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Nikholas "elf" F. Toledo
edited by -NomaD-
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DiScLaImEr!!!

 RAYEARTH is the property of CLAMP/Kodansha

 This fanfic is based on the anime series.

 Addiction to both the anime and manga series has prompted the author to 
seek an outlet, withdrawal symptoms are not yet foreseen so expect more 
to come. 

warning: Download moderately! 
	   Artistic muses are usually on strike! <read: author is very 
lazy> <ah...este +busy+ >
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                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

                                CHAPTER I

                                Reunions 

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, sunlight filtered through their 
delicate canopy of white and pink blossoms. The morning breeze was crisp, 
clear and sweet, laden with the fresh scent of spring and the birds' 
welcoming song. 

<Scene: The Shido Dojo>

	The beauty of this day was lost however to the two combatants 
inside the dojo. They had been up since dawn and had the training hall 
all to themselves. And without the supervision of any referee, both had 
opted to dispense with their cumbersome do (chest protector) and men 
(mask) that should have completed their kendo outfits.

	The two faced-off and bowed. The redheaded warrior flipped back her 
long braid before taking up her fighting stance. They circled each other 
like wary wolves sizing each other up, waiting for an opening. The female 
saw her chance and immediately launched an offensive.

	"Kiyaii!" she yelled, rushing towards her enemy at a dead run, 
holding her bokken sideways with both hands. She smoothly sidestepped at 
the last moment and brought it down at her enemy's blind side. He was 
already anticipating the move, he drew back to deflect her blow and 
delivered one of his own which connected painfully with her right 
shoulder. He tapped the tip of her bokken to divert her attention then 
struck another blow at her wrists.

	"My point." He tauntingly clucked, "Tsk, tsk, tsk; wake up little 
sister or..." He didn't get to finish as the girl lunged forward and 
attacked; bringing the stick down in a full arc, intending to even up the 
score. He came out of a sideways roll with the high whine of the bokken 
singing to his ear.
	   
	_That was close,_ he said to himself as he gave her a smug smile.

	"C'mon Hikaru, you can do better than that! Don't tell me you're 
holding back now!" he said as he circled around his quarry.

	Hikaru flushed. _So he did notice, but he didn't have to hit my 
wrist THAT hard,_ she thought to herself.

	"As you say Kakeru-niisama," she hardly finished speaking before 
being subjected to another round of assault. The kendoist unleashed his 
attack at an amazing speed, the strikes pounded one after the other. 
Hikaru parried each one trying not to flinch. She blocked the last blow 
and pushed back hard rendering him off balance only for a moment, but 
that was enough for her to leap outside of the driving hand that came at 
her neck. She immediately drew her bokken up and ducked the following 
thrust.

	Kakeru stood, holding his bokken in a sweaty grip; breathing hard 
and trying not to let his amazement show.

	_Damn, but she's good; hmm... been working on her defense._ 

	Hikaru was trying not to gasp for her next breath, _Count on Kakeru 
to give me a thorough morning workout._ 
    
	Ignoring her throbbing shoulder, she calmly waited for the next 
attack.

______________________________

<Scene: Ryuzaki Mansion>

	Umi tugged the sheet over her head and cursed the brilliant morning 
sun that was peering down at her.

	_Whose idea was it to put the bed right next to the east windows 
anyway?_

	Cautiously, she sat up and squinted into the room. She tried to run 
her fingers through her tangled blue locks as she glanced at the clock. 
Quarter after nine on a Saturday morning, it read. Outside, everything 
seemed so fresh and green that she almost forgot the problem at hand; 
that is until her gentian blue eyes wandered around the room and narrowed 
upon the white tulips resting on top of her vanity.

	_Mom's been decorating again._ But she immediately dismissed the 
idea when she spied the card.

	_Flowers? Who would possibly send me these?_ she asked herself.

	A name suddenly came to mind, one she desperately tried to block it 
out together with the unsettling emotions it always brought.

	_C'mon, Umi, it's just a bunch of tulips, they won't bite, they 
won't mock, they won't grab and most of all they won't even try to kiss 
you..._ and promptly turned a becoming shade of pink at the thought.

	She finally marched up to it and read the message on the card:

           ====================================
           Sorry 'bout that, Blue Eyes;
           seems like you can't win 'em all.
           Thanks for being such a GOOD sport.

