Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "My Darlings United" Part 1
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
WRITER'S NOTES:
1) The Sunin (a contraction of "sumo-ninja") were created as a sort of
answer for how Ataru (and Lum in "The Final Chapter") escaped being run down
and nearly killed at the end of "Only You," "Lum the Forever" and the
aforementioned fifth movie.
2) The Nagussans' registry number system works in the same manner as the
Sagussans' *daishi'cha* sequence numbering system, but with one difference.
The code works on a mixed alpha-numeric system in the pattern X-0000-X. The
first letter identify's the Nagussan's ancestral race, the number serves as a
sequential reference system and the second letter is a gender identifier.
**** **** ****
Therefore...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Fifteen years ago...
Once upon a time, the House of Moroboshi was not the divided ruin it is
today, its parts preying on each other like a pack of cannibals forced to turn
on their own for sustenance. Once, the part-Vosian matriarch Nagaiwakai could
hold a civil conversation with her daughter-in-law Kinshou without the latter
mooing at the former. Once, Kinshou actually loved and cared for her
children, Nokoko and Ataru. Strange, you think? Impossible, you exclaim! Be
patient, gentle reader, for there is a simple explanation to this curious
misconception. For you see...Kinshou and Muchi Moroboshi actually gave birth
not to two, but to THREE children: a daughter, then twin sons.
Yes. Ataru had a twin brother.
The presence of three children in the lives of the Moroboshi Clan
brought unbridled joy to not only their loving parents, but to Nagaiwakai and
Komeru. In fact, they happily and willingly lent as much assistance as they
could to Muchi and Kinshou, ensuring that their children...Nokoko, Ataru and
Kaeru...could enjoy a happy life. As the elder son, Ataru was slated to
become the heir to Nagaiwakai's position as leader of the Moroboshi Clan. As
the elder daughter, Nokoko was guaranteed the right to succeed Komeru as the
new clan matriarch, the leader of the clan's day-to-day operations. That left
Kaeru to follow whatever path he desired. That was what his parents wanted.
Kaeru suffered from a series of minor respiratory ailments. He was
never as healthy or active as his brother. However, Kaeru showed a surprising
aptitude for learning. He was already speaking full sentences before he was
two, was walking before ten months and was toilet-trained before twenty months
had passed. Kaeru's natural willingness to succeed at such an early age
endeared him to his parents, who doted on him incessantly. Whenever Kaeru
wanted a toy, he got it. Whenever Kaeru wanted to go on a vacation, they
went. This was not the same with Ataru or Nokoko. While their parents did
care for them and certainly did not abuse them, Ataru and Nokoko never
received the loving attention their brother did. Eventually, both learned to
rely on Kaeru to get any special attention from their parents.
Matters changed one New Year's Eve when Ataru and Kaeru were three.
After remaining awake to welcome the dawn of a new year, the siblings left
their grandmother's farmhouse in Gotou-Rettou to play. The three wandered to
a precarious spot near a cliff. Making their way through the flowers, Nokoko
and Ataru easily avoided a hidden dip in the tall grass. Kaeru did not. He
fell down the dip, then tumbled over a cliff! By the time Nokoko and Ataru
realized their brother was missing, Kaeru lay twenty metres below on the
seashore, suffering from massive internal injuries. By the time he was found
by a roving patrol of Kuromoroboshi ninjas, it was nearly too late.
As the Moroboshi family, who soon gathered at the accident scene,
suffered the heartbreaking trauma of Kaeru's loss, they failed to notice that
there were two witnesses to his tragic tumble: two shapely, ethereal humanoid
women dressed in matching silver jumpsuits emblazoned with a rampaging pegasus
motif. Both took close interest in the dying child. Remaining unseen on
Gotou-Rettou, they followed Kaeru to the island hospital, where the doctors
attempted to keep him alive. When his death was believed certain, the doctors
withdrew to contact his relatives. The two women entered the hospital
undetected and, driven by a curious need to assist the suffering boy, silently
transported themselves and Kaeru to their orbiting starship. In the wake of
Kaeru's disappearance, a massive manhunt was unleashed by Nagaiwakai to locate
his remains; the doctors were all but certain that his injuries were fatal.
None, not even the part-Vosian matriarch once anointed as a Righteous Gentile
in the eyes of the Republic of Zephyrus, could ever conceive that aliens had
something to do with the disappearance of Kaeru Moroboshi.
And that is where our story truly begins...
* * *
Oshika. New Year's night.
A subdued party is ongoing at Ataru Moroboshi's beachfront home, not so
different from New Years' parties all across Japan. However, this particular
celebration could be conceived as odd simply by the presence of two frigate-
class starships parked on the beach down from Ataru's home. The house is
gaily decorated with icons as those invited to this party celebrate the end of
the most hectic year of their lives. Hope reigns supreme that the new year,
1984, would bring a greater sense of peace and prosperity to the inhabitants
of this quaint villa on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
In the living room, Ataru, Lum, Nokoko and Mal play gracious hosts to a
small group of friends. Nassur and Benten have come from Home Base, happy now
that their honeymoon had ended without incident. Hazel is there, now ending
her sojourn with Ataru's grandmother at Rishiri-tou. Yukio is present, on a
brief vacation from her training on Cademus. Dakejinzou Shogai came from
Fukunokami. Chiezou and Ashin Budou have come from Tsuchira, along with the
Shinto high priest's daughter Aikyou, resting from her task to help Asuka
Mizunokoji overcome her fear of men. Mal's fellow Nendo-kata are present, as
is the recently-handfasted Nicole and Mujanba McTavish. Also present are
Atako, Ria and the other bioroids from Sado. Tomobiki is represented by
Koosei Ryooki (who came with Oyuki), not to mention Momoe, Kumiko, Natsuko and
Ryuunosuke (who came with their fiances); as well as Mie.
