Nadesico Fan Fiction

Romance Of The Stars

By Kraven Ergeist

A/N: Ok, I'm not sure why I'm doing this, but I just watched Nadesico from start to finish a second time, and can't resist some of the more salacious of characters relations that exist in the story. With that in mind, please be forgiving and open minded in the plot twists that are about to follow.

Ruri never really ate anything much more complex than ramen noodles and water, but that still meant that she was a regular visitor of Mrs. Howmei's kitchen. Usually, she never conversed with anyone while eating, but in this case, fate seemed to have forced her hand.

"Why, hello, Ruri-Ruri!" came a familiar flighty voice.

Ruri looked up from her meal. "Hello Mrs. Minato."

The long hair woman smiled, sweetly and sat next to the young woman with her lunch tray. "So, how have you been doing?"

"I'm fine," Ruri replied, adhering to the neutral, bandwagon response.

"You don't look fine," Minato blinked, paying an uncomfortable amount of attention to the blue haired girl.

"I can assure you, I am in good health," Ruri sighed, before taking another bite of soba.

"Oh, I'm sure your body is perfectly well," Minato smiled. "It's everything going up here…" Minato tapped Ruri's temple lightly "…that worries me."

Ruri blinked, suspicious. "You are concerned with my mental health?"

Minato frowned. "Well…not so much your mental health as your emotional health."

Ruri titled her head, cutely. "Emotional…health?"

Minato closed her eyes, blushing. "Ever since Tsukumo came into my life, everything's just been so much more enjoyable. I used to see everything as petty and useless after my…trifle with Mr. Hoary. Nothing seemed enjoyable, nothing seemed like it was worth the trouble of doing…and then, he came into my life, and suddenly, everything seemed more enjoyable. Now, every morning, I wake up with a smile on my face, and life just…seems better. All because of this special someone…"

Minato realized she was rambling, and waved her hand. "What I mean to say, Ruri, is that you don't seem to have anyone special enough to you to really experience that. I know, you're young, but still, a close friend might also make things happier for you."

Ruri stared hard at the helmswoman. "I am not…unhappy, Mrs. Minato."

Minato sighed, dreamily. "Are you?"

Ruri frowned. "I…don't think so…"

Minato sighed, looking away. "I see…"

Ruri blinked, considering what she'd just heard. Minato had expressed concern for her. That much was clear. And while she doubted Minato's propriety in the matter, Ruri did not doubt that Minato was having this conversation with anything but the best intentions in mind.

With that thought, what was she to make of the advice she had been given?

That having someone close to you would make life easier. That having a 'special someone' would somehow make things easier in her life.

But Ruri had no such someone in her life. The only entity she could possibly relate to at this level was Omoikane, and the computer, while a valued companion, was not able to alleviate all stress from the girl's brilliant mind.

"Mrs. Minato?" Ruri asked aloud after some thought. "What it is about Mr. Shiratori that makes him your special someone?"

Minato stared at the ceiling for a minute, pondering. "Well…"

Minato looked down and smiled at the young girl.

"He just is, that's all!"

Ruri sighed. This was getting her nowhere fast.

Then another subject broached itself in her mind. Unbidden, a question formed on Ruri's lips before she could withdraw the thought.

"Mrs. Minato? Have you and mister Shiratori 'done it?'"

Minato just about fell out of her chair. "What? What kinda of question is that, Ruri?"

Ruri stared hard at the helmswoman, silently regretting bringing the subject up. It was situations like these that Ruri believed had led her to lose faith in talking to people.

But, since the question was already out in the open.

"I've taken biology before, Mrs. Minato. I understand the nature of sexual intercourse. I am also aware of the taboo sex has in our society, as well as its many discreet references in both our language and gestures. I am also aware that such language has been, quiet unsubtly, used by many of the crew, including the pilots, the captain, and even yourself, Mrs. Minato. So, if I have disillusioned and thoughts that you might have to withhold information from me based on my age, please answer my question."

Minato was red faced and shocked. Here, she had thought her relationship with Tsukumo Shiratori had been more or less on the down low, and here was the most reclusive and introverted of the crew spouting out notions of such intimacy.

"Well…you know, Ruri, most people would not be comfortable at all discussing their sex life with anyone on a professional level, regardless of their age."

"Then don't discuss it with me on a professional level," Ruri said. "Express yourself as a friend, Mrs. Minato."

Minato smiled, deeply. She was glad to be proven wrong about her at least not having any friends.

"Well…Tsukumo is a very sensitive man, Ruri, and very shy. More so, he is also very conservative, especially about the treatment of women. I don't think that level of intimacy would be particularly healthy, at least, not all at once. So, to answer your question, no, I have not 'done it' with him."

Ruri blinked. "But…you would like to?"

Minato blushed even more. "Ruri, please!"

"Please, Mrs. Minato, can you answer me?"