                                        Gryff
           p.s.
               if you want a rematch,
               Saturday, fencing hall, 4:00 p.m.
               if you want to date, call me,
               my number's at the back.
           ====================================

	Umi automatically flipped the note over and frowned, and like he 
said, there it was, written in his arrogant scrawl.

	"The nerve of that creep!" she cursed, crumpling the offending note 
and throwing it at the wastebasket on her out. Fuming, she closed the 
door with a satisfied slam that rattled the frames on the wall.


Meanwhile, downstairs...

	_Umi would be so happy to wake up to the sight of those gorgeous 
flowers._

	Mrs. Ryuzaki thought to herself with a smile; she herself arranged 
them on her daughter's vanity just moments ago. Strategically placing 
them there so that they will be the first thing she sees the moment she 
got up.

	_And that nice young man, such a romantic; reminds me of Umi's 
father back when we were still in college._

	"Mmmm... I wonder who's the lucky guy who managed to put that smile 
on your face this morning," Mr. Ryuzaki whispered to his wife's ear as 
his arms circled around her waist from behind and started to pull her 
closer. He was already bending down to kiss her when she answered.

	"Oh, you mean that handsome young man who came by with a bouquet of 
tulips?" she said nonchalantly, trying her best to keep a poker face.

	He stiffened in surprise. Actually, he was fully expecting a little 
ego-pampering this morning, he wasn't counting on it to be crushed 
entirely though. He pushed his glasses back up his nose, he leaned back 
against the wall and regarded his wife.

	_Two can play at this game._

	"Dear, if you're cheating on me, don't take up cradle-snatching as 
well. That young pup wouldn't know what to do in..."
     
	"Oh, shut up," kissing him soundly. "The flowers were for Umi. It 
looks like our daughter has finally grown up."

	"Umi's a very pretty young lady," he grinned. "Almost as gorgeous 
as her mother," he added before claiming her lips for another kiss.

	It lasted for a minute, an hour, a lifetime... It sure is getting 
warm.

	Actually, warm was not an adequate word. Hot was closer to the 
mark.

	He finally lifted her off her feet and placed her on top of the 
hall table without breaking contact.

                                SLAM!

	"Mom! Dad! Geez, get a room!" Umi yelled at the top of the stairs, 
then stomping off to the bathroom.

	_What's their business showing off at such an early hour?!_

	Both of them reluctantly broke up their fevered embrace and 
flinched as the bathroom door slammed home. 

	"My, I thought she was going to be surprised about the flowers," 
she said frowning.

	"Darling, I think that those flowers weren't the only ones 
responsible for her cheery disposition this morning," he said, smiling 
down at her bemused look.

______________________________

Back at the Dojo...
	   
	A man stood watching from the eerie shadows. His eyes missing 
nothing; not Hikaru's excellent fighting form nor Kakeru's flagging 
performance. What irked him most was the fact that both have AGAIN 
disobeyed him. Kakeru was indeed having trouble with his younger sister. 
He came out ahead at the start of the match, but it seems that the tables 
have turned. Hikaru now has the upper hand.

	_Looks like he's been neglecting his training. I have to talk to 
him about that,_ he thought to himself.

	Hikaru, on the other hand had shown great improvement in the past 
four years. Somehow, he doubted that her skill is honed by her devotion 
to the art alone. Kendo had simply provided an outlet for whatever it is 
that has been troubling his sister for the past years.

	Sometimes he found it hard to believe that she's already 18 years 
old.

	A young lady. Not their baby sister. No, not anymore.

	Since their father left for his martial art's training they have 
taken his place in worrying over her. Aside from being the youngest 
child, she's also the only girl. His two brothers, Kakeru and Maseru were 
always in competition with each other, it was a miracle she didn't turn 
out spoiled rotten. He on the other hand was more subtle, but no less 
guilty of vying for her attention.

	The man finally shook himself out of his reverie, just in time to 
see Hikaru execute an evasive maneuver; Kakeru's bokken sliced downward 
missing her by a mere inch. Stepping outside of his driving hand, turning 
round and quickly shifting from evasive to offensive. Lunging forward to 
bring her bokken at the side of her opponent's throat.

	"WHAT the...! How'd...?"

	Kakeru was utterly dumbstruck, his mouth agape while looking down 
at Hikaru's triumphant smile. His gaze shifted to the bokken still poised 
at his throat then back at his sister. Hikaru gently tapped his jaw with 
the bamboo sword, "Please close your mouth Kakeru-niisama, you're letting 
in flies," she teased. Gracefully stepping back, she then lowered her 
sword and bowed down.