Absent from this scene are the usual crowd who flock around Lum whenever
the Oni is in Tomobiki. While their bioroid sisters are welcome at this
party, Mendou, the guards and Lan were warned to stay away. In the wake of
events in the previous story, Lum adamantly refused to attend a New Year's
party Mendou was holding at the Tarouzakura. In fact, the Oni publicly ripped
up the invitation in class two days ago. Refusing to celebrate the new year
with those she no longer considers true friends, she happily aided Ataru in
arranging the party at Oshika. To ensure that NOBODY unwelcome at this party
could possibly interfere, Komeru ordered his paramilitary forces to form a
defensive cordon around Oshika, with orders to shoot to kill. To prevent any
unwanted aliens (read Rei and Lan) from interfering, a mobile anti-ship
torpedo battery from the Royal Tritonian Defence Force is now set up on the
small island to the sea-side of Nicole's crystal palace.
Conversation is brisk as everyone exchanges stories about the previous
years' events. Aikyou is certain that within the week, Asuka will be fit
enough to return to public life. Ataru wonders if such a marriage could
possibly work given the latter's blind infatuation of Lum. Several other
handfastings have occurred since the last Senior Year Special: Nicole and
Mujanba McTavish, Tatsuko and Saiten Fujinami, Osooko and Hei Sakurambou and
Nintaiko and Donna Miyaki.
In addition, Ataru no longer had to worry about Kurama being a factor in
his life. In setting up Operation: Double-fall, Ataru arranged to have the
Tengu princess create a clone of himself which would be used as the "body" for
Nagisa to discover. This was partially to get Kurama to agree to cease
contemplating Ataru as a possible mate. It was also partially in response to
Kurama's vile insult of Hazel. When the Tengu visited Ataru, one can imagine
the shock she felt when she learned that a half-Ipraedies hybrid was a guest
in his home. Ataru was barely able to keep Kurama from tearing Hazel apart
(or should that be the other way around?...F.H.), then with a liberal
application of his *qu'f-piaqu'r's* buttstock, made the princess his unwilling
accomplice in executing Ataru's and Nagaiwakai's year-end joke on Tomobiki.
Kurama's departure is the topic of conversation between Mie and her
classmates. "At least we'll never have to see her again!" Ryuunosuke sighs.
"She's always been such a pain since she first came looking for a mate."
"Now, all we have to do is find a way to get rid of Lan," Momoe nods in
agreement. "Just because Lum'll be leaving in February doesn't guarantee that
airhead won't continue to be a pain in our collective backsides!"
"Amen to that," Kumiko snuggles to her fiance's side. "But come
February, I won't be living in that zoo."
A chorus of agreement echo from Momoe and Natsuko. "I wish I was as
lucky as you," Ryuunosuke shakes her head. "Given the way Dad throws money
away, we'll never get out of our apartment at Tomobiki High School!"
"Then why don't you live with us, sister?" Tatsuko leans on her elbows
beside Ryuunosuke. "Saiten-chan and I'll be happy to support you, Father and
Nagisa-kun if you decide to rebuild Hamajaya here."
"Now, there's an idea," Nagisa playfully kisses his fiancee on the
forehead. "We'd already have a clientele awaiting us!"
"Yeah!!" the tomboy laughs.
Nearby, Ataru and Lum share a toast with Nassur and Benten. "Here's to
never seeing Kurama again," the Terran sighs. "Good riddance to bad rubbish!"
"Amen to that!!" the Fukunokami chortles as they drink. "I wonder how
long it'll take her to find another schmuck so she can try to get her heir!"
"As long as it doesn't concern me, I don't care!" Ataru shakes his head.
"Here's also to being with people who *really* appreciate you for what
you are," the Oni toasts. "Not for what they try to make you into becoming."
"I can agree to that," the Vosian nods as they drink. "I'm surprised
that your other classmates caved in so easily."
"Well, I told them that both you and Dakejinzou-chan were here on *my*
orders to kill any of them should they try to harass Darling," Lum shrugs.
The hunters laugh. Ataru sighs, staring at his girlfriend. He had
taken a considerable risk when he helped his grandmother launch Operation:
Double-fall. However, deep down, Lum knew that Ataru was still alive. She
had gone through the proper motions in hopes of discovering what really befell
her Darling. Ataru hoped that Lum's willingness to sacrifice herself for him,
not to mention turning against her classmates to expose his "murderer," would
convince Nagaiwakai to finally accept the Oni as his future wife. Then again,
Ataru had no worries; if he married Lum, she would be automatically exempt
from the imposition of the United Nations' Resolution 444.
Ataru's train of thought is broken when the doorbell is heard. "I'll
get it!" Reiko yells as she runs to the door, then opens it. "Great-grandma!"
Nagaiwakai steps in. "Hello, Reiko-chan," the matriarch kneels to
receive her great-granddaughter's embrace. "Are you behaving yourself?"
The Noukiite readily nods as Ataru, Nokoko and Atako step up. "Hello,
everyone," Nagaiwakai beams as her grandchildren embrace her, then she stares
at Nassur. "Natsu-chan, are you behaving yourself?!" she coyly muses.
