This is a repost of Part I of my Senior Year side story.  You guys will see
it long before it goes to raac, as Mike Smith has to read it and approve it,
and he's offline in Canada.  So, not archived until the beginning of May,
at least.  Oh, well.  Part II, which is new, will follow.

---
Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year:  "No Grudges" Part 1
by Sean Gaffney
gaffney@iconn.net
**** **** ****
edited by James  Bateman, Fred Herriot, Richard  Lawson, and Sebastian Weinberg 
**** **** ****
A side story  based on the fan fiction stories  by Mike Smith and Fred
Herriot,  in  turn  based  on  "Urusei  Yatsura",  created  by  Rumiko
Takahashi 
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES:

1)      Notice how I  did the formatting so  it looks like a  UY:  TSY
story.  Cool, huh?

2)      The timeline for the story is as follows:

a.      Scene  One takes  place three  weeks after  the events  in the first
Urusei Yatsura movie, "Only You".

b.      Most of the  rest of the first half takes  place in and around the
events depicted  in the UY:  TSY  stories "Sakura's Class Reunion" and "Tag
Race Mark Three".

c.      Most of the second half of the story takes place in and around the
events depicted in the UY:  TSY story "Nagaiwakai's Lesson".

3)      All  characters mentioned  herein are  the creation  of Rumiko
Takahashi, with  the exception  of Reigi Yumoa,  Nagaiwakai Moroboshi,
Komeru   Moroboshi,  Kimaenowakai   Hana,  and the  Sunin  bodyguards, all
of whom were created by Fred Herriot.

4)      Extra  special thanks  to Mike  and Fred,  for allowing  me to
venture into their  universe in order to expand upon  one of the minor
romances  depicted.   Ryouko  Mendou  is  my  favorite Urusei  Yatsura
character, and  I enjoyed her appearances  in TSY, but  felt there was much
left out.  This is my attempt to redress the balance.

5)      By the  way, I spell  Ryouko with a  U.  Animeigo,  as well as Mike
and Fred, spell it with  a double o (Ryooko).  Viz, when they get around to
Ryouko's episodes in the manga,  will probably spell it with one o (Ryoko).
Whatever floats your boat.

6)      For those unfamiliar with the Urusei Yatsura:  The Senior Year
series...well, it's a long story.  Suffice it to say, this is not your
father's Urusei Yatsura.  There are many differences.  My advice is to go to
http://www.io.com/~ksethre/fics/uytsy.htm, start with "Alternate Lum-san,"
and work from there.

7)      Three of these scenes utilize dialogue from the original stories by
Fred Herriot, because these scenes were necessary to the plot of my story.
The dialogue is Fred's; the thoughts, inner monologue, reactions, etc. are mine.

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

And so...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

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

 Reigi Yumoa sighed and straightened  his tie as he looked upon the Moroboshi's 
home  for the first time  in many years.   Kinshou Moroboshi had made it clear 
to him several years ago that he was no longer welcome at their house.  It  
upset him more than  he thought.  He had fostered a good friendship with their 
son Ataru, and was regretful that this should  come to such a  sudden end.  What  
bothered him more was that Ataru had not made more than a token protest.

 However, that was all in the past.  Reigi was here now on assignment from his 
guardian, Komeru,  to attempt to convince Ataru to leave Tomobiki.  These 
arguments usually had little or no effect, as the residents of the house just 
hung up when he tried to call.

 But  recently,  quiet  had  descended  over  the  district  of Tomobiki.  Many 
of the town's louder residents were now in the hospital, as a result of the 
attempt to force Ataru to marry Lum, the Oni who had dominated his life for 
the past year.  From what Reigi could gather from reports, Ataru had almost 
been ready to go along with the wedding, but had refused at the last minute 
and fled the chapel.  He had been promptly pursued by most of the wedding 
party, intent on everything from grievous bodily harm to death by katana.  

 Luckily, Ataru's great-grandmother, the Lady Kimaenowakai Hana had been 
informed of this, and a  company  of her Sunin sumo-ninja bodyguards
had stepped in.  After crippling the entire wedding party, they had declared
that any engagement agreements between Ataru and Lum were null and void, and
had taken him back to Earth.

 Thus, while everyone else was recovering in the hospital, Ataru was living 
alone in  relative peace for the first time  since the Oni had inserted 
herself  into his  life.  Reigi,  therefore, had come  to the house
to attempt to talk  Ataru into leaving Tomobiki and returning to
Rishiri-tou.  It was hoped that, away from all outside elements, Ataru would
be more amenable to this.

