A/N: Oh dear… this got too long too fast. Oh dear. Well, that's okay. I said that Peaceland Ball was going to be one chapter? I lied, it's now two. Sorry, but this would be way too freaking long if it was all one. Gomen! Well, I guess this is what you would call the first half of the Peaceland Ball um… saga? God, that sounds horrid. Oh well, that's what it is. Setting stages up here for the big one. Oh yeah, the big one. Which is… not this chapter. Anyway, go ahead and read the stage setting for… another stage setting! ^^ You gotta love these intricate plots, don'tcha? ^^

~*~

Hikaru somehow had gotten herself out of the carriage first, hopping down onto the paved road and yelping in pain, rubbing her ankle as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Nodding her head to the doorman that held open the door of their carriage, front in the line of many others, she continued to rub her ankle as Ryoko helped her lover out of the carriage after getting out herself. Itsuki clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth, shaking her head. "Hikaru, I knew you weren't used to heels when I took a look at the shoes you wore on the Nadesico!" exclaimed she, fisting her hands on her hips, or at least where one would find them, as they were hidden under many petticoats that dwelled beneath her brown, Ninlandish style dress. "Those things were flats! You should have wore those or at least something less… murderous on your feet."

Hikaru glared at her as the rest of their carriage emptied. "I know that I hate heels, Itsuki. Aer, I could have told you that! But this is strictly formal, you nimrod, and I'm not wearing a dress that hides my feet unlike some other people…" she retorted pointedly, glancing at the hem of Itsuki's skirts, which was lifted so one COULD see the brown heels underneath. Itsuki dropped her skirts huffily. "But I on the other hand am used to heels, so I don't understand why a person like you would undergo such torture just because people can see your feet."

Izumi smiled, combing a hand through her blue bangs, the only part of her hair that fell loose. "Because they'll be off her feet for the rest of the night five minutes after we get in." Hikaru's hand flew to her chest, as if you grip her heart. "Oh, Izumi! You wound me! I'll have the off the second we get in the door, you know that!"

Jun, the last to get out of the carriage, rolled his blue eyes, shooing them along. "People, we're holding up a whole lot of other people AGAIN tonight, so will you just follow the Flamma-damned servants and get your asses inside?" After the shuttle ride and then being picked up at the shuttle station by awaiting carriages, and trying to keep the rambunctious residents of Yamada Manor under control, Jun's temper was already losing grip and his patience was slowly losing the battle between them, as well. With a few mumbles and rolled eyes, the small crowd of mages walked up the stairs to Peaceland Castle and walked through the door that another servant was holding open. Yet another stood inside the door, bowing with a stiff upper lip and leading down a very frightening corridor.

The hallway they entered was barely lit, something they found odd for a place that was to be soon brimming with people. The polished suits of armor were situated to be holding red candles, the wax building up on their fingers, which would obviously have to be cleaned tomorrow. There were no lights by the door and halls that they passed, almost as if to deter people from venturing into them. Red velvet hung in cascades from the ceiling, far above their heads, but low enough where they were capable of fluttering in the breeze that erupted from the doors as they opened and shut, letting in even more guests, almost trapping them in this darkened hall that seemed to be the dwelling of nightmares.
As they reached the double doors at the end of the hall, the servant did not give warning at all. He just opened them both, the light and joyful laughter pouring over them. The ballroom was not full, but there were many that had already arrived, and they were a spectacle in comparison to the room, which was in a few words, a warm glow. Lights of natural and electric alike were shining upon draperies of soft white cloth and lace, the entire room something of a place to have fun and forget the darkness that had passed, but to welcome the joy of now, the peace that had come and swept the world they were in now.

Akito glanced to the right and was pleased to realize that there was food to be had, and lots of it. Poking the first person available, which just happened to be Ryoko, he jerked his thumb at the large buffet table set up. "I vote for food." While they had eaten before getting on the shuttle, but Akito had not, claiming he wasn't hungry. Now, as he saw the steaming plates of various dishes, many exquisite and exotic, and he couldn't help but appease that growling in his stomach.

Ryoko shrugged, heading off with the Martian. She wasn't exactly hungry, but she had seen someone, most likely some technician she didn't know, or some Nadesico groupie or someone of the press, with some Martian stew on his or her plate, which had always been one of Akito's dishes that she worshipped and adored. She wasn't exactly going to say no to her current food crush, now was she?