	Her golden medallion, which had sprung from the confines of her 
uwagi (jacket), caught the sunlight and her brother's attention as well.

	"Very pretty, who gave it to you?" Kakeru asked, examining the flat 
polished circular stone set against the golden disk with its intricate 
floral carvings.

	Hikaru was surprised to find that he was referring to her 
medallion. It was a gift, one that has saved her life twice, back in 
Cefiro. Hastily tucking it back in her uwagi, she racked her head and 
finally came out with a feasible answer.

	"A friend."

	"A BOYfriend?" he asked with his usual lack of tact.

	"No! Of course not!" she denied vehemently, but the blush suffusing 
her cheeks told otherwise.

	Kakeru's narrowed look said it all, he doesn't like the idea of 
Hikaru going out with some guy whom he knew nothing about. How come his 
brothers never told him about it?

	"Hikaru, how could you! I've only been gone for a year, now I find 
out that my baby sister has a boyfriend!" he cried out, glomping on her 
and turning on the waterworks. Hikaru face-faulted.

	"eh... Ka-Kakeru, you got it all wrong. I don't have a boyfriend," 
she explained with strangled breath.

	"WAAAaaaah! How could you not tell me? You happen to be my favorite 
sister, oh how it wounds me to know that you'd keep such things from 
me..."

	_I'm your ONLY sister you dolt!_ she would've voiced the thought 
out loud but was having a great difficulty breathing at the moment.

	"What if he turns out to be a creep or ah... a psycho... a maniac 
even!" picturing his sister being mauled by a monster. "AAaaargh! NO! He 
will have to challenge us, your brothers, to prove himself worthy," he 
stated, tightening his hold on her, "Don't worry, sis, we'll protect..."

	Hikaru managed to get an arm free out of her brother's tourniquet-
like grip. She reached for her bokken and whacked him over the head, 
putting an immediate end to his obnoxious litany.

	"OUCH!! Hey what was that for?!"

	"Kakeru! Hikaru!" the man stepped out of the shadows, thinking that 
it was about time he intervene before this turn into a grudge match.

	The two froze and turn to see the stern expression on their eldest 
brother's face, "Satoru-niisama!" they said in unison.

	"It would seem that the two of you have been practicing. And 
without your protective gears again, I might add." He was circling the 
two, taking his time, "From the way you're fighting, both of you could've 
been hurt," flicking a meaningful glance at Hikaru's bruised wrist. She 
tried to hide it but he was too fast, he grabbed her wrist firmly but 
gently and slashed a look at Kakeru, "This had better not happen again."

	"No, it won't. I'm sorry, Satoru-niisama," Kakeru bowed down and 
turned to Hikaru, "I'm sorry, sis, it was stupid of me to insist sparring 
without our gears. C'mon, let's put some ice on that."

	"Really... it's nothing, I'm fine..." Hikaru's protest was cut off 
by Satoru, who endearingly ruffled her hair and insisted that she go with 
Kakeru to tend her bruise.

	"Oh... All right," she conceded with a smile at Satoru before 
exiting the dojo escorted by her brother.

	_What are you hiding, Hikaru? Is the medallion the key to all this 
mystery?_ Satoru shook his head and hoped that Hikaru will reveal the 
answers in due time.


Later in the kitchen...

	"Whaaat!!!" Maseru sputtered out, nearly dropping the stack of 
plates he was carrying to the table.

	"Hikaru? A boyfriend? No way!" his overprotective brotherly 
instinct kicking in. 

	"Pipe down will ya?" Checking to make sure that Hikaru wasn't 
around to overhear them, "Well, who else could've given her that 
necklace? Certainly not Umi or Fuu," referring to Hikaru's closest 
friends whom she met during her field trip to Tokyo Tower two years ago.

	"Kakeru, could it be possible that some guy had already stolen 
Hikaru's heart?" Maseru said, confirming and voicing out their worst 
fears.

	"Ha! Even if he did, he won't get through me that easily!" Kakeru 
boldly replied.

	_I'll pulverize that jerk who ever he is, then I'll use him as 
fertilizer for Satoru's cherry blossom in the backyard!_  

	"Mwahahahaha!" Kakeru laughed dementedly, thinking of the infinite 
possibilities lined up for his sister's would-be suitor. 