 Personally, Reigi was not  so sure.  He  had been keeping track of
Ataru for a while now, and was disturbed by what he saw.  After the
disappearance  of  his  sister,  Ataru  seemed to have undergone a massive
personality change.  At times he was fairly normal, but at other times he
reverted, embarrassingly, to a perverted  lech, intent only on seducing as
many women as possible.  It was impossible to talk to him when he was like
that.  Reigi just hoped that he had caught Ataru at the right time.

 Coming up to the house, he was about to ring the bell when the door
opened  of its  own accord.   Ataru  Moroboshi stepped  out, then paused in
surprise.  "Reigi?  Is that you?"

 Reigi was inwardly  relieved.  Ataru had  his hair combed, and lacked the  
vacant look that almost  seemed to be  ever-present on his face.
Perhaps  he would have an easier time  talking to Ataru than he thought.
Outwardly, he grinned  broadly.  "Hello, Ataru.  It's been a long time."

 Ataru frowned.  "Yeah, I'd almost forgotten."  A shadow seemed to
pass  over his face  at that  moment, but then  it was gone.   "So, how've
you been?"

 Reigi smiled.   "Tell you what.  Why don't  I take you out for
lunch, and we can talk about what each of us have been up to."

 Ataru had never been one to refuse food, whether he was in his lech
mode or not.  "You're on!  Wanna go to the new beefbowl place?"

 Reigi sighed.   "I was thinking  a little more  upscale if you don't
mind."

 Ataru shrugged.  "OK.  Food is food."

 Well, at least step one is accomplished, Reigi thought.  They got
into his car and drove into town.

                                *    *    *

 "Huh?  Go back to Rishiri-tou?"

 Reigi nodded.  "That's right,  Ataru.  After all, you were all set
to  do it right before  Lum came into  your life.  It  needs to be done."

 Ataru frowned  again at  the mention of  Lum.  Reigi  had been
growing increasingly concerned  at Ataru's personality shifts.   For a
while, he  would seem  to be  completely normal.   Then,  usually when Reigi
mentioned Lum's name, his  eyes would glaze for a moment, and he would lose
all  track of the conversation.   This had made  for a long lunch, as Reigi
had to backtrack constantly.

 Reigi decided to  press his point.  "Ataru,  look at what your life
has become.   Living with parents who haven't  given you any love in  years,
in a  town  that  regards you  as  an  embarrassment.   In Rishiri-tou, you
could start over, rebuild  your life to  what it was before Lum arrived."

 Ataru looked up,  and for the first  time didn't lose himself.  
He was perfectly  serious as he said,  "What about Lum?   Would she be able
to come with me?"

 Reigi  was  utterly   stunned.    He  had   thought  that  the
relationship between Ataru and Lum was completely one-sided, one Ataru was
trying desperately to release  himself from.  But now, apparently, Ataru was
saying  that he wanted to remain with  Lum.  "You *want* Lum to go with you?
Ataru, are you insane?  I thought you hated her!"

 Ataru  seemed to  be having  an inner  war  with himself.   He
leaned over towards Reigi, dropping  his voice.  "No, that's not true.  
All I want is for Lum to  let me...let me live my own life.  If I were in
Rishiri-tou, she'd have to change her ways, wouldn't she?"

 Now it was Reigi's turn to pause.  "I don't know, Ataru.  Your
grandmother regards everything that's  happened to you as Lum's fault.  
I'm not sure she would allow Lum to come to Rishiri-tou."

 "She might.  If it were made clear that I would only come with Lum.
Do you think that she might be able to reconcile with Lum?"

 Reigi  frowned.   "Well...there's  no love  lost  between your
grandmother  and   Lum.    But  if   you  were  able   to  curb  Lum's
behavior...and if you were there...that's what your grandmother wants,
Ataru.   She wants to  see you  at home again.   If you  came back...I think
she'd allow it."

 Ataru smiled.   "I  think...if I talked  with her, I  might be able
to convince  Lum to come with  me.  I don't  know, though...I get very tense
when she's around."

 Reigi smiled.  "If you like, I could help with that.  So, Ataru, is
it agreed?  Will you come back?"

 Just then, there came a cry from the street outside.  "DAAAR-LING!!!!"

 The effect on Ataru was  instantaneous.  He locked up in fear, and
hid under the table.  "Ah!  Lum!"

