Subject: [FFML] [fanfic][UY/Ranma/SisPri] "Lonely Souls" Part 10 "When Girls Play...!" (first draft)
From: Frederick Herriot
Date: 3/11/2002, 5:50 AM
To: Fanfiction Mailing List

Minna-san,

Here's part 10 of the story.  It's gets somewhat
lime-ish near the end, but not enough (IMO) to ge a
"[Lime]" tag to it, I think.  If you believe
otherwise, tell me.

Enjoy!

Fred

=====
Fred Herriotfherriot@yahoo.com**** **** ****"Fanfiction IS Real Life!"**** **** ****

______________________________________________________________________ 
Find, Connect, Date! http://personals.yahoo.ca

-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: LoneS-10.txt
-- Desc: LoneS-10.txt

     Aboard the "Renegade," parked at Tomobiki High School...

     "Thank you for telling me this.  I'll be home soon."

     Oyuki's hand shakes as she clicks off the monitor, then deflates
into a sobbing heap.  Standing behind her on the small attack scout's
bridge, Benten shakes her head.  "He fuckin' beheaded B-Boy!  I can't
believe it!!  Moroboshi actually...!" her voice fades, then she 
reaches up to feel the lump on the back of her head, where her skull
had been rudely introduced to "Renegade's" wing thanks to Shinobu.
"Damn...!"

     "That's not all," Oyuki sighs.

     "What d'ya mean?!"

     The princess turns to gaze on her friend.  "It appears that he 
also caused the Central Warp Chamber to malfunction."

     Benten blinks, then her eyes go wide.  "Say what?!!  How?!!"

     "A program virus contained within the core of a Lawgiver round,"
Oyuki sighs.  "It didn't destroy the Chamber, but it inserted a 
coordinate-altering program modifier which will (unless we find a way
to repair it) ensure we can never open a warp between Triton and 
Earth again."

     Silence falls as the Fukunokami teen takes that in, then she 
shakes her head.  "It's all to make us stay away from here!" she 
whispers, then shuddering, slams her fist into the control console
beside her.  "DAMN HIM!!!!  Who the fuck does Moroboshi think he is,
anyway?!!"

     "Someone acting on behalf of his people."

     Both women jolt, then spin to the back doorway, where a familiar
man in a sky-blue uniform now stands.  "Nassur!!" Benten gasps, then
her eyes narrow.  "So where the fuck is that asshole, anyway?!
He's got some...!"

     "ENOUGH!!!!"

     Benten jolts as Nassur's icy-blue stare lances into her, causing
her to quake as he walks up to stare her down.  "Now, you'll listen
to me," the expat Vosian bounty-hunter evenly states.  "BOTH of you!"
he then glares at Oyuki, causing the princess to wilt.  Despite
her present socio-political rank, Oyuki knew VERY well not to anger
the man before her.  "Do I have both your attention?" Nassur then 
growls, glaring anew at Benten.

     "Y-yeah...!" Benten stammers.

     To Oyuki.  "Yes," the princess' voice is barely audible.

     "Good.  As of now, NEITHER of you are permitted to return to 
Tomobiki again in your lifetimes," the Vosian states.  "If you can't
get *that* message through your minds now, remember this:  Ataru can
simply call the Inquisition in Jiyuu and BOTH of you would be in more
hot water than you could deal with.  You can wager that this LATEST
stunt has further eroded whatever good will the United Nations has 
towards citizens of the Galactic Federation.  And unfortunately,
this isn't over yet."  He pauses, then declares, "Oogi is still 
alive.  And he wants to fight Ataru."

     Silence.

     "What?!" Benten eeps.  "How the fuck's THAT possible?!!"

     "I don't know, but I believe it has something to do with another
little element of Lum's life that's come to rebound on Ataru," Nassur
sighs.  "But that's not our problem now.  Ataru, Negako-san and their
friends are more than capable of dealing with Oogi.  I'll be taking
you both to Koori City where I'll drop you off, then I'll go on to 
make my report to Lupica.  If your father," he stares at Oyuki, 
"...wishes to know what was said, he can ask Lupica when I am done
with her."

     Oyuki shudders.  "Nassur-san, you're being unreasonable."

     In a flash, he looms over her, causing her to collapse wide-eyed
into her chair.  "AM I?!!" he snarls.  "You idiot!!  Didn't you even
ONCE think of telling me you were sending that brute here?!!  Didn't
you consider the possibility that if B-Boy was in the area, Ataru
might ACTUALLY decide to settle an old score and send him back in 
pieces?!!  Didn't you REALIZE that when B-Boy showed up, Ataru was 
surrounded by twelve innocent women, his HALF-SISTERS, who could've
been hurt if not KILLED by that thing?!!"

     "I...!" the princess shakes her head, her mouth fluttering.

     "Of course not," Nassur leans back, shaking his head.  "All 
because it was Ataru, Lum's so-called 'husband,' you were dealing
with.  You know, he told me something before I left him tonight:
if any of those poor girls were hurt, he would've gladly beheaded
YOU, Princess, then sicced the Zephyrites on your people.  I trust
you remember what 'holy crusade' means?!"  He turns away.  "And if 
any of those girls had been hurt and Ataru decided to punish you for
it, I wouldn't've stood in his way!"

     "Nassur...!" Benten stares slack-jawed at him.

     Nassur sits himself at the control console.  "Lum and Lan are at
the gangway right now.  "You have five minutes to say your good-byes.
I highly recommend you leave this planet with me, because I can't
guarantee your safety if you stay.  Move!" he thumbs the doorway
to the bridge.

     Benten and Oyuki exchange shocked looks, then shakily nod as 
they head aft.  Nassur doesn't stare at them as they go, but as soon
as he senses he is alone on the bridge, he shakes his head.  "What
a mess..."

*    *    *

"Lonely Souls"
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@yahoo.com
**** **** ****
Based on "Urusei Yatsura" and "Ranma 1/2" created by Rumiko 
Takahashi; and "Sister Princess," created by Naoto Tenhiro and 
Sakurako Kimino.  This story is set after the end of the "UY" and 
"Ranma" manga series.
**** **** ****

NOTE:  The writer's notes are at the end of the Prologue.

**** **** ****

THE TENTH PART - WHEN GIRLS PLAY...!

     Twenty minutes later...

     "Renegade" blasts off, her prow turning towards the east as she
ascends into the clear evening sky over Tomobiki.  Now standing
by the front gate, Seiko and Sakiko watch their friend's ship leave,
then exchange a look before turning towards home.  Both take about
ten paces before their eyes briefly flash, they looking up to see two
other women awaiting them.

     "What are you two doing here?!" Seiko wonders.

     "What happened with Benten and Oyuki?" Shinobu wonders as she 
and Ryuunosuke slide in beside the Izumo sisters.  "Was it bad?"

     Seiko blinks, then reaches up to wipe her eyes.  "Yeah."

     "So what happened?" Ryuunosuke prompts.

     "Oh, nothing much," Sakiko smirks, reaching over to gently grasp
the tomboy's hand.  "No sense of repentance whatsoever from Oyuki
over what nearly happened to Darling's sisters.  No sense of ANYTHING
which could've indicated they were willing to see what they did 
wrong, to be honest."

     "Idiots!" Shinobu scowls.

     "Oh, don't be surprised, Shinobu," Sakiko chuckles, then 
squeezes Seiko's shoulder in reassurance.  "Oyuki was never denied
a thing when she was growing up.  Typical royalty, not so different
from Shutaro when you think about it.  Then tack onto that her 
complete and total disrespect for what Lum-chan wanted to do with 
Darling..." she throws up her hands.

     "Was Benten the same way?" Shinobu wonders.

     "Hai," Seiko nods, biting her lip.  "Strange, isn't it?  So many
things I never took the time to notice...!"  A pause, then she 
breathes out, fresh tears brimming her eyelids.  "They helped me 
whenever I needed help with Darling and all that, but deep down, they
hoped that I'd finally 'see the light' and dump him once and for all!
I just..."

     Shinobu considers that, then sighs, staring into the starlit
night.  "Were they *that* desperate to keep your friendship,
Lum?"

     "Probably.  Then again, we were practically raised together
since long before kindergarten," Seiko sighs.

     "So what did you do?" Ryuunosuke asks.

     Seiko closes her eyes...

*    *    *

     "Of COURSE I never liked the jerk!!" Benten snarled as she and
Oyuki confronted the Izumo sisters on the "Renegade's" gangway.
"Actin' like you didn't exist, chasin' girls to his heart's content,
breakin' YOUR heart along the way!!  What the hell type a' friend
was I supposed to be, Lum?!  Was I supposed to stand there and watch
you TAKE that crap?!"

     Seiko blinked, then sighed.  "So, in other words, you never 
trusted my judgement about how I wanted my life to run, right?"

     "I was tryin' to watch out for you, Lum!!"

     The Oni-turned-Nendo-kata/Terran blinked again, then gazed at 
Oyuki.  The princess jolted at that icy look, then composed herself.
"Lum-chan, surely you can understand our feelings about this!  Look
what that..." her voice failed, then she spat, "...that MONSTER
you 'love' has become?!  Look how much damage he's willingly caused
on Uru and elsewhere?!"

     "For VERY good reason, Oyuki," Sakiko cut in.

     "And you stay out of this!" Oyuki snapped, gazing intently
at Sakiko.  "What do you really care, anyway, Lan?  All you ever 
really wanted in the end was to kill that beast all to break 
Lum-chan's heart!"

     "Maybe," Sakiko shrugged.  "But Darling's forgiven me for that.
He understands me a lot better now, as I do him.  Doesn't what 
happened to his grandmother, what happened to HIM, matter to you at 
ALL, Oyuki?"

     "So what?!" Oyuki snorted.

     A hand exploded on the princess' cheek, knocking her to the 
gangway.  Benten blinked, then stared wide-eyed at Seiko as the 
latter glared down at Oyuki.  The latter's hand shakily reached
for her bruised cheek, then she turned to stare up at this being 
whose soul, in part, was once that of a dear friend.  
"L-lum-chan...?" she rasped.  "Wh-why...?"

     Seiko sighed, then turned around, stepping off the gangway.
"Lum, what the hell...?!  Whhoulf!!!" Benten reached for her, then
gasped as a telekinetic hand shoved her onto the gangway plating
beside Oyuki.

     Seiko's eyes reverted to normal.  "Lum Redet and Lan Aruka are
both dead," she glanced contemptuously over her shoulder.  "I am 
Seiko Izumo and this is my sister, Sakiko.  And you are both 
strangers to us now."

     Sakiko slipped her hands into her jacket pockets.  "Oh, by the
way, if either of you ever think of coming back here, we will kill
you on the spot," she adds, then raised her hand.  "Just like this!"
her eyes glowed.

     Benten screamed as her right arm was literally twisted out of 
its socket by Sakiko's telekinetic powers, then with another twist,
the elbow and wrists were expertly dislocated.  As the Fukunokami
teen curled in on herself, her good arm trying to cradle its wrecked
counterpart, Seiko's eyes glowed as Benten and Oyuki are shoved back
into the "Renegade," past the pressure door which protected the 
inside from the near-vacuum of deep space.  The Izumo sisters stood
back as the gangway retracted into the starship's hull, then moved
to a position where they got a clear view of the bridge.  Nassur
stood there, keying controls in preparation for liftoff.  The Vosian
looked outside a window, then smiling, waved at the two Nendo-kata.
Seiko and Sakiko waved back before moving clear...

*    *    *

     "Oh, man!" Ryuunosuke whistles.

     "I bet that shocked them even more than anything Ataru-kun
did," Shinobu crosses her arms, then blinks as she remembers her own
faux-pas in the school gymnasium earlier that evening.  "Lum...?"

     "Maybe it's best that you both get used to using our new names
now," Sakiko advises.  "Only part of us are the people you once 
knew."

     The Terrans consider that, then nod.  "Take a bit to get used
to," Ryuunosuke sighs.  "Hopefully, we won't forget your names like
we always forgot that other girl's name.  You know.  The one 
Moroboshi remembers."

     "Chigaiko."

     Everyone stares at Seiko.  "That's her name.  Chigaiko Inu,"
the raven-haired woman smirks, then sighs.  "I have to confess that
I never bothered to remember it, either.  Then again, I never really
cared for any of them, especially those Darling liked to chase all 
the time."

     "Even us?" Ryuunosuke blinks.

     "Hai, even you.  Especially you, Shinobu," Seiko's eyes are 
hooded, then she blinks as her former rival for Ataru's love squeezes
her hand.

     "There were times we didn't think so highly of you," Shinobu
admits, then sighs, keeping her hand in place.  "Perhaps, now that
I think about it, this or something like this was inevitable.
Sooner or later, something would've happened to Ataru-kun that 
would've affected all of us.  I..." she bites her lip.  "Jesu Cristo,
I never wanted it to end *this* way!"

     "Give him some space and a lot of time," Seiko advises.  
"Darling's got a lot more on his mind right now than dealing with 
us."

     "So what did he tell you guys?" Ryuunosuke asks.

     "It's a long story," Sakiko advises.  "C'mon, let's go back to 
our place and we'll fill you all in on the gory details."

     They head off...

*    *    *

     Promised Island, Welcome House, before dawn...

     "So it's ready?"

     "Hai," Jonna nods, holding the upgraded version of the Staff
of Gihan in her hands as she and Orin relax in their guest quarters.
In Orin's lap is a replica of the stylized handle-holder-cup
which her sister had built to house the Staff's focusing crystal.
The cup of Orin's device is empty, of course.  However, a crystal
of similar consistency and design to the Staff's sits on the floor
to Orin's right.  "Let's try it..."

     She concentrates, mentally linking into the Staff's central
control unit, making that reach out through the eternal vastness
of the Te'a to touch a device quite like it over half a galaxy away.
The crystal glows dizzily bright as energy begins to cascade from it,
pooling on the floor between the sisters.  As Orin watches, the 
energy seems to increase and decrease in visible intensity for a 
minute before morphing into a metal torch-like device clearly showing
its age.  "Yokatta!!!" she calls out.

     Jonna relaxes, then staring at the results of her efforts,
grins.  "The Genesis Wand..." she whispers, then gazes at Orin.  "Do
it!!"

     "Hai!!" Orin reaches down, picking up the newly-arrived
Wand, then she yanks out its focusing crystal from the holder.  
Setting that aside, she picks up the fake crystal from her right,
then slips that into place.  A quick jerk makes sure the unit is 
secured, then she puts it down between her and Jonna.  "Done!  Send
it back!!" she orders.

     "Hai!" Jonna concentrates.

     In a flash of light and energy, the Wand's holder and 
replacement crystal vanish, returning to its hiding place, deep 
within a crystal palace inside a Dyson sphere known in legends as the
Planet of Shadows.  Once the teleportation energy fades, the sisters
relax, then Orin reaches over to hold up the Genesis Wand's REAL 
focusing unit.  "So now both Hinako-sama and Aria-sama will have new
'toys' to play with," she chuckles.

     "Let's get them ready," Jonna ordains.

     Her sister nods...

*    *    *

     "Rrrrf...?"

     Akane's eyes snap open as she sits up, then looks on the floor
beside the bed to see Michael sitting up, the golden retriever
gazing at the ceiling.  "Michael...?" the youngest Tendou blinks,
then tenses on feeling the hand in her lap.  Gazing left, she finds
Marie laying there, under covers, the girl's face still damp from the
tears she had shed late last night after the meeting between Ataru
and Nassur had broken up finally.

     "Marie-chan..." Akane whispers, then sighs, staring at Michael.
"You don't realize how simple your life really is, Michael," she 
grins.

     The retriever gazes at her with a curious whine, then lays down.
Akane stares at him, then lays down, she shifting herself to face the
sleeping Marie.  Staring at the younger girl's face, it somewhat
lit up thanks to outside moonlight shining in, Akane blinks, then 
lightly smiles.  "He allowed his innocence to be destroyed all to 
save yours, to let you live your lives in peace and harmony,"
she sighs, her voice the most minimal of whispers.  She then shakes
her head.  "You all must feel so lucky having a big brother like 
that.  Something I'll never know..."

     "Akane-san...?"

     Akane blinks, then sighs.  "Ohayou, Marie-chan."

     Marie's eyes flutter, then she peers intently at the older woman
now sharing her bed.  "Akane-san..." she sighs.  "Can't you sleep?"

     "I'm okay," Akane smiles.  "How do you feel?"

     The younger woman considers the question, then sighs.  "What
can one say?  What can one say when one's own brother has literally
walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death to keep one safe?"
she draws the covers closer to her, then shifts her head closer to 
Akane's.  "I just wish..."

     "You could make it all go away?"

     "Hai."

     Akane blinks, then nods.  "I can understand that.  But no matter
how much you can wish, it'll never really go away.  Not for your 
brother."

     "Hai..."

*    *    *

     Three hours later...

     "A present for Aria?"