	Maseru stared at his brother and face-faulted. He then slapped his 
own forehead and shook his head sadly. 

	_What a nutcase. Good thing Hikaru still got a sane brother to 
protect her._

	He then went back to the chopping board and started thinking of his 
sister's beau. _I'm going to chop that guy up into itsy-bitsy pieces 
<HACK!>, then I'm going to feed him to Satoru's carps back in the garden 
pond._

	He flipped the butcher knife up into the air; it arced a full 
circle thrice before crashing down on the board, cleanly cutting the meat 
on it in half. He then threw back his head and laughed menacingly, 
"Mwahahahaha! He's dead meat!" 

	Kakeru stared at his brother, aghast. _Man, he ought to be locked 
up in a mental institution!_ 

	"Uh... Maseru, Kakeru... are you two... um... all right?" Hikaru 
timidly asked from the kitchen doorway, eyeing her elder brothers warily.

	"Eh... heh... hehehe... ah, sure, we're fine," the two answered in 
unison.

	"I thought I heard my name, do you...?"
	   
	"No... no... no," they said shaking their heads. "Ah... we were 
talking about Hikari!" Maseru lied, elbowing Kakeru.

	"Oww... Oh, yeah, right, Hikari," he put in, while rubbing his 
side.

	"What about Hikari?" she asked skeptically.

	"That he needs a walk!" Kakeru grasped at the first idea that 
popped in his head.
	   
	"A looong walk," Maseru confirmed his suggestion, nodding his head 
vigorously. He handed Hikaru the leash and waved her out the back door.

	"Bye, sis, have a great time!" the two stood at the door, waving 
and smiling like idiots.

	_What's the matter with them? They'd been acting a bit paranoid 
lately._ 
	  
	Hikaru clipped the leash on her pet wolf. Turning around, she 
pasted on a smile and waved back before going on her way.

	Kareru and Maseru breathed a sigh of relief as they watched Hikaru 
disappear around the corner.

	"Kakeru, do really think it was wise to let Hikaru walk alone?"

	They both stared dumbfounded at each other, taking their time to 
let the essence of Maseru's question to sink in...

	"Kiyaaaaa!!!"

	"HIKARU!!! Wait up!" immediately falling over each other in their 
haste to run after her.

______________________________

<Scene: Department Store, in the Toys Section>

	"Whoa, cool!" A young man had his face plastered on the display 
case, ogling the robot models inside, "Check out these mechs, they can 
even transform into jet fighters!" His outburst hasn't gone unnoticed 
among the amused patrons in the toy section.

	"I just gotta have this one, Geo," he begged his companion.

	"Zazu, even if you do look like a 13 year old, don't you think that 
acting like one is taking it a bit too far?"

	The kid turned a fiery red at the statement. Sure, he looked too 
young for his age, but he didn't have to rub it in.

	"I don't intend to play with it, you big buffoon!" he murmured 
angrily. "I want to study the model and see if the transfiguration from 
battloid to fighter jet is applicable to our own mechs," he explained. 
"You as a fighter should be considering that option as well!"

	"I was just kidding. No need to bite my head off."

Later at the counter...

	The cashier personnel was trying to keep a straight face while 
scanning what seemed to be an unending purchase of assorted sweets. The 
girl in charge of packing obviously had less tact, after putting the last 
box of chocolate in the bag she turned to the kid and said, "You know, 
too much sweets can be bad for your teeth; worse, you might even end up 
with a tummy ache."

	Zazu just stared at her, he then clamped a hand over his mouth to 
hide a snicker but his secret amusement proved to be too much as he bent 
over, clutching his middle and letting out a guffaw.

	"Ah... actually, these are mine."

	The girl turned and gaped at the speaker, who was, in fact, a 
handsome well-built-hunk-of-a-man.

	Geo grinned sheepishly as he paid for his purchases then gathered 
his three sweets-filled grocery bags while muttering an embarrassed 
thanks to the two dumbfounded ladies.

	_Revenge is sooo sweet,_ Zazu thought to himself, wiping tears from 
his eyes.

	He was whistling when he followed an irate Geo down the escalator.

______________________________

	"Whaddaya mean you're not sellin'? I got money, see!" Zazu 
demanded, waving 500 yen under the man's nose to emphasize his point.

	"Just how old are you, son?" the man asked, taking in the kid's 
height and unusual get-up.

	"Huh?" Doing some quick calculations in his head, he answered, 
"about 19 earth years, I guess."