 Unfortunately, his crying out alerted the Oni to his presence.  
She  entered  the restaurant,  not  even  pausing  to  look at  Reigi.
"Darling, what  are you doing  in here?   Your parents  have come back from
the hospital, and they sent me to look for you!"

 Ataru bolted upright.  Reigi was astounded.  You wouldn't even have
known it was the same person.  "You're one to talk!  I was having a
wonderful time by myself until you showed up!"

 Lum crackled dangerously.  "And just what were you doing while I was
in the hospital, Darling?"

 The danger of  being hit by Lum's  lightning removed any trace of
the former Ataru from him.   "And what business is it of yours what I was
doing?!"

 "We're married,  Darling!  A wife  has the right  to know what her
husband is up to!"

 Ataru backed slowly out of  the door of the restaurant, giving one
final comeback.  "We are *not* **MARRIED!!!!**"

 Lum  began the  windup that  indicated  a lightning  blast was
forthcoming.  "Darling...NO...*BAKA!!!!*"

 Reigi tried to leap in.  "Ataru, wait...!"

 But it was all for naught, as Ataru had turned and fled almost as
soon as Lum had started to  flare.  Almost as quickly, she chased after him,
firing lightning bolts and calling his name.

 No, calling her darling's name, Reigi corrected himself.  That was
the difference  between the  two  personalities that  were there.  One,  the
real  one,  was Ataru  himself.    The other  one  was Lum's Darling, who
thought  of nothing but immediate  pleasure and pain, and certainly nothing
of his future.

 Reigi slumped  onto the  table, his  head in  his hands.   The
entire afternoon had been a failure.   Damn her!  He had been so close to
getting  Ataru to agree,  and then with  one stroke  Lum had ruined everything.

 He got up and began the  long walk back to his car.  One thing was
certain.  If Ataru  Moroboshi ever managed to escape from the hell that his
life in Tomobiki had become, and return to Rishiri-tou, there would be  no
place for  Lum.  Reigi  would see to  that.  He  had some things to tell to
Ataru's grandmother...

                                *    *    *

 Two years later...

 Reigi Yumoa, chief of operations for Toranoseishin Finances, sighed and put
down his reports as another explosion rocked Tomobiki High School.  There
had been an increase in the violent incidents there recently, making it
difficult to concentrate.  Not only because of the noise level, but because
Reigi's thoughts kept drifting to Ataru.  He had been so busy lately with
the company that he had not the time to make another attempt to remove Ataru
from Tomobiki.

 Komeru and Nagaiwakai had been nagging him about that lately.  They did not
really realize how difficult it was to keep the company running on a
day-to-day basis.  After all, they had their own assistants for that.  But
Reigi preferred a hands-on approach, which meant staying up late often to
make sure that everything was done properly.  It did not help that he was
Caucasian in appearance, which bothered many of the older businessmen.
Also, he was constantly trying to prove that, despite being only twenty-one
years old, he was fully capable of running a major finance firm.

 As a result, Reigi had spent many nights in his office, grabbing sleep only
when necessary.  It had almost become a second home to him; his apartment
was rather empty and functional.  He kept most of his keepsakes in the office.

 The noise from Tomobiki High seemed to have ceased for the time being, so
Reigi got back to work, occasionally letting his thoughts drift toward ways
of extracting Ataru from Tomobiki.

 There was a knock on the door.  Reigi was not surprised.  He had left
instructions not to be disturbed, but his assistants usually regarded that
as a suggestion, not a rule.  "Come in," he sighed.

 It was only Reigi's strict discipline that kept him from falling over as
Ataru Moroboshi entered the room.  For a moment, Reigi found himself
wondering if this was a trick.  Ataru had a light in his eyes that had not
been there in years.  Furthermore, Reigi had not heard any screams coming
from his office, meaning that there had been no attempt of molestation on
the way in.  Joy filled Reigi as he realized that Ataru had finally done it;
he had found the courage to escape from the evil that hounded his life in
Tomobiki!

 A small grin played across Ataru's face as he noticed Reigi's stunned
expression.  "You busy?"

 Reigi bounded across the room, reaching out to grab Ataru's hand.
"Ataru!!"  Overcome by emotion, Reigi grabbed him in a bear hug.  "You old
snake!"  As he released him, Reigi looked deep into Ataru's eyes, wanting to
make sure that Ataru was here, and not Lum's 'Darling'.  "So, you finally
decided to get away from those twits and come back to your real home, huh?!"