     Aria sits in the dining room beside Orin, enjoying a morning
cup of juice with some of the other sisters as Shirayuki and 
Guenevere rush about getting breakfast served.  Though no classes
were being held at Stargazer West Collage today or tomorrow, the 
sisters had to spend some time there today to prepare for the new 
school year starting on Monday.  "Hai, Aria-sama, a present for you.
A very NICE present, unlike anything you've ever got," the 
Niphentaxian/Avalonian nods, then hums.  "Well, except the presents
Ataru-sama and your tree-spirit friend gave you."

     Aria blinks, then her cheeks redden.  "Nee-ya is so nice to 
Aria," she reaches down to hold Orin's hand, then her lips twist.
"Aria only wishes she could have helped stop the bad men from hurting
Nii-ya."

     Orin gazes at the young girl, one struggling to fully 
comprehend, in spite of her only being ten years old, the sheer 
horror of what her beloved Nii-ya had endured in the last few weeks,
then she sighs, reaching over to gently draw Aria into her arms.  "I
wish that, too, Aria-sama.  I really do.  But..." she sighs.  "What's
done is done.  What we have to do now is make sure the bad men don't
come back to hurt Ataru-sama again."

     Aria nods.  "Kusu..."

     "Orin-san?"

     She looks up to see Guenevere staring at her.  "Oh, 
Guenevere-san, is there something the matter?" Orin immediately
lets go of Aria.

     "May I speak to you in private, please?" the governess smiles.

     Sensing no hidden anger or other dark emotion she might have to
guard herself from, Orin nods.  "Sure.  I'll be back, Aria-sama,"
she leans over to kiss Aria's forehead, then rises to follow 
Guenevere out.

     "Bye-bye," the girl waves as they step out.

     Both women walk onto the front lawn of Welcome House, then 
Guenevere stops, gazing out on the waters of the Sagami Sea.  Orin
remains behind her, out of arm's reach.  The governess takes a deep
breath, then offers the alien woman a light smile.  "I'm not sure 
what you're exactly planning when it comes to Aria-sama, Orin-san.
But I would hope that whatever it is, it won't hurt her.  After 
hearing what happened to Ataru-sama, I..."

     A hand lands on her shoulder.  Guenevere gazes at Orin, the 
latter with a calm smile on her face.  "Your concern, your love, for
Aria-sama is as bright as a sun, Guenevere-san," the 
Niphentaxian/Avalonian sighs, then pulls her hand back.  "And even
though I've only known Aria-sama for a very short time, I've come to
share those same feelings about her.  But..." she stops, then shakes
her head.  "There are those, as you're no doubt aware, who don't 
bother to care about things like that.  And, unfortunately,
there are those who will gladly hurt Aria-sama all because her 
blood-father just happens to be Muchi Moroboshi, thus making her 
half-sister to the 'great evil' so many of my people loathe with 
every fibre of their beings."

     "But I thought they were all done away with..."

     "Not all," Orin shakes her head.  "Even worse, the most evil,
the most powerful of that whole sick lot..." she nods to the heavens.
"Is right up there right now, just waiting for...!  Eh?!"

     Guenevere blinks, then looks up as a bright light seems to 
descend towards Promised Island.  Rinrin races out of Welcome House,
a strange gadget in her hand resembling a cross between a caulking
pistol and a magical wand.  Stopping behind the older women, she 
takes the device and aims it towards the light, which is now growing
into a rocket-shaped space vehicle about the same size as a Saturn
Five booster.  "Rinrin-sama, what *is* that?!" Guenevere demands
as Rinrin draws out her personal palm-top computer to gaze at the 
readings her scanner were now feeding it.

     "Spaceship, type not encountered before..." Rinrin mutters,
then blinks as a gust of heavy wind drops down on her, nearly 
knocking both her scanner and the palm-top out of her hands as the 
others cry out.

     The vehicle, as it seems to drop into the shallow water just 
beyond Welcome House, deploys four landing legs, each quickly 
splaying a series of retrothrusters to cushion the landing.  By now,
most of the others from the dining hall have come outside, though
they were staying well back to ensure they didn't get soaked when 
splashdown occurred.  Even Guenevere, Orin and Rinrin back away from
the edge, though the teen scientist was still taking readings,
trying to determine exactly what this damned thing was.

     A surge of water leaps up to splash the retaining wall and soak
some of the lawn as the vehicle makes splashdown, though the waves
aren't as big as one might have feared had it come down at a faster
velocity.  It shudders for a moment, then settles into the seabed
as steam vents from its base.  A moment later, a gangway pulls free
of the vehicle's hull, rotating around to touch the ground some feet
from Orin.  Safety rails instantly go up as the door leading inside
opens, revealing a dapper teenage man, clearly a Niphentaxian,
in a button shirt and dungaree jeans.

     Silence falls as the man steps out, takes a deep breath of the
salty sea air, then gazing on the small crowd standing where his 
gangway touched down, he shrugs, walking towards them.  He quickly
spots Jonna and Orin by their ears, then a delighted smile crosses
his face.  "Ah, my sensors were right on!" he claps his hands, moving
off the gangplank to gaze intently into Orin's eyes.  "No doubt,
you two are Avalonian replicas of some silly priestess or another
back home.  But where is the third one...?!"

     "Why do you wish to know?!  And who are you, anyway?!" Orin 
demands.

     The new arrival jolts, then his body tenses.  "Now, that's 
enough of that!  I'm looking for the Avalon factory satellite
and I KNOW it happens to be somewhere close to this planet!  Since
you two girls *are* Avalonians (though I can't seem to see the third
one my ship's sensors detected from orbit), you MUST know where the
factory is!"  He firmly grasps Orin's hand, yanking her towards
him.  "Now tell me where...?!  URK!!!!"

     The "urk" came courtesy of Mallet-sama, it having just smashed
down atop the fellow's head.  "This ISN'T your planet, buster!!"
Akane growls.

     He moans, then collapses to the ground.  Everyone gazes on him,
then Rinrin sighs.  "THAT, he definitely had coming!"

     The others nod...

*    *    *

     "Wh-where am I...?"

     "Welcome back to the land if the living, Fungi-san."

     Fungi's eyes flutter as consciousness energizes his body, then
he finds himself in a sea of black punctuated by many candles.
Barely visible in the darkness off to his right is a table, a chair
beside it.  Seated in the chair is a purple-haired girl, dressed
quite formally.  "Who...?"

     The girl gazes intently at him, then reaches for the table,
flipping a strangely-decorated card around.  A glance to see what the
image on the card is, then she returns to staring at him.  "Welcome
to Promised Island, Fungi-san," she rises, walking around the table
to place herself beside him.  Only then does he realize he is now on
a low-lying bed; his face is level to her knees.  "Right now, I 
suspect your fellow observers are wondering what's happened to you.
Be assured, all tracking devices they could use to trace you down 
will not help you now.  That is..." she pauses, a strange smile 
crossing her face.  "If you WISH to be found, of course."

     Fungi takes that in, then grunting, he lifts himself onto his 
elbows before swinging himself around to a sitting position.  He 
seems to think about it for a moment, then stares at her.  "Who are
you, anyway?"

     "My name is Chikage Hirosaki.  I am one of a dozen women who 
claim Ataru Moroboshi as our older brother.  Half-brother,
that is."

     His eyes go wide.  "Half-brother...?" he gasps, then looks 
around the dark space they both were in.  "Half-brother..."
he whispers, then gazes on her.  "How exactly did this happen?  
Lum-sama or her friends never spoke of any external relations
for Ataru Moroboshi save his parents."

     "It was not publicly revealed until Lum was expelled from Earth
and Ani-kun's parents were declared roonin and cut off from the 
family fortune.  Now that they are dead, it no longer matters,"
Chikage crosses her arms.  "As to Ani-kun's other relations,
you may thank (or blame, if you wish) Kinshou Moroboshi's 
self-serving nature.  After all, she feared that if Ani-kun 
remembered his grandmother, for example, Lum would've been thrown
off the planet or..." a light smile crosses her face, "...dragged
to Jiyuu to face the High Court of Star Chamber for her 'crimes'
against the people of Earth.  Not to mention the grandson of a 
Righteous Gentile."

     Silence falls as Fungi considers what Chikage just said, then
he looks nowhere in particular.  "None of us ever knew that..."
he whispers.

     "Of course not.  Still, given recent events back on your 
homeworld, I doubt it will come to matter much in the near future,"
she nods, then gazes at him.  "Fungi-san, I will ask you something
and I would desire an honest answer.  Do you really support your 
so-called 'Church of Lum?'"

     He jolts, then sighs.  Indecision grips him for a moment as he 
considers her query, then he stares at her.  "It depends."

     "'Depends?'"

     "Yes.  Granted, I may not believe as wholeheartedly
as others from my world might, but it doesn't mean that EVERYTHING
the Church has done is bad!" he admits.  "There are sects who 
actually accept your brother for what he truly is.  Or rather 'was'
given that Lum-sama is gone.  I..."

     His voice trails off.  "You're afraid that if you surrender
certain information to us, your relatives back home might be made to
suffer," she sits beside him.  "Given that they clearly survived
what happened two weeks ago, that could mark them as either 
'heretics,' 'infidels' or 'apostates' in your planet's culture.
I suspect you yourself have endured times when others have suspected
you of being like that.  Have you?"

     She stares at him.  Fungi shudders, then sighs, lowering his 
head in a slow nod.  "I see," Chikage sighs.  "Well, then, I can 
understand your hesitation.  But, like it or not, we do need to know
everything about your co-workers currently residing here, Fungi-san."

     "What will you do with them?" he demands.

     "Capture them and send them home seems the most likely thing
to do.  After a little mystical brainwashing, of course, to ensure
they never can cause anyone harm again," a light smile crosses her 
face.  "That could be used to help your relatives back home remain
alive, of course."

     He blinks.  "You'd do that for me?"

     "Of course," she nods.  "Fungi-san, you may not realize it now,
but Ani-kun was caught in the middle of your so-called 'cataclysm.'
You may not also realize that it was a top-secret sect of priests
who, using a weapon whose true power they didn't BEGIN to understand,
effectively arranged matters which made the Cataclysm inevitable.
Given that, plus what you've probably been told about the casualties
on Phentax Two, do you really wish to support something like the 
Church of Lum...?" she stares at him.  "When it's most likely that
very soon, your people will do all in their power to ensure such an 
organization will never exist again?"

     Fungi blinks, then nods.  "You're right there," he then breathes
out.  "Already, we're getting reports from the Homeworld and our 
colonies that here-...!" he pauses, shakes his head, then sighs.
"That non-Lumites are demanding the Church's full disestablishment
as the 'House of the One True Faith.'  Anti-Lumite revolutionary
councils are being formed all over.  Even the Fleet's strongly
divided.  They're not sure who to listen to."  He closes his eyes.
"We all brought this on ourselves in the end, Chikage-san.
I can understand your desire to protect yourselves and your brother
as well.  But there are many elsewhere who wouldn't care.  And if 
they learned of my involvement..." his voice trails off, he 
shrugging.

     The sorceress looks at him, then nods.  "Again, understandable.
Perhaps we need not act at this minute," she rises, offering her hand
to him.  "In the meantime, you may consider yourself our guest.  But
PLEASE, do not try to contact your compatriots, Fungi-san.  If 
Ani-kun gets wind of that, you will no doubt experience what he did
to B-Boy yesterday."

     Fungi takes her hand, then stands up.  "What did he do?"

     "He beheaded B-Boy," Chikage smiles, guiding him through the 
candles to the door of her room.  "And if any of us were hurt because
we were with him at your so-called 'holy citadel,' he would've
killed Oyuki, too."

     Fungi jolts, then sighs.  "I see."

     Chikage opens the door, then guides the Niphentaxian through.
Awaiting them in the hallway is Sakuya.  "There you are!" she gazes
intently at the sorceress.  "We need you outside, Chikage."

     "Is there a problem?"

     "What do you think?!" Sakuya sighs.  "We just got some OTHER
idiot from Jonna-san's and Orin-san's homeworld who just landed a 
ROCKET of all things here!  THEN, just because Jonna-san and Orin-san
are Avalonians, he tries to boss them around!  For ONCE, Akane's
stupid mallet came in handy!"

     Chikage's eyebrow twitches.  "I see..."

*    *    *

     Furinkan High School, lunchtime...

     "So you'll definitely be there tonight?"

     "You bet," Ranma nods, sitting with Kimiko Ikeda in the 
cafeteria.  The crowd here is small today.  In yet another act of 
defiance against the recently-departed Principal Kunou, most of the
students and staff had gone off-campus to raid local yatais and 
restaurants for their noon meals (to allow that, lunchtime was 
extended for an extra half-hour to ensure people weren't late coming
back).  Even more, Ukyou set up her portable grill here for those
wanting fresh okonomiyaki for lunch, she now being supported by 
Konatsu and some supplies from her restaurant.  "I'll bring some 
bentos from Tampopo-chan's place so everyone can have something
to eat!  AND I'll make sure to have a big meal before coming down,"
she adds with a wink.

     Kimiko giggles, then leans her chin on her palms as she gazes
on Ranma.  "So what type of videos do you want to watch, anyway?"

     "Ever see 'Gone With The Wind?'"

     Silence.

     "You're kidding me!!" Kimiko's eyes go wide.

     "Nope," Ranma shakes her head.  "Saw that when I was stayin'
with Ataru and his sisters on Promised Island.  Real great movie,
even if it is kinda long.  Lucky thing videos allow us to stop the 
action so we can snack or go to the washroom without missing the good
parts."

     "And fast-forward past the boring stuff," Kimiko adds with an 
impish grin, then shakes her head.  "I'm sorry, Ranma-kun.  I just
can't, for the life of me, imagine YOU of all people liking 'Gone
With The Wind!'"

     "Hey, I kinda thought it'd be a snoozer myself, but I was really
surprised when I got into it," Ranma admits, then sighs, looking
absently at the table between them.  "It's been an eye-opener,
that's for sure."

     "What is?"

     "All the things I've been doin' since Ataru and I met," Ranma
leans her head on one palm.  "Lot of it's got nothin' to do with 
martial arts at all.  Jeez!  It just amazes me, ya know.  How much
I've missed out because I was spendin' my time hikin' on the road 
with Oyaji learnin' the Art."  A pause, then, "You guys really don't
know how lucky you are."

     Kimiko gazes at her, then looks down.  "I guess so.  Why is it 
you don't talk about things like that?  You know, you could've
probably solved some of your problems here if you'd only opened up a 
little more."

     Ranma considers that, then shakes her head.  "Nah.  It 
couldn't've happened before now 'cause of two things.  One, it 
wouldn't be 'manly,' so if I started to blab all my problems,
Oyaji'd be all over me, callin' me a weak girl and all that."  A 
pause, then, "And two, I didn't trust you."

     Kimiko jolts.  "Why not?!"

     A snort.  "'Cause you were all willin' ta follow Akane's line
about what I was like and all that," Ranma shrugs, then sighs.

     Kimiko stares at the other woman, then she bows her head.  "Yes,
I suppose you do have a right to say that, don't you?" she sips her
tea.  "Who do you trust, Ranma-kun?  Hiroshi-kun?  Daisuke-kun?"

     "Nope, neither of them," Ranma shakes her head.  "They haven't
been through the stuff I've been through.  Yeah, it's great to have
'em around to talk with an' all that.  Are they my friends in the 
end?  Well..." she pauses, then sighs, shrugging helplessly.
"I guess I'm still tryin' to figure out what the heck 'friendship'
really means, ya know."

     "I feel sorry for you, then," Kimiko sighs.  "Who DO you trust?"

     "Right now?"  At her nod, Ranma smiles.  "Well, I trust Ataru
and Negako, of course.  All of Ataru's sisters.  Tampopo-chan.
I'm slowly regaining my trust with U-chan.  I'm starting to develop
a real trust of Shampoo.  And maybe Kasumi."  A long pause, then she
shrugs.  "That's it."

     "Not Akane?"

     "Nope.  But..." a pause, then Ranma sighs.  "I'm willin' to give
her a chance to be my friend.  But ONLY my friend.  It ain't goin'
father than that!" she wags her finger in a "no-no" gesture.  "Never
again."

     Kimiko takes that in, then sighs.  "That's sad.  I mean, you 
went to all that trouble keeping her safe and all that and it..."
her voice trails off, then she looks left to see Chigaiko and Yuka
approach, trays of hot okonomiyaki in hand.  "Oh, Chigaiko-chan,
Yuka-chan, konnichi wa!"

     "Konnichi wa, Kimiko-chan!" Yuka smiles.  "Can we join you?"

     "Sure!" Ranma smiles as they shift chairs around to allow the 
others to fit in, then Ranma blinks on seeing Yuka hand her a tray
of okonomiyaki.  "What's this?  I didn't ask for U-chan to make 
anythin' today...!"

     "Sorry, Ranma-chan, she won't hear of it!" Yuka smirks.  "And
don't bother paying for it.  She won't hear of THAT, either!"