	"You're still a minor, kid. We don't sell liquor to minors. The law 
states that you've gotta be at least 21 to buy these stuff."

	Zazu was getting desperate, he hasn't had a drop of alcohol for 
days. He was lucky to have smuggled some of the stuff in the ship, but 
his supply finally ran out. He simply cannot afford to go back in the NSX 
without a new batch.

	"C'mon, can you bend the rules just this once? I'm willing to pay 
for it plus half the price," he smiled conspiratorially while sliding the 
bribe across the counter.

	"NO. Better get outta here, kid, before I decide to throw you out!"

	"Okay, okay! I'm gone!" smiling nervously as he backed out the 
door.

	"Damn old prig," he muttered to himself as he cast a disdainful 
glance at the store window.

	"Hey, Geo!" Zazu plopped down on a park bench next to his friend, 
"Say, will you be oh-so-kind to buy me some booze?"

	"I thought you already did," motioning toward the direction of the 
liquor store.

	"The owner wouldn't sell, said I was still a minor."

	Geo laughed, _Let's see just how far he's willing to go for a 
bottle._

	"You know how I hate alcohol."
	   
	"Just this once, my stock's all dried up!"

	"Commander's orders were quite clear, NO BOOZE ON BOARD."

	"I won't get caught. And, even if I did, they won't hear of your 
part in it. I SWEAR!"

	"So what's the catch?"

	Zazu sighed, "You get those fancy optical sensors installed in your 
targeting system." 

	"Not enough, I want extended rocket boosters added to the GTO as 
well"

	"C'mon, whaddaya need extra speed for?!"

	"No boosters, no booze."

	This time, it was Geo who was whistling as he entered the store.

______________________________


	They said that, if you throw a coin in a fountain, you're entitled 
to a wish. The blond girl standing near one was merely content to watch 
the tourist give in to that old saying. She hadn't thrown one; a coin 
couldn't possibly grant the miracle that she wanted.

	Staring at her reflection, she watched as her imagination conjured 
up a face next to hers. Laughing amber eyes dominated the handsome face, 
the scar over the bridge of his nose served not to mar but rather enhance 
his boyish charms. 

	The fountain again sprouted to life, showering down on the once-
peaceful water surface, dispersing that beloved face and her reflection 
as well. The girl sighed.

	"Hey, Fuu, you in there?"

	The cheerful greeting shook her out of her reverie. Blinking twice, 
she regarded the newcomer.

	"Oh! Oneechan, please don't sneak up on me like that."

	"Fantasizing again, Fuu?" she tsked.

	Fuu blushed as her sister giggled; they made their way toward the 
small shops that dotted the area.

	"It's been a while since we last visited Tokyo Tower; by the way, 
what time were you supposed to meet here with your friends?"

	"Not for another hour. Kuu, would you like some coffee or tea to go 
with those donuts?"

	"Sure," changing the topic, "Fuu, it's a good thing you're going 
out more with Hikaru and Umi. For a while, I was starting to get worried 
about you."

	"Oh, why is that?"

	"Well, you spent every waking moment with your computer; I was 
beginning to think you'd end up marrying that highly upgraded abacus of 
yours."

	"Was that supposed to be funny?" she stopped dead in her tracks, 
trying to sound haughty.

	"No, that was supposed to be scary," Kuu replied without breaking 
her stride.

	"KUU!"

	She found herself standing in the path of a deranged biker. 
Paralyzed with fear, she stared at the oncoming headlight with a scream 
stuck in her throat.

	_Oh my God!_

	With a sudden violent motion she was jerked off her feet, she felt 
an arm around her waist, and a person of great strength dragging her 
backwards. She nearly fainted out of sheer relief and slumped against the 
powerful frame that supported her.

	"Miss, are you okay?"

	The anxious tone broke through the haze that threatened to engulf 
her, she turned to give her rescuer a reassuring smile and came face to 
face with a muscled chest. She leaned back to crane her neck up and 
stared into a pair of worried brown eyes.

	"I... I'm fine. Sir, you saved my life... thank you. I don't know 
what else to say..."

	Geo sucked in his breath as his heart skipped a couple of beats 
then accelerated to warp-speed. He was staring at, in his opinion, the 
loveliest leaf-green eyes he'd ever seen. They were kind and reassuring 
like her smile. Her delicate features were framed by lush light brown 
hair that fell almost to her waist.

