryuunosuke the pain of rushing to a quick release. Ryuunosuke jolts every time he fills her gate with his ram, her breasts bouncing up and down in rhythm to him. They gaze into the other's eyes for a moment, then tenderly kiss. "Am I going too fast?" Daiza wonders. "Nah, nah...I'm okay!" Ryuunosuke nods. "Are you hurting? You can slow down if you want." "Not with you," he kisses her again. Ryuunosuke grins, then relaxes as she allows the warmth building in her groin to flood her. Daiza continues to drill for oil. Time seems to stand still for them both, their only desire being to reach that special high the others had touched that evening. Finally, Daiza feels his body quiver as his member fires his seed for the third time into a woman's warm gate, triggering Ryuunosuke's orgasm as both tightly embrace the other, hanging on for dear life as he empties himself into her. Both pant as their energy finally fades, then Daiza slips out of her, laying back as he gazes at the deckhead. Ryuunosuke reaches down to feel herself, then over to massage his aching muscle before relaxing in the crook of his arm. "It wasn't too bad," she muses. "But still, I can't understand all the hoopla everyone crows about this, y'know..." "It comes with time," he kisses her forehead, then stares at her. "After all, that was your first time with a man, wasn't it?" "Yeah," she nods. "Did you enjoy it?" He smiles as a snide thought comes to him. "As a priest might say, Ryuunosuke-sama...it was a revelation." She jolts, then both enjoy a brief laugh before wrapping their arms around the other and allowing sleep to take them... * * * "Give me two," Ataru holds out his hand. Noa deals two cards. The Daimon'cha and his would-be family sit around a circular table, cards in hand, a pile on the deck and discarded clothing scattered around them. Ataru stares at his new hand, then bites his lips as he waits for Shinobu to make a play. Everyone had come to the strip poker game wearing five items of clothing: sweatshirt, T-shirt/bra, sweatpants, underwear/panties and socks/stockings (garter belts didn't count). Right now, Ataru was down to his boxers, Sylia and Shinobu to panties, Noa to panties and stockings, Lum matching that plus bra. Ataru certainly didn't mind the view, though his poker game needed a lot of improvement. He never played strip poker with Lum before; the way she mopped the floor with him in regular poker, he didn't want to risk her raping him if they played this way. "I call," Shinobu places her cards down. "Three hearts." "I got four diamonds," Sylia puts her hand down. "I got three clubs," Noa sighs. "I got four tens," Lum puts her hands down. "Darling?" Ataru sighs, then puts down his hand. "Four spades." The women gape on seeing which spades they were. "That's a flush!" Noa exclaims. "Jack, queen, king and ace AND a joker!!" "You mean...I won?!!" Ataru stammers. Sighing, Sylia and Shinobu slip off their panties, Noa takes off her stockings and Lum slips off her bra. Ataru whistles on seeing the exposed skin, then stares at his hand. "Lum...if you've been cheating on me before..." he icily gazes at the Oni. Lum shudders. "Of course not, Darling!" she laughs. Noa, Ataru and Shinobu gaze in disbelief at her. "Alright, I did bend the rules!!" Lum flushes. "After all, Darling, I wanted to play strip poker with you a lot! It could've been a nice way for you to finally show you love me!!" Ataru smiles. "What do you think?" he gazes at the others. "I say Lum better get naked, now!" Shinobu crosses her arms. "Imagine that, using every underhanded trick in the book to force Ataru-kun to submit to her! No wonder he refused her every time! No one in their right mind would marry that sort of person!!" "Shinobu-chan, please..." Ataru winces on seeing tears brim Lum's eyes. "She's long apologized for that." The Oni smiles as Ataru sweeps up the cards, then shuffles them for a new game. "Okay, deuces and eights wild, five cards." He deals to everyone, including Shinobu and Sylia. The five take up their hands. Ataru winces on seeing his hand; all low cards, only two hearts. Lum shudders on seeing a jack-queen-king string. An ace or joker would nail it for her. Rubbing her damp gate, she knew she needed Ataru to get inside her as soon as he can. Beside her, Noa glances at the two aces in her deck, plus the joker. All she needed was another ace and she'd skunk Ataru, then she could concentrate on Lum. "I want one," she holds up a finger. Ataru deals one: second joker. "I'll take