     "I..." Ranma shudders as flashes of guilt arc through her, then
she blinks on feeling Chigaiko's hand on her shoulder.

     "She IS your friend, Ranma-chan," the expat Tomobikian winks.

     "Yeah, but still..." Ranma starts to protest, then she sighs.
"Oh, man."  With a shake of her head, she digs in.

     "You know, Ranma-chan, if you're feeling remorse over what's
happened between you and Ukyou-san, it's a good sign for you both,"
Yuka notes.  "I mean, I've heard about the things your father pulled
from Akane and..." her voice then trains off as a slight shudder
twitches her eyebrows.

     Ranma gazes at her, then smiles.  "Well, you *can* believe
all the stuff Akane said about Oyaji.  Except for all of it bein'
my fault, that is!" she adds with a wink, holding up an objecting
finger.

     Yuka blinks, then smiles.  "Arigatou, Ranma-chan.  I..." she 
then seems to deflate.  "I..." she bows her eyes.  "Ranma-chan,
I...!"  Her eyes close, then she squares her shoulders before placing
her hands on the table and bowing towards her classmate.  "Ranma-san,
I'm sorry!!"

     "Sorry?!" the transformed martial artist blinks.  "For what,
Yuka?  You listenin' to Akane all the time?  Shit, don't apologize
for that!  It ain't your fault that I wasn't the type of person I 
should'a been...!!"

     "No, no!  It's not that!!" Yuka shakes her head, then she 
relaxes on feeling Kimiko's and Chigaiko's supportive hands on her 
shoulders.  Taking a deep breath, she gazes at Ranma.  "Ranma, you 
know I've been the victim of that damned mallet myself.  I should've
realized how much it was hurting you, then tried to do something,
say SOMETHING, to put a stop to it.  Or at least made Akane realize
what she was doing was WRONG!  I..."

     She bites her lip, unsure of what to say further.  Ranma gazes
at her, then she sighs.  "Yuka, you would'a been nuts ta try to stand
up to Akane, especially at times when she lost control of her anger.
I know that more than anyone else.  Hell, probably even more than her
family does."

     "True," Yuka concedes, then she sighs, nodding thanks to Kimiko
and Chigaiko.  "Well, it doesn't matter now," she sits back in her 
chair.  "As far as I'm concerned, if I don't speak to her again,
it won't be a loss."

     Silence.

     "Yuka-chan, are you sure...?" Kimiko's jaw opens.

     "Yes, I'm sure!" Yuka snaps, then shudders before she relaxes.
"I guess I was so desperate for a friend after I moved here that I 
didn't take time to sit back and think about what sort of person
Akane was in the long run.  And Sayuri!" she spits out, then gazes
at Chigaiko before turning to Ranma.  "Maybe I should've walked away
after being hit by that thing the third time -- hell, the FIRST time
in fact!! -- but..." she bites her lip.  "I guess I justified
those times as accidents because Akane didn't see what happened
when she was swinging that thing around.  And, hell, it WAS Kunou
who started it.  Believe me, Ranma, when you came and finally started
putting that jerk in his place, you made a lot of people here really
happy.  Anytime you fooled with his fantasies about his 'pig-tailed
goddess' and all that...!  Trust me, Ranma-chan, that was justified."

     The martial artist considers that, then shrugs.  "Maybe.  Then
again, I guess you and I've got somethin' in common now, Yuka."

     "What's that?" Yuka's eyes widen.

     "About bein' so starved for friendship, we went and turned to 
the first person who said 'Let's be friends' and all that without
realizin' what we were gettin' inta," Ranma shrugs.  "I did that with
Akane, right from when we first met.  There I was, havin' had no 
real, true friend since I left U-chan all those years before -- and
seein' how much Ryouga WASN'T a friend in the end, maybe it was a 
good thing that I didn't remember him at first when he came here -- 
and suddenly, this cute girl with this REALLY cute smile comes up to
me and said 'Want to be friends?'  Hell, how was *I* to know then 
about all the crap Kunou was pullin' on her?!  How was *I* supposed
ta know how she felt about boys?  I..." she shrugs, then leans her 
cheeks into the palms of her hands.  "And then she walked into the 
furo on me when I was tryin' ta figure out what to say an' all..."

     "And that's how it all started," Kimiko finishes.

     "Yeah."

     "Gods!" Chigaiko shakes her head.  "You know, Ranma-san,
you and Ataru-kun have SO much in common.  It's no wonder you two're
friends."

     "Was it the same for Ataru-kun when he met that Oni girl?" Yuka
asks.

     "Oh, about the same.  Turns out that the night of the ninth day
of Tag One, that idiot Miyaki promises that if Ataru-kun won the 
race, she'd marry him.  So, come Day Ten, Ataru-kun used that 
suction-cup gun to rip off Lum's bikini top, then when she got in 
range and he tagged her horns, he calls out 'Now I can be married!'
And Lum..." Chigaiko throws up her hands in a "What the hell did YOU
expect?!" motion, "...decided then and there Ataru-kun was talking
about HER.  What's worse, Miyaki decides to walk away from him.  And
there was that BITCH Ataru-kun used to call a mother, ready to sell
him off to the damned Onis and all that, and...!"

     "Stupid!" Kimiko sighs.

     "Amen to that," Chigaiko sips her drink.

     "There you are!"

     All four jolt, then turn as Sayuri marches up.  Seeing her, Yuka
ducks her head out of view to mask the pained look in her eyes.  It 
does not matter because Ranma is the target of the newcomer's
attention.  "You got a problem there, Asano-san, or what?" Ranma 
calmly sips her drink.

     Sayuri jolts, then crosses her arms.  "Where's Akane, Saotome?
She hasn't been in school since Tuesday and Nabiki's not sayin' a 
thing!"

     "What makes you think I'm her keeper?" Ranma shrugs, not 
bothering to gaze at Sayuri.  "'Sides, why are you comin' ta me NOW
about Akane?  Why didn't you ask on Wednesday or yesterday for that
matter?"

     Sayuri quakes, then her fists clench, she taking one step 
towards Ranma.  "Now, look here, you insensitive jerk...!" she 
growls.

     The *CRACK!* of flesh hitting flesh echoes through the 
cafeteria.  People's heads snap around in shock on seeing that RANMA
had been the one to slap Sayuri on the cheek.  The latter staggers
against a table, her eyes wide with stunned disbelief as she feels
her flaming cheek, then she stares in shock at Ranma.  "I have had 
ENOUGH of that crap!" the martial artist icily growls, her eyes 
smoking as she makes one step towards Sayuri.  Seeing her move, 
EVERYONE in the room takes a step back, not wanting to do ANYTHING
to risk facing Ranma's wrath.  "I've put up to all this pathetic
shit about that tomboy ever since I came to this dump!!  Get it 
through your head finally, Asano:  WE ARE NOT ENGAGED!!!!"
she leans right into Sayuri's face, causing the latter to collapse
on the table, her face paralysed by Ranma's incensed glare.  "I don't
give a fuck if you're that tomboy's best friend or not, but you have
NO right to judge me!!  Not NOW, not EVER!!!"  She holds up a finger,
jabbing it into the bridge of Sayuri's nose.  "You're lucky I'm gonna
let you off easy today, 'cause if I wasn't in a good mood, I'd've
done to you what I did to Akane last week!  And don't you EVER get 
inta my face about her again!!  GOT ME?!?!"

     "H-h-h-hai!" Sayuri stammers, her face sheet-white.

     "Good," Ranma straightens herself.

     "Problem there, Ran-chan?"

     Ranma looks left to see Ukyou standing there, her battle spatula
at the ready, the chef giving Sayuri a disgusted look.  "Nah, U-chan,
don't bother yourself about it!" Ranma shakes her head.  "This is 
just a whiny little bitch who doesn't know when to mind her own 
business!"

     Ukyou snorts.  "Yeah, I kinda guessed that," she smirks as Ranma
walks away, picking up her tray to shift outside.  Sensing that 
Sayuri might be trying to throw in a parting shot, the chef's eyes
narrow as her battle spatula whips up to tap the girl's exposed
neck, causing Sayuri's voice to catch in her throat.  "As I once 
said, Asano...!" Ukyou icily smirks as she leans close to the 
shivering Sayuri.  "You NOW stand in harm's way.  By the way, you 
better change your panties."

     Lowering her spatula, the cook walks off.  Exchanging a look,
Kimiko, Yuka and Chigaiko rise.  "Yes, the stench IS getting a little
rank in this place, isn't it, everyone?" the former sneers at Sayuri.

     "Yeah, let's move somewhere nicer!" the latter snorts.

     Yuka is silent as she follows the others out of the room.  
Watching her, Sayuri's eyes widen, then she calls out, "Yuka...!!"

     Yuka stops, then takes a very deep breath before turning to gaze
on Sayuri.  "You are a stranger to me, Asano-san."

     She turns away, then marches out of the room in her friends'
wake.  Sayuri remains in place, then shuddering, collapses to her 
knees, gazing nowhere in particular.  The room is deathly quiet after
that, people unsure of what to say or do after witnessing what they
just did.  Then, as if they were commanded telepathically,
people rise to walk out.  In a minute, Sayuri is alone, her body 
quaking as tears stream down her cheeks...

*    *    *

     "I can't believe that!"

     Chieko Fujii shakes her head.  She was meeting Nabiki now in the
latter's homeroom during the break between the second and final 
afternoon classes.  "It's like I said, Boss," the former sighs.  
"Asano marched over to find out about your sister from Ranma-kun
and she almost got killed for it when her mouth ran away from her 
brain," an ironic smirk crosses her face.  Saying something like THAT
about someone in Nerima was more commonly applied to Ranma than 
anyone else.  "Then you add what Tokoro did...!"

     Nabiki blinks, then sighs.  "Well, Yuka's reaction doesn't
surprise me one bit," she sits back in her chair, arms crossed.

     Chieko's jaw drops.  "You mean it's all true?  About what's
been said about Tokoro being hit by Akane's mallet before Ranma-kun
came?"

     "Yep," Nabiki nods; Chieko hadn't been a student at Furinkan
High at the time.  "It surprised me that Yuka's parents didn't try to
lay charges or nail us with a lawsuit over that.  It might've made
Akane realize back then that she wasn't the centre of the universe.
Oh, well..."

     "Tendou-san!"

     Nabiki jolts, then looks over to see Sayuri standing at the 
doorway.  The hurt look on the latter's face causes the former's
heart to lurch; no doubt, Yuka's walking away from her -- and in 
support of Ranma Saotome of all people! -- had hurt Sayuri badly.
Rising, she nods thanks to Chieko, then heads over to Sayuri.  
"Follow me," she waves the younger girl with her.  Sayuri sighs,
then trails the middle Tendou daughter to the nearest stairwell.
Once relatively alone, Nabiki faces her.  "What do you want?"

     "Where's Akane?" Sayuri sighs.

     "Why do you want to know?"

     "HEY!!!" the younger woman barks, causing Nabiki to lean back,
though the latter retains her cool.  "Akane's my friend!!  I have 
EVERY right in the world to know about what's happened to her, 
Nabiki!!  And I don't give a damn about what that air-headed
bitch you call an older sister says, either!!!  She's got NO RIGHT
to dictate ANYTHING to Akane, ESPECIALLY after BOTH of you SOLD her
out to that bastard Saotome!!!  Yeah, Akane's got her problems,
but she needs her friends right now given the fact that her whole
family's ABANDONED her since her mother died!!!"

     Hearing that, Nabiki's eyes flare with outrage.  Sayuri gasps
on seeing the former's fist fly right to her face before a blur 
clouds her vision, instantly followed by the loud *CRACK!* of 
Nabiki's fist hitting someone's palm.  Sayuri staggers back, then 
looks right to see Ataru now standing there, a calm look on his face.
"Nabiki-san, I'd think that YOU of all people would understand
the difference between fighting another martial artist and striking
out at a person who can't defend herself," he gently pushes her hand
back, then stares at Sayuri.  "EVEN a stupid fool who has an 
uncontrollable mouth like this one apparently does."

     Nabiki shudders, then takes a breath to calm herself.  "Yes,
Ataru-kun, you are right there," she nods to him, then glares at 
Sayuri, causing the other girl to pale.  "And I'm going to say one 
thing to you, Asano!  If you ever, EVER state that Kasumi and I have
abandoned Akane again, I will PERSONALLY make your life a living
HELL!!!  YOU do NOT have ANY right at ALL to judge what's happened
to us, before Ranma-kun came AND after!!"  She turns away.  "If 
you're smart, Asano, you'll mind your own business."

     She marches off.  Sayuri watches her go, then spits out, "Why
don't you learn to be a REAL sister for a change, Nabiki, instead
of being an ice-hearted bitch that'd sell her whole family out to 
make a PROFIT?!!"  Hearing that, Nabiki stops, her fists clenching.
Seeing that, Sayuri smirks as she adds, "By the way, Nabiki, that's
what AKANE thinks of you now!!  And there's nothing you can do to me
that'll change THAT fact!!!"

     Silence falls, then Nabiki relaxes, continuing on to her 
classroom without saying a word in response.  Sayuri watches her go,
a triumphant smile crossing her face, then she nods thanks to Ataru
before heading down the stairs.  Ataru remains in place, then calls
out, "Asano-san."

     Hearing her stop, he smiles, gazing at her.  "A word of advice.
Don't pick fights with people who may not be as sure of themselves
as they actually project to the public at large.  You might never
know when you'll push the wrong button and wind up in the hospital.
Or the *morgue.*"

     Sayuri jolts as Ataru heads down the hallway, then shudders
as the coldness in his voice echoes again and again in her mind...

*    *    *

     Promised Island, Welcome House, approaching suppertime...

     "So has anyone figured out what to do with this pervert?!"

     Orin, Jonna and Fungi exchange a look, then stare down at the 
open coffin (one of Chikage's spare beds) holding Sunmee in suspended
animation (courtesy of a crucifix charm Chikage prepared before 
heading to school, that wrapped around the hapless scientist's
throat).  "Perhaps the best thing to do is to locate his servants
and let them reunite," Fungi sighs.

     Akane glares at him.  "HEY!!!"

     "He may have a point, Akane," Orin moderates.

     "Excuse me?!!" the youngest Tendou shivers.  "We're ALL 
Avalonians now if you'll recall, Orin!!  What makes you think I'm 
going to stand by and let this perverted jerk abuse others like us,
even if it's supposedly 'convenient' to the rest of us?!!  Besides,
he's probably just as bad as that Oogi bastard you people and 
Ataru-san told us about!!"

     "Not necessarily true, Akane-san," Fungi shakes his head.  As 
the women gaze on him, the observer sighs.  "Professor Sunmee here
is one of the greatest inventors who's emerged from our society
in the last century, maybe more!  Besides, he's clearly no Lumite,
not by far!!  You remember what Chikage-san said about those two 
fellows we found on his ship!"

     Akane blanches, remembering the sight of the two dead men, 
looking very much like a pair of government special agents, lying
there in one of Sunmee's work lab aboard his ship.  Jonna had been
forced to use a handy pistol to disintegrate the corpses before any
of the younger sisters saw them.  "Yeah, that's true, I guess..."
she sighs, then shakes her head.  "No!  It's not right to let him 
have those girls back!!  Maybe when he finally develops some manners
and respect for them, though...!"

     "Perhaps they serve more than just his laboratory assistants
and sex slaves," Jonna muses.  "As you'll recall, Akane, our people
have a great deficit when it comes to moulding our own culture.
We've always imitated others in that regard.  What if this fellow's
friends actually served as his..." her voice trails off, then she 
shrugs.  "His inventive muses?"

     Fungi stares at her, then nods.  "Good point."

     "Akane has a good point, too," Orin moderates.  "Don't forget,
Fungi, none of us truly KNOW this man.  We've heard about him over
the newsnets back home and all that, BUT infrequently.  And if what
we saw on his ship is true, it seems that had he not served our 
people so well, he might've been accused by his fellow townspeople
as a heretic or an apostate."

     Fungi and Akane shudder.  "Good point," the former nods.

     The door to Chikage's room then opens, revealing the sorceress
in question, now dressed in the beige-and-red Stargazer West 
College's girls' seifuku for junior high and high school students.
Setting her bookbag aside, Chikage then draws out her personal
crucifix pendant.  A shower of rose petals later, she is dressed
in her normal black lady's tuxedo.  "Good afternoon, everyone,"
she walks up to Sunmee's side.  "I see our latest guest is still 
sleeping.  Have you decided what to do with him now?"

     "Not really, Chikage-sama," Jonna shakes her head.

     A knock is heard.  Chikage looks over, then calls out, "Who is 
it?!"

     "It's Hina!" a squeaky voice echoes through the wood.  "Hina
and Aria-chan are wondering where Jonna-oneetama and Orin-oneetama
are."

     "Oh, we nearly forgot about them," Jonna chuckles as she and 
Orin exchange a knowing look, then move to depart.  "Excuse us, 
please."

