Shaking Up the NeoJapan Team Chapter 1: Default Chapter, a g-gundam fanfic

Author's note: This fic takes place just after my latest one, "Partners Now in Marriage". For anyone who doesn't have the time to read the first two fics, "Partners Outside of the Gundam" and "PNIM", which lead up to this one, I don't think you'd be lost reading the below.

Shaking Up the Neo-Japan Team

Prologue

On earth where many were now taking much better care of the great land, a new family had started for a very popular, married couple in Neo-Japan. The sweet addition to this family made the young couple once again look at life differently than how they had as children, as partners of their gundam team, and as husband and wife. Though with all relationships came disagreements, this pair was fortunate not to have any strong enough to threaten their marriage. There were no arguments over in-laws since unfortunately there was only one parent of the two still with them, and also no disputes over finances since money might be something they'd never have to worry about. And since each truly got what they needed from their partner, they could want for no other.

This couple, the King of Hearts and his lovely wife, Rain Kasshu, had grown into very loving parents since their precious daughter, Kohana, had entered into their lives. Before having her, the new parents hadn't known just how much they were going to love their sweet child and now each knew that only their spouse understood why and how much they actually did. The only change that would occur to this love is that it would grow stronger each passing day.

The sweet, baby girl who resembled her mother so much but held her father's beautiful, brown eyes and dark hair was now about a year and a half old. Little Kohana, whose name meant a little flower, had begun to walk at nine months and now at eighteen months, she could communicate small words quite well with her parents. It was clear to anyone who observed that she absolutely adored her loving mother who was always there for her and her father who made her face light up each and every time the baby saw him.

Being a mother brought Rain happiness she had never known and her heart melted at seeing her strong husband fall all over their child. There were also times that Domon himself had to smile when he caught his wife talking sweetly to Kohana or giving her small kisses on her chubby, little cheeks or toes. They truly enjoyed being parents of their real, live angel.

Domon Kasshu's life had changed dramatically since his ten years gone training with his beloved master, Master Asia. Back when he had been forced to be a gundam fighter for the 13th Gundam tournament he had been down right rude and distant at times because of what he had thought his brother had done and losing his master to the Dark Gundam. Since finding out the truth, things were much different, and now by his choice, Domon was training as Neo-Japan's Gundam fighter. However, there was a time before Kohana was born when he and his wife had argued into the late hours one night over whether he should continue to hold his title as King of Hearts. This fight had taken place after Rain's life had been threatened by Gaho; the sick man who had plans to take and force their child to be a gundam fighter before the baby was even born. Domon and Rain's voices had risen and tears flowed as their tempers raged that night while they argued with each other over why they felt like they did. The strong fighter had expressed that he feared losing the life he had with his wife and thought giving up his title would be the right thing to do in order to take any negative focus off of her and their child. He knew he couldn't bear going through losing a family again. However, Rain was convinced that her husband would eventually regret giving up his title, and she insisted that he remain the King of Hearts whether he decided to be in the 14th Tournament or not. Though she'd always love him whether he did or didn't keep his title, she insisted that Master Asia would want Domon to keep it, and deep down he finally realized she was right.

While Neo-Japan's fighter trained for the next gundam fight, Rain was lucky enough not to have to work. Money was something the Kasshus didn't have to worry about since Domon had become the Champion of the 13th Gundam fight. Eventually the gundam mechanic/doctor decided to take on the role of head mechanic of Burning Gundam once again, happy to keep her doctor career on hold since the next tournament was approaching.

Wanting to encourage Rain all the more to team up with her fighter husband since he was better with her at his side, Commissioner Karato had gone out of his way to have a special room; something which resembled a small day care center, built in the Neo-Japan government building and another as well in the warehouse for Kohana so that mother and daughter could stay close. Because of her husband's mouth, Karato insisted that Rain didn't have to work full time and he had made sure that she had many assistants at her beck and call. Also during Kohana's naps and then during the many times that the child clearly wanted to entertain herself, Rain was able to get things done. Though Domon wasn't an official, he had taken it upon himself to check out everyone in the government building and warehouse who could possibly come into contact with his daughter so that he knew she was safe.

