From gorgo@kwangju.net Sat Dec 20 00:17:12 1997 Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 13:37:19 +0900 From: Fred Herriot Subject: [fanfic][lemon][UY] "A Remarkable Destiny" Part IX "Good morning, Princess." Lum's eyes flutter open as she finds herself in a well-lit room somewhere. Glancing at the doorway, she notices that there's a force-field barrier barring her from the outside. A holding cell. Just great. She then senses someone standing by her head. Looking up, she gazes into a face weathered by time and tragedy, a face that was familiar to her even though she had never met him; he had "died" some years before her birth. "Colonel Gaylan...?" she gasps, slowly rising to her elbows. "I trust you had a good few day's rest, Princess," the colonel icily smiles. "Sonic grenades can do that to people, I'm afraid. It's good that those who'll soon die are properly rested. They need to be alert when that final moment comes." Lum's eyes widen as she interprets his message, then she painfully rises to a sitting position. "Why did you kidnap me?! What have I ever done to you?!! Why am I here...where am I?!!" "What have you done?!" he hisses, the ice in his eyes freezing her. Lame or no, he possessed such a commanding presence, you couldn't ignore him. Nassur once told her of the time he had worked with the Special Forces colonel. Gaylan had such forward perceptions, such personality, that if he was leading the rebels on Vos, the Mikado would've been history long ago. "Interesting question. You nearly led us into a war with the Zephyrites over Earth...or didn't your boyfriend ever tell you of his grandmother? Atop that, you've ignored the sufferings of the victims of the church created in *your* name here in the Phentax system!! And that doesn't count what garbage your prestige is unleashing back on Uru! You're a threat to everything and everyone you know, Princess...and threats where I come from are eliminated!!" Lum pales, leaning away from him as he shuffles to the door. "Right now, you're useful to me alive. You're the key to an even greater power, one that shouldn't be in the hands of a simple boy from Earth. As long as you're around, Ataru Moroboshi'll never stop looking for you. He was ready to make up to you when my friends from the Church of Hollywood kidnapped you. Once he's here, I'll do away with you both...then Sagussa's power will be mine. Make yourself at home, Princess; this'll be your last!" The brig's barrier field opens for him, then closes before Lum could attempt an escape. Such is the farthest thing from the Oni's mind as she interprets what's happening. Gods, was he THAT mad?! He was going to kill her over what just happened in the Second Tag Race...not to mention what Oogi did to those who didn't bow down to his beliefs?! Yes, she did many things wrong, but she certainly didn't deserve that! And...and he wanted Ataru? Wanted Sagussa?! She blinks, then looks to one end of the brig. "Noa!!" The Sagussan moans as Lum moves to her side, kneeling by her head. "Oh, Lyna...where am I...?" Noa grunts as her eyes flutter open, then she smiles. "Hello, dear. What can I do for you?" "We're in trouble," Lum warns, kissing her cheek. "How bad?" "Very bad. Rest; I'll explain it to you." Noa nods, gently grasping Lum's hand... * * * "Who are you?!!" Kinshou Moroboshi demands. Tasha looks back from the cutting board, smiling. "Oh, you've come back! My name's Tasha. Don't worry, Mrs. Moroboshi; we were sent to babysit Ten-chan. Dinner'll be ready in a short while; make yourself at home." The android returns to preparing the meal as Ataru's parents exchange surprised looks. After being freed from the hospital, both had made their way home as soon as they could; who knew WHAT Ataru'd be up to with their backs turned. Their biggest fear was his running away, heading north to live with Nagaiwakai. After what Lum just did, Ataru's temptation should be tremendous. It surprised them both that he had never made use of his grandmother's vast power before; one phone call and a lot of problems would've been solved right then and there. Of course, neither Kinshou or Muchi had paid any attention to the massive robots making their way through the city streets, the odd black hovercycle or armed patrol of women. After living two years in a Lum-dominated Tomobiki, they believed they had seen it all. Without hesitation, both race up to Ataru's bedroom. Looking inside, Kinshou gasps. "***WHAT IS THIS?!?!?!***" The fact that Ataru's bedroom is bare of almost everything that he owned is plain enough to see. However, presently laid out on the floor is a very large futon. Nene and Linna, resting from their busy morning, slept contently under the covers, Ten-chan gently snoring between them. The three were the picture of the average Sagussan family: two marei'cha, a child they were raising between them, warmly protected by those who love him. Shuddering, Kinshou storms back to the kitchen, then notices Deanna cleaning the living room. "Who are you people?!!" she draws a meat-cleaver from nowhere, pointing the sharp blade at the dark- haired android. "How dare you walk into this house, sleep in our bedrooms and act as if Ten-chan is your child?!! Where is Lum- chan?!! Where is that stupid son of mine?!!" Deanna blinks, then her hand calmly reaches out to the knife. Kinshou gasps as she twists the blade into a circle! "My name is Deanna," the android calmly replies. "Tasha, I and our sisters Nene and Linna are Sagussans. We're here to become allies to your people and put in their place those races, such as the Urusians, who've treated you harshly over the last two years! As for we four in particular, we were sent to babysit Ten-chan because there was no adult supervision...and by the looks of things, Ten-chan happens to like being with US more than he does with you! If you haven't heard, Lum was kidnapped two nights ago, along with Noa, our Elder Mother, by a lunatic named Gaylan, an old 'friend' of Captain Invader's. As for Ataru-sama, well, he's now our head-of-state... AND he no longer acknowledges your authority as his parents. Who wouldn't after the way you've treated him?! Interfere in any way in our operations here...and we will kill you. Understood?" Kinshou stammers in disbelief as Deanna seizes the knife, then continues to crumple the steel blade like it was tinfoil. She heads back to the kitchen as Ten-chan floats downstairs. "Oh, hi!" he smiles on seeing Ataru's parents. "It's okay about Linna-onee- chan, Nene-onee-chan, Deanna-chan and Tasha-chan. They're just here to babysit me." "S-s-some b-b-babysitters..." Kinshou fearfully stammers... * * * "A Remarkable Destiny" a Urusei Yatsura lemon fic by Fred Herriot gorgo@kwangju.net **** **** **** "Book of Days" written by Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan **** **** **** 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) "Book of