 Laughing, Ataru sat down.  Reigi noticed that he seemed to be carrying a
*qu'f-piaqu'r*, a Yehisrite particle photon musket.  "Well, it's only a
visit," Ataru said.  "You know how stifling it could be when you're with
Komeru-oji-chan for any length of time."

 Once again, Reigi found himself mystified by Ataru's ambivalence toward his
uncle.  In Reigi's opinion, the amount of good deeds and public service
Komeru performed more than made up for any lack of emotion...not to mention
that his adoption of Reigi and the other wards belied the belief that he did
not care.  Ataru, however, had always valued a loving family above
everything else, thus found his uncle's distance just as annoying as his
parents' abuse.  They had argued about this a number of times, and Reigi did
not feel like bringing it up again.  "True, I suppose."

 He decided to take the initiative, and see if Ataru was really all right.
If anything would tell him that, this would.  "So, what does bring you here
after about two years?  Finally getting tired of Lum?"

 Reigi knew that it was potentially dangerous mentioning Lum in Ataru's
presence; it could mean a relapse.  Ataru seemed to realize what Reigi was
doing, and had to keep himself from laughing.  "Not Lum, but those who like
to hang onto her like a school of remora."

 Reigi remained outwardly happy, but frowned a little inside.  Even after
all of the shit he had been through, Ataru still seemed to care for Lum?
Why?  What in God's name did he see in her?  Oh well, as long as he was no
longer freaking out at the mention of her name, that was fine.  The mention
of the other people of Tomobiki reminds Reigi of the chaos that had
disturbed him earlier.  "Ah, we heard the blasts all the way over here.  We
knew that eventually, sooner or later, that idiot Mendou was going to step
over the line."

 Ataru smiled.  "He did, but thanks to Grandma, I pushed him back."

 Reigi noticed Ataru pointing to the *qu'f-piaqu'r*.  So, it was Nagaiwakai
who got him the firearm.  Well, so much the better.  After taking abuse from
the likes of Mendou and Ran, it was about time he had a way to defend himself.

 He looked out the window, noticing the damage done to Tomobiki High School.
It would probably total in the millions.  The Mendou Clan might be giving
them a call soon.  "And how.  Well, it doesn't matter.  Great thing, being
the only finance company which caters to people like the Mendous and the
Mizunokoji.  We get filthy rich on their petty little feuds!"

 Ataru's eyes glinted again.  "I bet.  Actually, it's because of that little
connection that I came to see you today, Reigi.  How'd you like to do me a
favour?"

 Reigi had an idea what Ataru was about to ask, but went along with it.
"What sort of favour?"

 Ataru grinned.  "If I remember the terms of the contract between
Toranoseishin and the Mendous, you can launch a Conglomerate-wide inspection
of all their operations, including all the extra stuff Mendou has at his
beck and call."

 It was Reigi's turn to grin.  Mendou had abused the family resources for
years in his attempts to bring Ataru to heel, using lethal force at times.
*He's lucky Ataru's got ninja reflexes,* Reigi thought, *...or Mendou'd be
serving time right now, if not in an early grave thanks to Nagaiwakai-sama.*
"We can.  After all, we loan the money for them to operate such forces, thus
until they pay us back, we have a right to see how they're using it.  It
affects things like credit ratings and all that.  I do confess they are
pretty punctual with their payments."  *Though,* he added silently, *...the
way Mendou uses the Kuromegane, they're already in hock through to the
millennium!*

 "So how'd you like to do an administrative inspection?"

 "When?"

 "Like right now?"

 Reigi's eyebrows went up; apparently Ataru was very serious in getting
Mendou off his back.  After so many years of Ataru blithely ignoring the
world, this took some getting used to.  "Ouch!  Just as things are heating
up between you and the school."  He smiled; this might prove to be
entertaining.  Even if Ataru had not asked him personally, Reigi would have
wanted to do it himself, merely to see the look on Mendou's face.  "My
pleasure."

 Ataru smiled.  "Thank you so kindly."  From anyone else, the phrase might
seem sarcastic, but Reigi knew enough about Ataru to know that he meant it.
Ataru got up and moved towards the telephone.  "Mind if I use that?  I'd
like to call Grandma."

 "Go ahead." Reigi got up himself.  "I better call the Mendou mansion and
give them the bad news."  He left for the main office.