Minato looked away, her face scrunched and red. "Oh…I can't believe I'm having this conversation with a twelve year old!"

Ruri pursed her lips. "Mrs. Minato…"

Minato looked back at her. "Oh, fine. Yes. Yes, I would like to…'do it' with him eventually. But then, it's only human. At some point, we'll all meet someone who we'll want to love and cherish and, yes, even have children with."

Ruri frowned. "I don't."

Minato laughed out loud. "Oh, Ruri! What do you expect all of the sudden? You're only twelve years old! Most of your hormones probably haven't even kicked in yet! Have you even started bleeding yet?"

Ruri blushed, looking away. "Just last month…"

Minato blinked. "I see. So that's what all the prying is about." Minato placed a comforting hand on Ruri's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ruri-Ruri! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help you!"

Ruri smiled, sipping the last of her noodles. "Thank you, Mrs. Minato, I think I shall. But it will have to wait. I must return to the bridge."

Minato waved goodbye. "Ok. See you later, Ruri-Ruri!"

Minato watched the small girl leave, sighing. "That was probably the oddest conversation I've had in a while."

Realizing the full implications of the promise she had just made, she sighed again at the prospect that any future conversation with the girl were bound to be just as odd, if not more so.

xxxxx

Ruri sat at her seat on the bridge. No one was about; they were off doing other things. Yurika was probably haranguing Akito again, Minato was still eating as far as Ruri was able to tell. Megumi and Erina were still unaccounted for, but Ruri was positive that she would not be bothered.

"Omoikane," Ruri spoke to the computer. "Please give me an era-based readout of the history of sexual relations, particular focusing on it's affects on both society and the individual."

What followed next was a stream of textual and pictorial references, outlining every form of sexually based occurrence from the exploits of Pharaohs in ancient Egypt, to East Asian brothels, to renaissance era promiscuity, to modern forms, both artistic, pure, and pornographic.

"Disgusting," Ruri commented, noting the latter. "And men are actually attracted to this?"

Several pictographs, looking like they came form Microsoft PowerPoint popped up, each indicating "yes" or some positive response similar thereto.

"So, sex is purely a genetically based primal drive to reproduce?"

More pictographs, this time negative.

"What else does it involve?"

A single pictograph emerged, displaying one word.

"Emotion?" Ruri mouthed. "Please elaborate."

Ruri stared hard at the next pictograph.

"Love?"

Ruri frowned. Love had always been a confusing thing for her. While she understood the nature of physical attachment to others based on fraternity, camaraderie, kinship, or simple friendship, love never seemed to make sense. It was, by and large, the only emotion that had an equal chance of driving two people apart as it had bringing them together.

"So…sex is simply the bonding of primal drive and human emotion?"

Pictographs appeared.

"'Partly?' What else then?"

More pictographs, this time displaying her least favorite response.

Insufficient Data.

"Hey, Ruri," Minato called from the doorway. "What'cha looking at?"

Ruri closed down the pictographs. "Nothing."

Minato smiled knowingly. "Well, I've got nothing better to do. Why don't you take some time off? I can man the bridge for a while."

Ruri considered. Normally, she would have had no problem remaining isolated with Omoikane, and in truth, would have liked to have prodded further. But something told her that she would gain little else from the machine, and if she desired more information, than she should seek information elsewhere. Moreover, should she do so, she must do so with equal privacy as she had with Omoikane, and she could only effectively do so outside the bridge at very least. Minato was giving her just such a chance.

"Thank you, Mrs. Minato," Ruri said, and left.

Minato smiled, watching her leave.

"Ruri," she said, once she was gone. "You're growing up faster than you realize."

xxxxx

Ruri had heard the definition of sex from a woman's perspective. And being a woman herself, though immature, she had something of a grasp of the female standpoint on sexual relations, or at least, a clue.

What she was still completely in the dark over was the male point of view. What she was aware of is that males, some more than others, tended to act even more unpredictably on said subject than women. And what she had learned about men and pornographic material had confused and somewhat frightened her. She knew that she must choose wisely if she were to consult a male on the issue.

She kept coming back to Akito. He was the only male on board the ship that she fully and completely trusted and was most familiar with. Moreover, he also seemed to have sufficient knowledge on the subject, seeing that he was often victim of many such sexual predators. The trademark image of males being sexually aggressive did not seem to apply to Mr. Tenkawa, and Ruri was convinced that even if Akito had ever lusted after women or even looked at pornography, he was not the sort of person who would take advantage of or force himself on a woman.

Her next course of action decided, she went to Tenkawa's room.

"Ruri?" Akito blinked when the small teenage girl appeared at his door. "What's wrong?"

Ruri shook her head. "Nothing is wrong, Mr. Tenkawa. I just have some questions that I'd like you to answer."

Akito smiled, smiled, welcoming her inside. "Sure, Ruri. I'll help however I can."

Ruri nodded and stepped into his room. "I've been pursuing a certain conundrum that has had me perplexed for a while now."