Days" is IMHO one of Enya's great songs. Atop it being the theme music for the Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman film "Far and Away," it first appeared on the "Shepherd Moons" album in its Irish format, then in the four-song CD release "Marble Halls" in English. Recent cuts of "Shepherd Moons" has the song in English. Thanks to the many Enya otaku for putting out the English lyrics. If you want to know more about the New Age's most beautiful singer, just click on Yahoo! and ask for Enya. 2) Bensaiten is Fukunokami's patron saint and the mythic founder of Benten's people. In legend, she united the ancient tribes of Fukunokami into the first world government over five thousand years ago. Bensaiten later became Daishi'cha #4428, who later took the name Benten-chan. The oath "Bensaiten's Grave" is the Fukunokami way of calling on Heaven; since her body had to be taken to Sagussa to become Benten-chan, Bensaiten has no earthly grave. **** **** **** PART NINE - CHANGING PERCEPTIONS "Are you sure about this?!" "We are quite positive, Young Mistress. Early this morning, your brother dispatched a sniper team to assist in the death of an alien agent carrying a deadly virus that threatened all of Tomobiki. It later turns out that the person the sniper shot was Ryuunosuke Fujinami's intended, Nagisa Shinowataru." "What is Nagisa-san's condition?" "Nagisa-sama's soul was saved from entering Heaven by a pilot from the Sagussan starship 'Hasei'cha,' Chief Petty Officer Rabby. But because his original body has long been lost, the Sagussans had no choice but to craft him a new one from the bodies of the alien strike team that kidnapped Lum-san and the Sagussan Elder Mother Noa. However, because of certain problems, they could not remake the body as a man; Nagisa-san is now female. We have learned that is what she has long desired, in honour of her father's dream." "I see," Ryooko tenses, her eyebrow twitching. Now, what could she do about this...? * * * "Shoot." Benten takes aim at the cardboard target a hundred metres away. Two dark red dots indicate the centre of the head and the heart, perfect kill shots. The weapon in her hand is a PDP, charged to full power. Closing her eyes, she remembers the steps. Focus on the back sight, then the front sight, then the target. Line the three up, focus on the front sight, then squeeze. A moment later, the pistol bucks as a bolt slams into the target just above the heart. "Not bad," Priss smiles. "That would've cored into his left lung. Pretty debilitating. Try again." Benten concentrates, then shivers as the Pathfinder's hands slide over her trim stomach. Atop that, Priss' warm breath was dancing on her bare neck. She couldn't slug the Sagussan; Priss probably knew a few dozen ways to kill the Fukunokami on the sly. "Can I ask a question?" she begins to sight the target. "Yeah?" "Why me?" Priss sighs. They had to have this talk. "Benten...Lyna, I don't know! I've seen your picture a dozen times whenever we debated whether to come to Earth to get Ataru away from Lum and you guys. Back then, I thought you were pretty cute...but fuck, I didn't want to have anything to do with someone who once tried to help Lum drag Ataru to the altar. But when I saw you in the hospital yesterday, your hair down, looking relaxed, looking like the way Fate created you...shit, I don't know what happened! It was as if everything in my life made sense finally!" Benten sighs, then squeezes. The bolt slams to the lower left of the heart. "The aorta," Priss reports. "He'd bleed to death very quick. Try again." "So I'm the perfect woman, right?" Benten aims. "Yeah, you could say that," Priss nods. Benten squeezes. The bolt hits the heart this time. "Good one!" Priss nods. "See how simple it is?" "Never concentrated this hard before," the Fukunokami admits. "You have to," the Sagussan warns. "With any weapon, you're taking lives into your hands. Innocent lives as well as your targets. You aim wide, you'll hit a kid or something worse." "I hear you," she aims, then fires. The bolt follows the third shot. "Priss?" "Yeah?" "I'm flattered." "Doghma do va." "Why'd you thank me?" "For understanding," Priss sighs. "For at least giving me the chance to explain myself. 'Sides, it's very much to your benefit, you know. If you become one of us, you'll live as long as Lum and Oyuki. Doesn't that mean something?" Benten aims. "Never thought of it that way. Though I always had a crush on Nassur...you heard of him?" "Yeah. Noa met him before Cinba's funeral. It was because Cinba went to Earth to look for Lum fourteen years ago that Noa met both Lum and Ataru, then bonded them." "Well, if he ever recognized me," Benten fires, this time aiming for the head, "...I'd get a Vosian lifespan once I had his kids...though that's still small potatoes compared to you." "You got the right eye," Priss stares at the shot, then makes a face. "Ugh! Recognition...what a revolting concept." "You're a fuckin' hypocrite, Priss. You just admitted that you practically recognized me as your future marei'cha." "I know. Part of me wants to crawl under a rock and die from the embarrassment...and part of me wants to rip your bikini off and pillow you silly for an hour." "Damn, you're scary!" Benten aims. "Bensaiten's Grave, I like you, Priss, but...I dunno. Give me a while to think it over?" She fires. The bolt cores the red dot in the head. "Good shot!" Priss nods, then kisses her cheek. "Take all the time you need. I'll always be here." Benten smiles. The pistol range was set up in the back yard of Tomobiki High School, a force-shield preventing bullets that pass through the targets from hitting the neighbours' homes. Since Tomobiki had to frequently endure the deployments of Mendou's armed forces, the sound of firearms didn't alarm people as much. At that moment, Lufy walks up, two holsters under both arms. "Yo, Pri, Benten!" the pilot waves as she takes up one lane. "Yo, Luf!" Priss nods, then snorts. "You still using those fuckin' L-mags?! They ain't worth shit in the field!" "I know," Lufy smiles. "That's why I like them." As she loads her pistols with the L-shaped magazines...two fifteen-round mags welded together...the pilot blinks as a crowd gathers. Atop some Warsuit pilots and a couple of her shipmates, there was a considerable number of Tomobiki High students, many female. Over the last couple of days, the school's female population had come to recognize how good many of the Sagussans were, doing things they could never imagine doing in a patriarchal society like Japan's. Some of the better-known personalities had developed a cult-like following, something that both amused and scared Lufy. She was mortal, she could die given the right circumstances. Why were they putting her on a pedestal? Relaxing, she eyes the target, then twirls up her pistols. Fifteen rounds from each blast into the heart of the target down the