 After giving the news to the Mendous, mollifying them somewhat by saying
that he would tell Shutaro himself, Reigi returned to the office to find
Ataru still on the phone with Nagaiwakai.  Reigi could hear the love in his
voice.  Nagaiwakai was the only relative that Ataru really loved, and she
returned his love fully.  Reigi also noticed that Ataru avoided mentioning
Lum in the conversation, merely referring to Tomobiki in the broad sense.
Well, if he still wants Lum in his life, staying silent about her when
talking to his grandmother was probably a smart idea.  Reigi did not think
Nagaiwakai would ever forgive the Oni for the Second Tag Race.

 As he went to the helicopter pad to head for Tomobiki High, Reigi frowned.
Despite the joy he was feeling, there was still doubt in Reigi's mind about
what he saw today.  He considered himself a good judge of human nature, and
knew that changes like Ataru's did not happen overnight.  There was
something wild about Ataru now, a dangerous glint in the eye, suggesting
that, even though the lecherous lout may be gone, Ataru Moroboshi had still
not exorcised all of his personal demons.

                                *    *    *

 Ryouko Mendou was bored.

 This is itself was not a rare thing.  Boredom drove Ryouko most of the
time, and most of her schemes were attempts to stave this off.  They only
proved to be temporary respites, though.  And lately, they had not been
enough.  In addition to boredom, she was starting to feel depressed, as she
went over the past two years of her life.  Despite the fun she had, she
really had not accomplished much, besides annoying her brother.  That used
to be enough, but now she wanted more out of life.  She wondered if this
meant she was growing up.  She was almost seventeen years old now, and
beginning to feel every bit of it.

 She had considered going out to tease Shutaro again, maybe by flirting with
Ataru Moroboshi.  That always worked.  However, she had been informed by her
Kuroko of Ataru's recent personality changes.  Ryouko may be spoiled, but
she was no fool, immediately coming to the conclusion that this would *not*
be a good time to bother Ataru.

 Then there was Tobimaro.  He was like her brother in so many ways, which,
of course, was the main reason she teased him.  Pretending she was in love
with him drove him up the wall.  However, his hatred of women disgusted her,
especially since he was hypocritical enough to live with those gorgeous
bodyguards of his.  No, even Tobimaro was starting to bore her.  Besides, he
was off on another one of his adventures in the wild, and would not be back
for a while.

 Her thoughts were interrupted by a whisper next to her left ear.  One of
the Kuroko.  "Mistress, I have distressing news.  Your father's finance
company has called an inventory of all Mendou clan operations, and has
placed a hold on their usage until it is complete.  We...we will not be able
to serve you, Young Mistress."

 Ryouko could hear the pain in his voice.  Unlike Shutaro's Kuromegane, who
only protected him because they were paid, Ryouko had developed a nice
relationship with her Kuroko.  In fact, it was through them that she began
to develop her love of the theatre.  It must have been hard on them to hear
this.  "Don't worry.  I will take care of my own needs until the inspection
is complete.  Why not take the time to relax, do some of the things you
haven't had time to do."

 It was not much, but it was the best she could come up with.  The Kuroko
enjoyed serving her, as they were able to use their love of the theatre.
Also, they were her friends.  But there was not a lot she could do about it.
"I'm sorry."

 "Do not worry, Mistress.  It is we who should apologize.  Are you sure...?"

 "I'll be fine.  I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

 Ryouko spoke much too roughly, then winced as she felt the Kuroko draw
back.  "I apologize again.  I have been feeling out of sorts lately, and do
not mean to take it out on you.  But don't worry, I shall be perfectly all
right."

 "Very well, Mistress.  We hope to see you again as soon as possible."

 Ryouko smiled.  "As do I."

 She heard a slight flutter, and the next minute they were gone.

 She sighed, feeling very alone.  She suddenly realized that she did not
want someone to tease, or torture, but to talk to as an equal.  Someone whom
she could begin to show her real self to, instead of the spoiled princess
she pretended to be.  With a start, she realized that she was lonely.

 Ryouko slowly got up and prepared for bed, hoping that maybe the next day
would bring something better...

                                *    *    *

 Reigi sighed, thinking for about the fourth time that day that personally
supervising the inventory of the Mendou Clan's resources might have been a
bad idea.  He had been to the mansion before, but had not realized until now
how *big* it truly was.  Growing up with Komeru and Nagaiwakai meant that he
was no stranger to wealth, but Rishiri-tou was understated, as Nagaiwakai
did not need to demonstate to the world how rich she was.