There were also nights when Rain decided to work at home while Kohana was sleeping. However, the majority of those nights, Domon would show up in his wife's office insisting that she go to bed with him. While typing away on her computer, she'd eventually feel his arms slip around her and his kisses start behind her ear, while his hands began to become acquainted with her. It never took the determined man long to make it hard for her to concentrate on work. In fact, often they shared many intimate moments right there in her office before making it up the stairs to their bedroom of their two story house.

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It was during the middle of the week when Rain was working in the Neo-Japan warehouse trying to come up with different ideas for positive changes on the Burning gundam. Suddenly hearing her daugher's laughter, the young mother turned her head to look at her child and saw that she was smiling up at her daddy. "Oh, Domon. I didn't hear you come in."

Not taking his eyes off of his little girl as he lifted her up into his arms, he answered his wife. "You were too deep in thought, Rain."

Pushing herself away from her desk in her rolling chair, she said, "Yes. I think it's time to take a break." Smiling, she watched as her husband lifted their child up over his head in the air and made a face at her. Kohana let out that beautiful baby laugh once again making it more than obvious that she loved how goofy her daddy was acting. "Since you look to be in a good mood, I take it that you didn't see Kin today."

While lowering his child down so that he could hold her, Domon said somewhat sarcastically, "Thanks, Rain. You just ruined a perfect day."

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Sorry, Domon. Karato's nephew sure does have a way of getting on your nerves even on your best of days."

"He's a young punk who I've heard tell some officials that his strength in fighting is equal to mine. He has no idea what I've learned from Master Asia…and Schwartz for that matter." It was true that Kin, Karato's nephew, thought of himself as something special all the times he walked around the Neo-Japan warehouse bragging about his fighting to officials.

Already knowing how fond Domon wasn't of Kin who was four years younger than she and her husband, Rain said, "It's obvious that you haven't seen Karato yet today either."

Seeing that his wife knew something that he obviously wouldn't like, Domon narrowed his eyes on her and said, "Spit it out, Rain."

"Fine. You know how it was mentioned that you should fight in the Burning Gundam against someone in the Rising Gundam for practice?"

Now squinting his eyes as if trying to read her mind without her even having to say it, Domon said, "Who'd Karato find for me to fight?"

Looking down at the floor first, Rain then looked back up at her husband and said in a low voice, "Kin."

"What!" the fighter exclaimed becoming upset. After carefully putting Kohana down on the floor so that she could play while he blew off some steam, he said, "I can't believe that Karato expects me to fight his nephew. I'd rip that kid apart."

Standing up, the pretty mechanic said as calmly as ever, "I hinted that to our commissioner but he insisted that Kin is a pretty good fighter. At least outside of a gundam."

Folding his arms, Domon turned away from his wife wondering who he should go complain to first-Karato or Kin himself.

Moving behind her husband, Rain put a hand on his shoulder and after squeezing it, she said, "Hey. You shouldn't be mad at me. I didn't decide any of this."

Turning back to her, Domon's eyes were caught by her beautiful blues. After letting out a deep breath, he lifted his gloved hand to push her hair behind her ear, and said, "I'm not mad at you, Rain. I'm just…sick of that kid." Sounding frustrated as he pushed his hands into his pockets, he added, "For the past six months he's been hanging around here and I've heard him insisting to Karato that he should be given a chance to be Neo-Japan's Gundam fighter. He can care less that I won the 13th Gundam fight and that I am the King of Hearts."

Smiling, Rain put both of her hands on her husband's shoulders and said, "Domon, it doesn't matter. Everyone else around here respects your title."

Knowing she was right, Domon still couldn't shake the weird feeling he got when Kin was around. "Sometimes I think the idiot thinks he can really take my place."