way. Gasps of awe escape those around her as Lufy releases the spent magazines from their catches, holsters her weapons, draws out and twirls the magazines to load the fresh rounds, then draws the pistols and fires. Fifteen rounds from each to the head. "Fuck me!!" Benten gapes. There were two very small round holes in the head and heart, but each round Lufy fired had a tracer built into them; all of them struck true. "A one-hole shot, as always," Shildy smiles. "Do you always do that, Lufy-san?!" a girl gushes. "Of course," the "Hasei'cha's" first officer smiles. "Lufy's the Republic PDP champ; she's been scoring perfect for almost three hundred years." "It's nothing much," Lufy blushes. "Anyone want to blow off a few rounds? We've got loads of ammo waiting to be used." The students shy away immediately as some of Deunan's pilots come up, their own pistols ready to do some talking. Lufy holsters her guns, then gazes at Shildy. "Wanna talk about it?" the pilot wonders as they walk toward Priss and Benten. "What can I say?!" Shildy shudders, tears welling in her blue eyes. "I just lost the woman I loved. It was for a good thing, but how could I measure that to my heart being broken?!" Priss and Benten look over. "Shildy, you okay?" the latter wonders. "What's going on?" "Rabby and Nagisa?" the former wonders. "Who else?!" Shildy growls, her whole body quaking. "That horse-thief! How dare she...?!" "That 'horse-thief' would've died were it not for Rabby, Shildy!" Lufy asserts. "If it was you, you would've done the same thing! All of us would've! Stop crying over spilt milk!!" "I know," Shildy sniffs. "But my whole live was dedicated to Rabby! It was her, she was the one! Same way you feel about Catty, Lufy! Why?! Why, in Lyna's name?!" Lufy moves to answer, then tenses as Ryuunosuke walks up, very displeased. "Lufy, what's going on?!" the tomboy wonders. "You mind telling me what's the deal between Nagisa-chan and Rabby?!" Shildy spins on her, her eyes flashing. "You EVER speak of Rabby like that again, Ryuunosuke, and I'll skin you...!!" "SHILDY!!!!" Lufy barks. Everyone jolts, including Lufy's first officer. "Quit taking it out on Ryuunosuke!!" the pilot spins on Shildy. "It ain't her fault that Rabby didn't take precautions when she helped Nagisa and they wound up marei'cha!!! Will ya quit looking for a scapegoat?!" Ryuunosuke's eyes widen; she knew from Shinobu what THAT term meant. "Marei'cha?!! Rabby...with MY Nagisa-chan?!!" "Yes!" Lufy sighs. "Look, it wasn't intentional! When Rabby absorbed Nagisa's mei'na, she didn't protect herself and they wound up bonded! Rabby wasn't trained in mei'na protection, she ain't a nurse! It doesn't have to be permanent, you know; they can break it if they want, painful that it'll be!!" Ryuunosuke shudders, then sighs. With Nagisa dying in her lap, Rabby couldn't've taken her time. "I'm sorry," she shakes her head. "You're good people but...damn, I wanna hit something!!" "You're not the only one," Shildy sighs. "Ryuunosuke, I bear neither you nor Nagisa ill-will. You people are wonderful, people I'd like as friends. Lufy's right, I'm wrong; if it was me saving Nagisa, it would've happened. Same with any of us; there was no doctor in range to do it right. But...it hurts, you know." "Shildy, go for a walk," Lufy suggests. "Grab a pistol and blow some rounds if you want. Take your time to think this over; we can't fuckin' fly off the handle. That ain't gonna impress anyone, you know. We'll just be as bad as Lum's people." "I hear you," Shildy nods, heading out. "Later." Everyone watches them go, then Ryuunosuke stares at Lufy. "You want to show me the ropes with these things?" the tomboy nods to her pistols. "I can use the chance to blow off some steam." "C'mon," Lufy indicates a lane. Priss and Benten watch them go. "Damn, NOTHING on your planet's ever easy, isn't it?" the latter sighs. "Not really," the former rolls her eyes... * * * "Oh, Rabs, how could this've happened?!" Nagisa wails. Rabby shakes her head, gently stroking the Terran's brown locks. Nagisa lay sobbing at the pilot's feet, her head on Rabby's knees, as the two sit in the "Hasei'cha's" meditation room. "It happened, Nagisa-chan," the pilot shrugs. "We both have women we love very much, but Fate threw us a curve ball." "If I find out who shot me, I'll kill him!" Nagisa growls. "Has Maya-san found out who did it?" "Far as she could tell, it was a Terran weapon," Rabby holds her bond-mate's hand. "That means one of four possibilities. One, a police officer. Two, your Self-Defence Forces. Three, one of your rebel paramilitary groups. Four, one of the two private armies that love to romp through Tomobiki." "Mendou!" Nagisa shudders. "It has to be him!! Damn, how DARE he?! Who gave him the right...?!" "Nagisa-chan!" Rabby shushes her. "Look, if it was Mendou, we have to get the evidence before we can charge him! For us, it'll be easy: just a quick mind-probe. But that's not admissible on Earth, remember? Besides," she then smiles. "Were it not for Mendou, you wouldn't be a woman right now." Nagisa blinks, then stares at her beautiful meijasha. "I...I never thought of it that way!" she giggles, then sighs. "Oh, Rabs, what do we do?! I want Ryuunosuke-chan but...but I love you, too!" "And I want Lufy...but I love being with you...oh, shit!" Rabby covers her eyes. "How could we get them and stay together?" Nagisa sighs. Atop having her new body, she had the lifespan and the psi-abilities Rabby took for granted; it was automatically given to her when Catty learned that Nagisa had bonded with the pilot. She didn't even have to be isolated; she learned all the tricks from copying Rabby's memories. And she knew how much Rabby yearned for Lufy. Understandable; Lufy is beautiful...though not as beautiful as the golden-skinned angel before her. Nagisa gazes at Rabby. Her strawberry-blonde hair cascaded to her shoulders, her ears touched by wide gold-white-black oval earrings. Her skin, a dark gold shade with a touch of sunflower, marked her as a former native of Zeiwan, a planet lying on the direct path between Earth and Sagussa. Her eyes were a deep blue, a wild contrast to her pale skin. She wasn't busty in any way, quite slim in fact. And, oh Lyna, she wanted her! But...she wanted Ryuunosuke, too. And Rabby wanted Lufy. "How could we get Ryuunosuke and Lufy to be with us, accept us two together..." Rabby hums, then blinks. "Wait! If it must be a foursome, let it be a proper foursome!!" "You mean...Ryuu-chan and Lufy-chan have to bond?" "Yes!" Rabby nods, then smiles. "And I think I know exactly how to do that. And if we can, we could help Priss win Benten over, too. Here's what we'll do..." * * * "Hey, Benten!" Ataru smiles as the Fukunokami sits beside her. "How're you doing?!" "Pretty okay," she admits. Both were now in the "Lyna'cha's" cafeteria, the Daimon'cha enjoying coffee and reading over a datapadd. "What're