 The Mendou mansion, though, delighted in its ostentation, featuring many
tacky Japanese heirlooms, that would have been called ugly if they had not
also been so old...and odd.  In addition, the number of trapdoors, secret
passages, and hidden weapons caches meant that, in effect, the mansion was
twice the size it looked.

 As he made a note of a third set of poison dart throwers in the wall, Reigi
privately observed that this was going to take a lot longer than he had
thought.  Oh, well, at least Ataru would not have to worry about Mendou for
a while.

 There was a rustle behind him, and a quiet voice exclaimed, "Oh!  Pardon
me, I had no idea anyone was here."

 Reigi turned around...and found himself looking into the eyes of a goddess!
The most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his entire life was standing
only a few feet from him.  He nearly passed out, and had to remind himself
to breathe.  She was dressed in a lovely silk kimono, with a complex pattern
of dragons interwoven into it.  Her hair flowed around her like a cloud.
Was it red?  No, more of an dusky ruby, complimenting the blue of her eyes.
She was the most heavenly creature he had ever seen, she was perfect...

 *She's Ryouko Mendou,* the logical part of his mind supplied.  *She's
Shutaro's sister, and in all probability, as deranged as he is.*

 He shed away from that thought, angry with himself for thinking such
things.  How could this woman ever be anything like that boor Mendou?  It
just was not possible.  Nevertheless, knowing that she was Shutaro's sister
had the effect of throwing cold water on his libido, and he finally came
back to himself, realizing that he had been staring at her for over a minute
without saying anything.  A flush came to his cheeks.  "I'm...um...I'm
sorry, Mendou-san.  I had chosen to inventory here becasue I thought these
areas were deserted.  Please forgive me; it is I who intruded."

 To his surprise, she jumped when he spoke, as if shocked.  What had she
been thinking about?  She spoke to him again, in low alto tones that had a
taste of nectar in them.  "The rest of the family do not venture her often,
but I often use the passageways.  They are an easy way to avoid my family
when I want to."

 He could see her flush, as she realized what she was saying.  The red in
her cheeks made her even more beautiful, if that was even possible!  She
then turned, as if to leave.  "I don't want to keep you from your work,
so...I suppose I should leave."

 He once again found himself needing to say something...and presently was at
a loss for words!  He slapped himself mentally.  "No!  No!  It's a pleasure
to meet you, Ryouko-sam...Ryouko-*san*."  *Oh, nice save!* he chastised
himself.  *Now she'll think you're an idiot.*

 She smiled at him again, and he felt as if he would melt right there on the
spot.  "It was lovely to meet you too...?"

 He could hear the unspoken question at the end of her sentence.  "Yumoa.
Yumoa Reigi," he managed to stutter out.

 "It was lovely to meet you, Yumoa-sam...Yumoa-*san*."  She blushed again,
and quickly began to walk away.  He kept his eyes on her for as long as
possible, but in no time at all, she was around the corner and out of sight.

 Did he hear her correctly?  Was she making fun of him, or was it an honest
slip, as his had been?  He was not sure.  He tried not to think of the
implications as he reluctantly turned back to the inventory.  Did she have
any feelings for him?  There were several clues, from her behaviour, and
yet...a girl such as herself could not possibly find anything in him!

 As he replayed the conversation over and over in his head, Reigi struggeld
to keep his mind on work...

                                *    *    *

 Ryouko walked quickly back to her room, desperately trying to get her mind
back together.  What had *happened* to her back there?  She prided herself
on her poise and dignity, and yet in front of this man, she was blushing
like a lovesick schoolgirl.  Admittedly, she had been surprised on seeing
him in the corridor.  Although she knew there would be auditors inspecting,
she did not expect them to be so thorough as to investigate the back
passages and corridors of the Mendou mansion.  That would explain her
surprise at seeing him, but not her other behaviour.

 He was quite handsome.  His appearance suggested a gaijin, but there had
been something in the eyes which belied those claims.  He had very handsome
eyes, which gave the impression that he was looking directly at your soul.
His hair had been slightly unkempt, as if he combed it very neatly but it
fought back over the course of the day.  Ryouko's gaze had drifted back to
the eyes again; she could feel herself getting lost in them...