The Vosian hunter stammers, staring in shock at the twentyish-looking
Nagaiwakai. Her hair hangs loose, covering her ears. Benten looks upset as
the matriarch makes her way upstairs. "Shit, when Ataru said she was a flirt,
he wasn't kidding!" she mutters.
"Oh, Benten, stop complaining!" Hazel sighs. "Oba-chan doesn't mean any
harm! Beside, if she can accept Sensei, how long do you think it'll be before
she'll accept Lum-sensei?!"
"True," the huntress muses. "But, why **my** husband?!"
"Why do you think *I* fell in love with him?!" Dakejinzou hums.
Before anyone could say anything more, the doorbell rings again. "Who
could that be?!" Lum flies to the door. "Coming!"
She opens the door...and is deluged by a storm of hay!! "Hello?!!" a
flighty voice is heard. "Is there anyone home?!!"
"Help!!!" the Oni cries as she finds herself buried under a stack of
hay! "Darling!!! There's a visitor!!!"
"Mother?!!" Nagaiwakai gasps.
"Great-grandma?!!" Ataru, Atako and Nokoko yelp.
"'GREAT-GRANDMA?!?!?!'" the others exclaim.
Riding a mustang side-saddle into the living room is a beautiful brown-
haired woman resembling what Nagaiwakai could be when she is physically
thirty-four. Like her daughter, she wears her hair loose, covering her ears.
She is dressed in a beautiful kimono displaying a prairie scene with a herd of
stampeding horses. Slipping off her mount, she brushes herself off, then
smiles. "Oh, there you are, Nagai-chan. Am I too late for the party?"
"Um...not really, M-mother," Nagaiwakai giggles, then turns to everyone
else. "Everyone, this is my mother, Kimaenowakai Hana."
The guests respectfully bow. Nassur is frozen in place, staring in
disbelieving shock. "B-but...h-how...?" he stammers.
"It is to wonder," Benten disbelievingly shakes her head.
The Moroboshi children then introduce their lovers. Kimaenowakai stares
in confusion, then looks at Nagaiwakai. "Nagai-chan, have you been hiding
something from your poor, suffering mother?!"
"Wh-what do you mean, Mom?!" Nagaiwakai looks defensive.
"Since when did I get TWO great-granddaughters?!!" Kimaenowakai points
at Atako and Nokoko. "I clearly remember one!!"
"Um...that's a long story," her daughter chuckles.
The Hana clan matriarch then stares at Lum and Mal. Both sweat,
wondering if she, like her daughter, would immediately disapprove of their
presence. "Nagai-chan, there's something wrong with these two," Kimaenowakai
stares at her daughter. "Why do they have pine cones in their hair?!"
"'PINE-CONES?!?!?!'" Lum and Mal exclaim.
"And why did they dye it green?!" Kimaenowakai hisses. "Is this some
silly new fad?!"
Lum and Mal faint! "Um...no, Mom, it's natural...and those are horn-
buds," Nagaiwakai tries not to laugh. "You see, they're Onis."
Surprise crosses her mother's face. "Onis?!!"
Kimaenowakai stares anew at Lum and Mal. Both smile. The Hana clan
matriarch then leans back. "Well, that's their problem," she shrugs.
Ataru and Nokoko look relieved. Lum and Mal feel faint. "You have to
excuse Great-grandma," Atako chuckles, her face flushing. "She doesn't really
seem to understand things at times. She really doesn't mean any harm."
"Thank the gods I was created **normal**!" Shinoko sighs.
By that time, the first ray of dawn begins to shine through the picture
window. Everyone looks to the east to see the brilliant golden orb rise over
the horizon. They walk outside into the fresh air, sitting in groups to
observe the first sunrise of 1984. Lum and Ataru sit together with Reiko and
Nagaiwakai and Kimaenowakai. The Hana clan matriarch stares at her great-
grandson. "Well, at least one of you made it this far," Kimaenowakai sighs.
"Excuse me?!" he stares at his great-grandmother. "What do you mean
'one' of us, Great-grandma?! There's Nokoko-chan, remember...and now there's
Atako-chan, too!!"
"Mother?" Nagaiwakai looks concerned.
"That's enough, child," Kimaenowakai holds her hand up. "He has every
right to know this." She then stares at Ataru. "Ataru-chan, have you ever
wondered why your parents, no matter what else they want to do, always find
time to go to a Buddhist shrine every New Year's Day?"
Ataru and Lum blink. "I always found that strange," the Oni muses.
"So did I," her boyfriend looks ill. "Then again, they did too many
strange things for my tastes!" He stares at Kimaenowakai. "But, what...?!"
The Hana clan matriarch seems neutral. "Because, child, fifteen years
ago this day, your twin brother died."
An oppressive silence falls over the beach, broken only by the wind...
* * *
"I HAD A BROTHER?!?!?!" Ataru screams.
Moments after Kimaenowakai's revelation, the members of the Moroboshi
family plus their attendant lovers gather in the living room. The other
guests remain outside to grant them privacy. Disbelief is clearly on Ataru's
face. "Why was I never told of this?!!" he slams his fists into the table.
"Don't you think I would've liked to know about my brother?!!"
"Of course you would, Ataru-chan," Kimaenowakai sighs. "But, your
grandmother and I decided that we'd wait until you were mature enough so that
you could understand and comprehend what we told you."
Ataru looks down, then feels Lum's comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Then why didn't Mom or Dad told me about this?!" he stares at Nagaiwakai.