     They step outside, the sisters then nearly getting bowled over
by Hinako as the younger girl swamps them with a hug.  As the door
closes behind Jonna and Orin, Fungi sighs, rising.  "Well, if you 
need my help in anything, I'll be with Rinrin-san in her private
laboratory.  Excuse me."

     He walks out.  Akane watches him go, then sighs.  "Strange
as it is for me to say this, but he's a nice guy," she stares at 
Chikage.

     Chikage smiles as she places herself at her desk, drawing out 
her tarot cards to perform some readings.  "Yes, he is, isn't he?  In
many ways, he has endured much worse emotionally than either Ani-kun
or Ane-kun have.  Hiding himself for his whole life behind a mask 
like he was forced to wear when confronted with the fact that he was
spiritually so different than his peers.  I wonder if he had any 
girlfriends back home."

     Akane considers that, then grimaces.  "Yeah, that would've
been pretty tough, wouldn't it?  He couldn't make friends out of fear
that he might've been 'discovered' by some jerk who only cared for 
himself."

     "Or herself."

     The youngest Tendou blinks, then nods.  "Yeah, that's true."

     "I believe it would be best for you to return to the mainland
for tomorrow's classes at Furinkan High," Chikage holds up one of her
cards, staring at the image there.  "If you wish, I can teleport
you there myself and return you back here after classes.  Things
have changed."

     "How bad?" Akane gazes on the sorceress.

     "It depends," Chikage turns the card to display it to her guest.
The Wheel of Fortune.  "Perhaps (if you're up to it, of course),
you can take the opportunity and make some sort of public atonement
to Ane-kun."

     Akane jerks, then lowers her eyes.  "Yeah, I really can't run 
away from something like that anymore, eh?" she whispers, then heads
out...

*    *    *

     Later...

     "Akane-san, have you seen Marie-chan anywhere?"

     Akane looks up from the dining room table, then shakes her head.
"No, Shirayuki-san, I haven't seen her at all.  I was in my room."

     "Marie-chan said she was gonna take a bath before supper,"
Mamoru reports from the other side of the table, she now polishing
Wipeout.

     The other sisters sigh.  "She probably fell asleep in the bath,"
Karen sighs.  "Marie-chan always does that.  Poor girl."

     Akane blinks, then rises.  "Okay, I'll go look in on her.  Be 
back in a bit!" she waves before running out of the room.

     Heading down the hallway, she descends to the basement, then 
looks into the furo room.  Welcome House had four such units, one for
each of the rotundas and two for the main building.  Looking inside,
she stops on seeing Marie lying against the edge of the furo, her 
head resting on her arms, they folded on the furo's rim.  Hearing
a fluttering snore escape the younger girl's lips, Akane breathes
out.  "Lucky thing she didn't slip into the water and drown," she 
mutters, slipping off her shoes and socks before stepping inside.
Crouching in front of the dozing Marie, Akane reaches over to gently
shake her shoulder.  "Hey, sleepy-head, wake up!"

     "Uhnn...?" escapes Marie's lips as her eyes open.  Given her 
fatigue and the water vapour in the furo, Akane is all but a 
dark-topped humanoid blur to her.  A smile crosses her face as she 
reaches over, cupping the older girl's cheeks as she draws Akane 
close.  "Anata, you're here..."

     Akane's eyes go wide as Marie's lips gently caress hers, then
she nearly gags as she finds herself drawn closer, Marie wrapping
her arms around the older girl's neck.  She then shudders as the 
warmth of that kiss surges past all her many emotional inhibitors,
her eyes closing as one arm tilts Marie's head.  Their kiss instantly
deepens, mouths opening as their tongues start to play.  Time 
suddenly becomes meaningless as the two remain still, enjoying
the warmth of the other's lips and touch.  Finally, they slowly draw
apart, gazing into the other's eyes.  At that moment, Marie's eyes
go wide as she realizes who EXACTLY she just kissed.  "Akane...?!"
she covers her mouth in a Kasumi-esque gesture.  "Oh, my..."

     Hearing her sister's most-commonly used phrase, Akane blinks,
then her eyes widen as it fully sinks into her what she just done.
"Marie...!" she shakes her head, then she bows her head.  "Oh, gods,
I...!"

     Silence falls as both girls look in on themselves, not wanting
to say anything that would make this situation worse.  Finally,
Marie takes a deep breath before staring at Akane.  "Akane-san,
I..." she flusters.

     Akane stares at her, then noting the redness of Marie's cheeks,
tries to smile.  "Marie-chan, wait!  I..." she begins, then stops.
"A dream?"

     Marie jolts.  "Eh?!"

     "Were you daydreaming right now?" Akane presses.

     The younger girl considers that, then blinks before a smile 
crosses her face, relief flowing from her.  "Um, y-yes, I was!" she
sputters, then chuckles, touching her cheek.  "I...!  Well, I 
borrowed a book from the school library today and read it in study
hall!  It..." she takes a deep breath, then her cheeks redden even
more.  "It was an anthology of old romance stories!  I really like
stories like that.  And this one story in particular...!
Well, it was so nice and I...!"  Marie nearly swoons before gazing
nowhere in particular.  "I was thinking of how nice it would have 
been to be the heroine of that story, being saved by the hero and..."

     Akane blinks, then smiles.  "And I happened to show up and tried
to wake you up in the middle of the 'moment of truth,' eh?"

     "I...!  H-hai!" the younger girl nods, then stares quizzically
at Akane.  "But what are you doing here, Akane-san?"

     "I...!  Ah...!" Akane flusters, then laughs.  "Oh, gomen!  
Gomen!  Shirayuki-san's got supper ready and we were worried about
you!!"

     Marie blinks, then sighs.  "Oh, dear!  I didn't realize I was 
*that* tired!!" she grunts, then rises, the water cascading off her
as Akane steps back, the older girl reaching over to get a towel.

     Taking the towel, Marie sits herself at a chair, then starts
to dry herself.  Akane remains still for a moment, then her hand 
takes up another towel before she kneels, moving to dry Marie's
legs.  Marie jolts, then smiles as she moves to dry her hair.  "I'm
not THAT weak, Akane-chan!"

     Akane jolts on hearing the more personal honorific Marie was 
using for her now, then smirks as she quickly dries one leg before
going to the other.  "Relax!  Besides, you don't want to eat cold 
food, do you?!"

     The younger girl blinks, then nods.  "Hai, true!"

     In a minute, the towels are tossed into a hamper for cleaning,
then Marie dresses.  Slipping her glasses on, she walks to the 
entrance, where Akane is ready with her socks and shoes.  
"Ojou-sama," the older girl bows formally, then smiles as Marie 
offers a foot.  "Hai, right away!"

     Marie giggles as Akane slips on the sock, then her shoe.  A 
quick repetition with the other foot follows, then both step out of 
the furo room.  They stop, then find themselves looking at each 
other.  Silence falls, then Marie smiles.  "Did you like it, 
Akane-chan?"

     Akane blinks, then nods.  "I liked it a lot, Marie-chan."

     The younger girl takes that in, then she reaches for her 
friend's hand.  Akane smiles as she warmly grips Marie's hand, then
both head up.  Reaching the halfway landing, Akane jolts on feeling
Marie tug at her hand, then she stops, gazing down at the younger
woman.  "What is it?"

     Marie blinks, then stares up at Akane.  "Do you want to do it 
again?"

     Akane jolts.  Deep inside her, a faint voice screams out that
what she was doing with Marie, a GIRL three years her junior, would
at the LEAST be considered perverted, if not going all the way to 
doing something VERY improper with someone who was not emotionally
ready for that sort of thing.  As soon as that faint objection
voices itself, it is then drowned out by a relentless tidal wave of 
emotion, the feelings that coursed through the youngest Tendou when
she was kissing Marie.  She suddenly finds herself smiling.  "Yes,
Marie-chan, I would, a lot.  But..." she leans up, using her free 
hand to "shush" the younger girl.  "We have to keep it really quiet,"
she lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.  "Okay?"

     Marie smiles.  "Of course," she winks, then leans up.  "After
all, what we feel between us is between us, Akane-chan."

     Akane takes that in, then nods.  "Yeah, that's true, isn't it?"
she leans over to gently peck Marie's cheek.  "Ma-chan."

     Marie's cheeks flame on hearing the new nickname Akane just gave
her, then she gazes warmly on her.  "Hai, A-chan.  Shall we go eat?"

     "Hai!"

     They head upstairs...

*    *    *

     Later...

     "Here you go, Hinako-sama!  All for you!!"

     "Waaaai!!!" Hinako gushes as she takes the large package from
Jonna, then sits down on the couch at one end of the dining room.

     "And this, Aria-sama, is yours!" Orin replicates her sister's
act.

     "Kusu!" Aria impishly grins as she takes her present in hand.

     The other sisters, Akane and Fungi are presently gathered
by the table, all smiling as the youngest of the sisters rips open
the decorative packaging.  "I can see why you're so determined
to protect your family, Chikage-san," the rogue Niphentaxian
observer whispers to the sorceress.  "The love you all show to each
other and everyone else..."

     "Takes much to get used to," Chikage stares at him in return,
then turns as Hinako and Aria open the boxes, the faint glow from 
within both hinting that these presents are FAR from ordinary.
"Oh, my...!"

     Gasps echo through the crowd as Hinako and Aria lift up 
torch-like devices with decorative wings and a glowing crystal in the
cup, both half as big as they.  
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai!!!"
both gush.

     "They look like Sailor Moon's wand!" Kaho gasps.

     "Are they just toys?!" Haruka stares worriedly at Jonna.

     "Aaaah...!"

     Eyes lock on Aria.  The young Parisian is now cradling the 
reborn Genesis Wand of Paran as if it was a baby, her ear close to 
the glowing focusing crystal.  Sensing her sisters gazing worriedly
at her, Aria then smiles.  "It's okay.  Tsue-san was just talking
to Aria."

     "'Mister Wand?!'" the other sisters echo.

     "Waaaai!!!" Hinako, holding the rebuilt Staff of Gihan close
to her ear, shudders.  "Bou-san's talking to Hina, too!!"

     "'Mister Staff?!!'" the other sisters parrot her.

     Suddenly, the focusing crystals on both devices glow, showering
Hinako and Aria with a snowstorm of sparkles.  Both girls cry out 
with sheer delight as their clothes suddenly morph.  Everyone covers
their eyes as the radiance from the Staff and the Genesis Wand 
suddenly explodes into blinding intensity, then relax as the glow 
fades.  Looking on Hinako and Aria, everyone else then cries out.  
"Their clothes!!!" Karen points.

     "How the hell's that possible?!!" Rinrin demands.

     Hinako and Aria are now dressed in full-body, turtleneck-topped
jumpsuits with puffy sleeves and leggings.  Hinako's is an orange-tan
shade while Aria's is sky-blue.  Their sleeves are lined from 
shoulder to wrist in white crenelle lace.  A black vest is draped
over the jumpsuits, that embossed with a golden stylized phoenix
in front.  The wings and head of the symbol would frame a LOT of skin
were neither girl wearing a jumpsuit under it.  Topping the 
transformation off are matching tiaras tucked into the hair over both
girl's foreheads.  Slippers cover their feet.  Even more, Hinako's
ponytails and Aria's headbuns glisten with tiny jewels.

     Both girls gasp, then Hinako hoists the Staff over her head.
"Hina's a magical girl now!!" she grins from ear to ear.

     "Aria is a magical girl, too!" Aria gushes.

     Silence falls over the room, then Akane stares warily at Jonna
and Orin.  "Are you two SURE this is the right thing to do?!"

     The sisters from Phentax Two chuckle, their cheeks aflame,
then they gasp as Hinako and Aria swamp them with a pair of warm 
hugs...

*    *    *

     Nerima, the Moroboshi home, an hour later...

     "All set for the slumber party?"

     "Hai, all set!" Ranma smiles as she picks up the wrapped bento
boxes Tampopo had made for her, then sets them on a cloth so she 
could wrap them up and carry them to Kimiko's house.  "This should
keep people happy."

     "Got the DVDs and all that?" Ataru looks up from his 
mini-computer.

     "Hai, right here," she pats her trouser pockets, where a 
half-dozen video disks now sit, ready for the movies.  "Lucky think
I checked ahead of time to see if Kimiko-chan converted to DVDs.  
Didn't want to show up with old-fashioned video tapes and there's
no machine to play them."

     "Yeah, things do get out-of-date a mite bit too quickly here 
these days," he taps controls on his machine to call up his e-mail.
Sure enough, twelve new messages await him in his mail box.  "By the
way, Rinrin-chan should be finished with your mini-computer
sometime this weekend.  She'll get your e-mail and all that set up 
before delivering it to you."

     "Is she making it like I asked her to?"

     "You bet.  Lucky thing she had kevlar around to line the outside
of the machine, plus she's got springs inside it to keep the parts
from being knocked out of whack by high-force impact.  She guarantees
your machine'll be strong enough to take a rifle bullet at 
point-blank range."

     "Good!" she chuckles, then walks over to kiss his cheek.  "Don't
wait up for me, okay?" she winks, then grabbing the bento boxes,
leaves.

     "Have a good time," Ataru calls out to Ranma as she goes, then
turns back to his computer to look over his sisters' latest messages.

     Before he finally left Tomobiki, Ataru had next to no exposure
to the Internet or personal computers.  Tomobiki High School had only
begun making preparations to set up a computer class when he 
transferred out.  Muchi and Kinshou had never bothered to buy him his
own PC.  Lum came from a planet that had evolved past the need for 
such autonomous computation/information storage devices; most 
services on Uru, he remembers from his brief visit to Onishuto,
were all linked on several vast world-wide information networks.
Of course, all he needed was the unbridled enthusiasm of a mechanical
and computer expert like Rinrin -- which was augmented by her ability
to whip up a state-of-the-art mini-computer in the proverbial
blink of an eye -- to show him the many benefits of having one's own
e-mail and weblink.

     Opening Karen's message, he relaxes, then reads:

FM:  karent@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
TO:  atarum@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
RE:  The Latest News
My beloved Onii-chan,
     Things here are going as I suppose we could expect.  But, once
again, someone from OUT THERE rocketed in and landed beside Welcome
House just before breakfast this morning.  Things are okay here; you
and Onee-chan don't have to worry about us.  But it turns out that
our latest visitor (who comes from the same place Jonna-san and 
Orin-san come from), according to Fungi-san, is actually one of 
Phentax Two's greatest scientists.
     Fortunately, Sunmee (that's his name), according to Fungi-san,
Jonna-san and Orin-san, is not a Lum-worshipper, but he was really
rude to Jonna-san and Orin-san.  That is, before Akane-san used her
mallet on him.
     I guess for ONCE that stupid mallet came into good use, ne?
     You can tell Onee-chan that things with Akane-san seem calm.
She stays pretty close to Marie-chan, as she has since she's come 
here.  No rude comments or anything towards you or Onee-chan,
though Mamoru-chan's still watching her like a hawk.  Cute, ne?  I 
guess we're still reeling from what you told Nassur-san last night,
even Akane-san.
     I hope you still have good dreams every once in a while.
Onii-chan, I love you!
Karen

     He sighs, then quickly types up a reassuring reply for her, then
after sending it off, moves onto Kaho's letter.  It was another
hard day at cheerleading practice for her.  Kaho only tripped twice
during the period.  "I remember when she was tripping every ten 
minutes," he muses to himself, then sends her a "cheer up" message
to keep her spirits up.

     Letters from Sakuya, Shirayuki, Haruka and Yotsuba follow Kaho's
letter.  All normal days for those girls.  Then comes Mamoru, who is
still complaining about letting Akane stay on the Island close to 
Marie.  Ataru sighs, then tells the young athlete to relax and not 
panic about it.

     Rinrin's comes next, it bearing a progress report on two 
projects:  the "Aneki Special" she was making for Ranma and, of 
course, Mecha-Rinrin.  It also contained more information about 
Sunmee; with Fungi's help (and Chikage keeping an eye on things to 
ensure no one got hurt), Rinrin was going to use the weekend to 
analyse the Niphentaxian scientist's ship.  She also wanted to know
if she should prepare a mini-computer or palmtop/phone for Akane,
Jonna and Orin since they might be staying on the Island for a while.
In his reply, Ataru tells the teen genius to watch herself while 
looking Sunmee's ship over and to get the three Avalonians a 
mini-computer with full access to the Moroboshi family server as soon
as possible.