Akito scratched his head, sitting down. "Wow, Ruri, you certainly use some big words."

Ruri kept talking. "I have recently become curious with the varying nature of sexual relations in human beings."

Akito, predictably, spasmed in disbelief. "You're wondering about sex? Why are you talking to me about this!"

"Please, Mr. Tenkawa," Ruri explained. "I have already consulted Mr. Minato about the matter. But I wanted to obtain a male point of view, particularly since it will be a male who I will eventually, supposedly, choose as a life mate. And you're the only male aboard who I fully trust."

Akito was panicking now. "And you want me as your life mate! Not you too!"

Ruri shook her head. "I did not say that, Mr. Tenkawa, although the option is not an impossibility. I simply wanted your perspective on the matter."

Akito was blushing furiously, completely unsure of how to deal with the situation. "Jeez…this is crazy…"

Ruri waited patiently for Akito to regain his composure.

"Well…I can't say I'll be of any help, Ruri," Akito smiled, helplessly. "It's not like I'm that experienced after all."

Ruri shook her head. "Roughly two thirds of the females among the senior crew are attracted to you, Mr. Tenkawa."

Akito blushed. "Well, that may be the case, but none of them have never asked me to…uh…"

"Do it with you?" Ruri finished.

"Gah!" Akito stammered. "I wasn't going to say that!"

Ruri nodded, as though coming to an understanding. "Interesting. Sex truly is taboo in our society."

Akito blinked. "Huh?"

"So…you've never done it with anyone, Mister Tenkawa?"

Akito blushed, looking away. "Well…uh…no. I came close one time in the hologram room with Megumi…but I… I turned her down."

Ruri blinked. "Why?"

Akito sighed. "I don't know why. I guess I just wasn't ready. Or maybe I just didn't thinks he was the one for me. Maybe my mind was too focused on Yurika to accept her. It just wouldn't have felt right."

Ruri nodded. "I see. So you wish to do it with Captain Misumaru?"

Akito spasmed again. "I didn't say that!"

Ruri blinked. "Strange. The documentary explained that all men felt very strong sexual drives, and would eventually do it with any attractive woman given the chance."

Akito clenched his jaw. "Well, that doesn't apply to all men!"

Ruri blinked. "So…you don't want to do it with the Captain?"

Akito clenched his eyes shut. "I didn't say that either!"

Ruri nodded. "So you are undecided then? Just like Omoikane."

Akito blinked. "Huh?"

Ruri sighed, looking away. "If I cannot understand what it is that makes men want to 'do it' with women, then I don't see how I'll ever find the proper life mate."

Akito stammered. "Who in the world gave you that idea?"

"Mrs. Minato," Ruri answered simply.

Akito blinked. "I should have figured."

"So…" Ruri went on. "What is it that makes women attractive to men? All I learned from the documentary was that it had something to do with a woman's private parts. But there's got to be more to it than that!"

Akito blushed, furiously. "This has got to be the most uncomfortable conversation I've ever had."

Ruri looked at Akito. "Mr. Tenkawa…do you find me attractive?"

Akito blushed spasmed for what must have been the hundredth time that evening. "Gah! Scratch that: now this is the most uncomfortable conversation I've ever had!"

"Mister Tenkawa?"

"Gah!" Akito squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. "Well…I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything…but, I don't know…you're really not the sort of person I would think of doing it with. I mean…you are, but…Gah! I didn't mean to say that! What I mean is that you're so young, and that I couldn't possibly think of doing it with someone as cute and innocent as you!"

Ruri pointed a finger at her nose. "I am…cute?"

Akito turned a darker shade of red. "Well…uh…yeah, but…"

"I see," Ruri said, smiling. "Thank you, Mister Tenkawa. Good evening."

Before Akito could even return the farewell, Ruri was gone.

"Oh boy," Akito said. "What have I gotten myself into this time?"

xxxxx

A/N: Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The real trick was finding a person who would discreetly "introduce" Ruri to the notion of intimacy, and then the manner in which he or she would do it. I was toying with the idea of Erina or Akatsuki introducing it to her, but it seemed inappropriate, considering the lack of familiarity between her and either of them. I decided on Minato because her relations have been the most physical in addition to be the most well developed.

I intend to make this a Ruri x Tenkawa fic, but I realized too late that I had set it awfully late in the series for that. With Mr. Yamada (Does anyone know his first name? It escapes me at the moment.) currently involved with Minato, that sets the timeline into the latter teen episodes, where Akito's relationship with Yurika is much stronger than it would have been in, say, episode three. All because I happened to choose Minato as Ruri's benefactor.

I hope there aren't any objections to a relationship between Ruri and Akito. There won't be any real lemon content in this fic, but I guess this is still depiction of an underage girl having sexual relations, so hopefully, it won't bring me any unfortunate consequences.

Read and review!

I'm out.