	"It's... it's her! A Magic Knight!"  
	   
	Zazu's outburst finally broke the spell.

	"Me?" a puzzled Kuu asked.

	"No, sorry, but not you. Her," he explained, pointing at Fuu.

	Fuu looked at the two men and realized that they weren't from 
Tokyo. In fact, they weren't from around this planet. But they've met 
before... in another world, in Cefiro. They came aboard the NSX, 
Autozam's battleship that once flew the skies of Cefiro in a mission of 
conquest under Eagle's command. Those were dark times, the planet was on 
the verge of destruction because of Princess Emeraude's death. Three 
powers had come to assume the throne, but Debonair, the new evil, had 
risen to ensure Cefiro's doom. She, Umi and Hikaru were able to befriend 
the invaders: Aska the princess of Fahren, Tatra and Tarta, the twin 
princesses of Chizeta, and Eagle, the commander from Autozam. In the 
final battle against Debonair and her child Nova, it was his sacrifice 
that saved their lives. 

	"Hello, Zazu," she greeted the young man, "Geo," smiling over 
Zazu's shoulder to extend her greeting to the man who still held her 
sister.

	"We knew you lived here, but we didn't expect to be this lucky and 
actually meet you again," exclaimed Zazu. "Can you show me where Hikaru 
lives so that I could surprise her?" he rushed on, barely able to contain 
his excitement.

	"Zazu here has a crush on that pretty li'l redheaded friend of 
yours," Geo explained with a wink.

	"Oh, shut up!" Zazu casted a glare at his direction.

	"Why don't you two join us for tea? Hikaru and Umi agreed to meet 
us here at a cafe near the Tower..."

	After their brief snack, Zazu opted to stay with Fuu and wait for 
the others while Geo escorted Kuu on a leisurely afternoon walk in the 
park. Some girls couldn't help but take a second look at the handsome 
soldier, it was just too bad, since he only had eyes for his lovely 
companion.

	"So, tell me, how'd you met my sister?"

	Geo swallowed, he and Zazu agreed that the less Kuu knew about 
them, the better. He'd better watch what he said, the girl's pretty 
perceptive, her leaf-green eyes saw too much. He never realized that a 
quiet stroll could turn out to be as hazardous as crossing a minefield.

	"Hikaru introduced us. Truth is, I hardly remembered her name when 
I saw her standing across the street a while ago," he embarrassedly 
admitted, "among the three of them, I'm most acquainted with Hikaru."

	"I noticed that Zazu seemed to be very anxious to see her again."

	"He was quite taken in with her the first time Eagle brought her to 
the uh... base. She's really sweet, kinda like the little sister I've 
always wanted."

	Geo smiled at the memory of the feisty redhead who confronted 
Eagle's battle mecha, the FTO, in combat with her red machine. Her 
courage never faltered even when she found herself alone and captured by 
the enemy.

	"Base? You work for the military?" 

	"Huh? Yeah, I'm a fighter pilot and Zazu's our head mechanic."

	"Zazu?! But he's so young!"

	"He also happen to be a genius."

	Well, that military bit was a nice touch. Everything he told her 
was basically true; they do belong in the military, Autozam's, that is; 
the base just happened to be the NSX, their battleship; he was indeed a 
fighter pilot although he operated his own custom made mecha, instead of 
jet planes, and Zazu was indeed the head mechanic... of the NSX.
	    
	After making a complete rundown of everything, he finally decided 
that he hadn't lied to her... yet. 

	"And Eagle? What does he do?"

	"Huh?"

	"You're a pilot, Zazu's a mechanic, what about him?"

	"He, too, was a pilot. He was my commanding officer and my friend."

	He tried to keep the remorse and guilt out of his voice, but she 
heard anyway.

	"Geo... look you don't have to tell me anything." Kuu reached out 
to touch his arm, "But... but it's easier to bear the pain if you got 
someone to share it with, don't you think?"

	He took a deep breath and looked down into her somber eyes. She was 
right, misery does love company. At the moment, it was her company that 
his misery craved.

	"We were on a mission and I was under his command. On one incident, 
I saw him doubled over in pain. When I reached his side, I saw that he 
was coughing out blood. He told me not to worry, that it was nothing, but 
I decided to check his medical records anyway. It... it turned out that 
he was very sick... and that his was a terminal case."

	Geo leaned back against a tree, reaching up to break off a dead 
twig. He was rolling it between his fingers as he stared up at the green 
canopy, not wanting to see the look of pity in her eyes as he continued.