"Or hell, why didn't Komeru-oji-chan told me?! Why?!!"
"Why not?!" Nagaiwakai snorts, glaring at Lum. "Mother is correct. We
held off telling you about Kaeru-chan earlier until you were old enough to
comprehend what had happened. We would've liked to have told you last New
Years Day...but of course, that sow Kinshou would never allow it."
"Why?!!" Lum demands.
"Oh, haven't you come to understand that by now?!" Nagaiwakai sneers.
"Grandma, that's enough!!" Atako leaps between the matriarch and the
Oni. "Snapping at Lum-chan's not going to bring Kaeru back!"
Nagaiwakai relaxes. "Perhaps you are right, Atako-chan," she sighs,
standing. "Then again, if Kaeru never died, your brother would probably have
never had to put up to the antics which came in Lum's wake!"
The matriarch storms out of the room. "Grandma...?" Lum looks sad.
"Boy, is she thick or what?!" Shinoko shakes her head, whispering to
Mal. "Can't she see how much Lum loves Ataru-kun?!"
"Hush," the ex-Nendo-kata warns. "There is much disUnity Grandmother
has suffered, disUnity she believes my sister to be responsible. You must
grant her time to permit herself to forgive. Forcing Grandmother against her
will to accept Lum-chan will not serve the cause of Unity, Shinoko-chan."
"If you say so," the bioroid hesitantly nods.
Ataru faces Kimaenowakai. "What did Grandma mean by **that**?!"
"Isn't it obvious?!" the Hana clan matriarch muses. "You see, you were
slated from birth to take Nagai-chan's place as the leader of the clan.
Nokoko-chan would have replaced Komeru-chan as the chief of the clan's day-to-
day operations. Kaeru-chan, therefore, was left to develop in whatever way
Muchi-chan and Kinshou decided was best for him. He was their favourite
child. They doted on him, babied him, did everything for him. You and
Nokoko-chan rarely if ever received the proper amount of caring you should
have. Were it not for Nagai-chan or Komeru-chan stepping in when they did,
both of you would've not had much in the way of a happy childhood."
Ataru looks confused. "I didn't know I had a happy childhood."
"I certainly didn't!!" Nokoko snorts.
Kimaenowakai sighs. "Of course, if the chance offered itself, Nagai-
chan and Komeru-chan would've taken you out of that house as soon as possible.
In fact, it would've happened hadn't Kaeru-chan's...passing so distracted us."
Ataru blinks. "And after Kaeru died?!" Lum urges.
"Well, you know what happened to Nokoko-chan," Kimaenowakai stares at
her great-granddaughter. "As soon as possible, she was shipped off to Komeru-
chan and promptly forgotten by Muchi-chan and Kinshou."
Disbelief crosses Lum's face. "And Darling?!" she indicates Ataru.
"What could you expect?" Kimaenowakai sighs. "Kinshou didn't try to
care for him...while at the same time, she didn't want to let him go. If
Ataru-chan was taken away, she'd had nothing left. She pulled every dirty
trick in the book to keep Nagai-chan away from her grandson...while at the
same time, she gladly wished for the day she'd be forever rid of Ataru-chan."
"It...came to the point when I finally decided I didn't want to live
with her any more," Ataru shakes his head, continuing the tale. "I finally
decided I didn't need to put up to her abuse, so I'd leave on my own and go
live with Grandma. I would've done it, too."
"What stopped you?" Lum looks concerned.
He stares at her. "You came into my life."
"I...don't understand."
"Why do you believe my daughter loathes you?" Kimaenowakai sighs. "At
the time you moved to Tomobiki, Nagai-chan had almost succeeded in persuading
Kinshou to let Ataru-chan go. It would have been a pleasant arrangement for
all concerned. Your coming to Tomobiki put the kibosh on that. After all, if
Ataru-chan lived in Rishiri-tou, *you* would've lived with him..."
"And Ten-chan and I would've been living away from Darling's mother!"
Lum gasps, realization dawning on her face.
"That's right," the Hana clan matriarch nods. "Why did you think
Kinshou seemed so desperate to keep Ataru-chan in Tomobiki? Why she convinced
you to go all out to keep Ataru-chan in his personal dungeon? She cared for
you and your cousin...that was obvious. But you were linked to Ataru-chan.
If Ataru-chan left Tomobiki, you would go. She used you, Lum...and by all
appearances, you willingly supported Kinshou's side. And because of that, my
daughter may never find it within herself to forgive you."
The Oni shudders, trying to comprehend exactly what her future great-
grandmother-in-law just told her. Yes, there were times, where Ataru did
express a desire to leave Tomobiki. It was true that Ataru's mother persuaded
Lum to keep Ataru home. That urging made Lum believe that Kinshou loved her
son, her incessant "I wish I never had him" tirades notwithstanding. Lum had
believed it was the mental trauma of the *saikoo jinseijitsu's* emergence
which drove Ataru to sever connections with his parents. She never once
considered there really was NO love between Ataru and his parents.
Wrong. She never permitted herself to see that fact. Lum once accepted
that Ataru's parents were part of her "safety net," the band of people she
used to keep track of her Darling. Even after she admitted that she had tried
to dominate Ataru, Lum hoped that Ataru would at least try to reform some
connection with his parents. Kimaenowakai's revelation made the Oni realize
that there was NO relationship between Ataru and his parents. The legal
manoeuvring Ataru had done in "Sakura's Class Reunion" truthfully was a long-
overdue acceptance of what existed in the Moroboshi household.