you reading?" "About the Niphentaxians," Ataru grimaces. "Lyna, I can see why Lum-chan never told me about them. Who'd want to know about these people?!" "Some of them're okay," Benten nods across the way. Ataru looks to see several of the dozen or so who'd defected to Sagussa when Crusader Sweep cleaned out Oogi's observers. The others were on Triton, having been meticulously mind-wiped of their knowledge of the Sagussans before being sent home. So far, nothing had been heard from Lumukyou concerning them. "Any news on Lum and Noa?" "Nothing," he sighs. "The rover units are still scouring each planet. Twenty-three worlds, all of them have to be searched..." "You can dismiss the Gophentaxian planets." "Even them, Benten," he shakes his head. "Lum-chan's dad told me about Gaylan. He's used to putting up false clues to throw us off the scent. He has to be somewhere in the Phentax system; very few non-Lum Niphentaxians operate outside that system and none of them have a cloaked ship they could use to grab Lum-chan and Noa- chan. We just have to be a bit patient." "I hear you," Benten bites her lips. "I just hate waiting." "Oh?" he gazes at her. "Something else is going on unless I miss my guess; I hear Priss has been making the moves on you over the last bit." "Yeah!!" she breathes out. "Shit, Ataru, what do you think? Should I accept her or run?!" "I say accept," he muses. "If you become a Sagussan, you'll get the lifespan. Oyuki's doing it right now; she's in regen. So's Shinobu. If Lum-chan decides to remain with Noa-chan and I, she'll undergo that, too. You three've been friends since you were little kids; it'll be unfair if you both'll die before Oyuki hits early middle age. Since I've undergone the change, it's totally changed my perceptions of everything and that's wonderful!" "Shit, it has changed you," she whistles, feeling his beard. "But what if I don't love Priss?" "I think you can love Priss; she's a straight shooter and she wants to love you very much. She'll give you her all. Believe me, Oyuki and Shinobu had the same doubts concerning Honey and Sylia. Do you see them complaining now?" "No, I guess not. I wish I could talk to Oyuki, though." "You can, in a sense," Ataru muses. "You know they have android doubles now." "Yeah, Megane had loads of fun with them!" "Well, they're in Maintenance Lab Two up forward. Oyuki's and Shinobu's mei'na are in Honey and Sylia, but I don't think you'll be able to speak to them in that state. They won't be out of regen until tomorrow morning, so if you want to wait..." "Nah, I'll go now. Thanks, Ataru." Benten rises, then nearly bumps into Ryuunosuke. "Oh, sorry, Benten!" the tomboy flushes, then stares at Ataru. "Hey, have you seen Shinobu around, Ataru?" "Follow Benten," Ataru points after the Fukunokami. "Thanks!" Ryuunosuke waves as she and Benten head out. Ataru shakes his head, then returns to his datapadd. Still, he can't hide his smile. He hoped Rabby's plan would work, for a lot of people's sake... * * * "Excuse me, are you from the 'Hasei'cha?'" Shildy looks up, then gazes at the two Kuroko kneeling before her. "Yes, I'm Shildy, the first officer. You're two of Ryooko Mendou's servants, aren't you?" "Correct, Watchmistress Shildy," one bows his head. "Our mistress respectfully requests that you come visit her later this evening. She doesn't wish to risk others learning of the meeting if she receives you now. Still, she must meet you; she has news concerning what happened to Nagisa Shinowataru." Shildy's blue eyes flash dangerously, then tenses. If Ryooko knew what happened to Nagisa, then that meant...? No! He couldn't be trusted but even he wouldn't go THAT far...would he?! "What time?!" * * * "So you want to talk to Shinobu about what happened to Nagisa, huh?!" Benten sighs. "How're you taking it?" "Not good," Ryuunosuke admits as they approach the door for Maintenance Lab Two. "I mean, I understand it. I'm grateful to Rabby, but...jeez, I don't wanna compete with her for Nagisa-chan." "From what I hear, two Sagussans who find themselves chasing after the same person always come to an agreement, usually bond between themselves before going after that person." "Whoa!" the tomboy whistles. "I mean, I'm prepared to love Nagisa, but...jeez, I dunno about Rabby!" "C'mon," the Fukunokami notions to the door. "Let's go chat this over with people we know." With that, she opens the door, then smiles. "Yo, Megane! So you hit the big time, huh?!" "Hey, Benten, Ryuunosuke!" Megane waves from a computer. "C'mon in, act like you own the place! What brings you around? Can't be to see me, can it?!" "You wish!" Benten snorts, then notices his jumpsuit. "Shit, so you decided to move in after all, huh?!" "Yeah!" Megane was now in the dark green-black-and-silver of Computer Services, the jumpsuit quite flattering on his slender frame. It was the same with Ataru. "Look here," he points to the three parallelogram tabs on his wrists. "Chief Computer Services Technician! I've only been at this job for a day! Wild, huh?!" "Wild!" Benten nods. "What about your compadres?" "Daremo's going into Construction Engineering; Urayamu's going into Resource Management and Shitto's taking Physical Education. They've already started training. So, what brings you two here?" "We need to talk about something to Oyuki and Shinobu, but they're in the regen tanks right now, so we came to the next best place," Benten shrugs. "So where are they?" Megane flushes. "I moved them into the storage room beside the testing lab; it's distracting working in this place with them standing there like mannequins and you know you can make love to them on request. 'Sides, while it's allowable to do other girls on Sagussa when they want to have babies, I'd like to keep my mind focused on Feb-chan and April-chan!" "Don't blame you," Ryuunosuke nods. "They're both lookers." "Doghma do va," Megane smiles, then sighs. "Ryuunosuke, I heard what happened to Nagisa. I'm glad she's okay." Ryuunosuke smiles. "Thanks, Aisuru." Megane then snaps his fingers. "And speaking of which, c'mon over here. You might want to see this." He escorts the two women into the second room, which was actually called the preparation room, where final work was done on the companion androids before initial testing. Two endoskeletons were on two of the cots now, a completed android on the third. "Nagisa?!" Ryuunosuke exclaims on seeing her, then walks up to take a closer look. "Shit, she got one of herself done?!!" "Yeah!" Megane nods. "We just finished her an hour ago. She's ready to go if you want to try her out." Ryuunosuke flushes, then shakes her head. "N-no thanks!" "Well, if you change your mind, call me. I'll be here," he nods to the first room, the construction laboratory. "Later." "Thanks, Aisuru," Ryuunosuke waves, then notices the two endoskeletons. "Hey, what're these for?" Megane then flushes, causing both women to