two," Lum discards a four and a six, then takes the two in: an ace and a ten. "I call," the Oni smiles, placing her cards down. "Flush." "Try four aces," Noa holds up her hands, icily smiling. "Oooh!!" Lum and Ataru howl as she takes off her stockings and he slips off his boxers, relieved that his stiffening ram could finally express itself without constraints. Shinobu and Sylia are the first to notice. "I think we can stop the game now," the latter smiles as she walks over to gently caress his throbbing manhood. "Besides, it's down to one-on-one and I'm not in the mood to wait!" "Sylia..." Ataru sighs contently. Noa and Lum gaze at him, then exchange a smile. "Shall we?" the former nods to the large bed awaiting them. "Let's!" the latter smiles. With that, the five stand and move to lay down on the vast mattress, Lum and Noa slipping off their panties at the same time. The four women surround Ataru as Sylia continues to gently stroke away on his love engine. "Syl-chan, wait!" Shinobu blows in her ear. "We have to bond first, remember!!" "Lyna, you Catholics really like to prolong the pain, don't you?!" Sylia pouts, crossing her arms, then drowns Shinobu with a kiss. "Anything for you, love." Shinobu meows contently, then everyone exchanges looks. "All ashore who's going ashore?" Ataru wonders. No refusal. Sighing, Ataru reaches out to touch Lum's and Shinobu's faces. They touch his, then their bond-mates. Noa and Sylia complete the circle. "Ready?" Noa takes a deep breath. Everyone breathes in, then concentrates, their psi-shields lowering as their minds flood through their nervous systems to visit each other's memories, touch each other's mei'na as they begin to forge the bond which would make them a family. Instead of the wild jumble Ryuunosuke and her brood endured, everyone here paces themselves, visiting each other's mind in succession as they explore the inner secrets of the ones they love the most. Ataru is first. His memories begin with the distant image of someone very close to him, closer than anyone in this room could ever be, someone taken away from him very young, when he was still a babe. The women see a face just like his save for the dimple on his cheek, a physically weak, frail boy whose natural intelligence endeared him to their parents. Their parents...? <> Lum exclaims. Sadness floods them as they feel Ataru's pain at Kaeru's loss. Nokoko enters the scene. Once believed to be first cousin, she then reveals herself to be none other than Ataru's older sister, sent to his uncle to be raised away from her sibling. No one would ever come as close as Nokoko to being Ataru's true soul-mate...and because of their parents' uncertainty, the siblings' hearts were broken the day Komeru revealed the truth and Nokoko fled into some strange light, never to be seen again. Happiness floods them at the same time. The first meeting with the four year old Lum in the snows near Sendai. Tagging her horns, she vowing to love him, then Noa came to make it permanent with an innocent psi-bonding. Shinobu enters the picture as Ataru starts living full-time in Tomobiki. Shortly after that came the shadow-tag race with Elle. Noa again. A trip to a distant star, a barren world filled with pretty women who only desired to learn how to love people. The love they exchanged, the revelations Ataru made possible...then the pain of their parting, a parting just as painful as Nokoko's running away. Ataru coming back to Earth, happy yet now...unfulfilled, wanting something more for himself. The search begins. His subconscious beats the same drum time and time again: find nice girls. Innocent at first, then becoming increasingly complicated as puberty sets in, unleashing a whole new set of factors. Trying to forge a relationship with Shinobu while his subconscious was screaming it wasn't enough. The First Tag Race. Lum. The attraction, then the frustration. A desperate ploy which, mixed with an innocent slip of words...was it actually a slip?...that would forever alter many people's destinies. More pain. His estrangement with Shinobu, Ten-chan, Sakura, Cherry, Rei, the bodyguards. People wanting him to solve their problems, blaming him for disasters out of his control. One call to Nagaiwakai would've solved it right there...or would it? Lum was so innocent; against a Righteous Gentile who only saw Lum as a monster smashing her beloved grandson's happiness, the Oni was as helpless as a kitten. Stay silent, play dumb, act the fool, don't reveal the truth. Hope, pray it