With two of their number gone, Jun sighed. "Well, I guess we should establish our specific area, come over here and die spot, don't you think?" The others nodded, but some of them were distracted. Hikaru stomped her now bare foot on the ground. "Aer-dammit, Uri-P ain't here yet!" Gai rolled his eyes. "I knew there had to be one and only one reason for you to come all dressed up and not in some random costume or t-shirt and jeans of yours!"

Izumi was also looking for someone, glancing about. Once she found who she was looking for, she left their group, punching Gai on the arm as she walked away. The tallest of them rubbed his arm, his eyebrows knitting. "What the hell was that for?" he called out, not expecting an answer.

Hikaru crossed her arms, pouting. "Gai, she IS my best friend you know, so that was for being a really big… ass…" Hikaru's speech drifted off as a familiar face wandered into view. Her jaw slowly dropped and she began glancing around. "Junny, do you see Akito anywhere? Oh hell, I hope Ryoko isn't pissed at him today!" Jun was confused, but as he looked where she was now pointing, he just covered his face. "Crazy woman… aw hell, and I was about to and try to find a sanctuary too… If you need me I'll be in the bathroom before she decided that I'm her Prince Charming!" squeaked the fire mage, bolting off to a small room to the left, near the kitchens and buffet table.

Itsuki was now intrigued, and looked over her shoulder, raising her brown gloves to her mouth. "Oh my… Oh, this is precious!" She waved the girl that both Jun and Hikaru were completely shocked over. The latter pulled Itsuki's arm down, even as the girl walked over. "Itsuki, what are you doing, don't you know who that is?!?"

"Of course I know who that is, we used to play as children." She pulled her arm out of Hikaru's grasp and said loudly, "Didn't we, JIRO?!?" At the sound of Gai's real name, he winced twice. First because of the blatant use of his real name, and second because he now had a cling-on his arm.

"Jiro? Yamada Jiro! Oh, I haven't seen you in ages! And you've grown so handsome and lovely, I almost forgive you for dumping me as your friend!" squealed Aqua Crimson, the unlikely CEO of the Crimson Group, the main manufacturer of barrier satellites. Gai sighed in pain, waving his arm as best he could before whining, "Itsuki… why did you call her over here… I was almost enjoying myself…"

"Well, we certainly can't have that, now can we Jiro?"

Aqua looked up at Gai batting her dark brown eyes. "Haven't you gotten rid of her yet, Jiro? I thought that you wanted us to have lots of children and live forever together! Not exactly my favorite end to a romantic story, but if we kill off a kid or two it should be enough death and tragedy to keep me happy!"

Hikaru giggled, covering her mouth. "I had no idea psychotic necromaniacs could be so amusing!" Itsuki nodded. "Now you see why we kept her around for so long?"

Gai groaned, still making pathetic attempts to rescue his arm from the heterosexual loving it was being subjected to. "I would rather call it drastic sado-masochism, and I never wanted to keep her around. Itsuki, save me… please?"

Itsuki never got to, for two no-longer hungry pilots had arrived. Akito's jaw dropped and he almost dropped the cup in his hand if Hikaru hand not rushed over and grabbing it from him, sipping it and watching his face. Ryoko sighed, still keeping good hold of her small bowl of Martian stew. "Of all people to run into… Aqua Crimson?"

The blonde half-Australian rushed over, letting Gai's arm breathe while she quickly began suffocating Akito's. "Oh Akito! I never thought I'd see you again! I didn't want you to die without me!" Now it was Gai's turn to do a double take. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute here. 'Kito, you've been randomly molested by this pathetic waste of breath and mind?" At Akito's nod, Gai turned, covering his eyes. "Dear Aer, Give me the strength to not throttle this girl bearing your lover's name."

Akito rolled his eyes, ignoring the nuzzling Aqua was giving him. "Oh, don't tell me you're going to be jealous of every girl that's ever touched me, because trust me Gai, you may have been given my virginity, but I certainly did get around, whore that I was." Akito glanced at Ryoko who was trying hard not to laugh. "Oh, don't even try it. I'd love it if you could get her off me like last time, please?"

Ryoko shook her head, grinning evilly. "No way, Akito. Last time was because I had a crush on you. This time, I'd like to thank you, Aqua, for making me realize exactly how very pansy-like Akito was and for helping me become a lesbian." Gai shook his fist at Aqua, who was oblivious to this act. "Ditto for me and you being a huge factor of why I'll never sleep with girls!"