tense. "What's going on here?!" Benten wonders, crossing her arms. "They're being saved...for you two," he looks down, tugging his collar. "Priss asked for one to be ready to be made of you, Benten; I guess you know how much she wants you...and Nagisa asked for the other to be made of you, Ryuunosuke." Ryuunosuke gapes. "Me?! But...she's bonded to Rabby...!" "Is she?!" Megane blinks surprisedly. "Shit, the way Nagisa acted when she came in to ask for this one to be prepped, you'd think she was bonded to you! Anyhow, I gotta get back to work. Call me if you two need anything." "Uh...yeah!" Ryuunosuke stammers, then looks down. "Oh, shit, Benten, what do I do now?!" Benten gazes at the unmoving Nagisa android. "Ryuu, if you reject this girl," she pulls up the sheet to gaze at her lovely features, "...there's something wrong with you!" "Hey, don't peek!!" Ryuunosuke exclaims. "Shit, relax, huh?! I ain't gonna take her away!" Both flush, then sighs. "I'm sorry," Ryuunosuke shakes her head. "It's just a lot to take, you know." "I know," Benten nods. "C'mon." The two step into the testing lab. "Fuckin' bordello if you ask me," Benten whistles as the decor, then notices several side doors. Walking to one, she peeks inside to see that there is another testing room, this one modelled after a kitchen. A third has a living room. A fourth has a bathroom with all the amenities. "Hey, they really go far in testing them, huh?!" "Yeah!" Ryuunosuke looks into the bathroom, then notes the lone door at the other end. "They must be there." The two walk into the storage room. Lights snap on to reveal a small group of frozen companion androids. Atop the "Lyna'cha's" crew, there were the "Hasei'cha's" crew, Pathfinder Troop Six (save Deanna and Tasha), the Hostage Rescue Team, Noa, Honey, Shinobu and Oyuki. Staring at the still forms, both women whistle. "Shit, they are lifelike, aren't they?" Ryuunosuke lowers her voice. "They are," Benten nods, then walks up to Oyuki's double. All the androids now stand on small circular pads; recharge units, the Fukunokami realizes. She then notices a tan foot- button. Power-up switch. Stepping on it, she watches as energy surges from the recharge unit, filling Oyuki with energy. The android's eyes open, then she smiles. "Oh, Benten-chan!" she steps off the pad as the energy fades. "What brings you to visit me?" "I need to talk...and the real you's in the regen tank," Benten smiles. "Okay," Oyuki waves to the door, then notices the Terran. "Let's make ourselves comfortable. Hello, Ryuunosuke, are you here to see Shinobu?" "Yeah," the tomboy nods. A moment later, Shinobu's double is awakened, then the four walk out of the storage room. Oyuki takes Benten into the living room scene while Shinobu sits Ryuunosuke on the bed. "So, what's the problem?" the brown-haired android wonders. "It's what's going on with Nagisa-chan and Rabby," Ryuunosuke sighs. "I mean, I'm more than grateful to Rabby for saving Nagisa- chan...but hell, how can I share Nagisa-chan with her?" "Yes, we heard what happened," Shinobu nods, then giggles. "I guess you haven't heard of the 'Hasei'cha' Comedy of Errors, then." "What?!" "A love chain," she laughs. "Shildy wants Rabby. Rabby's in love with Lufy. Lufy desires Catty and Catty wants Noa." The tomboy faints! "You're kidding me?!!" "Afraid not," the android shakes her head. "How's Nagisa-chan feeling about what's happened?" "Pretty guilty, I guess," Ryuunosuke nods to the preparation lab. "When Nagisa ordered her android made, she asked Megane to have another one set aside for me." "I guess she loves you," Shinobu muses. "And I know Rabby loves Lufy; she's probably feeling just as guilty over what happened. Believe me, both'll be looking for a way to make this situation better for both you and Lufy, Ryuu-chan." "But you just said Lufy wants Catty." "Yes, I did," Shinobu nods. "I don't know exactly how that started, but I know Lufy's crush is a long one. She likes Rabby as a friend and wingmate, but she couldn't see being with Rabby as a future bond-mate. There's also Shildy, but could you get Rabby to love her? Rabby views Shildy as her superior officer and a friend and doesn't want to get too intimate with her." "Damn, you're right; it IS a comedy of errors!" Shinobu laughs. "Rabby and Nagisa-chan might now be thinking of trying to forge a proper four-way mating. That's permissible on Sagussa, by the way. To do that, you and Lufy would have to bond, then you two would bond with Rabby and Nagisa-chan." Ryuunosuke jolts. "Hey, I like Lufy, but jeez, to bond with her...?!!" she waves her hands back. "She could be enticed, you know," Shinobu muses, then stands. "Wait right here!" She runs into the storage room. A moment later, she returns with Lufy's double. "Hey, Ryuunosuke-chan! Hear you've been having some love problems! Wanna talk about it?" Ryuunosuke nods as the blonde android sits beside her. "What can you tell me?" she asks as Shinobu relaxes on the other side. "I mean, what do you think about Rabby?" "Me or Onee-chan?" Lufy muses. "You know who!!" Lufy laughs. "Relax, Ryuu-chan. Personally, Onee-chan likes Rabby. She's a great person. But, Onee-chan wants to live with Catty. Don't blame her a bit; Catty's pretty nice, too. However, Onee-chan hasn't committed herself fully to going after Catty." "Why not?" "Because Onee-chan wants to be sure Catty's stopped pining after Noa before nailing her," Lufy reports. "A real bonding can only last when both sides are fully committed to each other. It's like marriage; to make it work, both sides give and take." "But there's a problem," Shinobu warns. "Noa's taken interest in Lum now...that's what everyone's saying." "That'll be a problem," Lufy admits. "Ryuu-chan, I hate to say it, but Nagisa and you've waltzed into one of the biggest love- spats you'll ever encounter. My best advice, for your sake as well as Onee-chan's, is not to commit to anything outside Nagisa until Onee-chan, Rabby, Catty and Shildy sort themselves out. If you jump into it, you'll be doing few people any good. What you can also do is get to know Onee-chan and Rabby better. I think that after what happened, Rabby'll like that very much and I know Onee- chan likes you very much. Who knows!" she shrugs. "You can't attach love to an equation, so everything I say could be thrown out the window if you're not careful." "Makes me wonder how we can take it all!" Shinobu sighs. "You're doing a pretty good job," Ryuunosuke shrugs, then stands. "Thanks, you two. I better go find Nagisa-chan. See ya." The tomboy runs out of the testing lab. "Oh!" Shinobu rolls her eyes. "Don't you think organics'll ever learn to put us away when they go off to do other business?!" "Well, since we are up, care to have some fun?" Lufy stares warmly at her. "Wouldn't mind it at all," Shinobu smiles as they kiss... * * * "So you're saying I should do it?" Oyuki nods. Benten, arms