     After sending that message off, Ataru quickly notes that two new
messages had come in, one each from Hinako and Aria.  Quickly reading
their first messages to him that day, he notes that both Jonna and 
Orin had promised them presents for this evening.  "Guess those two
got hold of another version of the Staff after all," he muses, then
quickly clicks on the second message to Hinako before sitting back
and reading:

FM:  hinakos@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
TO:  atarum@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
RE:  HINA GOT A PRESENT!!!!
Onii-tama!!
     Hina got a present from Jonna-oneetama like she promised!!
Now Hina's a magical girl, just like Sailor Moon-chan and Wedding
Peach-chan, with her own magical Staff!!  And Bou-san even talks to 
Hina!!!
     Hina loves, loves, LOVES Bou-san very much!!!
     Ne, Onii-tama, did you know that Bou-san is over 14,000 years
old?!  Waaaai!!!  That's such a BIG number!!!  And Bou-san is so, so,
SO happy to be with Hina now!!!  And Bou-san has a friend, too!!  But
Hina has to keep it a secret so that Onii-tama can be surprised!!
     Oh, Hina can't wait to try Bou-san out!!
     Hina just hopes Jonna-oneetama can help Hina with Bou-san!
Love,
Hina

     "Well, let's hope you won't blow up whole planets with that 
little firecracker anytime soon, Hina-chan," Ataru types up a quick
reply, then after sending it off, calls up Aria's message to read:

FM:  ariab@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
TO:  atarum@p-island.moroboshi.or.jp
RE:  Aria got a present
Nii-ya,
     Aria is so happy today.  Orin-neeya got Aria a beautiful
present that lets Aria be a magical girl.  Hinako-chan got a present
from Jonna-neeya which makes Hinako-chan a magical girl, too.  Aria
is so happy because Tsue-san can talk to Aria and let Aria do all 
sorts of nice things, too.
     But Aria is sad, too.  Aria wishes she and Hinako-chan
had Tsue-san and Bou-san with her and Hinako-chan when Nii-ya came
to Promised Island so Aria and Hinako-chan could stop the bad men 
from hurting Nii-ya.
     Are you happy now, Nii-ya?  Aria hopes so.
Je t'aime, Nii-ya,
Aria

     Ataru smiles, then types up a reply.  Like in the reply to 
Hinako's letter, he cautions Aria to make sure she uses Mister Wand
for the right reasons and to listen to Jonna and Orin as to what to 
do with Mister Wand.

     Once that letter is gone, Ataru calls up a letter from Chikage.
The sorceress reports that signs through the tarot cards looked 
promising for him and Ranma for the weekend.  Monday was much more
questionable, though it was too early to tell in what way.  Atop 
that, Chikage also reports on Fungi and Akane.  The former seemed
to be dealing with his parting from his countrypeople quite well and
is helping out with understanding why Sunmee had come here.  As for
Akane, she would be coming back to Furinkan tomorrow for classes
and would most likely make a public apology to Ranma then.  A quick
review of the tarot for the youngest Tendou reports that big changes
in the realms of personal relations and home were about to overcome
her.  In precaution, Chikage would have forms prepared (just in 
case!) so that Akane could declare Promised Island (and Welcome
House) her current place of residence, not to mention allow her to 
transfer to Stargazer West College so she could get away from 
Furinkan High once and for all.

     Reading that, Ataru hums.  "'Personal relations,' eh?" he rubs
his thumb under his lip, then types up a reply.  In that, he asks 
Chikage to do a tarot reading on Marie to find out what might be 
going on there, then be ready to help out if things start to happen
with either of them.

     Once that is gone, Ataru pulls up Marie's letter to read.  As 
soon as he gets into the first paragraph, his eyes widen.  "Oh, 
man...!" he sits back, then slowly digests the rest of the letter.
Once that sinks into his mind, he takes a deep breath, then taps a 
quick reply to Marie before calling up a blank page to send another
letter to Chikage...

*    *    *

     Promised Island, Welcome House, minutes later...

     "Eh?!  A mini-computer for me?!!"

     Akane stares wide-eyed at Rinrin as they relax in the dining
hall, enjoying glasses of cherry tea Marie had made for them.  "Yeah!
I mean, you might be here for a bit and you might as well get 
comfortable and all that," the latter sips her tea, then sighs.  "I 
can have it ready by Sunday at the latest.  I'm getting one made for
Aneki first."

     "For Ranma?" Akane blinks.

     "Hai.  Gotta make it really sturdy, though.  You know the amount
of garbage she can go through in a day," the teen genius winks.

     The youngest Tendou considers that, then nods.  "Hai, you're
right there.  Arigatou, Rinrin-san.  I..." she pauses, then looks
away.

     Rinrin stares at her, then sighs.  "I..." she puts her tea cup
down, then takes a deep breath.  "You are a really nice person,
you know."

     Akane jolts, her cheeks suddenly flaming.  "Rinrin...!"

     "I mean..." the younger girl pauses, then sighs.  "Yeah, Aneki
told us about all the stuff you did to her when you were living 
together and all that, but..." she stares at Akane.  "She said that
in all that time, she never ONCE really thought about walkin' away
from you forever.  At least until after the whole thing with that 
Saffron character and all that."

     Akane blinks, then faintly smiles.  "She said that?"

     "Yeah, she did," Rinrin nods.  "I mean..." she bites her lip.
"I know you're hurting and all that because you lost Aneki to Aniki,
but...!  Well, don't knock yourself down, Akane-chan.  People do like
you.  Marie-chan likes you a lot, even after what you nearly did to 
her!" she giggles, then sighs.  "Then again, if I ever see that jerk
Hibiki..."

     Akane blinks, then sighs.  "Hai, I know how that feels."

     "Akane."

     Both turn to see Chikage standing nearby, a folded sheet of 
paper in hand.  Akane sighs.  "Chikage-san, I hope you don't mind my
asking this, but have you ever practised the martial arts?!" she 
demands.

     The sorceress smiles.  "Many specific disciplines are shared
between various realms of study such as magic and martial arts,"
she reports.  "How do you think Elder Kun-lon is able to operate
in both realms?  In the meantime, I have a private message from 
Ani-kun to you."

     Akane blinks.  "From your brother to me?" she rises, then takes
the sheet of paper in hand.  "What's it about?"

     "That, I suggest you learn on your own," Chikage turns to leave,
then pauses, turning back to lean up to Akane's ear.  "Please,
Akane.  Don't blame Marie," she whispers as low as she can to ensure
the youngest Tendou hear her without Rinrin eavesdropping.
Pulling back, she turns to leave.  "In the meantime, ladies, I bid 
you both a good evening.  Akane, I have the rainbow to take you to 
Furinkan ready to go by seven-thirty, alright?"

     "I..." Akane blinks, then nods.  "Hai.  Good night, 
Chikage-san."

     The sorceress leaves.  Rinrin then finishes her tea before 
standing.  "Speaking of which, I better get up to my room and work
on Aneki's new computer before going to bed.  I'll do yours as fast
as I can, okay?"

     "Ah..." the youngest Tendou catches herself, then smiles.  "Hai.
Arigatou, Rin-chan.  Oyasumi nasai," she bows her head.

     The teen genius stops, then stares wide-eyed at her for a moment
before a grin crosses her face.  "No problem, A-chan.  Oyasumi."

     She steps out.  Akane watches her go, then jolts, her eyes 
suddenly widening as she realizes what she just called Rinrin.  "I 
don't believe I just called her 'Rin-chan!'  First Ma-chan, now 
her?!"

     "'Ma-chan?!'"

     Akane jolts, then notices Sakuya standing at the doorway to the
dining room.  A flush crosses the former's cheek as she moves to step
out of the dining room.  "Oh, it's nothing much, Sakuya-san.
Good night."

     "Um..." the eldest sister watches her go.  "Er...!  Good night."

     Returning to her guest room, Akane closes the door, then sits
down on her bed.  Gazing at the paper Chikage gave her, she blinks
as she remembers the sorceress' words:  "Please, Akane.  Don't blame
Marie."  What did she mean by THAT?!  Sighing, she opens the sheet,
then reads:

Akane-san,
     First of all, please DON'T blame Marie-chan for doing what she
did that resulted in this letter from me to you.  Regardless
of what she said to you earlier today, she DOES trust me enough that
she can come to me with something that's bothering her and rely on me
to not only help her solve it, but respect her privacy in those 
matters, even from the other sisters.
     Yes, I DO happen to know of what happened between you two in the
furo room at the House this afternoon.  Please understand that I am,
in no way, shape or form, seeking to judge either of you because
of what...

     "Oh, Ma-chan, why did you tell HIM?" she whispers, then reads:

...happened there.  Accidents like that happen as you and I're quite
well-aware.  And yes, I'm also aware of your propensity to fly to 
conclusions whenever such 'accidents' like that happen; Ranma told
me of all...

     "Ranma...!" Akane shudders, then sighs before carrying on:

...the times you hit her because Ukyou-san, Xian-pu or Kodachi-san
decided to emotionally press their own claims for her in your 
presence.
     However, I DO believe that you are mature enough to make your
own decisions concerning how you run your personal life.  I also 
believe (in fact, I've accepted this as an article of faith) that 
Marie-chan is also mature enough to make her own decisions about her
personal life.  And she DID like what you did with her today very,
VERY much.

     "Ma-chan...!" Akane's cheeks flame:

     Akane-san, if you and Marie-chan decide to progress what 
happened to you today to whatever level you wish to go, I will not 
stand in your way.  If your friendship evolves into a relationship,
so be it.  I'd be very happy for Marie-chan and yes, I'd be very 
happy for you, too.  And thankful for making my little sister's
life less lonely.
     But, be warned.  There is a danger...

     "Oh, shit!" Akane gapes, her eyes widening...

*    *    *

     Tomobiki, the Izumos' apartment...

     "Hi, Sakura-sensei, Cherry!  C'mon in!!"

     "I trust we're not intruding?" Sakura smiles as she and Cherry
step into the kitchenette, which doubled as the apartment's
entranceway.

     "No, we're just relaxing now," Sakiko waves them into the living
room.  There, Seiko looks up from a book she was reading.  As the 
others sit around the table, Sakiko asks, "So what brings you two 
here?"

     "We're concerned for both of you and how you're fairing, given
what we sensed happened last night between you two, Benten and 
Oyuki," Sakura announces as Sakiko telekinetically draws a tea kettle
and some cups from the kitchenette to the table so everyone can enjoy
some tea.  "It was quite easy for both of us to sense the altercation
from my shrine."

     The Izumo sisters blink, then nod.  "What should we've done,
then?" Seiko wonders.  "Just say 'It's alright' to Oyuki for nearly
allowing B-Boy to kill Darling's sisters?  If they didn't like 
Darling at all, that's one thing, but to threaten twelve innocent
bystanders along the way...?"

     "Yes, that would be wrong," Cherry sighs, then nods thanks as 
Sakiko hands him a tea cup.  "We learned about what Ataru told your
friend Nassur concerning his recent activities from young Ryuunosuke.
I suspect after enduring all THAT, Ataru's trust towards any of us 
has been vaporized."

     "Not to mention the other things we, all of us, did to him in 
the past," Seiko sighs, then sips her tea.  "Right now, I wouldn't
blame him if he decided never to see any of us again.  Things've
gone too far."

     "Agreed," Cherry nods.  "Still, I worry for the lad.  Granted,
my all-too human frailties may have contributed to Ataru's current
sense of distrust towards us, but I will continue to do what I can to
ensure he remains well spiritually.  Not just he, but his sisters,
also."

     "As will I, though I confess that Chie-san and Ashin-kun
might be better poised to help them," Sakura admits, then noting
the curious looks on the Izumo sisters' faces, she explains.  
"Chiezou Budou was my teacher in Shinto.  Ashin is his son.  Despite
a profound level of mistrust between Uncle and Chie-san, there are 
matters where we find ourselves in agreement.  One of which..."
she takes a deep breath, then stares intently at Seiko and Sakiko,
"...is the creature now calling itself 'Negako Moroboshi' and what
must now, in our opinion, be done to it."

     "Negako-san?!" Seiko perks up.  "Why are you worried about her?"

     The priestess and the monk exchange a look, then gaze on the two
Nendo-kata.  "Given what you've told us about the powers you both 
gained when you underwent this 'Crossing Over' on Sunday, what do 
both of you sense when you are close to that creature?" Sakura 
wonders.

     The Izumo sisters exchange a look, then shrug.  "Not much, to be
honest with you," Sakiko sighs.  "I mean, when I learned the whole
truth about Negako-san from Sei-chan here, it shocked me.  To believe
that something THAT old and knowledgeable had been in Darling's
head for...?  What?  Eight years?"  A pause, then, "She is a sentient
being in the end, Sakura-sensei, though calling Negako-san 'human'
might be wrong."

     "You are right there," Sakura scowls, then spits out, "To even
think of that monster as 'human' would be a gross insult to us all!"

     "Sakura-sensei, we don't look on things THAT way," Seiko warns
her, then sighs.  "Clearly, both of you have some very strong 
reservations about what Darling did five years ago concerning
Negako-san.  If you'd just tell us what those concerns are, we might
be able to help you."

     The visitors blink, then Cherry sighs.  "Both of you know Muchi
and Kinshou Moroboshi were at the school two Mondays past when that
madman Alhamzi detonated that bomb.  The one that killed not only 
them, but Aisuru and his friends, Ryuunosuke's father and fiance,
plus two others."  As the Izumos nod, the monk's eyes narrow.  "She
was there, too."

     Silence.

     "Negako-san?!" Seiko blinks.

     "Yes," Cherry nods.  "Sakura and I did not sense it at first,
but later investigations proved that thing was there.  Further,
we discovered that thing made sure Muchi and Kinshou was in range
of that bomb when it went off, ensuring they would die when Alhamzi
sought to 'punish' Aisuru and his friends for their 'betrayal'
of the human race."  A pause, then he adds, "I'm aware of what Ataru
wanted to happen to those two.  To let them live in disgrace over 
their actions towards him five years past, then when he became of 
age, he would have them expelled from the family."  Another pause.
"I do not believe that Ataru wanted either of them to die."

     Silence falls as the Izumos consider his words, then Seiko sits
back.  "And you believe Negako-san should be punished for this?"

     "'Punished?!'" Sakura gapes.  "Seiko, that thing has to be 
DESTROYED once and for all time!  It has neither heart nor 
conscience!!  If you think that just because Ataru was kind to it 
five years ago that it might leave him and his half-sisters
be, you're wrong!!  VERY wrong!"  She takes a deep breath to calm 
herself, then she sighs.  "Seiko, if that thing supposedly DID have
some human feelings, it would've stopped that whole mess before a 
single person got hurt!  I agree that what Muchi and Kinshou did to 
Ataru was wrong!  I also agree that something had to be done to 
Megane and his friends to make them see that the world doesn't centre
on them, that their actions shortly after you came here were wrong!
And I CERTAINLY agree to the idea of separating Ryuunosuke from that
loon she calls a father!"  She then stares at the Izumos.  "But I 
know you both will agree with us about this:  none of them, NONE OF 
THEM, deserved to die that day."

     Seiko and Sakiko blink, then the former sighs.  "So you came to
us in hopes of asking us -- me specifically -- to talk to Darling
about this?"

     "Yes," Cherry nods.  "Please, Seiko, don't think of what we just
said as our 'manipulating' you into standing against Ataru.  We both
are worried about not only him, but his half-sisters as well.  They
don't realize the level of DANGER they're in.  And yes, he won't 
listen to us.  Neither will they, as that Yotsuba girl proved 
yesterday.  He will listen to you."

     He points to Seiko.  The woman who, in part, was once known as 
Lum Redet takes that in, then nods.  "Alright, I'll talk to Darling
about this.  But something tells me you two may not have the whole
story here."  Before either of the visitors could object, she raises
her hand.  "I don't mean to say that your concerns aren't valid!
They are!  But..." she bites her lip.  "We both told you that we 
couldn't probe into Negako-san's mind.  That's true.  But it doesn't
mean that we can't sense ANYTHING from her.  We can.  Not much, but
we can.  And what we have sensed is that Negako-san DOES, in her own
way, care for Darling and his sisters a LOT.  And that, if you 
personally ask me, should be, MUST BE encouraged, not discouraged."

     "That is a mistake, Seiko," Cherry warns.

     "In your opinion," Sakiko holds up a finger.  "But if we are to
serve and promote the Unity as those within the Great School have 
done for so long, we have to know the WHOLE story before we act.  
And..." she pauses, her eyes glowing as she briefly sweeps the area
of Nerima, "...by the looks of things, Darling's alone right now.  
You want to go ahead, Sei-chan?"

     "I might as well," Seiko nods, finishing the rest of her tea 
before she rises, heading to the kitchenette.

     "Be careful, child," Cherry warns.

     Seiko pauses, then smiles.  "I'll be fine..."

*    *    *

     The planet Tofunokoibuto...

     Located towards the out-spin edge of the galactic arm also 
housing Earth, Uru and other planets, this Class M world is home to a
culture that would draw strong comparisons to the Great Caliphate
that ruled the Middle East after the time of Mohammed -- save for the
obvious injection of high technology that matches Uru's in almost
every way.  Standing in the heart of the capital city is a beautiful,
minaret-bedecked fortress, the home of the planet's ruling court.
Though having evolved a form of parliamentary democracy over the last
couple centuries, the royal family of Tofunokoibuto still welded
great influence in the day-to-day lives of their subjects.

     Gazing at the teeming masses in the street market near the 
walls, Lupica sighs, then looks back on her guest.  "So Lum still
lives."