Moving very close to her husband, Rain said, "He'd be crazy to think such a thing. And…there is another way you could look at this practice, gundam fight with him."

"What's that?"

"After Kin fights you, I'm sure he'll give up any crazy ideas of wanting to take your place."

Wrapping his large hands around his wife's waist, Domon then pulled her against him to hold her in his arms since she always had a way of calming him down. Letting out another deep breath, he said, "You're probably right."

As the two hugged, they suddenly heard some soft clapping. Both looking at their baby, they saw her smiling and clapping away.

Smiling back at his daughter, Domon said, "And what are you so happy about, Kohana?"

As the couple released each other, Rain then bent down and picked up her daughter and said, "Maybe she's looking forward to seeing our friends very soon."

Remembering that a Shuffle Alliance reunion was approaching, the fighter said, "As long as she's not looking forward to seeing Chaz, I'm alright with that."

"Domon," Rain said as if he should be ashamed of himself. "Chaz is only seven months old."

"But he's Chibodee Crocket's son," the over protective father stated in defense.

Rolling her blue eyes, the sweet female said, "Shirley has told me numerous times that Chibodee is quite a father."

"The thought of that is scary," Domon said as if that was impossible to believe.

"Domon. There was a time that some might have thought that of you."

Not bothering to reply to his wife, the King of Hearts took Kohana from her and as he walked away he said softly, "Kohana. Remember to always stay away from Chaz."

Folding her arms, Rain smiled as she began to remember when she and Domon had first found out that Shirley was pregnant. They had just gotten over the shock that she and Chib had run off to Las Vegas and got married not long after their first date. Then just a month after, Shirley announced she was pregnant. Uncle Chibodee had been very happy when he informed baby Kasshu that she would soon have a playmate.

Clapping her little hands once again, baby Kohana said happily, "Play with Chaz."

"No. Don't say that," a worried father said while Rain laughed at him.

Across the warehouse in Karato's office, the commissioner was having words with Kin. "Kin," Karato said very seriously. "Domon Kasshu is Neo-Japan's gundam fighter and that's final. Don't you know how lucky we are that he decided to fight for us, especially after all that happened during the 13th Gundam fight?"

"I'm so tired of hearing that," Kin said as he folded his arms over his large chest with a look of disgust on his face since he despised Domon Kasshu. Kin was convinced that he could catch on to handling a gundam quickly since he thought of himself as such a good fighter. The attractive, young man who often wore black pants with a red t-shirt that showed off his stocky build, and had long, dark hair which he kept tied back to keep out of his face, had hazel eyes which looked so serious whenever he expressed that he should be Neo-Japan's Gundam fighter.

"I'm sorry, Kin. Domon has much more experience than you."

"He's too civilized now," Kin said so convinced that Neo-Japan's champion couldn't fight as well as he used to.

"He is the King of Hearts," Karato said still finding it so hard to believe that Kin thought Domon couldn't win another tournament.

"Kasshu is different now. Since he's won the last tournament he's gotten married and become a father. And I'm telling you, he's not training as hard as he should."

"You're wrong," Karato said wanting this conversation to end. "Domon is in better shape than ever. With the 14th Gundam Tournament only about six months away, I've been watching him train, and I'm convinced that this nation will see victory once again."

Feeling rage inside of himself, Kin exclaimed, "You should have let me train in a gundam sooner so I can prove to you that I can be Neo-Japan's fighter!"

"We already have the greatest gundam fighter. You should just be glad that I'm going to let you use Rising Gundam to practice fight Domon."

Close to the Neo-Japan warehouse was a new area that had been chosen for the only place that a gundam fight could take place within the nation. Though some buildings had to be torn down to make the space, it was worth it in order to keep most parts of the earth in their area from being destroyed. The buildings that had been torn down had been rebuilt and would never be destroyed by gundams.