gets better. It didn't. Mendou comes next, then the break with Shinobu. Anger, hatred, frustration...then a slow revelation. Why hadn't Lum left? Why did she want to be with someone as simple as him with much better men throwing themselves all over her? Could he really know happiness with just one woman? Was it possible...that he loved Lum? Confusion, uncertainty. Elle returns, then the Sunin remind him that he wasn't alone after all. Nagaiwakai had become his legal guardian; he could walk away if he wanted to with no cost to himself. But what about Lum? Did regaining his own sense of peace meant...that he would lose Lum? Try to think it out...no! Still play the fool, keep everyone from suspecting the truth. More faces, more names, still not the right one to lead him back to his dream. Still the blame, the disgust and hatred from everyone around him. No, don't show your hand just yet. If it gets too far, the Sunin pound them back into their place. The Second Tag Race, bottom line. Solves everything yet it solves nothing, then...Noa. Finally, he had his answers. <> Lum sobs. <> <> Ataru soothes her. <> <<*Tcha*...>> Lum comes next. Growing up a privileged child on a beautiful world, with doting parents and many friends, something Ataru could barely claim even on his best day. A father who, while scary to others, became a big teddy bear for his beloved daughter. A mother who did everything for her. New faces. Nassur, wise teacher and big brother, vagabond from a broken society, orphan and renegade, yet never letting it push him down. Benten, Oyuki, Prim, the Prince, Chara, Sil Dedron, Lan... Then one day, she falls through Triton's Central Warp Chamber. A strange world, where was she? I wanna go home! Two kind faces, a boy and a girl. Ataru...ugh, what type of parents did he have who'd call him **that?**...and Nokoko. Ataru tags her horns. She thinks he's cute, then agrees to marry him. More faces. Komeru, an older Ataru with goatee and moustache. Nagaiwakai, a part- Vosian Righteous Gentile living on Earth. Crash through the window, a sandpanther...Alphonse! Then...Noa! She would take him away from her Darling. No, no, I want to stay, don't take me away, please don't take me away, Noa-sama!! Then comes a promise, an invisible link between Oni and Terran. "You'll never be parted." Return to Uru, growing up in Onishuto as a daughter of the nobility. Rei comes next, dashing and handsome yet dumb as the proverbial brick. Nassur returns to teach her how to use her powers. Cinba dies. Lum grows tired, then walks away from Rei. The mission to Earth, she has to fight someone. Deception, yet against the Ipraedies and the Dominion, necessary. Humph, simple person. No contest...hey, give me my good clothes back!! Here they are, come get it...now I can be married! What?! Did he really mean me? Does he love me?! Oh, yes! Yes, yes, I will!! Loneliness, frustration, anger, jealousy. Doesn't Darling know, doesn't he understand that a husband has to be loyal to his wife? Who gave this woman Shinobu the right to be with him? Ten- chan comes, a touch of home. Rei comes...ugh, forget it! More girls, more diversions for Darling. What about me? Why can't he look at me? Why wouldn't these other boys leave me alone?! She had Darling, that was all she wanted! Oh, good, Shinobu's gone now...WHAT?!?! Someone ELSE wants to marry Darling?! No chance, I won't let that hussy take him away from me! Hurray, Darling said "yes!!" Oooh, there he goes again, chasing another girl... Ouch!! Who WERE those guys in black?! Why did they say that no marriage existed between Darling and me; didn't they know he said "yes?" Two weeks in hospital; Darling didn't visit even once. Back to the same routine, week in, week out. Yet...a smile, a kind word, a willingness to bend just a bit. Oh, yes, he does love me! Does he? The pseudo-war, another visit by the Big Men in Black. At least I didn't get hurt; too bad about everyone else. Darling vanishes again; where does he go all these times?! Then Rupa comes along...WHAT?!?! How could Great-grandpa do THAT to me?! Darling comes to the rescue like he always does, then...he wants to marry Carla?! How could he?!! Does he...hate me?! No, no, I won't let him get away with it, not this time!! It ends now, one way or another! Still he doesn't say it!! Where'd those wind-daisies come from?! Oh, no, if Darling learns, he could quit the race and walk away! Think, think...yes!! Threaten to erase everyone's memories; that should get him to say it. No, he still stays quiet. Last day, why won't he say it? Does he hate me THAT much? "I won't forget you!" He...he had my old horns all along! He loves me!! He loves me, oh Darling! Another visit by the BMiB. Too bad about everyone else; who gave THEM the right to judge how Darling and I would run our relationship...what?! Honii-sama, Syl-sama...Noa-sama!! Darling's THAT?!?! He'll do THAT to me?! No, no...oh, yes! Yes, finally, he loves me... <> Ataru smiles. Lum flushes. <> Shinobu wonders. More embarrassment. <<'Sex-crazed idiot.'