     "In a way," Nassur nods.  "But the transformation that affected
both her and Lan is so..." he pauses, then shakes his head, "...so
RADICAL that in all effects, Lum and Lan are both dead.  At least..."
a smile crosses his face.  "That's what they told Benten and Oyuki
before we left Earth."

     "Atop your Fukunokami friend having her arm shattered by one of
them," the crown princess clicks her tongue amusedly.  "Not to 
mention Oyuki losing her guardian thanks to Ataru Moroboshi of all 
people."

     "He was justified in doing that, Lupica-chan."

     "Yes, I can agree with that, especially concerning these 
half-sisters you spoke of," she moves to sit across the table from
him.  Taking a moment to consider what she just heard from the expat
Vosian, Lupica closes her eyes.  "This is not a good situation
whatsoever, Nassur-chan."

     "Agreed.  What's worse, there's little you can do to make this
whole situation better," he sighs, gazing knowingly at the crown 
princess (who was once a student of his; Nassur had trained Lupica
before training Lum years ago).  "Just before I came here, I 
intercepted an INN transmission from Uru.  The Noukiites just found
Heaven's Gate Bridge."

     Lupica jolts, then stares wide-eyed at him.  "It's all true?!"

     "Yes, it is," Nassur nods.  "The actual site is said to be in 
the mountains north-north-east of where Onishuto once stood.  The 
Dominion have promised a public explanation -- 'as complete as can be
given' -- as soon as possible.  I'd say within two to three days,
we'll learn the basic story behind this place.  How it was founded,
who lived there, how they lived and..." a pause, then he shakes his
head.  "How and why the Dominion was forced to abandon it just before
the Seifukusu invaded Uru."  He smirks.  "Put simply, Lupica-chan,
all the many theories about relations between Uru and Noukiios
just got blown out of the water.  The Imperialists..."

     "What little are left of them," Lupica smirks.

     "Yes, what little are left of them..." Nassur nods, chuckling,
then he sighs.  "Well, they won't have a foot to stand on, not after
what was just found.  Not to mention those others elsewhere who've
always stood back and let the Urusian Imperials cast the Noukiites
down."

     "That's true," she grimaces.  "Still, I really wish they'd..."

     "I know, I know," he nods, then his eyes briefly flash before
a knock is heard at the door.  "The Chamberlain," he whispers.

     "Come!" Lupica calls out.

     The door opens, revealing a diminutive man, a rolled scroll
in his hand.  "Princess," he bows respectfully.  "Forgive me for 
interrupting.  A message from the President of the Dominion of 
Noukiios to you."

     "Here," she holds out her hand.

     He hands her the message, then withdraws.  Lupica opens the 
roll, then begins to read.  Relief then crosses her face.  "Oh, thank
the Fates for that!" she whispers, then noting Nassur staring 
curiously at her, reports, "The Dominion has decided to declare
a cease-fire."

     Nassur takes that in, then nods.  "That's a relief."

     The crown princess turns back to the roll.  "Take effect as soon
as possible, but the Dominion is reserving the right to defend 
themselves against rogue attacks," she reads.  "They also contacted
the Zephyrites to arrange for medical and other relief supplies
to get to Uru and elsewhere as soon as possible.  They promise free
passage to the colonial governors so they could form a council to 
negotiate an armistice and peace treaty."

     "What are their terms?"

     "Pretty much what we've all expected," she sighs.  
"Demilitarization of Machibusu, Baiseki and Tanenobu.  Full 
renunciation of all territorial claims on Okusei, Kurrusei and 
Tunchusei, plus surrounding space.  If that is done, then the Ip'ihu
will be encouraged to resettle on the new colonies to prevent 
flare-ups in the future.  Complete disbandment of the militias
on ALL Urusian colonies.  The end to the commercialization
of time-travel devices such as spacializers and the limiting of 
temporal research to non-threatening avenues of investigation.
The turnover of surviving Imperial-leaning leaders to Noukiite
authorities for trial if needed..."

     "After the dragnet the Inquisition and the Noukiites cast out,
helped by Ataru-san and his sister thanks to Sanctuary?" Nassur 
ruefully chuckles.  "I personally don't think any pro-Imperial
leader'll be sticking his head out of the ground for a VERY long time
to come, Lupica-chan."

     "Agreed," Lupica nods, then turns back to the scroll.  "And 
finally, Uru is to renounce all first-contact claims towards Earth,
plus promise not to, for the next one hundred years, invade a 
'no-trespass' zone marked as the median centre-line of the spheroid
of the asteroid belt in the Earth-Triton system."  She unrolls the 
scroll further.  "Doubt that might stop the Ipraedies or the 
Seifukusu..." she mutters, then continues to read before her eyes 
widen.  "Oh, no...!" her voice then trails off.

     "What?" Nassur tenses.

     Lupica blinks, then stares at him.  "Noukiios is withdrawing
from the Federation and forming a strategic alliance with Zephyrus."
A pause, then she looks down, her hands allowing the note to flutter
to the floor.  "And they're extending feelers to Ipraedos.  And the
Seifukusu as well."

     The expat Vosian takes that in, then he shakes his head.  
"Damn..."

*    *    *

     Somewhere in western Alaska...

     "Yes, thank you for telling me that, Sea."

     Zed sighs, then closes the link before turning to gaze on the 
other people in the remote cabin sitting in the forest near Koyuk,
a village on the Seward Peninsula sitting on the shores of the Bering
Sea.  "Well," the director-in-chief of the SCAA sighs.  "You've
all overheard?"

     "Yes, we have," the President of the United States of America
nods, then looks on the others in the room.  Atop the leaders of the
other 'Big Five' countries possessing veto powers in the UN Security
Council, there are a score of senior cabinet ministers, plus an 
entourage of security personnel.  "So the Onis are out of action
for the foreseeable future."

     "About time," the American Vice-President whispers, adjusting
his glasses.  "Hopefully, the Niphentaxians'll fall the same way!"

     "Amen to that," the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom sips
his tea, then looks around.  "Any sign of Miss Moroboshi?"

     "I am here, Anthony."

     Gasps fill the room as a side door opens, revealing Negako,
then the already-tense security people relax.  "Damn!" the American
President shakes his head.  "Do you always like to surprise people
like that, Negako?!"

     "What I like or do not like is not relevant to the matter before
us at this time, George," the ninjitsu grandmistress states as some
of the President's security detail report to their friends outside
the cabin that "Earth Heart" -- Negako's call-sign among members
of the Secret Service -- just arrived from Japan via a quick trip 
through Sanctuary.  Sitting down in one of the armchairs around the
central table, she gives the other leaders an appraising look, then
relaxes.  "So the Noukiites have defeated the Urusians and are now 
severing ties to the Galactic Federation."

     "Not to mention forming closer ties with Zephyrus, plus engaging
in some dialogue with the Ipraedies and the Seifukusu," the President
of the Russian Federation states.  "I doubt that will sit well with
the other planets who were once allied to the Urusians."

     "Especially the Tritonians," the President of the People's
Republic of China sips his tea, then gazes on Negako.  "What of 
Oogi?"

     "I suspect he will be ready to fight Ataru by Monday morning
Japan time, sometime after breakfast," Negako sighs.

     "Is your brother up to this?" the French President wonders.

     "He is, Jacques.  He has new allies to rely upon, both from 
Tomobiki and Nerima, where he lives now.  I suspect the matter will
be resolved by the end of the noon hour," Negako pauses, then icily
smiles.  "Including what might happen to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem
if Oogi has his way."

     "You mean the device those girls from Phentax Two brought with
them when they came to stay with your sisters on that island,"
the American Secretary of State, standing close to his 
commander-in-chief, wonders.

     "Correct, Colin.  Jonna and Orin located a second device like
the Staff of Gihan, then had it brought to Promised Island earlier
today.  They are presently in Hinako's and Aria's hands.  With them,
the missiles Oogi presently has targeted on those cities can be 
disposed of."

     "Two young girls with magic-like wands against three 
multi-megaton warheads?" the Russian Defence Minister shakes his 
head.  "Not good odds."

     "Fortunately, the two targeting Mecca and Medina are on one 
single launcher," Negako reports.  "If what I have sensed about what
Oogi plans is true -- and I believe it is -- the missile will break
into its component parts when it strikes the upper edge of the 
thermosphere."

     "How high up is that?" the Chinese leader wonders.

     "Four hundred and fifty kilometres," Negako states.  "If what
we plan is to happen without unnecessary casualties, the Avalon 
factory has to be boarded the instant Oogi is on Earth fighting
Ataru.  I will lead that part of the attack.  It is certain that the
instant he senses what I am doing to wrest control of the factory
from him, Oogi will either launch the missiles then or else be forced
to divide what power he has between fighting me and fighting Ataru.
A two-front battle, in other words."

     "And once your brother takes him out once and for all?" the 
American Secretary of Defence wonders.  "Will the missiles have some
sort of 'dead-man's trigger' on them or will we be able to take them
out before they threaten those cities?  It's the middle of the Hajj
right now..."

     "That is why I did not stop Jonna and Orin from obtaining
the Staff of Gihan and the Genesis Wand of Paran for Hinako and Aria
to 'use,'" the ninjitsu grandmistress cuts in.  "If the missiles
are blocked from launch, fair enough.  If they launch, then Hinako
and Aria can destroy them before they cause harm.  Either which way,
millions of people in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine,
Syria and Lebanon will be saved."

     "AND, hopefully, the fundamentalists in that part of the world
will finally understand what it's like facing the fire themselves,"
the British Prime Minister sighs, then sits back in his chair.  "God!
To believe we have to do something like THIS to press our planet
forward..."

     "We've discussed that already, Tony," the American chief of 
state sighs.  "Sure as hell, I don't like doing it THIS way, either!"
A pause as he considers what to say next, then, "All of our 
countries, plus our allies worldwide, are, for the most part, 
dependent on oil from the Middle East to keep their economies
going.  You, sir..." he gazes on his counterpart from China, "...lead
a country whose gross energy needs are going to expand ten-fold
as your economy comes into the twenty-first century.  You, sir..."
to the president of Russia, "...need to garnish enough money and 
economic clout to get your country back on its feet without it being
siphoned off to some bank in Switzerland, where it'll do your people
no good.  Thanks to our esteemed friend here..." he then indicates
Negako, "...we know where we can go to get hold of enough oil and 
natural gas to help us push ourselves further without being forced
to bow to the problems in the Middle East."

     "Eastern Siberia, northeastern Alaska and northwest Canada,"
the American Vice-President smiles.  "But we have to do it in such
a way that won't end up destroying Earth more than we've already
done to date."

     "Agreed," the Russian president nods.  "Atop that, we must keep
our eyes out for what our galactic neighbours might be doing.  
Agreed?"

     His eyes fall on Zed.  The SCAA's leader sighs, sensing the 
others in the room stare his way.  "Yes, Mister President,"
he nods, then gazes over the rest of the crowd.  "If the Galactic
Federation breaks up, the primary threat that could then come our way
is from the Seifukusu Dominion.  I doubt the Ipraedies will threaten
us anymore in that case.  In fact, if we extend the hand of 
friendship to them, say that the Urusians forced us to ignore their
own concerns, we could win ourselves a potential ally."

     "But will the other Federation states tolerate that?" the 
British head of government wonders.  "They banded together in part
because of fears of what the Ipraedies could do to them if they 
pressed, especially with the Vosians then and now distracted
by their civil war.  Yehisril's too far away from here and I'm more
than sure the Ipraedies' leaders aren't insane enough to even THINK
of fighting the Zephyrites OR the Seifukusu."

     "Fear's a two-way street, Mister Prime Minister," Zed smiles.
"As long as the Federation existed, the Ipraedies felt hemmed in on 
all sides.  With the Federation gone, there's an outlet, so to speak.
The Ipraedies won't feel so afraid anymore.  And don't forget, sir,
they're on the brink of a potential civil war themselves.  Who knows
who'll win that!"

     "If we say we will respect AND acknowledge whoever finds 
themselves governing Ipraedos, it will do us much good," the French
president muses.  "Mes amis, we NEED allies now out there.  But we 
need more allies than just the Zephyrites, as witness what happened
to Madame Nagaiwakai."

     "I agree," his counterpart from Washington nods.  "I don't want
Earth to be forced to depend SOLELY on the Holy Republic of 
Zephyrus."

     "There is Noukiios, also," the Chinese President muses.  "Given
what Miss Negako's brother did for them during his protracted
stay in Sanctuary, helping them shift their homeless populations
through Sanctuary to their new colony worlds, I think we can stand
to make another good ally."

     "What happens, Mister President, if people wonder what the hell
we're doing dealing with a society that condones slavery in such an 
open forum?" the American Secretary of State wonders, crossing
his arms.

     "Mister Secretary, do we all not maintain relations with India?"
the Chinese leader counters.  "After all, their own traditional
caste system, which still operates even with their adopting a 
constitution in 1947, is much like Noukiios'.  Atop that, sir, 
wouldn't they be thinking of ways to bring the Ip'ihu back into their
society now?" he gazes on Zed.

     The SCAA director hums, then nods.  "I believe so, Mister 
President.  I can confirm that with the Zephyrites.  In fact, now 
that I think about it, it would make a lot of sense to do JUST that.
After all, their holy text demands that there be TEN 'super' castes
in existence.  If the Ip'ihu come in as their own super caste, 
something has to go.  The Naihu slaves or the Uohu untouchables
seem the most logical choice in that regard."

     "Atop that, they've been suppressed a lot by the Urusians,
without getting any sort of support from anyone," the American
chief-of-state then states.  "Now that they've settled scores with
the Onis, they can have the chance to rebuild and advance their own
society.  Once they start doing that, they might decide to make other
changes.  All we have to do now is state our concerns about this mode
of chattel slavery AND our willingness to respect the Noukiites'
right to decide when they'll change it."

     The Secretary of State sighs, then nods.  "I still have qualms
with dealing with something like that, Mister President."

     "That's alright," his commander-in-chief nods, then sighs.  
"Right now, we've been dealt a very low hand.  Everyone around us has
aces and other face cards in their hands.  AND they're more than 
willing to use them regardless of how we feel.  But there's a trump
card waiting for us now in orbit over Tokyo, held by someone who's
about to be dealt out the game.  We do this right..." he stares at 
Negako, "...and the windfall for us all here on Earth'll be enormous.
Technology that can give even the poorest nation here the ability
to provide for all they need, plus give the normal folks worldwide
the chance to chart their own lives.  Technology we can also use to 
defend ourselves against those who might threaten us.  We know where
the biggest threat of all is coming from.  We ALSO know they've
got thirty planets quite close to us that aren't the least bit 
populated.  And we have more need of them in the long term than the
Federation worlds."

     "If we move to take those worlds and IF the Federation tries
to hem us in, we can deal with them, also," the Russian president
nods.

     "Agreed," the French leader smiles.

     "What of the Avalonians?"

     Eyes turn to Zed, then the American president gazes on Negako.
"Didn't Lord Ryasan tell you about a planet set aside for them by 
their creators a long time ago?  A planet everyone's afraid of 
touching?"

     "Yes," the grandmistress nods.  "It is about a hundred parsecs
from this solar system.  Its own solar system borders territory
claimed by the Seifukusu Dominion in fact.  The reason the Federation
and the Dominion have not touched this world -- New Avalon, it is 
called -- is because they fear the other might launch a war to keep
their enemies away from it.  But that would not preclude a race 
independent of both claiming it.  In fact, that would be a solution
both sides would most likely welcome, especially when they learn of 
their enslavement by the Niphentaxians."

     "Whom NOBODY likes!" the American Vice-President smirks.

     "And there's another potential ally," his friend, the Secretary
of Defence, smiles.  "Zed, isn't it true that before this Church
of Lum took over the planet, the primary religion there was a church
based on Hollywood actors and actresses, plus singers and other 'pop'
entertainers?"

     "That's correct, sir," Zed nods.

     Everyone considers that.  "And with the Church of Lum having
caused the deaths of three billion people...?" the British leader
muses.

     "Another ally, perhaps?" the Chinese president notes.

     "Yeah," his counterpart from Washington nods, then sighs.  
"Damn, the potential fall-out from this..." he whistles, then stares
at Negako.  "Are you SURE your brother's up to this, Negako?  REALLY
up to this?"

     "He is," the grandmistress nods.  "After all, as I said, he will
not be alone against Oogi.  There are Seiko and Sakiko Izumo to 
factor into this, they who, in part, were once Lum and Lan, two 
beings Oogi worships even now.  Three potential more allies in 
Shutaro Mendou, Shinobu Miyaki and Ryuunosuke Fujinami.  After 
learning of what Oogi created, they ALL would help destroy him 
without hesitation.  There are also Ataru's half-sisters,
especially Hinako and Aria, plus Rinrin and Chikage.  And..." she 
then lightly smiles.  "There is Ataru's Other.  Ranma Saotome."