Itsuki lifted her skirts and walked over to Akito, smiling and shaking her head. "Now this is precious… two of the most important people in my life made quite homosexual because of this girl here. Aqua dear," she loosened Aqua's grip on Akito, especially since Aqua was now paying attention to Itsuki and not Akito, "Why don't you, I, Ryoko, and Hikaru come over here and explain to you why exactly Akito and Jiro don't love you, okay?" As the four girls walked away with Ryoko grumbling and Hikaru asking gleefully, "Do we get to beat it into her head if she doesn't get it?"

Akito crossed his arms and sighed. "Gai, I don't even know what I'm going to do with you…" Gai turned to him and shook his head, narrowing his eyes. "You got so pissed at me while the war was still going on because I didn't tell you that Itsuki and I were once meant to be married. But here you are and not telling me that even Aqua had a crush on you, not to mention all the other girls that you've strung along in the process. Don't you think that's a little hypocritical?"

Akito rubbed his temples in frustration. "Okay, Gai, look. I'm sorry and an asshole, but you seriously have got to stop getting so damn jealous! It's not my fault I'm Martian okay? I didn't ask to attract everything female from here to Ninlan, all right? I'm just going to have to politely tell them 'sorry, got a boyfriend.' Now in the case of that crazy woman, I'm far too scared to, but I think the girls are handling it very well."

Gai rolled his eyes. "Of course they're doing very well. It's always been Itsuki's goal to convert Aqua to lesbianism anyway." He sighed, glancing at the door. "Okay, I'll stop getting so damn jealous as long as you tell me which women I have to keep a watch for hitting on you, okay? Now if I were you'd I'd prepare myself for a large group hug. I'm off to grab some food." And so he was off, without planting a chaste kiss on Akito's lips. Akito fisting his hands on his hips, but not for long because he was attacked by a random group hug.

Grinning at the amounts of missing love he had just received, he pulled the closest girl over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. And of course it was Sayuri, possibly the one he had bonded with the most. "So how has life in the limelight been treating you gals?"

"Well I don't know about that, but I'm sure beginning to hate it!" Akito narrowed his eyes, his jaw dropping. "You're kidding me? Why?"

Mikako rolled her brown eyes. "Sayuri's alone in that one. I absolutely love this whole thing!" Eri crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air. "Well I don't like it either. They seem to think they can turn us into whatever they want!" Junko shook her head. "We can't exactly wear whatever we want, but they really do mean well, Eri. We have to set a good example and all for our potential fans!" Harumi sighed. "But we have no potential fans. The only people who care about us is the media and talking about how five girls that used to cook on the Nadesico can't sing and that our songs have no depth and are too bubbly and all kinds of things that just don't make any sense!" Mikako sighed, dejected. "Well, all the rumors about us just being no-namers that used our fame as Nadesico cooks to get into the business."

Akito shook his head. "I'm sorry this didn't work out for you guys. I'm the one that gave you the contract in the first place." Eri hit him over the head. "Akito, what is your problem? It's not your fault that things aren't working out!" Mikako nodded. "That's right, if anything you gave us something more!" Sayuri sighed. "But I just wish that we could go back to cooking again, but with our reputation I don't know if we can." Akito snapped his fingers. "That's it! How Mei's got her restaurant in Tokyo now, why don't you go ask her if you could be more foot soldiers in her kitchen? I'm sure she won't have a problem with you!" The How Mei girls shrieked and started to clamor off in search of the Chinese cook, stopping to give Akito one last hug. "You're the best, Akito!"

Sayuri stayed behind, smiling at Akito. "Man, Akito, you just seem to amaze us more and more." Akito waved her away. "Yeah, whatever, and you don't want Eri and Mikako to hammer out the details of you guys working at Peaceful Days. You'll end up paying to work there." Sayuri realized that Akito was right and hurried away. He smiled and shook his head. That was probably his second favorite group of girls in the world.

~*~

Ryoko rolled her eyes at her girlfriend's behavior towards Aqua. "Dude, aren't we supposed to be trying to tell her to lay off Yamada and Tenkawa?" Itsuki shook her head. "No, this is much more important. Trust me, I've been to a party with her here, and if she's here, havoc will reign." Hikaru made an odd face. "Um, shouldn't we be speaking a bit quieter if we're talking about here right in front of her face?" Itsuki shook her head again. "Look at her. She's got that dreamy look. She's obviously thinking about some Romeo-and-Juliet-style murder-suicide scene involving either Jiro or Akito, the lovely little morbid girl."

Ryoko crossed her arms and blew a raspberry, "But I don't get why you have to hit on her." Itsuki sighed, as if it was so obvious. "It's almost like a game. I hit on her; she tells me what I want to know. She responds well to flattery. Now," she turned back to the blonde girl, "Aqua, you didn't go into the kitchen at all, did you?"