Wearing his fight suit, Domon walked into his wife's warehouse office to see her getting Kohana ready to see him practice fight against Kin. "We're coming," Rain said upon seeing her husband.

"Good. Let's get this fight over with," he said convinced that it would be the easiest he ever fought.

"Domon," Rain said as she took Kohana's hand. "Remember. This is just practice so go easy on Kin."

Picking up his daughter, the fighter said, "I'll let him live if that's what you mean." While walking out of the office, Domon was carrying Kohana in one arm and wrapped his other around his wife's shoulders.

Since he had already been in Rising gundam a few minutes earlier, Kin was already wearing the gundam's fight suit, which was black and maroon. He stood with his uncle watching the champion fighter approach with his daughter and wife. Finding his eyes on Rain, Kin thought, What the hell does a smart woman like you see in your husband? I'd like to show you a real man. Turning his head to his uncle, Kin said, "To me Domon Kasshu doesn't even look like a fighter."

"Give it up," Karato said not wanting to give Domon a reason to become upset.

Upon reaching the two men watching him, Domon gave Kohana to Rain, and asked Kin, "Are you sure you're up to this?"

Kin only nodded his head yes since he despised the present gundam fighter so much that he couldn't bring himself to speak to him at the moment. Four years earlier when Karato's nephew was a teenager watching the 13th Gundam Tournament, he had started to hate the King of Hearts and couldn't stop himself even after finding out how the Dark Gundam was defeated. Kin hadn't known the circumstances to why Domon was Neo-Japan's gundam fighter for the 13th fight and didn't care. He only knew that Domon had been forced and not gracious over having the position at all. The teenager had been appalled by how rude the King of Hearts had been and felt anyone should always be honored to fight for Neo-Japan. And now the young Kin thought Domon had serious nerve to want to be Neo-Japan's gundam fighter this time around.

After both fighters were in the gundams ready to fight, the inexperienced one was the first to strike out with his arm. If his opponent would have been anyone but Domon, the strike would have landed successfully, but the King of Hearts was much too fast for Kin.

"What was that?" Domon asked as if it had been funny to watch.

You're lucky I missed, Kin thought convinced that his strike had been full of more power than Domon would have expected. Once again, the youngest fighter struck out and missed.

Shaking his head as if Kin should give up, the King of Hearts said, "You're too sloppy with your moves."

Finally speaking and sounding outraged, Kin exclaimed, "At least I'm doing something Mr. Gundam Champion. You haven't even tried to…"

Before Kin had been able to finish his sentence Domon slammed him down on to the ground with one kick. "Happy now?" Domon asked, glad that he had shut his opponent's mouth up.

Quickly getting back onto his feet, Kin then kicked Domon quite hard.

After taking the hit, the champion said, "You'll have to do more than that." He wasn't about to admit that he had felt quite a blow from that kick.

Again, Kin kicked and then punched into Burning Gundam, but easily and with great skill, Domon fought back and brought Rising Gundam down on its knees without using any of the special gadgets of the Burning Gundam, but rather only his martial art moves.

"We're going to have to stop this before you get hurt," the King of Hearts said hoping that Kin would now shut up around officials on how great he thought he fought.

Still kneeling down on the ground while catching his breath, Kin watched as the Burning Gundam started to walk away. "Where are you going!" he shouted.

Stopping and turning around, Domon watched the Rising Gundam get back on its feet. Shaking his head as if Kin should know, Domon said, "This little fight isn't helping me train." Then once again, Burning gundam began to walk away.

Other officials and Karato were glad to see how well the King of Hearts had fought; not surprised one bit.

Holding her daughter close, Rain said with a smile to her, "Did you see your daddy?" While the sweet mother was speaking to her precious child, she hadn't seen Rising gundam start to charge at her husband.

Hearing the noise coming up from behind him, Domon thought that he had to be imagining it till he felt Rising Gundam land on top of him knocking him down hard onto the ground.