	"He went off to confront the enemy alone. I tried to talk him out 
of it, but a life was at stake." He remembered it well, Nova had their 
friend Lantis trapped inside her machine, it was feeding on his powers 
and using his lightning attack against the Magic Knights. Eagle saved 
them at the cost of his own life.

	"He gave his word and should he die, he wanted to go out fighting." 
The twig suddenly snapped in half. "I never felt so helpless in my whole 
life; I just stood there and watched him get blown sky-high, not being 
able to do a damn thing about it." Zazu had cried then, he didn't shed a 
tear. It was only later on, in the privacy of his quarters did he gave in 
to his despair.

	He bowed his head in anguish, "He didn't have to die, not like 
that. I should've been there with him, watching his back. If someone had 
to die it should've been..."

	"NO! Don't say that! Don't even THINK of saying that." Kuu lifted 
his face to stare in his eyes. Geo saw not pity but understanding in 
their green depths. "You mustn't blame yourself, because there is none to 
blame. It was his sacrifice, his decision." 
	   
_____________________________

Somewhere in the park...

	<riinnnggg!>

	Umi reached inside her knapsack for her cellphone, while looking 
around the park for her friend.

	"Hello?" she answered distractedly.

	"Hi, Blue Eyes! Did you like the flowers I sent you this morning?" 
	   
	"Who gave you this number!"

	"Your mother did. Anyway, you didn't show up at the gym so I 
assumed you finally gave in. You haven't even called yet; I'm really 
starting to think that you are going to stand me up on our first date."

	"Let's get one thing straight. I have NO intention of going out 
with you, YOU ARROGANT, EGOCENTRIC MANIAC! 
	   
	"And one more thing... STOP FOLLOWING ME AND DON'T EVER CALL ME 
AGAIN!"

	She conveniently cut off the signal and somehow luckily spied Kuu 
holding hands with a handsome dark-haired man.

	_But where's Fuu? And that guy... he looks vaguely familiar._ 
	   
	"Umi, over here!"

	She turned toward the voice and saw Fuu sitting at a sidewalk cafe 
with...
 
	_Zazu? HERE! Then that guy with Kuu must be Geo!_

	"What are those two doing here?" she asked herself as she made her 
way to her friends.

______________________________    


	"Guess I'm beginning to get on her nerves," the man smiled to 
himself as he tucked away his cellphone. Standing behind a tree, he 
watched Umi being warmly welcomed by her friends... when was the last 
time he was welcomed by an embrace instead of a salute or a handshake? 
Too long, much too long. 

	"What are those two doing here?" Hazel eyes narrowed upon the two 
men who were partaking in that "warm welcome". His Sub-commander and Head 
Mechanic were obviously enjoying themselves. He reached inside his jacket 
for a comlink to contact the personnel aboard the NSX. The small screen 
blinked once and then a uniformed soldier materialized.

	"Commander," the soldier saluted.
	   
	"Rex, tell Sub-commander Metro to make preparations for immediate 
departure, we leave at 2100, earth time."
	   
	"Ah... sir... Geo and Zazu are currently..." 
	   
	"Yes, I know, sightseeing," casting an amused glance at the cafe. 
"See that you contact them immediately and have them on board before I 
arrive..."

	He didn't have to add "or else", Rex knew that the Commander would 
take it out on HIS hide if those two aren't present and accounted for 
before the said time.

	"Ye... yes, sir."

______________________________
	     
	"So what brought you here?" Umi asked Zazu seeing that Geo couldn't 
possibly be bothered with the question since he was too busy sweet-
talking Kuu.

	"We just got a new Commander and are on our way to Autozam, we 
stopped over for supplies; the edible kind, that is," Zazu explained.

	Umi reached inside a plastic bag and brought out the mech model of 
a YF-21 fighter and placed it on top of the table.

	"Oh, that! I've been meaning to model my next project against 
that."

	"This a toy patterned after a famous mech series here in Japan, the 
transformation is amazing on TV but I doubt it could be made possible in 
real life," Fuu replied.

	"With your technology, I gotta admit, it's rather risky. But with 
ours it is very possible," Zazu said.

	"Even with all the computers on board, it's still pretty awkward to 
reconfigure a vehicle of such great proportions," Fuu reasoned out.