Aqua's dreamy look disappeared and her smile returned. "It's so nice that you think I'm lovely Itsuki. I think I'm lovely too, but for some reason Jiro and Akito don't see it. Oh, the kitchens?" she asked, her mind switching gears again. "Yes, I went in there. Why?"

Itsuki nodded, fingering some of the fabric of Aqua's dress. "This is such a nice dress, Aqua. Same color as your name… fits you absolutely well. Now, did you put anything in anything while you were in the kitchen, my dear?"

Aqua put a finger to her lips, thinking. "Well, I put some sugar in some spicy stuff, to make it, you know, less spicy… I put a little bit of salt in the salad because I love salt on tomatoes, it's really yummy! And… oh, just a teensy bit of paralyzing powder on the supreme pizza!" She grinned. Itsuki squeezed her eyes shut. "Magus damn it all to the five layers of hell."

On the other side of the room, a commotion began, causing the three Nadesico girls to look up. Mr. Prospector himself and collapsed in a heap after eating a slice of pizza. Viktor cried out, with his mouth being one of the few things he COULD move, "Damn you Crimson! I thought it was just cheese!" Hikaru began to giggle. "Maybe we can find Junny and he can distract Aqua while we tell everybody about the pizza… or not." She retracted her statement when Inez, dressed in a gray, plain formal dress, got up on the stage that the orchestra was set up on to make an announcement.

"Ahem, if you could shut up? Thank you. Anyone that ate pizza is most likely on the floor and unable to move, so please shout so that we know who you are and get you to a safe place. His highness King Fredrick is calling the paramedics so you can get the proper medical attention. Also, will no one else eat that particular breed of food until they can throw out the ones with the 'additives', and can someone please keep Miss Crimson out of the kitchens for the rest of the night? She is skilled in brewing chemicals that cause paralysis. Thank you." She began to descend the steps off the stage and the music began to play once again.

Hikaru laughed. "Well, gee, looks like I found Izumi! She freaking scoped out Inez right away, it looks like."

~*~

Izumi crossed her arms as Inez climbed down the steps leading up to the stage. "Obviously you've dealt with this sort of problem before." Inez nodded, rolling her eyes as the walked away from the stage and toward another part of the room. "You aren't a big name in business unless you've attended many of the parties. Aqua happens to be a big name in business. You just get used to remembering that if there's anyone by the name of 'Crimson' here, don't eat anything." Izumi nodded, running her hands through her bangs once again. "Who invited her anyway?" Inez shrugged. "I suppose whoever was deciding who had a hand in ending the war. You have to admit that those barrier satellites helped immensely in blocking those damned Chulips." Izumi nodded, glancing at where Mr. Hory now helped the paramedics lift the obviously and oddly heavy Viktor onto a stretcher. "So you brought those goons with you… speaking of Big Business Names, where are Miss Won and Onikirimaru-san?"

"Late, I suspect. I came early and Viktor and goat did as well. I don't know why they came early other than to beat the crowds, but I came to spend some time with you before the wicked witches showed up."

"You flatter me. We all know you just wanted to catch up before I fell back into my role as a trophy."

"Ahh, and the truth comes out. I knew you thought I think of you as a trophy. Truth is I don't."

"Oh really? Then why is it that you flaunt me everywhere when we're together?"

"Because people were attracted to you and attracted to me, before they realized exactly how quacked we both are. Excuse my scientific language. Besides, Izumi, if I were going for a trophy lover, I'd go for someone more flauntable, like Misumaru-san or something. You should know that."

Izumi sighed. She really should have, Inez was right. But something was still nagging her about this whole situation. But of course at that exact moment the rest of the Nergal associates, Kaguya, Yurika, Erina, Hari, and Lapis, had arrived. She sighed again, glancing at her lover. "I'm sure you want to go talk to them, don't you?"

Inez furrowed her eyebrows. "Absolutely not. I'm getting so sick of them. Let's go somewhere else and talk." She began walking in another direction, towards the punch table, asking a few people along the way if they had drunken any of the punch and if they were feeling healthy. "So Izumi, tell me about some of this poetry you're going to start reciting at this restaurant of How Mei's."

~*~

Akito decided that it was a good idea if he and Gai walked around separately during some of the event. He certainly didn't want to become, once again, one of those couples that just hangs around as a couple rather than hangs around with friends. That's what caused the rifts between he and the rest of the pilots when Gai and he were fighting last time. Besides, there were some people he wanted to talk to. He wanted to make sure Ruri was all right, first of all, after hearing the report on the news. But it was while he was wondering around looking for her that he was approached by a certain captain that he had not properly spoken to in a long time.