Actually having the King of Hearts pinned face down, Kin grabbed Burning gundam's head and tried to lift it enough in order to bang it back down into the hard, rough ground.

Swinging his left arm to the side and back, Domon knocked Kin off of him. Easily getting back on his feet, Domon began to let the other fighter have it once again. During the process of using his skill, Domon realized that even though Kin lacked experience and technique, when he did land a hit it was full of great strength. Too bad it takes more than strength alone to be a great fighter, Kin. Plus, you're no match for me.

Suddenly both fighters heard Karato announce that this gundam practice fight was over, and Domon knew it was because Karato feared his nephew would get hurt. Looking to his wife, Domon saw that she looked somewhat embarrassed for Kin.

"Hey, Kin," Domon said in a calm voice, actually finding himself feeling sorry for the kid. "Listen. There's still six months before the 14th Gundam fight. It would help me train by…training you to fight in a gundam."

To say the least, Kin was very surprised by the suggestion and wasn't quite sure of what to say. He wondered if he could really take hanging around someone he couldn't stand. Obviously, Domon Kasshu, you don't know that I hate you with a passion. However, training with you could be the best possible way to eventually get rid of you. Yes. I'll...befriend you, learn your... tricks, and then destroy you.

"Well, if you don't want to…forget it," Domon said not about to beg since he didn't need Kin to train.

Though he appeared to be hesitant at first, Kin walked over to the champion fighter and lifted Rising Gundam's hand for a handshake. With everything in him, Kin forced himself to say, "I'll train with you." With that both Rising and Burning gundam shook.

Grinning back and thinking that the kid probably felt honored at knowing the King of Hearts was going to train him, Domon didn't know that Kin was having a problem just shaking his hand. It wasn't easy to pretend you liked someone when you really felt the complete opposite.

Later that night after Kohana fell asleep, Rain walked into the Master bedroom to catch her husband who was only wearing his pants holding his side. "Is something wrong?" she asked feeling her doctor instinct kick in.

Looking at his wife, Domon said, "No. I was just reminded of that hit I received from Kin when I pulled off my shirt."

"Are you sure you're okay?" the concerned female asked with worry in her voice as she moved closer to her husband.

"I'm fine," he said not wanting his wife to play doctor.

Seeing that he was going to be stubborn, Rain backed away feeling that she couldn't get upset with him since she still really thought what he had done earlier that day was so very nice.

Because of the pleased looking expression on her face, Domon looked at her strangely and questioned, "What?"

"Nothing. It's just that I thought it was really nice of you to offer to train Kin, especially since he's not your favorite person."

Moving to their bed, Domon laid down on his back. "He's got potential. I can honestly say that one of his punches reminded me of Chibodee's."

Sitting down next to her husband, Rain began to let one of her fingers trace his chest and as it ran down his side, she said, "I take it that his punch is what you're feeling now."

"I'm fine," Domon said rolling his eyes.

Actually being the one to let out a grunt since her husband always acted like he could never be in pain, Rain laid down on her side and wrapped an arm around him just before snuggling her face into his neck.

Automatically, his arm moved over hers. They then laid there for a good ten minutes in silence as they relaxed together. When Domon finally pulled away, he stood up and said, "I need to take a shower."

Still lying on her side since she was comfortable, Rain just barely nodded her head that she heard him.

Upon looking at his stunning wife lying on her side, Domon's deep, brown eyes took in her curvy figure and he soon found himself saying, "Care to join me?"

Realizing that they hadn't showered together in a while, the attractive woman smiled as she lifted up her hand to him.

More than pleased that he would have her company in their bathroom, Domon couldn't help but grin as he took her hand and pulled her up.

When she was on her feet, she said, "Just let me check on Kohana one more time and then I'll meet you."

In a husky voice, the man who oh so wanted her, replied, "I'll be waiting for you."

I had a bunch of different ideas before writing the beginning of this fic, and I hope I went with the right one.

I can't forget to thank a reviewer, Crystoper.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this,

Jen