     "A boy cursed to transform into a girl because of this Jusenkyou
place," the Russian president smirks, then looks on his counterpart
from Beijing.  "Are you SURE you won't let scientists look this place
over?"

     "No, my friend.  It is, for many reasons, potentially too 
troublesome for us to contemplate at this time," the Chinese leader
chuckles.  "But perhaps sometime in the near future, that could be 
considered."

     Laughter fills the room.  "Ma'am, have you been able to figure
out who bonded your brother and Mist-...!  Er, MISS Saotome, together
in the first place?" the Secretary of State gazes on Negako.

     "No, Colin, not yet, but I believe that, whoever they are, they
will not stay away from Ataru and Ranma for much longer," Negako
reports...

*    *    *

     Sometime later, the meeting between the five most powerful
chiefs of state on Earth breaks up.  As they are teleported back to 
their homelands thanks to a short-range version of the Tritonian
central warp unit the SCAA obtained from the Zephyrites for such 
contingencies as this, Zed steps out of the cabin with Negako, both
heading to a private spot on a small hill overlooking a nearby swamp.
Once they are sufficiently clear of potential eavesdroppers,
the SCAA chief then stares at the grandmistress.  "To believe this
all started because you happened to wander into Afghanistan
at the start of last year and ran into the Taliban and al-Qaeda!"
he wryly chuckles, shaking his head at the irony of It is all.  
"Putting a full stop to what those lunatics had planned for New York
and Washington...!"

     "It was not a 'full' stop, Zachariah," Negako sighs.

     Zed pauses, then sighs.  "Could you have help stopped what 
happened?"

     The grandmistress takes a deep breath.  "I cannot, for all my 
skill and knowledge, exactly predict the future.  Not then, not now,
perhaps not for the rest of my life.  If I stopped Ibrahim that day,
Zachariah, what, in the long term, was to prevent his cell-mates
from launching something worse?  You know as well as I that not only
did Osamu's organization issue 'kill on sight' fatwas against Lum and
her 'allies,' but several mainstream Islamic groups with connections
to organizations like Hizbollah and Islamic Jihad.  What was to stop
them if they decided to deal with this matter?  What of 
fundamentalists from other religious groups?  After all, given her 
physical features, Lum could've been construed as a devil in many 
other places than Japan.  For all my power and skill, I am one being,
Zachariah.  And I ALSO have my concerns and interests, especially
when it centres on Ataru and the others.  Your organization
is very limited in its reach and scope, even WITH what Nagaiwakai
helped obtain for you.  And THEN add Oogi and the Niphentaxians,
plus all that streams from that quarter, to this?"

     "A huge mess," the SCAA director-in-chief shakes his head.

     "Indeed.  One that would have damaged...?" Negako throws up her
hands in an exploding motion.  "What?  How many would have died?  How
many more would have been scarred, physically AND emotionally?"
She stares intently at Zed.  "When I hunted Osamu's people after 
learning of his latest attempt to strike at the West, I killed twenty
people AFTER ensuring they were drained of information about their
hidden backers, then seeing that relayed to those better able to deal
with it.  Twenty 'martyrs,' Zachariah.  If they had been allowed
to carry out their attack, how many could have died?  Low figure:
three thousand.  High figure:  a hundred thousand.  And what if 
Osamu's group obtained a 'dirty' radiological bomb or biological
or chemical warfare agents?  How many would have died in that case?"

     "Agreed."

     "Yes," Negako sighs, then stares south-west, towards Japan.
"As we spoke, Sakura and Hayao Sakurambou met with Seiko and Sakiko
about my being there at Tomobiki High School when Ibrahim attacked.
And no doubt, Seiko will speak to Ataru about that this evening."
She closes her eyes.  "For two centuries, I sought to become equal
to the humans who created me.  One boy gave me that wish and suffered
for five long years because of his show of kindness.  Yes, I know 
Ataru will be disappointed in me because I could have saved lives..."
she then stares at Zed, "...but would my saving lives there have not
condemned others to die?  Especially those that I..."

     She pauses, then feels his hand on her shoulder.  "Those you 
love," Zed lightly smiles.  "Or, at least, those you care for."

     Negako gazes at him, then nods.  "Yes.  Perhaps I am actually
coming to understand that particular emotion.  I DO wish to 
understand, to finally express on my own, what being human is about.
Not rely on the memories of those whose thoughts and emotions created
me.  And maybe, in regards to Ataru and his half-sisters,
plus Ranma, I AM learning some things about the human condition,
what makes one 'human.'  And yet, for the life of me, I cannot ignore
this basic SAVAGERY so many succumb to in this existence."  She then
crosses her arms.  "Ibrahim Alhamzi, for what he did, tried his best
to limit his strike to those he believed actually 'deserved'
to die.  He failed, but if we look at matters through his worldview,
we can say only that three 'innocent' people died that day.  Nagisa
Shinowataru, Himiko Arita and Mikiko Takaishi.  What would have 
happened if I DID intervene?  How many would be saved in the long 
term?  How many would have died in the long term?  And what would
have happened if I saved Aisuru Megane or his friends, ALL condemned
to death by people thousands of kilometres away?"

     "Would the next suicide bomber have decided to kill as many as 
he could WITHOUT caring for whoever died?" Zed wonders.

     "Indeed," Negako sighs...

*    *    *

     Nerima, the Moroboshi home, later...

     "I can see your point there."

     Ataru stirs his tea, looking nowhere in particular.  Seiko sits
across from him, her fists clenching and unclenching.  "Darling,
you don't seem surprised to hear this," she then stares at him.

     He blinks, then returns her look.  "No, not really," he shakes
his head.  "It is doesn't mean that I condone it, of course.  Believe
it or not, I did happen to know both Himiko-san and Mikiko-san..."
he stops, then shrugs impishly.  "Well, I knew them as much as I knew
most of the other girls at school.  And we both knew Nagisa-san,
didn't we?"  A deep breath.  "But I can't just point a finger at 
Onee-chan and say 'You let them die!' and leave it at that.  It's not
fair to her, don't you think?"

     Seiko considers that, then nods.  "Yes, you are right there,
Darling.  I just hope that you're not letting your anger at Sakura
and Cherry cloud your judgement here.  If everyone starts throwing
insults and accusations at each other, we're not going to get 
anywhere with this."

     "True," he concedes, then blinks.  "Ah, she's back."

     "Eh?!" she blinks, then turns as the door opens.

     Negako steps inside, slipping off her shoes.  The grandmistress'
eyes lock on Seiko and Ataru.  "So you are still here," she calmly
announces as she walks up to join them.  "I see Sakura and Hayao are
still unwilling to face me directly with their accusations,
but instead, resorted to you."

     "I...!" Seiko jolts, then shudders as Negako sits beside Ataru.

     "Did you sense that Nagisa, Himiko and Mikiko were in the blast
range when you were there, Onee-chan?" Ataru sips his tea.

     Negako blinks, then nods.  "Yes, I did."

     Ataru takes that in, then sighs.  "Could you have saved them?"

     "Perhaps.  The situation, as you would look on it, was 'iffy.'
And there were other matters I had to take into account."

     "Being?" Seiko wonders.

     Negako stares at the Oni-turned-Nendo-kata/Terran,
then she states, "Before I answer that, Seiko, reply to this:  you of
the Great School believe that all living beings in the Universe
have a connection to what you call 'the Cosmic Chain of Life.'  
Because of that connection, it is therefore utterly impossible
for one tragic event to stand out alone without it influencing
events elsewhere.  Agree or disagree?"

     "Agreed," Seiko nods, then her eyes widen.  "You believed
at that time that if you helped out, something worse might've 
happened later."

     "Exactly," Negako nods.  "As you might suspect from listening
to news reports, Ibrahim Alhamzi did not act alone.  In fact, he was
a member of a vast, widespread terrorist organization called 
al-Qaeda.  'The Base,' as that translates in Arabic.  It is 
dedicated, in principle, to press forward the cause of Islamic 
fundamentalism worldwide, regardless of how many non-believers
are made to suffer or die.  In the opinions of many worldwide,
the leaders of al-Qaeda are insane, plain and simple."

     "Arabic?" the Moroboshis' visitor blinks.  "Are you saying this
all has to do with the problem with the space-taxi after the first
Tag Race?"

     "Yes," the ninjitsu grandmistress nods.  "Did you really, 
honestly believe that ALL the people here on Earth, especially
in places where the extraction and refinement of oil is paramount
to the local economy, would have forgiven you for what happened
then?  Of course not.  Attempts by the United Nations to placate
the leadership of the OPEC nations, for example, did not fully 
succeed.  Many of those leaders, once they were appraised of the full
scope of events courtesy of intelligence agents sent into Tomobiki
in the wake of that incident, were all too willing to have you 
dragged to the World Court and tried for crimes against humanity."

     Seiko considers that, then she sighs.  "So that's why we were
told by the Inquisition afterward that anything which adversely
affected the lives of those beyond Tomobiki's limits would force them
to make us leave Earth."

     "Indeed," Negako nods.  "The United Nations -- the Special
Committee in specific -- believed that by caging you, Jariten and 
later Lan and your other friends, within Tomobiki's borders, the 
remainder of the world would be satisfied.  Unfortunately
for Aisuru and his friends, plus those others killed two weeks past,
there were some who were clearly NOT satisfied."

     "The members of this 'al-Qaeda,' for example."

     "Exactly.  Though it was primarily based in Afghanistan
when I first encountered them early last year, the majority of 
al-Qaeda's members hail from places such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
other states in the Middle East.  All of whom, by the way, were 
grossly affected by the incident with the space-taxi.  It did not 
take them long to concoct a plan by which you, all other aliens 
resident in Tomobiki, any frequent visitors such as Benten, Oyuki
and Kurama, and your native 'supporters' -- Aisuru, Daremo, Shitto
and Urayamu, plus possibly Shutaro, Shinobu, Ryuunosuke, Hayao, 
Sakura and yes, Ataru, too -- were to die courtesy of a suicide
bomber."

     "If THAT happened..." Ataru shudders.

     "Indeed," Negako nods.  "Fortunately, for a time, the leaders
of al-Qaeda decided to wait and watch.  Learn what they could about
matters here in Tomobiki, then when matters seemed right, strike.
That is when Ibrahim Alhamzi and a cell of a half-dozen al-Qaeda
'martyrs' were dispatched to Tomobiki.  And they merged into local
society, watched and waited."

     Seiko takes that in, then shudders.  "Blessed Mother, to 
believe..."

     "Yes, indeed," Negako thinly smiles.  "Over time, people were,
for one reason or another, eliminated from al-Qaeda's target list.
Ataru was one of the early once since, in Ibrahim's eyes, he clearly
did not like his 'engagement' to you.  Eventually, by the time of the
Second Tag Race, the ones marked to die by al-Qaeda's fatwas were 
yourself, Jariten, Lan, Rei, Aisuru, Daremo, Urayamu and Shitto,
plus those who frequently visited from abroad; Benten and Oyuki,
in other words, plus your parents."

     "And then?"

     "Then the war with Noukiios came and you were expelled from 
Earth," Negako crosses her arms.  "That was a sign to Ibrahim's
cell to advance their plans to the point where they would actually
launch an attack.  The final go-ahead was agreed to when news of your
'death' hit the airwaves."

     "So how did Alhamzi get the 'honour' to wreck the school, 
Onee-chan?" Ataru stares at her.  "Did they draw straws or 
something?"

     "Actually, they drew cards," Negako sighs.  "The high card got
the opportunity to launch the first attack.  Ibrahim, so I've 
discovered, drew an ace.  Two others in that group, Abdul al-Mubarraz
and Mohammed Haynin, drew kings.  In other words, if Ibrahim failed
in his mission..."

     "They'd come in to finish them off," Seiko completes.

     "Exactly."

     "Where are they now?"

     "In the hands of the Public Security Intelligence Bureau,"
Negako reports.  "After Ibrahim killed himself, I extracted myself
from the scene, then proceeded to locate his cell-mates.  With Ataru
and Ranma arriving at the scene within a minute of the bomb going
off, I did not wish to risk either of them being harmed in case Abdul
or Mohammed were moving to make it a triple-blast suicide attack.
I confronted Abdul a block away from Tomobiki High School three 
minutes after Ibrahim died.  Mohammed was dealt with two minutes
afterward.  I then dealt with the remaining three within the hour and
had them turned over to the Bureau before noon."

     "There hasn't been news about that," Seiko states.

     "Of course not," Negako smirks.  "Though granted, the Bureau
was quite tempted to make public this whole matter, but when I warned
them about the potential presence of alien spies working for a 
particular pro-Uru government, who would gladly do anything to punish
those 'infidels' who killed their beloved Goddess' Holy Apostles...!"

     Her voice trails off.  "The Niphentaxians," Ataru sighs.

     "Oh, Mother..." Seiko's head slumps.

     "And by all appearances, Oogi has been in orbit over Earth since
just before Ataru and I returned to Japan the Saturday before your
friends were killed," Negako leans her chin on her crossed hands.
"So, tell me, Seiko.  What was I SUPPOSED to do that day?  Do my best
to minimalise casualties and stop it at the start?  Or be a 'hero'
and save lives, only to see them (and perhaps many more) potentially
killed in a future attack?  Even if Ibrahim's group had been fully
eliminated, there are many others across the world who would've
gladly gone in to deal with Aisuru and his friends."

     Seiko gazes at the ninjitsu grandmistress, then sighs.  "I 
suppose I could accept that, especially when you factor Oogi into 
it," she sits back, then stares anew at Negako.  "But what of Muchi
and Kinshou?  Darling stated right from the start that they were to 
be left alone."

     "That was when we both believed that they could do either of us,
not to mention Sakuya-chan and the others on Promised Island, no 
harm.  That changed about a half-week before we returned to Japan."

     Seiko jolts, then stares at Ataru.  "You mean...?" she gapes,
then covers her mouth.  "They found out...?" she rasps.

     "Yes.  At least Kinshou did.  Courtesy of a penetration
agent sent by your people's old 'masters' in the Seifukusu Dominion,"
he sighs.  "But I want to hold off on that until tomorrow after 
school."

     "Eh?!"

     Ataru sighs, then rises.  "Regardless of how they might feel 
about me right now, I'm sick and tired of their butting their noses
into my life," he turns towards the bedroom.  "Have them come here
tomorrow after school.  I'll get Chikage-chan to bring some of the 
girls over here.  Let's see what Sakura and Cherry say when they 
learn how Kinshou tried to kill my sisters, ALL to get her hands on 
Grandma's fortune.  Good night, Seiko-chan."

     He walks out of the room.  Seiko watches him go, then sighs,
rising to leave.  Negako follows the Nendo-kata outside.  Both pause
by the front gate, then Seiko gazes quizzically at the ninjitsu
grandmistress.  "If you had the power, Negako-san...?" she begins,
then pauses.

     "Would I bring them back to life?" Negako lightly smiles, then
nods.  "If I was asked to and if I had that power, yes, I would.
But life is life and death is death, Seiko.  Those people are gone
now.  Regardless of who was truly 'guilty' or 'innocent,' in the face
of the Universal Tao, it is all meaningless in the end.  THAT is the
way I look upon everything I see, upon everyone that I encounter.
Even if I am developing my own feelings for Ataru, his sisters and 
Ranma, the way I view our relationships, even mine, to the Universal
Tao overrides everything else.  And that, Seiko, is something
I might not be able to adjust for the rest of my life.  Nor will I 
pretend to adjust that viewpoint for the convenience of others."

     Seiko gazes at her, then lightly smiles.  "I suppose, given the
way you came into this life, I can understand that.  I guess, when
you chose to seek your own freedom, you didn't wonder what being 
'free' actually meant.  And because Darling's family became afraid
of what they had created, you were denied every opportunity
to learn."  A pause, then, "You're not what any of the Great School
would view as a 'purveyor of disUnity,' Negako-san.  Not by far.  But
don't be surprised if others think of you as that."

     "I am not," Negako shakes her head.  "If Sakura and Hayao feel
happy marking me as the 'soulless, heartless creature' they spoke
of me to you and Sakiko as, so be it.  It does not matter in the end.
They do not realize that many in Tomobiki have grown weary of their
various antics."  A pause, then she gazes up.  "Perhaps some 
cosmological entity might want to 'punish' me for not doing what I 
should have 'supposedly' done that day.  If it happens, it happens.
But such beings best remember..." a snide smile crosses her face as 
she gazes on Seiko, "...that there will be someone ELSE out there
who might seek to punish them for trying to judge me.  That is the 
basic truth of Existence, Seiko.  It will always seek equilibrium."

     Seiko hums.  "For every life, there must be a death..."

     "And for every death, there must come new life," Negako 
completes, then turns to head in.  "Return tomorrow afternoon
with those two, Seiko.  Bring others, if you wish.  Ryuunosuke
might want to be there.  It should be interesting to watch them 
bluster in front of Karen and the others."

     She heads inside.  "I just might," Seiko sighs...