"Um, hi, Akito," stammered Yurika, biting her lip. She could almost smell the tension that still lay between them. But she held her blue-violet head high, knowing that she had grown up a lot since they had split up.

"Hi Yurika. Um, what's new?" He could see that while she was trying to stand perfectly still, his childhood friend was fidgeting, wringing her perfectly manicured hands.

"Well, actually Akito… nothing that wasn't in Jun's letter, which I suppose he read to you all, right?" At Akito's nod, she took a deep breath. "Actually, I was going to ask you if you wanted to dance. Because, you know, we kind of need to talk and all, I think, don't we?"

Akito glanced to his right. Gai was off making himself busy by annoying Itsuki and Ryoko. Then a thought crossed Akito's mind. 'I have to make sure he won't get insanely jealous when people approach me. I'm getting sick of being smothered, so let's see if he can handle me dancing with my ex-girlfriend, shall we?' He nodded, offering his arm to Yurika, who smiled and took it, letting him lead her to more of the center of the floor.

After they had situated hands and arms and fallen into the soft beat of the music, Yurika's eyes traveled to the floor. "Look, Akito, all those things I said about you, all that time ago… it was really messed up." At Akito's snort, she glared at him. "Well it was! Tell me it wasn't!"

"Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you. I think what you did say about me WAS really messed up. I'd not like to think that everyone who's had a crush on me to be a pedophile." Yurika stuck her tongue out in disgust. But then she sighed. "Well, I was just trying to say that I was out of line saying that to you. After all, we were supposed to be friends and all right? Well, I guess I really was just the airhead everyone thought I was. Including you."

Akito nodded. "So why are you apologizing now? Isn't it kind of late?" Yurika sighed. "Well, I guess I'm just trying to tell you that I've grown up a lot since then, so I'm not an airhead, at least not as much anymore. I was just wondering if we could ever go back to being friends?"

Akito paused, trying to figure out how to give his answer. "Yurika… I don't think we could ever go back to just being friends. I mean, even now it just sounds like you're flirting with me all over again. I think we've ripped the paper and even tape can't fix it, you know?"

Yurika's face fell and she stopped dancing, pulling her upper appendages away from the cook. "You think… you think I'm hitting on you? After… after telling you that I just want to be your friend?" Akito glared at her, crossing his arms. "Well what am I supposed to think?"

"What are you SUPPOSED to think? You're supposed to at least say you'll be my friend! People think I'm over him but I'm not, Magus-dammit! He took my fucking virginity, Akito! I even think I fucking loved him! I need someone to talk to me that I won't have to worry about whether or not THEY'RE flirting with me, but when I turn to you for comfort, you just push me away! Maybe I'm not the only one that needed to grow up, have you considered that Akito? I was right before! You are a FUCKING LITTLE KID!" She ran off impossibly in her pink heels, brushing into the crowd and becoming invisible almost instantly.

Akito just rubbed his temples. "Aqua, give me patience because all I want to do is punch the next person that talks to me." He walked away from the scene, in the other direction, intent on finding someone, anyone, to complain about Yurika to. "Fucking bitch. How dare she call me a Aqua-damned kid."

~*~

Ruri frowned at the behavior of two of her favorite adults from the Nadesico. It looked as if things never were to change between them. They would always be fighting. Maybe it was because they were too much alike. Maybe they were both just too foolish. "Honto, baka baka!" she whispered, then covered her pale mouth. She had not said that in a long time, or at least had not been compelled to do so. But now, as she looked around and as her eyes welcomed the faces of familiar people that she had been wishing for the contact with, her lips turned up slightly. Although they were in Peaceland, and not on the ship, it was almost as if she was on the Nadesico once again. People were angry at each other, some others were acting like fools, and people were just as they had been before the ship landed on Earth and they parted ways. Perhaps it was her comfort that caused her to say her once catch phrase, calling those around her idiots. It did, at the very least, mark that she no longer had to worry about other people not caring about her. They had all showed up, hadn't they?

However, Ruri was then approached by someone that she was not lamenting the absence of in her life. Hari had tapped her on the shoulder and was now bowing profusely. Ruri could feel the corners of her lips fall as the behavior everyone had been treating her with and that she loathed was brought back into the evil light. "Your Highness, I've noticed you haven't danced at all tonight, and I was wondering if… if you don't mind of course… If I were to ask you to dance, please?"