crossed, paces in front of the Tritonian android, who now sits on the living room couch. "If I may, Benten-chan...Onee-chan would love it so much if she could live with you and Lum-chan for as long as she will live. She's already going to weep over Koosei-kun's grave. She doesn't want to do that over yours and Lum-chan's, even for old age." Benten shudders, then sits beside her. "You know, we've never thought much about that. I mean, even if Nassur ever did recognize me, I'd only live for what, five centuries? Your people and Priss' people live for a millennium, easy. I never realized how much that would hurt you, Oyuki-chan." "Benten, I speak Onee-chan's words...I love you very much. You are as much my sister, part of my family, as is Pukaze-chan and Toji-chan. And I want to protect my sister in whatever way I can." "Arigato, Oyuki-chan," Benten leans into her embrace, then leans back, smiling. "So, what can you tell me about Priss? I mean, I haven't had much of a chance to get to know her. She's a good shot and all that, but there's gotta be a lot more." "Oh, there is," Oyuki nods. "Interesting what one can learn from another's android double. Benten-chan, you and Priss are alike in many ways. You're proud, brave, strong, determined, all the things that make a good warrior. I've seen you move from the heights of joy to the depths of sorrow; I've been there for most of it, you know. You wouldn't believe what extremes Priss is capable of when the mood strikes her. I know that when you give your love to someone, you give it all, hold nothing back. Priss is the same way. If she is THAT much in love with you, you'll never have to worry about being lonely ever again. You love music. Priss has a voice that could make starwhales weep; she's the one who made the other Daishi'cha develop their voices. If you ever heard them sing, you'll understand what I mean." "I'd love to hear her," Benten shudders, then shrugs. "Still, if we're so much alike, we might get at each other's throats." "I don't think so," Oyuki shakes her head. "Priss knows when to give and when to take. She can easily guess how rough this must be for you, so she will give you a lot of slack. But as Sylia told me, Priss is one very determined woman. When she sets her sights on something or someone...she usually gets what she wants." "In other words, she won't quit," Benten bites her lips. "No." "Wonderful!" Benten laughs, then sighs. "Damn, Oyuki, you wanna know something? I've never been really loved before...and I really don't know what to do, especially since Priss is a woman!" "I could bring her double here if you want," Oyuki waves to the door. "You'll have the chance to get to know her without embarrassing yourself, you know." Benten blinks, then shakes her head. "No thanks, Oyuki. No offense to you or the other androids, but I'd prefer to do this with the real Priss. Yo, Bianca!" "*Yes, Benten?*" the "Lyna'cha's" computer responds. "Where's Priss?" "*She's in the Amphitheatre; it's near Main Engineering on the upper part of the main hall. You'll have to approach from the lobby; Priss has put up privacy shields so I can't beam you in.*" "S'cool. Send me over." "Benten, wait...!" Oyuki cries out... ...but her words have no avail as Benten disappears. "Please deactivate me before you go!" the android sighs, throwing up her arms. "I can't self-deactivate!" Shaking her head, Oyuki walks into the main testing lab, then her eyes widen on seeing Lufy and Shinobu nude, passionately kissing. "I see Ryuunosuke left you two on." "We don't mind," Shinobu smiles. "Care to join in?" "Love to!" Oyuki smiles as she slips off her robes... * * * Benten suppresses a gulp as she stares at the double doors to the "Lyna'cha's" amphitheatre, a circular concert hall with a dome showing the vast expanse of the stars overheard. She had seen it on the quick tour everyone gave her when she first came aboard the battlecruiser, thinking that someone would have to be very brave to stand there with the endless expanse of the Cosmos overhead. Well, one very brave person was now there, probably the bravest Benten had ever met. Breathing in, she parts the doors and walks in. It wasn't completely dark. A shaft of light illuminates the beautiful woman on the stage in the middle, the light fading into the great blackness beyond. Priss is dressed in a skintight grey pair of hot pants, high-heeled boots, a strapless bikini top and bicep-length gloves missing their fingers. Her brown hair flows around her like some angry cloud, protecting her from the spears and knives of those who'd fear her, hate her, try to hurt her. In her hands is a microphone, she leaning back as if in total rapture. This is her special place, Benten realizes. The stars glitter overhead. Forward, the battlecruiser's pyramid-like superstructure looms, the lights of its many rooms sporadically spaced across the black surface to give the illusion of more space. Benten looks around, stunned at the place's size. Damn, you could put ten thousand here easily! You had to be really brave to stand in the middle of this place. However, that thought is chased away as she hears something which takes her breath away. Priss' voice. Oh, Bensaiten's Grave, her voice! One day, one night, one moment My dreams could be tomorrow One step, one fall, one falter East or west Over earth or by ocean One way to be my journey This way could be my Book of Days Priss' voice is accompanied by a tape of instruments. That haunting melody reflects off special sound buffers built into the plexiglas dome, making it sound as if a thousand of her were singing at the same time. Oh, gods, one was enough, wasn't it? No day, no night, no moment Can hold me back from trying I'll flag, I'll fall, I'll falter I'll find my day may be Far and Away Far and Away Benten feels herself being lifted by the melody, all her world focusing on the beautiful woman not a hundred metres away. *Oh, Priss, was this the way you first looked at me?!