"Darling, I'm sorry," she whispers, leaning into him.
"So am I," he sighs, gently stroking her hair. "I never realized it was
that idiot who was behind the times you stopped me from going to see Grandma.
It was times likes those when I really felt myself hating you, resenting you.
Believe me, if there were times I wanted to give you hell, they were it."
Lum nods. "I wouldn't've blamed you."
Seeing that they now wish to be alone, everyone else rises and steps out
of the living room. Once outside, Shinoko looks at Atako. "What do you think
will happen now?" she hugs herself. "Will Lum move here?"
"Maybe," Atako sighs. "She's got one month left in that zoo. Once
that's done, those morons in Tomobiki'll never see her again."
"A lot can happen," her bond-mate sighs. "Especially in Tomobiki."
"Unfortunately," Atako's eyes roll...
* * *
After the New Year's celebrations, everyone returns to their lives. For
Lum, that means returning to Tomobiki to attend her final month as a senior in
Tomobiki High School. However, the revelations about Kaeru have soured the
Oni's feelings towards the two people with whom she presently resides. They
quickly learn of her sudden change of mood, with the corresponding increase of
water usage thanks to numerous showers. Ten-chan's gentle inquiries earn him
a few ugly stares, convincing him to quickly drop the matter. Everyone else
in Tomobiki, with the exception of Mie and Koosei, quickly get the hint as
soon as they try to be friendly with the Oni. Immediately, blame is placed on
Ataru, which earns Mendou and the guards more detentions from Koosei.
One day, Lum marches home. The blazing heat around her causes all in
her way to withdraw. Out of nowhere, Mendou appears in his classmate's path.
"Lum-san, what a lovely day this is...urk!!!"
The scion of Japan's richest family cowers from the blazing stare Lum
gives him. "M-my, L-lum-san...are y-you still u-upset...?!"
"Upset?!" the Oni sneers, then turns to a gameshow spin wheel called THE
MOOD WHEEL, each slot marked with various emotional states. "Let's see," she
spins the wheel. "Mood Wheel, Mood Wheel, turn, turn, turn," she chants,
"...which mood shall I be to make this moron learn?!"
The arrow points at one entry. "'Incensed!!!'" Lum snaps, then faces
Mendou. "I'm incensed today, Mendou!!! NOW, GET LOST!!!!!!"
Mendou makes a hasty retreat. Behind the Oni, Shinobu and Mie stare in
disbelief. "Boy, she's still sore?!!" the Kyushu native gasps.
"After learning about what Ataru-kun's parents did to her, I don't blame
her!" Shinobu shudders. She learned about Kaeru from Shinoko and Nintaiko.
The Oni turns, glaring at her classmates. "What do you two want?!"
"Hey, don't give us that crap!" Mie marches up to her. "Doing it to
that jerk is okay, but remember that you have **real** friends here, too!!"
Lum looks contrite. "I'm sorry, Mie. After what Great-grandma told me
about Kaeru and what Darling's parents did behind my back, I feel so used!!"
"I don't blame you," Mie gently squeezes her classmate's shoulder.
"Just remember who are your real targets and who are innocent bystanders."
"I'll try," Lum nods. "Want some tea?"
The Terrans nod, following the Oni to the Moroboshi home. The three
stop just as they arrive at the front gate, aghast on seeing the front door
smashed in. "What the hell happened here?!!" Shinobu gasps.
"Lum-chan, Lum-chan!!!" Ten-chan flies out of the house.
"Ten-chan, what happened?!!" Lum looks relieved that her cousin is well.
"One of THEM is here!" the young Oni points inside.
"'Them?!'" Lum looks confused as the three teens walk inside. "What do
you mean, Ten-chan?!" she turns into the living room...then screams!
The living room looks as if the Unabomber had used it for target-
practice! Kinshou and Muchi are now crushed under the living room table, the
whole squashed against a wall!! What scares Lum, Ten-chan and Shinobu the
most is the giant man now sitting cross-legged by the window, dressed from
head-to-toe in a midnight-shaded ninja's uniform. What scares them more is
that the gentleman in question is even LARGER than Captain Invader, his build
making him a perfect candidate for sumo wrestling. "Ah," the man smiles under
his mask. "Welcome home, Youngest Mistress."
"Wh-who are y-you...?!" Mie stammers, then looks left and right to see
Lum, Shinobu and Ten-chan hiding behind her! "What's going on?!!"
The giant rises to his feet, then respectfully bows. "I am Tengeki,
leader of the Hana Sunin bodyguards protecting the Lady Kimaenowakai Hana."
"Y-y-you're Great-grandma's bodyguard...?!" Lum stammers, then
realization dawns on her face. "Oh, that's right! Darling's mother always
neighed whenever you people appeared!"
The giant seems to smile as he produces a small package. "I bear this
from the Youngest Master Ataru," he bows, handing it to Lum.
The Oni hesitantly takes the package. Everyone else stares at her.
"What is this, anyway...?" Mie turns back...then gasps. "Where'd he go?!!"
The other shiver on seeing him gone like the wind! "Wow!" Mie sighs.
"I hate it when they come and go like that!!" Shinobu stammers.
"Who is that guy, anyway?!" Mie looks curious.