Ruri could just feel the urge to roll her eyes. This boy that would not treat her like Hoshino Ruri was really starting to get on her nerves, but she had to acknowledge that he was just trying to be kind. Besides, it seemed like he was quite attracted to her, as he gave her much more respect than everyone else that acknowledged that she was a princess did. But something stopped her. She didn't know if it was her pride, or possibly some subliminal message from her gut, but something told her to reject this boy and reject him now. She shook her head, the light blue gauze in her hair falling off slightly. She attempted to rescue it when she regained her voice. "I'm sorry, Makibi-kun, but I really don't think it's a good idea."

He nodded slowly, apparently a little put off from Ruri's declination. "Oh, it's all right, Your Highness. Thank you for being so kind and honest about it. The boy near skittered away, as if he was frightened. Ruri couldn't help but notice that he now asked a small, pale girl dressed in a light pink dress. As the girl nodded and allowed herself to be led to a less conspicuous part of the room, Ruri noticed that it was Lapis herself, Hari's partner on the Gardenia.

Ruri felt something of a blush crawl over her cheeks. He really did fancy her somewhat, for there was no other reason for him to ask her to dance first, before someone he knew better. Lapis, who insisted that Ruri was old news, was old news to the boy that also shared their gift. It was rather sweet.

"Ruri, you're an idiot," she whispered to herself. "He's five years younger than you. Not to mention that you're not supposed to care, remember?" At this thought, Ruri's blush disappeared, and her mouth was set once again in the firm line that often graced her face, her eyes reflecting a sense of boredom. Yes, this was who she was meant to be. This was the Ruri that she knew, not this pitiful teenager she was becoming.

~*~

Megumi was, of course, in search of Rumiko, who had disappeared once Inez had made the announcement about Aqua's antics. She didn't find the Emperor of Ninlan, but instead she found the woman that took her position as Natural Laichi when she was recruited to the Nadesico, Mari. After sharing a hug, they headed off in the direction of the punch table, as talking IS thirsty work.

"So what have you been doing Mari? After all, it's rather obvious what I've been doing," began Megumi, sipping from her cup. Mari shook her head, patting Megumi's arm. "No, you're wrong, I have no idea what you've been up to."

Megumi shrugged. "Oh, it's the usual things. Being the in-between for Rumiko with the Earth government about bringing in better technology, listening to him be boring and rant about some Pentakami thing or another, learn how to use my abilities better, argue with Rumiko about why he refuses to wear socks. You know, the usual."

Mari laughed. "Sometimes even people on Earth have to wonder why the hell he's Emperor!" Megumi nodded, smiling. "But hey, that's just how the Ninlandish monarchy goes. But you tend to forget that's he's supposed to be running a planet sometimes. In fact, have you seen him? I can't find him for anything-" Megumi was interrupted by a shout of English in a slightly deep, rather wispy voice. "Why in the five hells was she invited in the first place, Notsumote?!?"

Mari smirked and jerked a thumb behind her, which is where the commotion was coming from. "I'm assuming that's him right there, ne?" Megumi rubbed her temples, frustrated. "Yes… And then there are times that make me wonder why Emperor's Consort is seen as such a lowly thing to be, especially when I'm the one that gives his speeches and talks to people for him." Mari shrugged. "So goes the life of a former voice actress."

Megumi nodded, and changed the subject. "So how goes the life of a current voice actress, Mari?" Mari sighed. "I don't know… I took back the Laichi part, but for some reason it just doesn't compare to the Gardenia job. I mean, with the war over I figured the Gardenia thing would be easy and boring, but it was just the opposite in comparison to being just a regular voice actress. But I suppose you know how that goes, huh?" Megumi nodded, understanding. "Yeah, being a Communications Officer never goes out of your blood once you've tasted it. That's half the reason I came back to the Nadesico when we mutinied, you know?"

Mari was nodding when they both had to jump back, as Goat, causing Megumi to sigh once again, was carrying off Rumiko. She called out, "Don't hurt him too much! I'm the one that has to take him home, you know!" Mari rolled her eyes. "No wonder he's so much like Nadesico crew. I don't see how you could have lived with these hooligans for so long, Meg," commented she, glancing at Gai annoying Akito to figure out what was wrong, while Hikaru was dancing by herself. Megumi shrugged, a smile forming on her face. "I guess I just go used to them. But what about the hooligans on your own ship? How'd you cope with them?"

"Lots of coffee and violent movies to inspire. Especially when it came to Saburota." Megumi giggled. "You know he wants you right? I could tell when I saw him come in."

Mari rolled her eyes. "Me and every other female human in the solar system." Megumi sighed. "We used to have a playboy like that on our ship. But he eventually settled down when Cupid whacked him over the head."