* Benten gasps, her eyes full of tears. Gods, how could this have happened to her? One day, one night, one moment With a dream to be leaving One step, one fall, one falter And a new earth across a wide ocean This way became my journey This day ends together, Far and Away This day ends together, Far and Away Far and Away... The music finally fades, though the light remains on. Priss lowers her microphone, then smiles. "It's the song of our people." "It's beautiful," Benten exhales. "I'm glad you're here," Priss looks down, the glitter of her tears reflecting in the light as Benten approaches. "I might be a good singer, but I'm still a little shy about letting myself totally go in front of others. But believe me, Benten, if there is one person I'll gladly sing for with all my passion, it's you." "'Good singer?'" Benten wonders as she steps up to the stage. "Priss, you're a siren!" Priss shrugs, clearly embarrassed by the praise. Damn, she was so humble! Benten feels a strange, beautifully warm rush flow through her. Honest, brave, humble, capable of doing anything she wanted. Man, what did she ever do to deserve someone like Priss? They gaze at each other. "Say it," Benten smiles. "I love you, Benten." Benten walks up to her. "Teach me how to love you back." "Deal," Priss smiles as she leans up. Their lips tenderly caress as Priss draws the shorter woman into a warm embrace. Benten fights down a quick burst of revulsion with all her strength as she feels Priss' tongue gently probe her north gate, then caress her teeth before tapping her own tongue. Their tongues play for a moment as the two remain their, their bodies warmed by the soft floor lights, then they break apart. "I want to do this right," the Sagussan warns. Priss then reaches behind her. A switchblade knife appears in her hand, flipping open. She holds up the palm of one hand, then without flinching, draws the sharp end of the blade across her skin. A burst of red seeps from the wound. Benten blinks, awed that Priss would know of blood-sisterhood, then notices flecks of gold in the Sagussan's blood. The regenerative enzymes her body produced. Shit, she'd have to go for regen as soon as she could in case something went wrong. Priss twirls the blade, handing it handle-first to Benten. The Fukunokami takes the blade, then with a flinch, draws her own blood. Their hands are then brought together, blood spiritually mixing in the symbolic act of adopting each other as comrades-in- arms, never to turn away when the other was in need. "We are of one blood," Benten gently intones. "If your blood flows, my blood- sister, I will avenge you." "And I you," Priss brings Benten's knuckles to her lips. With that done, the Fukunokami reaches for one of her half- link earrings. Undoing the small silver chain, she walks up, then places it on Priss' ear. The two then drown themselves into another warm kiss. "I know you'll want to proclaim me your clan- sister," the Sagussan smiles. "When this is all over with, we'll pop over to see your parents. Okay?" "Yeah," Benten nods. Whenever gay or lesbian Fukunokami wanted to bond with their life-mates, they traditionally invoked the concept of adopting them as their clan-sibling. If Priss proved herself worthy...oh, she would, Benten knew...she would then become Priscilla Shigaten, a citizen of Fukunokami as much as she was one of Sagussa. Her parents were used to this; Benten herself was adopted. Hotei and Miroku Shigaten would flip out when they learned they'll soon have a *pirpirsiw'r* as their clan-daughter. "Ready?" Priss wonders. "Yeah," Benten nods. Priss' fingertips then gently land on Benten's face. The Fukunokami tenses as the Sagussan's meisuyang lances into her mind. They don't invade her innermost thoughts but caress Benten's soul with the soft yet relentless power Priss' voice possessed. Benten gently cries out as she feels herself lifted, held in a fierce mental embrace as her mind is allowed to probe into Priss' soul, view the Sagussan from an angle no one else could suspect. It was total trust, total faith in the other, total love. For Priss, this was a pretty scary thing. Unlike some Daishi'cha, who went out of their way to locate a bond-mate, she was content to allow it to happen whenever someone presented herself. Falling head-over-heels for Benten like she did had taken her breath away. Priss really had no idea what to do, which scared her since as a Pathfinder, she had to be quick on her feet if she was to survive. Priss then views Benten's memories, tastes her beliefs. In many of them was Nassur. Priss knew a lot about him, was quite impressed by his long career as a bounty hunter. He had more enemies than you could shake a stick at, but he never allowed it to weigh him down. No wonder Benten admired him so much; Fukunokami, like Yehisrites, are forced to begin living their lives very early. Maybe if the fates were kind, Priss could do something which could allow Benten the chance to fulfil her dream. Still, no matter how Benten tried to fit in, she was always a loner. Feeling the pain of being adopted, never knowing who her real family was, had been a critical factor in her upbringing. She didn't mind racing around on her airbike, taking delight in whatever she wanted. Yet Benten also knew the pains of loneliness. No wonder she had gravitated to such social types as Lum and Oyuki. Other than the understandable reservations about bonding with another woman, Benten felt unsure about how her desire to get out and explore would be affect by Priss entering her life. That makes Priss want to cry. To brave all she feared on something like this was such a profound act, it deserved all the love Priss could give. And she would give it, without flinching. Benten gasps, her eyes watering as their minds seem to dance between their bodies, then return to their rightful places, leaving behind the powerful links which bound them together like nothing, not even a pe'cha bond with a Vosian, ever could equal. Priss' hands fall away from Benten's face as the Sagussan draws her into another deep embrace, completing the bond with a very warm kiss. "Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Benten," Priss smiles. "Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Priscilla," Benten breathes in. They stand there, then Priss shrugs. "Here?" Benten looks up. "Yeah." Priss laughs as she lowers herself to her knees. That one brief look at Benten's nude body told her this was a woman meant to be worshipped...and Priss was determined to be her parishioner. Her hands then slide up to Benten's bikini, her nose already taking the musk of her namghmun, just hidden from her by a strip of silver cloth. Gazing up, she smiles, waiting. Benten breathes in. Damn, that was so intense...and all that did was just make them a couple. Gazing down, she barely can make out her bond-mate, barely felt her hands ready to pull her bikini off, but in her mind, she could sense what Priss wanted...and sense her willingness to give Benten control, let her dictate the pace. Oh, this'll be so intense! "Okay." Priss smiles as she gently pulls down the bottoms, freeing her black curly namghsupgh and moistening namghmun for her inspection. Benten trimmed her forest, probably to allow her bikini to fit better. Why did Benten trip around in such flimsy clothing when it offered next to no real protection? Tradition or no, it'd never deflect a bullet. Grinning, she leans up to rub her nose against her tower. Benten screams out as that jolt nearly saps all her strength, then moans in wild ecstacy as Priss continues to nose-jab her. The scent from her love box was driving the Sagussan wild but she wanted it to be right before drinking her juices. Oh, shit, she was about to come right there. "Pri...help...!" "Relax, relax," Priss wraps her arms around Benten's shaking