Later, in Lum's room, the Oni explains. Tomobiki's first encounter with
the Sunin occurred shortly after their first encounter with Elle. When Ataru
was dragged to Uru to get married to Lum, he automatically rebelled and tried
to escape. Just as everyone moved to chase him down, a platoon of the giant
sumo-ninjas appeared. In quick order, they pounded EVERYONE into okonomiyaki,
then, after declaring Ataru's "engagement" to Lum null-and-void, escorted
their mistress' great-grandson to Earth! The next encounter came at the end
of the pseudo-war between the Mendous and the Mizunokoji in the wake of
Memory's first appearance. When Ataru was being chased by everyone after they
realized that their lives could go back to normal, a platoon of Sunin stepped
in the way. The last encounter came at the end of the Second Tag Race. When
everyone in Tomobiki tried to "express" their anger over Ataru's and Lum's
spat, a COMPANY of Sunin stepped in.
At every encounter, no one could learn where the sumo-ninjas came from.
Inquiries with Ataru's mother proved useless since she neighed every time the
Sunin appeared. Any powers or skills the Sunin's victims possessed...Benten's
combat skills and machine gun, Oyuki's cold-generating powers, Lan's bazookas,
Shinobu's strength, Rei's polymorphing powers, even Lum's lightning...were
useless. If they did not crush you by their mass, their own dread arsenal
made people's lives exciting...in a very painful, almost terminal, way; every
encounter with the Sunin sent people to the hospital for up to two weeks!
At the end of Lum's recounting, Mie nods to the package. "Aren't you
going to open that?" she muses.
In seconds, a beautiful stuffed doll in Ataru's image lies in the Oni's
hands. He is depicted dressed in a sleeved Sagussan jumpsuit. "A doll of
Darling?!" Lum muses, then sees a note in the box. Picking it up, she reads.
"'Dear Lum-chan. As you can guess, I haven't been feeling good since Great-
grandma told me about my brother. I'm not going to let that stop me...and I
won't say 'I told you so' since even *I'm* surprised by what those two morons
did behind our backs. Still, I can't wait for us to be finally together when
this month is over with. Here's a little something to keep you company when
you're forced to suffer the presence of idiots...your Darling.'"
With a squeal, Lum hugs the doll. Mie, Shinobu and Ten-chan smile...
* * *
Next morning, Lum meets with Mie. "'Morning!" the Oni waves.
"'Morning," the Kyushu native smiles as Lum lands beside her. "Ready
for the final month of classes?"
"Naturally," Lum smiles. "One more month of ignoring Megane's and
Mendou's tirades, then I can bid this place a not-so-affectionate farewell!"
"Lucky you," Mie sighs, wondering again as she sees the Ataru doll in
Lum's shirt pocket if she should finally reveal to the Oni her connection to
Sagussa. "Well, who knows what this new year'll bring to us."
"I'm counting on a walk down the aisle," Lum laughs.
"Just as long as I get to be your maid-of-honour!" Mie warns.
"Deal!!" the Oni laughs.
Walking several metres back is Shinobu. She intently watches Lum and
Mie banter like they were lifelong friends. Ataru's ex-girlfriend sighs as
she gazes on the clear sky overhead, her thoughts recounting a diary entry:
"...and so another day begins with the daily tired march to
classes. Few at school seem to understand that a new year has
dawned, new possibilities loom on the horizon. Those that do look
forward to a coming marriage, moving to a new city, beginning a
life which no longer orbits around Tomobiki. Or should that be
'around Lum?' So much has happened since her arrival.
"Ataru-kun's departure from Tomobiki should have warned us
of what was coming. We deceived ourselves in thinking that the
carnival our lives had become would never end. How foolish, how
immature we were. Many now openly speak of the time when Lum
would leave Tomobiki, go to Oshika and marry Ataru-kun. They no
longer heed Megane's and Mendou-san's tirades, having finally seen
how mindless, how childish, they really were.
"Is this growing up? Is this what happens when one lets go
of the past and looks forward to the future? I once actually
believed nothing would change, actually wished that nothing would
change, that all would remain frozen in time. Our class now
counts four people who are officially engaged to marry. One is by
all intents and purposes engaged. Another is working avidly for
the day when she will marry. The remainder hover between giving
in to the tide and seeking to find their place in the world...or,
try desperately to cling to past glories...
Shinobu's train of thought is interrupted when she walks right into
Lum's back! "Hey!!!" the Terran exclaims. "What the...?!"
"Shinobu?!" the Oni looks back.
Shinobu looks first at Lum, then Mie, noticing both have stopped.
"What's wrong?!" she looks back at Lum.
"Look," Mie nods down the street.
Shinobu looks...to see a man walking down the street several metres
ahead. "That's Ataru-kun!" she hums.
"That's not Ataru-chan," Mie warns. "His walk's more regimented.
Further, have you ever seen him wear those clothes...much less pack a gun?"
"Are you sure that's a gun?!" Lum looks worried.
"I think so," Mie nods. "Let's follow him."
Nodding, the three proceed in review order. As they trail him, they
notice his face turning left and right, taking in the details around him.
"He's got a goatee," the Oni whispers. "Darling has a full beard."
"And there's that dimple on his cheek," Shinobu hisses.
"My point exactly," Mie nods. "He's not Niphentaxian, but that still
doesn't answer the question as to who he is."
The three continue to follow the stranger. Ahead of them, Kaeru glances
back. The three in his wake had expressed curiosity, but had yet decided to
initiate contact. While continuing his exploration, he would await their
decision. He then stops, sensing a presence ahead. Focusing, he stares upon
two gargantuan humanoids. "Oh, no!!" Lum gasps. "The Franken twins!"
The Frankens glare at Kaeru. "Moroboshi, eh?!" the first twin sneers.