	"But you're forgetting one thing. In our planet, we use mind power 
to move things, to harness energy. A direct computer-mind link is no big 
deal given the right mecha architecture and program suited for the pilot. 
It's really easy to implement a smooth transition from jet fighter to 
mech."

	"That's amazing!" Fuu said clapping her hands. 

	Umi again peeked inside the grocery bags and arched an eyebrow 
while holding up several assorted brands of chocolate.

	"Oh, those are Geo's. He's got a sweet tooth."

	"THREE BAGFULLS!" Umi said incredulously.    
	   
	"A VERY sweet tooth," he replied smugly.

	She picked up another bag and extracted two bottles of liquor. This 
caught everyone's attention including Kuu who gasped, jolting Geo from 
his starry-eyed trance.

	Zazu quickly snatched away his precious vintage and placed them 
back in the bag. He was tempted to say that they were Geo's but one look 
at his forbidding expression changed his mind. 

	<Gulp> "Ah...these are mine," he confessed.

	He was saved from further interrogation when his communicator 
beeped to life.

	"Zazu, the Commander wants you and Geo back on the NSX right away. 
We're to make immediate preparations for departure at 2100."

	"Huh? But... but..."

	Geo filched the communicator from his grasp.

	"Look, Geo, I've been covering for the two of you long enough, 
don't you think it's about time you guys return the favor?" the soldier 
whined.

	"Okay, okay we're on our way. By the way, Rex, how'd he find out?"

	"I think he saw you two down there. Man, hurry up! You gotta be 
here before he shows up, otherwise, it's latrine duty for me!"

	"Don't worry, we're on our way right now. Over and out."

	Turning it off, he handed it back to his disappointed friend.

	"Sorry, Zazu, but orders are orders."

	"Yeah, yeah. It's just ain't fair, this maybe the only chance I'll 
get to see her again."

	Turning to Umi, "Tell Hikaru... just tell her I miss her," he 
sighed.

	After saying their good-byes, Geo finally turned to Kuu.

	"I guess this is it, then. I won't forget you, Kuu."

	"C'mon, you're acting like we won't be seeing each other again," 
she teased.

	Geo just hung his head, staring down at his boots saying nothing.

	"Here's my number," writing it down on a paper napkin, "promise 
you'll call," she said, biting her lip.
     
	After pocketing the slip of paper, he reached for her hands and 
brought them up to his lips for a tender kiss.

	"Sayonara, Kuu," he achingly whispered.

	For a moment, Kuu felt an insane urge to cry.

	"No," shaking her head, "you mean Ja Mata-ne."

	Geo released her hands and smiled sadly.

	"Sayonara," he repeated before turning to walk away without a 
backward glance.

	"Sayonara, Geo," Kuu finally whispered in returned.


                        -=| end of chapter 1 |=-

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

	At last, the first chapter's finish. The succeeding chapters will 
take place in Cefiro. Questions and queries must now be dangling in your 
minds.
	Does Hikaru really have a boyfriend?
	Does her two brothers really belong in a mental institution?
	Who is the new commander of the NSX battleship?
	Why is he interested in Umi?
	Will Geo have the time to call Kuu?
	When did Zazu ever drink in the anime?
	Is this a shojo?

	As for the last question, I'm telling you now that I'm trying my 
best not to turn this into a shojo.

Thanks to the ff. People:

	-NomaD- for his brilliance and excellence in his gruesome task of 
editing this chapter (he's the one who actually wrote this part).

	Hollie for his support and interesting views about life, karma, and 
all things mystical, etc, etc.

	Mayhem, I'm looking forward to Chapter Four of Memories.

	Switch, our dear, beloved Zu keeper for the constant prodding, 
nagging and death threats.

	Please send them to the Zu address, niftol@i-manila.com.ph.

	Please support other Zu Works.

	Further downloading can be very, very hazardous to your mental 
health, download at your own risk. Trust me, I know first hand, I'm 
writing this, ain't I?
	
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nikholas F. Toledo Zu @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/mezza9.html
Vector, Switch, Yebah, Don Juan, goo, Pervert, Scruples, Hollie, NomaD,
Blitz, Gee, Datzo, Jewel, Elf, Radler, Pinball, Mayhem
Fanfiction @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/fanfics.html
Warp Zone @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/thirteen.html
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The logo of the Church of All Worlds is nine concentric circles.
Word from the Laity:  Wipe yer feet!  Bloody 'ell...
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/3145/index.html
Currently under construction... confessional at the links.
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