*    *    *

     Promised Island, Welcome House...

     "A-chan...?"

     Akane steps into Marie's room, then closes and locks the door
behind her.  They stare at each other, then the latter bows her eyes.
"Gomen..."

     Instantly, Akane is at Marie's side, gently squeezing her 
shoulders as she gently caresses Marie's lips with her own.  The 
younger girl gasps at the passion Akane now throws into her kiss,
then moves to draw the older girl closer to her.  Within thirty 
seconds, both collapse onto Marie's bed, holding each other close
as they deepen their kiss.  A blissful eternity later, they pull 
apart, then Akane smiles.  "Don't apologize, Ma-chan."

     "A-chan..."

     Akane sighs.  "You know, you were actually smart to send that
letter to Ataru-san," she reaches over to cradle Marie's hand in her
own, then she starts to gently fleck her fingertips.  "I think it's
about time I finally learned what this new body Jonna and Orin gave
me can actually do."

     "Eh?!"

     "I'm an Avalonian now, Ma-chan!  Don't you realize what that 
means?"

     Marie moves to answer, then her eyes widen before her cheeks
flame in embarrassment.  "Well, actually, I must confess that I 
don't..."

     "I'm going to spell it out to you, then," Akane sighs.  "First
of all, my aging process will slow down when I reach twenty.  I'll
age one year physically every TWELVE years chronologically
from that day on to the end of my life.  You realize what that means,
Ma-chan?  I could potentially live for EIGHT HUNDRED years!"  Seeing
Marie's jaw drop in disbelief, Akane nods.  "It's true, Ma-chan.
That was the way the Sagussans, the people who built the Avalon 
factory, were like.  And that's not all, Ma-chan..."

     She reaches up with one hand to touch Marie's forehead.  The 
younger girl jolts, then shudders as a warm wave of energy warps 
through her body.  "Oooooooooh!" Marie croons.  "A-a-a-chan,
wh-what are you...?"

     Akane pulls her hand back.  "I'm psychic, too," she gently 
announces, returning to holding Marie's hands in both of her own.  
"Don't you know of what Mister Spock did in 'Star Trek' when he 
mind-melded with someone?  I can do that, too, Ma-chan.  In fact,
doing that could, if I don't watch myself, lead me to becoming
'bond-mates' with someone else."  She relaxes.  "Could you imagine
it, Ma-chan?  Opening your very mind, your SOUL, to the scrutiny
of someone else?  Never again having a truly private thought?  Could
you imagine the sheer level of TRUST that would be needed in that 
case, Ma-chan?  It..." she shudders, her eyes tearing.  "Oh, gods..."

     "A-chan!" Marie cries out as Akane slumps against her, the 
latter sobbing as the sheer WEIGHT of what Ataru (then augmented
by Jonna and Orin just before Akane came to be with Marie) told her
slams down HARD on the youngest Tendou's shoulder.  "Oh, A-chan,
it's alright!  It's alright!  Everything's going to be okay, A-chan!
It's going to be okay..."

     Akane holds Marie tight to her, then tearily gazes into the 
younger girl's face before leaning up.  Marie draws the older girl
close to her as they kiss, both remaining steadfast to the other as 
they allow their lips and tongue to vent out the feelings, the pain
and confusion, they now wanted to expunge from their souls.  Finally,
they pull apart to take a breather.  "So if I didn't write to 
Aniue-sama...?" Marie wonders.

     "We might've ended up doing something that would've forever
changed both our lives," Akane sighs, then reaches up to gently 
caress Marie's cheek.  "Though I must confess now that..." she 
pauses, then shakes her head.  "No, I really shouldn't say that to 
you, Ma-chan..."

     "Please say it, A-chan."

     Akane jolts, then smiles.  "I wouldn't really mind it if, one 
day, it actually WOULD happen between us, Ma-chan."

     Silence.

     "A-chan..." Marie blinks, then closes her hands over Akane's.
"Do you really...?!  Um, well...!  You mean it?!" she then blurts
out.

     Akane nods, then sighs, her cheeks as red as hot chili peppers.
"Hai, I do, now that I've taken a little time to think about it."

     *Yeah, what?!* one part of her mind roils as a far-away look 
appears on Marie's face.  *Just an hour or so after those two 
completely tore apart everything you believed in about being close
to other people?!*

     *But she LIKES us!* another part of her states.

     *What about Ranma?!* yet another part demands.

     *Ranma's gone!* the second part declares.

     *Then we should get the perverted jerk back!!* the first snarls.

     *Oh?!* the second muses.  *What about what everyone's been 
saying about what Jusenkyou's doing to Ranma now?  Even if we're now
bisexual as Jonna and Orin said about us, do we have a right to force
ourselves on Ranma after what's happened since the wedding?!  Since
we first met her?!*

     *Ranma doesn't want anything to do with us anymore!* the third
laments as Akane finds herself gazing on Marie.  *Here's someone
who DOES want to be with us!  Even after we nearly killed her back
on Tuesday because of that lying jerk Hibiki, she's still friendly
with us!*

     *But...!* the first stutters.

     *Look at her!* the third demands.  *She's been alone since her
step-father died.  She was hurt just as badly when her mother died
as we were when our mother died!  Yeah, having sisters and a 
brother's fine and okay, but that's only happened to Ma-chan 
recently.  She needs MORE than that now, even with her extended
family!  We can provide that, you know!*

     *But...!*

     *Let's experiment,* the second proposes.

     *Hey, wait...!!*

     Akane's hand on Marie's cheek reaches down to caress her back,
then slowly glide over the young girl's rump.  The younger girl 
blinks, a faint shudder racing through her, then she relaxes as they
come together for another deep kiss.  As that happens, Akane gently
squeezes with her hand.  Marie's breath catches for a moment, then
she sighs contently.

     *Oooh, she LIKES!!!* the third part croons.

     *WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING?!?!?!* the first screams out.

     *It's only right to let her touch us!* the second reminds the 
others.

     *SAY WHAT?!?!?!*

     *Yes, yes!!  Let her!!!*

     Their lips part, then they stare at the other before Akane 
reaches up to shift Marie's right hand downward.  The younger girl
blinks, then her cheeks redden even more as she pulls Akane closer
to her, both her hands on the older girl's posterior.  Akane shifts
herself to accommodate Marie's hand movements, then uses her right
hand to cradle the younger girl's head as she allows Marie to lay on
her back.  Shifting herself to partially lay over her host, placing
her left leg between Marie's, Akane smiles as they return to gently
kissing, a shudder racing through the older girl as Marie's hands
wind their way down south along Akane's back.

     *Ooooh, she has such SOFT hands...!* the third part croons.

     *This is so perverted!  This is SO perverted...!* the first 
babbles.

     *Clearly, she is VERY interested in us,* the second muses.

     They pull apart, then stare into the other's eyes.  "A-chan?"
Marie sighs, shifting herself to be more comfortable.

     "What is it, Ma-chan?" Akane gently strokes her nose over the 
younger girl's forehead, then gazes into Marie's eyes.

     "I..." Marie takes a deep breath, then sighs.  "Do you...?
Um.  Ah, want to...?" she stutters, then sighs.  "Sleep with me 
tonight?"

     Akane blinks, then smiles.  "I'd like that a lot, Ma-chan."

     They stare at each other, then lean in for another warm kiss 
before slowly pulling apart.  "Get your pyjamas and come down here
quick," Marie whispers before standing up to change.  "Don't want the
others to see us!"

     "Uh...!" Akane blinks again, then nods, scrambling for the door.

     Once outside of Marie's room, the youngest Tendou scampers
up to her own room.  A quick glance around reveals that no one, 
especially no Mamoru Itou, was watching out for her as she ducks into
her bedroom.  After getting her pyjamas and a spare pair of panties,
she ducks out of her bedroom, then scampers down to Marie's room.
Taking a quick breath as she does another scan around to ensure she
was not spotted, Akane calms herself, then knocks.  "It's open,"
Marie calls out.

     Akane steps inside, then closes and locks the door before gazing
on Marie.  The latter, now in a pale blue nightshirt that went down
to her ankles, sits atop the covers, her glasses on the nightstand.
"That was quick!" Marie impishly grins, her eyes narrowed in the 
manner those with sight defects demonstrated when they wanted to 
focus on someone.

     Akane giggles, then sets her pyjamas on the bed before reaching
up to her T-shirt.  "Don't you think you want to put on your glasses,
Ma-chan?"

     Marie jolts, then her eyes widen.  "A-chan...!"

     "After all, I saw you nude in the furo.  It's only fair!"

     Silence falls, then Marie smiles as she reaches over to slip on
her spectacles.  She shifts herself into a more comfortable
position.  Staring at her, Akane shudders, then she slowly slides
the T-shirt away from her.

     *WHAT ARE WE DOING?!?!?!* the first part of Akane's mind screams
as she folds the T-shirt and lays it on a nearby chair.

     *We're changing clothes!* the third part snaps as Akane then 
unbuckles her belt, sliding that away from her jeans.  *What's so 
wrong with that?!  After all, we DID see Ma-chan in the nude, 
remember!*

     *WE'RE STRIP-TEASING!!!!  WE'RE ACTING LIKE SOME CHEAP HOOKER
IN FRONT OF A GIRL, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!!  THIS IS **SO** 
PERVERTED!!!!*

     *She doesn't seem to be reacting like boys might if they saw a 
naked girl,* the second notes as Akane unbuttons, then unzips, her 
blue jeans, allowing them to slide down her legs.  A quick glance
to Marie reveals a content smile on the younger girl's face, then 
Akane steps out of her jeans, picking them up and setting them with
her T-shirt.

     "You're very beautiful, A-chan," Marie sighs.

     Akane stops, then blushes.  *OH, GODS, WE'RE TURNING HER 
O-...!!!* the first part stops, then meekly asks, *Did she say we 
were beautiful?*

     *Compliment her back!* the third demands.

     "So are you, Ma-chan," Akane winks at her, then moves to unsnap
her bra, allowing it to slide away from her body.

     *No reaction from her,* the second notes.

     *Could she be envious about how big we are?!* the third panics
as Akane heads over to pick up her pyjama bottoms and slip them on.

     *Maybe.  Then again, she's only fourteen.  And she's not vain
about her looks like Sakuya-san is,* the second notes.

     The pyjama top goes on.  *Got that right!  Whoo!!  Don't you 
remember all those types of perfume that girl likes to wear all the
time?!* the first moans, then gasps.  *HEY!!!  What's she...?!*

     Marie slides over to gently button the top into place.  Akane
stays still as the younger girl's hands move up, then she shudders
as Marie's right pinky brushes past Akane's left breast.  Sensing
that, Marie stops, then blushes.  "I'm sorry, A-chan.  I didn't mean
to arouse you."

     "I..." Akane bites her lip, then she smiles.  "I don't mind,
Ma-chan.  I trust you!" she flusters as the last button is secured.

     *SAY WHAT?!?!?!  WHAT DID WE JUST SAY?!?!?!* the first screams.

     *But we DO trust her!!* the third states.

     *And we have an obligation to give her the benefit of the 
doubt!* the second warns.  *After what we did to her, it's only 
proper!*

     Marie blinks, then blushes.  "Really?"

     "Y-yeah...!" Akane bites her lip, then sits down beside her 
before reaching over to draw Marie close to her.  "I trust you."

     They lay their heads on the other's shoulder as they enjoy the
simple warmth of their embrace.  Silence falls as they remain still,
then Marie shifts herself to gaze into Akane's eyes.  "A-chan?"

     Akane blinks, then sighs.  "What is it, Ma-chan?"

     "I don't want to do *it* now.  Do you mind?"

     The older girl blinks, then breathes out.  Inside her mind, the
three voices are silent.  "I don't want to do *it* either, Ma-chan.
Not..." Akane stops, then smiles.  "Not until you're ready for it."

     "Are you?!" Marie stares concernedly at her.

     "I..." Akane jolts, then shrugs.  "I'd be lying if I said I 
didn't eventually want to do it, but..." she stares knowingly
at Marie.  "Given my past experience with trying to achieve that type
of closeness..."

     "Would you prefer a boy?"

     "Would you?"

     Marie pauses, then sighs.  "Well..." her cheeks start to flame.

     "What is it?" Akane prompts.

     "I...!  Oh, I can't say it, A-chan!  It's too embarrassing!!"

     "Ma-chan!"

     Both girls stare at the other, then laugh.  "W-well..."
Marie stutters, then she sighs.  "You're going to think this is SO 
perverted and all that, but...!" she covers her mouth, then sighs.
"I once had a..." she stutters again, then she shrugs.  "Well, one of
*those* dreams..."

     "About who?!" Akane prompts.

     "Um...!" Marie nearly closes up on herself, then she whispers,
"About Aniue-sama, A-chan..." she then gazes hopefully at the older
girl.

     Akane blinks, then she leans up.  "Ma-chan, he's your BROTHER!"

     "I...!  H-hai, I know that, but...!" Marie flusters, then she 
sighs.  "When Aneue-sama came to the island and told me about who my
real father was and all that, I..." she bites her lip.  "I found it 
so hard to believe at first.  That someone I loved so much wasn't
my real father, but my step-father?!  And that because of my real 
father, I had twelve half-sisters and a half-brother, too?  It..."
she seems to deflate.  "It hurt me, A-chan.  I guess those who find
out they're adopted feel the same way, but..." her voice trails off
again, then she feels Akane's hands on her cheeks.

     "It totally tore your whole world apart," Akane notes.

     "H-hai," Marie reaches up to draw Akane's hands to her lap, then
she sighs.  "So...!  W-well, when Aneue-sama told me about 
Aniue-sama, she also said that because of...!  Well, things going
on out in space and all that, Lum-san would be probably sent home and
their relationship would be over.  So she managed to get hold of 
pictures of Aniue-sama so we'd recognize him when he came here 
and..."  Another pause.  "Well, they were nice pictures of 
Aniue-sama.  And seeing him for the first time, I said to myself,
'This can't be my brother!  He doesn't look like me!'  But..." 
another pause, then, "...the idea of actually being with such a 
nice-looking man...!"

     "It is got your fantasies going, right?"

     "H-hai!" Marie jerkily nods, then she relaxes.  "Well, after
he came here and we all met, Aneue-sama arranged for blood tests to 
be done on all of us.  After all, Aniue-sama found it pretty hard to
believe that he had TWELVE half-sisters.  So the results came and 
they were positive so..." she stops, then shrugs.  "In a way, I was
glad.  The idea of being his brother and all that...!  I found out I 
liked that a lot more than being just a friend or being his 
girlfriend, in fact.  I mean..." she stares at Akane.  "Was it the 
same way with you and Ranma-aneuesama when you were together?
Weren't there times you just wished she was your friend?"

     Akane blinks, then nods.  "Hai, lots of times," she gently 
squeezes Marie's hands.  "And maybe, sometime soon, we CAN be friends
finally.  But right now..." her voice trails off.  "It's too soon for
both of us.  Still too soon after we were going at each other like
we did.  Hurting each other with our words and fists..." she bows her
head.  "I don't want to do that with you, Ma-chan.  I hurt you once
-- I almost KILLED you, in fact! -- and I don't want to do that 
again!  Not with you, Ma-chan..."

     Hands touch her cheeks as she finds herself drawn very close
to Marie.  "I forgive you, A-chan," she whispers before they kiss.

     They remain still as they enjoy another warm coupling of their
lips, then they part.  Marie then shifts herself back onto the bed,
slipping off her glasses and placing them on the nightstand.
Akane shifts with her, then both tuck themselves under the covers.
Drawing her arms around the younger girl, Akane smiles.  Marie sighs
before reaching over to click off the nightstand light.  As the room
plunges into darkness, Akane breathes out.  "Thank you, Ma-chan,"
she kisses Marie's forehead, then relaxes.

     "Um...?  A-chan?"

     "What is it, Ma-chan?"

     "Did you really want to do it with me?"

     "I..." Akane jolts, then smiles.  "I was very tempted."

     "So was I," Marie admits, then sighs.  "We won't do it now, but
it doesn't mean that we can't do it in the future, you know."

     "That's true," Akane reaches up to gently caress Marie's cheek.
"But maybe a first time for us should be when we can make it really
special."

     Marie blinks, then nods, reaching up to keep Akane's hand in 
place.  "Yes, it should be really special for both of us," she closes
her eyes...

*    *    *

     Upstairs, Chikage rises from the open coffin she uses as her own
bed, then peers intently around the dark space she calls a bedroom.
Rising, the sorceress proceeds to her table, then gazes intently
at the crystal ball sitting here.  The image of Akane and Marie lying
together in the latter's bed, the former's hand cupping her 
companion's cheek, elicits a knowing grin from Chikage.  "You should
learn to listen, Akane," she whispers, then reaches for the stacked
deck of tarot cards to the side of the crystal ball.  A flip of the
top card.  The Lovers.  "But maybe *this* time, the consequences
will be much to yours -- and Marie's -- benefit..."

*    *    *

To be continued...


             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'