"Yeah, I've heard about Akatsuki-san. He was Erina's cousin, after all. But I think Cupid has made Saburota a permanent concussion," answered Mari, hitting herself over the head. Megumi giggled, hitting her arm. "Mari! That was so rude!"

~*~

Ryoko turned around to see Saburota still standing there. "You just don't fucking give up do you?" Saburota raised his hands in defense. "Hey now, don't be whipping out the harsh language. All I did was ask you to dance. I thought it was a nice gesture."

Ryoko crossed her arms. "Oh, I could think of some nice gestures to give you. Many of them are the equivalent of 'Fuck Off'." Saburota shook his head and clutched his chest. "Oh, you wound me, Ryoko. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't dance with you?"

"One? I'll give you five. And no, it's not my fist. One, you're a slug. Two, I have a girlfriend. Three, I only want to dance with my GIRLFRIEND. Four, we'll look ridiculous with us both in tuxes. And five-"

"Stop! Say no more for a moment Ryoko, as I refute some of your statements. I'm not a slug, I'm actually a human being. We could check my anatomy later if you're unsure." He winked, then continued. "Yes, I'm aware you have a girlfriend, but how does that tell me to not dance with you? And you may want to only dance with your girlfriend, but I'm sure your girlfriend right now is off flirting, for fun, with the How Mei Girls." Ryoko growled. She knew that Itsuki was off to show them that she still had high respect for them, even if their fans didn't, but Saburota was probably not too far from the truth. No, she wouldn't let herself think that. Itsuki loved her. Saburota was still rambling, so Ryoko didn't get to voice her outrage just yet. "And it doesn't matter if we're both dancing and wearing practically the same thing. It's not my fault you refused to wear a dress over here, and I've already seen two of your friends. You know, the gay ones? They don't look too ridiculous. Now, what is your fifth reason, Ryoko-chan?"

Nearby onlookers might have said that it was the affectionate tag onto her name that pissed her off. People that were eavesdropping later threatened to trash can the Jovian man. Either way, Ryoko lost her temper, and the poor victim just happened to be the one harassing her. "Who are you to tell me where the hell my girlfriend's loyalties lie? You don't now her, you don't know her at all, you fuckhead! I know her and I know she was devoted enough to not give up when our relationship was at a bumpy point, to not give up when we were both facing something we hadn't before, to welcome me into her fucking life with open arms, and to fucking start BAWLING when she thought she did something to me magically, asshole! I love her and she loves me and my fifth reason is because I'm a Terra-damned fucking LESBIAN!"

Saburota took a few moments to recuperate after the verbal abuse he earned from the tomboy Quakist. Slowly, a smile formed on his lips. He raised a finger to stop whatever Ryoko would have to say that exact moment. "But Ryoko, you're not a lesbian. You're only part, remember?" He was answered by a socked gut.

~*~

Hikaru stomped over, still carrying her shoes, when Uribatake and his wife finally did arrive. She crossed her arms and glared at her best male friend. "You asshole, what the hell took you so long to get here? You missed a lot of good shit, man!" Uribatake shrugged. "I don't know, we just read the invitation wrong I guess. And what do you mean, good shit? What the hell happened?"

Hikaru waved her hand, as if brushing the topic away for a moment. "I'll tell you in a second, but first of all I'd like to apologize, Ayuko-san, for being so rude." She bowed suddenly. "I am amino Hikaru, one of… Seiya… yeah Seiya! Seiya's friends. Sorry, forgot for a second what his real name is, as I just call him Uri-P and all." She grinned, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. Uribatake hit her on the back. "I thought you knew what my name was!" Hikaru stuck her tongue out at him. "Yeah, but if I don't use it…"

Ayuko could not help but laugh. "Oh my, now this is amusing. Well, Amano-san, you already know who I am, I suppose. Uribatake Ayuko, soon-to-be once again Shugemitsu Ayuko." She bowed as well, and Hikaru nodded. "So I'm assuming everything is going as you guys want it to?"

"Yep, and it's just a matter of time before all the paperwork gets filed and all, ne?" Uribatake turned to Ayuko. As she nodded, he realized that he was supposed to be the courteous one, and headed off to go get drinks for the three of them. Ayuko finally got to be able to say something in private to Hikaru.

"So… I'm assuming there's some reason why you're so interested in our divorce, Amano-san?" Hikaru sighed. "First of all, it's just Hikaru, please, Ayuko-san. And… I just want what he wants. I'm one of his best friends, you know? And I know he wants out, and I'm assuming you do too, so I'm just hoping that everything goes for the best, you know?"