"We've been looking all over for you!!"
"It's not nice to ignore when other people wanna talk to ya!" the second
twin cracks his knuckles.
Kaeru remains neutral. "I did not believe my presence would cause
offense. Very well. I shall depart."
He turns to leave, but the twins double around to face him. "Hold it,
you!!!" the first growls. "You ain't goin' noplace!!"
"Then I shall remain," Kaeru acknowledges.
"Good!!!" the second snarls. "'Cause there're some people who ain't
pleased about what you pulled on people sometime ago!!"
Confusion hints in Kaeru's eyes. "At what exact time did I reportedly
commit this offense against the sentients native to this habitation?"
"Six days ago, ya creep!!!" the first snaps.
The Nagussan engineer considers that information. "You are in error."
"What?!!" both Franken twins snap.
"Six Earth-revolutions ago, I was departing Nagussa aboard my cruiser,
the Nagussan Defence Force Ship 'Ganshiki.' I was not on Earth."
"Ever heard of that place?" Mie stares at Lum.
Lum rapidly shakes her head. Presently, the twins are so steamed, they
could chew neutronium. "Look," the first snarls. "We may not be the swiftest
people around, but we know ya when we see ya...and here ya are!!!"
"Then you have my condolences," Kaeru sighs.
"What condolences?!!" the second snaps.
"For your lack of intelligence," the Nagussan innocently replies.
The Franken twins faint! Shinobu shakes her head while Lum and Mie slap
their foreheads. Storming to their feet, the twins look incensed. "Oh, so ya
wanna insult us, eh?!!" the first snarls. "Get ready for a bruising!!!"
"You wish to initiate hostilities?" one of Kaeru's eyebrows rise.
"What do ya think?!!" the second chuckles.
"As you wish."
His right hand drops beside his pants' bulge. It suddenly melts away,
revealing a large particle pistol. With a snap-draw which would impress Wyatt
Earp, Kaeru aims and fires! As the Franken twins pass out, Kaeru returns his
pistol to its holster. "Do not interfere in my exploration again, sentients.
Should you consider otherwise, I will immediately terminate your existences."
Behind him, Lum, Mie and Shinobu are aghast. "That was quick!!!" the
Kyushu native gasps, her jaw scraping the floor.
"Is that really Ataru-kun?!!" Shinobu stares at Lum. "Could that be
another personality developing?!!"
"I hope not!!" the Oni shudders. "Dealing with the Cyborg and the
*saikoo jinseijitsu's* enough for me, thank you!!"
The three girls follow Kaeru. The Nagussan engineer turns down the
street passing in front of Tomobiki High School. Already arriving are many
students, among them Mendou and the guards. The scion of Japan's richest
family tenses as Kaeru approaches, then with a banzai yell, leaps at the
Nagussan, drawing his katana. "Moroboshi, you bastard...!!!"
Kaeru remains inhumanly calm as his eyes note the oncoming attack. His
pistol clears its holster as it bears on Mendou's blade. A second later, the
katana, warped by the impact from Kaeru's gun, drops to the ground many metres
away from its master!! Everyone freezes as they stare disbelievingly at the
sight of Mendou now powerless, facing the business end of Kaeru's pistol.
"Explain your actions, sentient," the Nagussan icily demands.
Mendou stares at Kaeru, then straightens himself. "Forgive me, sir," he
lightly bows. "I believed you to be someone else. Excuse me."
"What?!!" Lum flies up to Mendou. "You could tell that's not Darling!!"
"Of course, Lum-san," the scion of Japan's richest family smiles as he
indicates Kaeru's features. "Look at those clear, intelligent eyes! A clean
face! Iron discipline in his mouth! He's well exercised! The demeanor of a
warrior...not the total moron Moroboshi is!!"
Lum icily glares at Mendou. "Keep it up, idiot!!! I just might arrange
that you won't marry anyone...because you'll be DEAD!!!!"
"You desire this sentient terminated?" Kaeru inquires.
"Yes, please!!" Lum wishfully claps her hands.
"Very well," Kaeru aims and fires!
Mendou screams in mortal terror as he dodges the incoming bolts, running
to the safety of the school. "Unfortunate," Kaeru stares at his pistol. "My
targeting sights must be misaligned. I rarely miss a moving target."
"Oh, do you want your sights realigned?" Lum inquires.
"It would be logical," Kaeru nods.
The Oni moves to grab Megane. "Here! Use him as a target!!"
"Lum-san?!!" the guards' leader wails as he dodges her hand, then runs
away as quickly as his legs could take him.
Kaeru seems fascinated. "He seems unwilling to provide himself as a
target. I would have not terminated him."
"You might have to reconsider that line of thinking," Mie warns.
Kaeru considers the matter. "If you believe that is logical, then I
shall pursue such consideration immediately."
The other guards gag as they quickly withdraw, thus allowing the
school's female population to gather around Kaeru. Finally able to stare at
Ataru's brother from close range, Shinobu feels her cheeks flushing. *He's
cute!!* she gasps. *He's cuter than Ataru-kun, Mendou-san, Inaba-kun and
Nassur-kun put together!!! Lucky me!!*
Kaeru stares inquisitively at her. "Is there a problem, sentient?"
Shinobu is presently in the grip of a fantasy where she and Kaeru are
behaving like a typical married couple, with a loving home, children and, of
course, spending as much time as possible in each other's arms. Noticing her
dazed look, Kaeru turns to Lum. "This sentient appears to be malfunctioning."