hips. "I won't let it happen 'till your ready." Benten gasps as she feels part of her body shut down. Oh, fuck, that felt a lot better. Still, there was an open link from her clit to her mind and that alone was driving her nuts. "Pri, let me down!" she gasps. She feels strong hands guide her to the surprisingly warm deck, then the jab of Priss' nose playing its game on her quivering tower. Her hips shake as the moisture inside her gate picks up. Damn, she hoped Priss wouldn't drown. "Not a chance!" Priss meows as her tongue begins to lap up Benten's musky love juices. The Fukunokami screams out as her hands yank open her top, allowing the plates to fall to her side as she lets Priss drink every drop. "Yes! Yes!! Yes, you gorgeous woman! Lick me!! Lick every fuckin' drop of it!! Lick me!" "Boy, you really are in a mood, aren't you?" Priss laughs as she flecks Benten's tower with her tongue. She yanks off her gloves, then her fingers head in to do some exploring next. Benten almost comes right there as those warm fingers slide into her quivering box. She was still a virgin; she could feel Priss' fingertips tap her hymen, then begin a gentle in-and-out thrusting that was giving her a taste of what it would be like when she did it with a man. Benten howls with delight as her hips begin to lock up, her vaginal muscles closing around those fingers as that wonderful rush thunders through her. "PRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII- CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!" she howls at the top of her lungs as her back arches as she forces the orgasm out of her. Priss leans back as Benten's body loses its rigidity, then draws the panting Fukunokami up for another kiss. "I hope you were pleased, my love?" she playfully licks Benten's nose. "That was great!" Benten moans, then smiles. "Your turn." Priss sighs as Benten guides her to the deck, then after Priss kicks off her boots, Benten leans down to yank down her hot pants. Priss shudders as the Fukunokami's breath dances on her exposed skin, drifting closer to her trim brown forest, tickling her tower as Benten gazes curiously at her waiting gate. Fuck, she couldn't stop now! Benten had seen this more times than she cared to count from dozens of women...and none of those times was she inclined in doing what Priss just did to her. She had seen Lum's and Oyuki's snatches most of all, but never once felt the curiosity of someone who'd want to get physical with this part of a woman's body. Still, Priss had gonged her like no time doing herself ever did and that had to be repaid. Benten always paid her debts. With that, her tongue takes a tentative lick. Priss gasps as that dainty fleck lances through her body, then she begins to jolt in a rhythm as Benten's licks began to pick up. She was hesitant, but damn, her innocent licks was so erotic! Priss shudders as her own heat builds, her hands reaching up to her aching meijasha to free them from their prison, then begins to tightly squeeze them. Damn, there was so much to do when you made love. Priss bites her lips as her hands seek out Benten's raven hair, her fingers flicking off her hair chain as she begins to caress her scalp. Her meisuyang were already plunging into her, urging her to give even greater amounts of pleasure, make Priss feel as good as she made her bond-mate. With that, Benten's licks pick up speed. Oh, man, what was happening to her? The urge to really eat Priss out was increasing, driving her to stop playing with the girl's tower and really dig in. The taste was odd though not totally alien; she had smelled her own love juices after a good hand-job. It wasn't repulsive but certainly not something she'd partake in every moment of her life. Still, this was pleasing Priss to no end, so she couldn't back down now. An idea then forms. Benten smiles as she stops lapping up Priss' liquid gold, then gently bites her clit. The Sagussan howls in mad delight, then bucks as her own orgasm begins to explode. "BEEEEEEEEEEEEN-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!" she grabs Benten by her hair and rams her face right into her muff, urging her to lick it all up. Benten replies with gusto, her tongue lapping that musk up until finally, Priss' body stops shaking. After a moment, Priss helps Benten slide up until they were face to face, then they deeply kiss. "Wasn't as wild as I'd've expected it, you know," the latter sighs. "I'm told this gets nicer as we get more experience," the former smiles. "Besides, once you have what I have, you'll get to enjoy things that'll really blow your mind away." "Literally?" Benten muses. "Literally," Priss nods. "Damn, Pri-chan, I think I'm going to love this!" "What about me?" the Sagussan pouts. The Fukunokami sighs. "And I'll love you most of all." "Oh, Ben-chan..." * * * "We are here." Shildy sighs as she slips out of the palanquin, gazing around the darkened room. One of the Kuroko had explained that they would be going to a private hall Ryooko reserved for her most secret meetings. She had brought a special jammer which was the latest in electronic countermeasures devices. If Ryooko wanted to keep this private, the Sagussan would happily help. Besides, if Mendou really was responsible for what just happened to Nagisa...and by extension, the shattering of her own heart...he wouldn't like it if others learned of it via his sister. The strange rivalry between Shutaro and Ryooko was mostly one-sided...simply put, the former's idiocy was outmatched by the latter's profound intelligence...but that could change if someone moved to embarrass Mendou, humiliate him once and for all over those he believed were his social inferiors. Shildy intended to do just that. "Thank you," she nods to the Kuroko, who vanish. Excellent bodyguards, quite on par with a Pathfinder troop. She then waits. A moment later, the shuffling of two women's feet are heard. Shildy turns to see two people walk out of the darkness, then sit at one of the couches set out. "Good evening, Shildy-san," the one in the dark kimono with the dragon patterns bows. "I am Ryooko Mendou. This," she indicates the starry-eyed woman in the pink exercise leotard, "...is Asuka Mizunokoji, my brother's fiancee. Please make yourself at home. We've some things to discuss." Shildy's eyes widen in disbelief and shock on seeing Ryooko in the flesh for the first time. Photos of her were rare; she was at best a minor threat to Ataru and wasn't worth Sagussa's attention. She now wishes they had paid more attention as her blue eyes take in the soft long auburn hair with its decorative bowtie, the deep brown eyes as tasty as milk chocolate, the flawless pale skin and the slender body well hidden by her kimono. Lucky thing she wasn't wearing something more form-fitting; Shildy might've seduced her right then and there! Lyna's Soul, where had SHE been all her life?! * * * To be continued...^Z