Ayuko nodded, shocked by what this girl had to say. "So… you're not a factor in pushing it along?" Hikaru's red eyebrows snapped together. "What's the supposed to mean? You thought Uri-P was having an affair with me?" Before Ayuko could answer, Hikaru laughed out loud. "Oh no, it's not like that at all! We're just really good friends with the same interests!" Hikaru bit her lip though, laughter gone from her face. "But sometimes… I wonder if he really…"

"I see. So you think he…"

"Yeah!" Hikaru's jaw dropped after her answer. She could tell what was being thought, and it creeped her out a bit. "Wow, Ayuko-san… we're like… bonding. This is weird."

Ayuko smiled. "Yeah… I guess so. That is weird. And here I was telling myself that if I was to find out what woman Seiya suddenly had a crush or whatever on, I'd throttle her. But I think you're rather… different. I can see why-" Ayuko was interrupted by Seiya showing back up with drinks for all three of them. Hikaru rejected hers, and he had already drunken his on the way here. Hikaru glanced at Ayuko, who nodded. Hikaru smiled, then tugged on Seiya's sleeve. "Yo, Uri-P, dance with me, will ya?"

Seiya glanced at his wife, who shooed him away. As they walked away from her Ayuko crossed her arms, smiling into the crowd, watching them. They laughed a few times during their dance, and seemed to just be talking while dancing, not doing much at all. Once in a while Hikaru would hit Seiya's arm or something, but there wasn't any anger or contempt between them. Ayuko sighed. She never was able to understand her husband very well. He just seemed… out there. But when she saw him dancing with the girl from the Nadesico that he was close with, she could see that she got him, understood his oddities as she understood her own. Their similar, yet so different personalities complimented each other perfectly.

Ayuko just… wasn't unique enough, and maybe that was what was bringing them to their knees. But she wasn't sad. They had tried each other out, and it was time to let go and go be who they were and do what they so desire. Ayuko didn't see anything wrong with the scene before her. In fact, her eyes had caught onto another man there, with shoulder length blonde hair. Smiling to herself, she went over to introduce herself and ask the seemingly alone man to dance.

~*~

Queen Notsumote Gwynth of Peaceland had been much the mere observer during the course of the ball thus far. As the person who had come up with the idea and was the final word on all of the aspects of the event, she had to say that, despite setbacks caused only by those attending, the ball was so far a success.

Many things, thought, did not please her as she expected them too. She was not particularly happy about her daughter Ruri refusing to dance, even with one of her kind. However, she just remembered that it was her daughter being the rebellious teenager she was supposed to be, and moved on. She certainly was not pleased to be verbally abused by the Emperor of the planet that was sanctuary to those dirty Jumpers, especially about who made her guest list and who did not. But she was calm once Mr. Hory had come and carried the Emperor of Ninlan off, and she was ready to regain her composure as one of the most important people in the room.

But when she saw exactly what her first son was doing, she could not calm herself. Oh, many would just say he's only dancing with his friend, what's wrong with that? But it was who the friend was that annoyed Gwynth to no end. Shiratori Yukina, a Jovian and a Jumper by default, never minding that she was the sister of a hero in terms of the war. Oh, she invited her, yes, but because she was kind. Not because she wanted her son to be corrupted by a girl of such… unnatural abilities.

Gwynth would not have known that Yukina was a Jumper in the first place if her second son Rachiku had not told her. Yukina wore light blue gloves the entire night, covering all of her hands and any markings on them from view. But Rachiku told his mother that not only was she a Jumper, but Ariko had been in close contact with her since he got off the ship, writing her letters and such. This information did not make the Queen of Peaceland happy. Her daughter and heir may have been a Jumper, and her husband the King may have not had a problem with those who could travel through time and use magic, but she certainly did. She was fine with a world where everyone could not change nature and time, and the information that some people actually could was not making her happy.

Either way, she was not pleased that Ariko was so close to a girl that was of a culture that could ruin her as an anti-Jumper enthusiast, even if her husband opposed her views. She vowed she would do something soon to stop the foolishness that her son was taking part in. Very soon.

~*~

TBC…

~*~

A/N: Okay, that was part one. I haven't written part two of it yet, but trust me, if I did… this would be like ten pages longer. @.@ Be glad I stopped it here. Anyway, next time is part two, and there will be stuff going DOWN for that one. Big stuff. Stuff you won't soon forget. Anyway, you know the drill. Feedback is our friend and all! Ciao!