 Then with a start she had realized that he was speaking.  He was
apologizing for being in the passageways.  For some reason, Ryouko had felt
a need to give an explanation to him.  She had blurted out that she often
used the corridors to avoid her family.  Her brain reeled.  *Did I really
admit that to him?*  She had felt a flush spread across her face as she
realised the impropriety of her words.  Again, there was a sense that
nothing could be kept from him, that he knew her every secret.  She had
wanted to get out of here, before she embarrassed herself further.

 She had given her apologies and started to leave, but he had stopped her,
insisting that it was no trouble at all.  How sweet of him to make her feel
at ease.  And he knew her name, too.  She had started again as she realized
she had no idea who this handsome man was.  She had attempted a smile, which
felt forced to her lips, and subtly asked for his name.

 Reigi Yumoa.  A beautiful name, she loved the way it rolled off his tongue.
He had a wonderful way of speaking, very polite and formal.  She had started
to thank him again, and then realized that she had almost called him
Yumoa-sama.  *Too formal, too formal,* she had thought, correcting herself.
She had been sure that she was bright red by now, and quickly beat a hasty
retreat.

 What was the matter with her?  In all her relationships with men, she had
been the one in control.  She had to stay cool, to analyse their every move
so she could use it against them.  Yet with him, it was as if she was a
blushing schoolgirl.  She felt a need to impress him somehow; to show him
the real Ryouko, not the one everyone else saw.  How did he have this power
over her?  She needed to know more about him.  She started to summon her
Kuroko for a spying mission, and then realized that they had been put on
hold with the rest of the Mendou resources.  She would have to wait.

 Resigning herself, she lay down on the bed, and unconsciously  began to
replay the conversation over and over in her mind...

                                *    *    *

 Reigi stood outside Ataru's apartment, ringing the bell so that he could
tell him that the inspection was finished.  He was not really paying much
attention, just letting his thoughts drift.  And, inevitably, he found
himself thinking of Ryouko again.  Over the past week, he had seen her
almost every day, walking along the corridors.  It could not just be
accidental, she had to be looking for him.  Did she like him?  Was it
possible that she loved him as he loved her?

 He had tried denying it for a few days, but it was impossible:  he was
truly, madly, deeply in love with Ryouko Mendou.  (Hmm...sounds like a film
- S.G.)  Everything about her was grace and beauty; moreover, from the few
words they had exchanged, she was intelligent, in a practical way as well as
academic.  He wondered how she had been schooled.  Maybe he would ask her
next time he saw her.

 A sudden depression washed over him as he remembered.  He was finished with
the inventory, and would not be back at the Mendou mansion.  How could he
possibly go on without seeing his Ryouko-sama?  He lived to hear the words
come from her lips, breathed in the gaze from her eyes.  Without her, he was
not sure of anything.  Activities and responsibilites that had once been
child's play now required an intense amount of effort, because he was not
able to await a visit from Ryouko-sama.

 These recursive thoughts were interrupted by the door opening.  Ataru stood
there, looking lightly puzzled.  "What's up?" he said.  "You don't look so
good."

 Reigi came into the apartment, yawning.  He was incredibly tired lately,
both because he had been running the inventory all day and because his
nights were filled with thoughts of Ryouko.  "No, not really," he admitted.
Ataru was the sort of person who did not believe in pleasantries that masked
true feelings, so Reigi simply admiited his fatigue.  "We finished
inspecting the Conglomerate's books yesterday, so you'd better watch it.
Observers have already seen the Kuromegane out in full force trying to keep
track of you."

 Ataru sneered, letting his contempt show.  "That's no problem," he said.
"When I move north to Oshika, I'll just get a few court injunctions slapped
on the jerks living here.  Not even all of Mendou's money can buy off every
judge in Miyagi."

 Reigi responded almost automatically, "Yeah, considering that we helped
them get nominated to their posts."  His mind was not really following
Ataru's jibes, though.  He had heard that Ryouko was very much a patron of
the theatre.  Perhaps if he attended a few shows.  He usually did not have
the time to go out in the evenings, but if it was to see Ryouko-sama...

 Reigi felt a sigh escape his lips.  He could see Ataru looking at him
strangely, but it was as if he was twelve miles away.  Reigi let himself
drift into another fantasy, where he and Ryouko were doing nothing more than
looking deeply into one another's eyes.  Ataru interfered with this vision,
though.  "What is it?" he queried.

 Reigi wanted to get rid of Ataru so that he could go back to staring at
Ryouko.  "Oh, it's nothing."