>> Ataru mentally falls flat on his face! Shinobu falls over laughing, Noa and Sylia trying not to loose control of themselves. Noa. Born nine centuries ago, a bioroid warrior created from the DNA of a small child, moulded using stolen technology to free Uru from the Dominion. A sister, Honey. The final fight. Death, then rebirth in a strange ship, a new mission. Daishi'cha #19282, a government minister, one of the first mothers for a new race thousands of light-years away, separate from the worlds which first birth them. The years in cryo-sleep, the endless discussions in the Dreamscape, new friends and companions. Last Daishi'cha found. No, we need to understand emotions, how could we be good mothers if we cannot emote?! Search for a Daimon'cha. Fourteen years ago. An Oni girl trapped on Earth. An independent hunter, Cinba, looking in the wrong place. Go to Sendai. Send Alphonse to find her. He comes back. Oh, why is she so excited? Why is she so sad? Lum...Ram? No, it cannot be! Ataru...Atar? Is it possible? Could it be...them? Reborn after all the millennia in these two people? Yes, yes, it is them! No choice. Help them, let them be together. My, Ataru likes women. Go back again. He's in Tomobiki now. Oh, someone wants to have sexual intercourse with me. Why are they so angry...wait. "Leave her alone!!" They move to punish him, no, no, I cannot allow that rei'cha to be hurt. Draw a pistol, chase them away...eh? What does he want? A rose? "Here you are," he says. What is the logic of presenting a flower? Could he be the one we require? Follow him. Yes, yes, he's perfect. See him again. "Do you wish to meet many more women?" Oh, he agrees! Excellent. The trip to Sagussa, meeting the other Daishi'cha. Then the changes begin. Smiles, laughter, tears, sorrow, anger, curiosity, lust, love, loneliness. All this in two months! He IS the one. Yes, everyone agrees...what?! Keep him here?! He has family back home; the culture shock could kill him! Yes, send him back. Good-bye, Ataru, we will return. More changes. What happened to Iiiieo? Did she actually go to Earth to watch over Ataru? Oh, what could they do? Work as Duty Daishi'cha. Once a year, visit Earth to look in on Ataru. My, he still loves women...who's this? Shinobu? Nice girl; did I make a mistake in bonding Ataru to Lum? Buy an apartment, tour the planet, keep an eye on Ataru. Yes, these people would make excellent allies once Ataru is ready. Eh?! The Urusians want to invade Earth? LUM?!?! Oh, Lyna, this was perfect...yes!! She'll stay with him! What?! Why's he chasing all those other women? Doesn't he remember his Other?! WHAT?!?! How dare those kimei'ne punish Ataru for that; are they THAT blind?! How could Lum be that irresponsible?! How could Ataru not see the truth?! Damn, it IS Ram and Atar in Toghmoghbiki all over again! Should we go in...no, not now! Galactic situation is too tense; one false move could lead to Armageddon. Ah, Ataru's grandmother and great-grandmother are keeping a loose control on things; good for them. Well, Ataru seems to be warming up to Lum, thank Lyna. She should learn to loosen up some more, though. I hope the rest of those kimei'ne would learn to leave them alone finally. Yeah, right, the denizens of a tomobiki would actually leave Ataru and Lum alone...and nightlizards could fly! Ki, this is such a pain; maybe get Lufy and Priss down here to teach them some lessons in manners...eh?! Erase the memories of everyone there? Not a bad idea; good place to start all over again...ah, so it was fake! No problem...what?! Koosei's dead? The Niphentaxians are involved now...no, no, protect Ataru, protect Lum...yes, yes, finally they understand, thank Lyna... <> Ataru muses. <> Lum adds. Noa nods her thanks, then comes Shinobu's turn, then Sylia's. Finally, they feel their minds return to their proper bodies, then their hands drift apart as they begin to chant their vows, their identity, they love. At last, at last, they were one... * * * To be continued...^Z