 Reigi could see Ataru was not buying his explanation. "Bullshit!!  You saw
something...or someone, less I miss my guess."

 Reigi puzzled over that; was he that easy to read?  He did not think his
lovestruck condition was *that* obvious.  Ataru went on.  "Ah-hah!!!  I know
what's with you!!  You met Ryouko-chan, right?!!"

 At the mention of her name, Reigi saw the world go pink.  He felt his knees
get weak, and it was all he could do to remain standing.  He almost choked
on the influx of hormones that flew through his body when Ataru called her
name.  "Ryouko-sama," he purred.  He would been embarrassed at calling her
that at first, but it seemed so right, so perfect for her.  He did not want
to sully her name by using anything less.

 Ataru merely stood there, grinning at Reigi's performance.  "Uh-huh!"  He
then seemed to think of something.  "Um, you better know that I think the
Mendous might want to marry Ryouko off to Tobimaro Mizunokoji."

 It was as if Reigi had been shot through the heart.  Images of Ryouko
looking into his eyes vanished, to be replaced with an image of Tobimaro
impaled on his own baseball bat!  *My God, does she love him?!  What if I've
been fooling myself all this time?!* he mentally exclaims, then considers
the matter.  *Or is she being forced to marry him by her family?!  Those
jackals!  How could they force Ryouko-sama to marry against her will?!*  All
of this slipped thruogh his mind in a matter of minutes.  Aloud, he said,
"What?!!  MY poor, sweet, defenseless Ryouko-sama marrying THAT uncouth,
filthy bastard?!!  Not in a bloody million years!!!"

 Reigi would rescue her from that fate, he knew.  He would protect her from
anyone who tried to do her harm.  Let them try to marry her against her
will...if it was against her will.  A pained look then flashed across
Reigi's eyes as he realized that she might love another.

 Ataru seemed to sense Reigi's agony.  "I don't think you've got much in the
way of worries when it comes to Ryouko-chan," Ataru said reassuringly.
"Personally, I don't think Ryouko-chan would want to be anywhere close to
Tobimaro given the way he hates women in general...though how he could hate
women when he's surrounded with those gorgeous dolls in his Kurotenshi, I'll
never understand."

 Reigi sagged with relief.  She did not care for Tobimaro...so there was
still a possibility that she loved Reigi.  Nevertheless, he began to feel
worse as he realized the magnitude of what he was going up against.  He was
able to control the Mendous and Mizunokoji when it came to financial
matters, but there was no was he could influence then in a matter of family
politics.  Arranged marriages were a long tradition in families like the
Mendous, and he knew that with the way Mendou felt about Asuka, a marriage
between Tobimaro and Ryouko would be financially sound, as well.

 He began to despair again, as he looked bleakly up at Ataru.  "What should
I do?" he moaned.

 Ataru seemed lost in thught for a bit, and considered his words carefully
as he answered.  "We'll have to go at this very slowly.  We can't do too
much too fast or else Mendou'll get wind of it.  I can only guess what his
reaction'll be."

 Reigi jerked; he had forgotten about Shutaro.  He would certainly be
against any alliance of his sister with a Moroboshi, ward or no.  "True,"
Reigi murmured.  He was going about this the wrong way, he realized.  There
was still much he did not know abut Ryouko.  He had an information
organization second to none, why not put it to good use?  He would bide his
time, gathering information that would help his cause.  Then, when he was
prepared, he would win her heart.

 Suddenly he remembered the other reason he had come to see Ataru.  "Oh, by
the way.  Kinshou's here and she's asking for you.  She's upstairs in the
cafeteria."

 Ataru groaned as if he was sick.  Perhaps he was.  Certainly legally
divorcing himself from his parents had ben one of the smartest things he had
ever done.  "Must I?" he groaned.

 "Sorry." Reigi sympathized with Ataru, but if he did not set Kinshou
straight now, over time, she would just get worse.  He smiled
sympathetically as the latter left the apartment.

 He hurried back to work with a new vigour.  In addition to his regular
duties, he now had a task that burned like fire in his mind: win Ryouko.  He
decided to get a little background information on her, to see if there was
anything else he could do.  *Ryouko-sama*, he thought, *...it seems as if we
must be apart for now.  But I will find a way to bring us together!  I'll
stake my life on it!!*

 People on the streets were staring at him, but Reigi did not care.

 He had a purpose...

                                *    *    *

To be continued...