Shinobu utters a romantic sigh. "I'll malfunction for you anytime...!"
"You actually desire to malfunction?" he blinks. "How illogical."
* * *
To be continued...
Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "My Darlings United" Part 2
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
IN THE FIRST PART OF "MY DARLINGS UNITED," fifteen years ago, Ataru's twin
brother Kaeru was believed killed after a fatal fall from a cliff. Today,
Ataru and Lum celebrate the coming of 1984 with their friends when his great-
grandmother Kimaenowakai Hana visits to inform him of Kaeru. Lum soon
realizes how much Ataru's parents had manipulated her to keep Ataru in
Tomobiki. After she has returned to Tomobiki, Lum immediately isolates
herself from her classmates and so-called "friends." Ataru sends her a doll
in his image to keep her company during her final month in Tomobiki High
School. The next morning, Lum, Shinobu and Mie encounter Kaeru, presently
exploring the streets of Tomobiki. After watching him nearly kill the Franken
twins, they trail him to school, where he has a brief encounter with Mendou.
**** **** ****
Thus...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Kaeru is brought into room 337. "Ryooki-sensei!!!" Lum calls out as she
follows the Nagussan inside.
Koosei turns, then stops on seeing Kaeru. "Who's this, Lum?!"
"We found him on the street today," the Oni explains. "Have you ever
heard of a planet called Nagussa?!"
The homeroom teacher thinks for a moment. "Have I heard of a planet
named Nagussa?! Have **I** heard of a planet named Nagussa?!"
Everyone intently stares at him. "HAVE I heard of a planet named
Nagussa?!" Koosei hums. "Nope."
Everyone faints! "It is logical for you to conclude that," Kaeru nods.
"Why?!" Mie looks confused.
Turning to the blackboard, Kaeru draws a circle. "This is a crude
representation of this galaxy." He divides the circle into four parts. "We
divide the galaxy into representational quadrants as a means of locating
ourselves." He draws an 'X' outside the galaxy on the line dividing the upper
quadrants. "My home planet, Nagussa, is located in a stellar cluster at this
point." He draws a second 'X' in the middle of the lower left quadrant.
"This is the location of Earth relative to our locating system."
"Th-that's on the other side of the galaxy...in a stellar cluster
OUTSIDE the Galactic Barrier?!!" Koosei stares disbelievingly at the Nagussan.
"It would take us centuries just to get **to** the Barrier at that point..."
he gestures at the galactic border closest to Nagussa, "...but then, there's
the problem of getting THROUGH the Barrier!!"
"That seems logical given the primitive technology the races surrounding
this world exhibit," Kaeru muses.
"Hey!!!" Lan looks incensed. "Who're you calling 'primitive,' you
walking computer?!!"
Shinobu bashes Lan with the teacher's desk! "Don't be insulting!!!"
"Uh-oh!" Momoe mutters. "Looks like Shinobu's found another guy!!"
"That's a relief! It'll spare us from telling her that Nassur married
Benten," Kumiko hisses.
"I speak the truth," Kaeru faces Lan. "Your ships are surprisingly
incapable of excellerating beyond galactic escape velocity, a goal Nagussa
reached fifty millennia ago. By this time, the more advanced of your races
should have easily penetrated the Barrier. What is the logic of delay?"
"Why're you asking me?!!" Lan looks defensive. "I'm no warp engineer!!"
"How unfortunate," Kaeru muses. "All Nagussans are knowledgeable in
both basic and advanced warp dynamics. Your collective races have not even
reached a proper understanding of basic warp dynamics."
"W-well, give us enough time to c-catch up, there!" Lum interrupts,
hoping to avoid a fight between the Nagussan and Lan.
To no avail. "Well, forgive us for living!!!" Lan snarls as she
produces a bazooka...
...and is promptly shot by Kaeru, then belted in the head by Koosei's
hundred tonne hammer, then for good measure buried under the teacher's desk by
Shinobu!!! "YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!" Shinobu howls, her eyes glowing with
rage. "You won't be told again, you airhead!!!"
"And that's another week for you, Lan!!" Koosei turns away.
The Seishin girl moans. "Hey, Shinobu," Ryuunosuke taps her classmate
on the shoulder. "Even if you've got a crush on him, you forgot something!"
Shinobu looks horrified. "I DID?!?!?!" she gasps, then leaps on
Ryuunosuke, ferverently shaking the tomboy. "What did I forget?!! What?!!
WHAT?!?!?! ***WHAT?!?!?!***"
"You don't know his name," the tomboy stammers.
An explosion occurs!! "Um...what is your name, anyway?!" Lum wonders.
"My official designation is Engineer-second Kaeru ryi'Kouhae-Raikue,
social registry code C-1515-H," he automatically iterates. "I am the second
engineer officer assigned to the Nagussan Defence Force Ship 'Ganshiki.'"
Those who attended Ataru's New Year's party freeze, staring in shock and
disbelief at the Nagussan. "Um...this may be an illogical question, but have
you had any prior designation before the one you possess now?" Mie gently
inquires. "Say...fifteen Earth-standard solar revolutions ago?"
Kaeru nods. "You are correct. My self-designation at that time was
Kaeru Moroboshi."
Jaws hit the floor at those words! "'Kaeru...MOROBOSHI?!?!?!'" Mendou
exclaims. "He's related to Moroboshi?!!"
"He's...Ataru's twin brother," Koosei shakes his head.
"Ataru's supposedly **dead** twin brother!!" Mie emphasizes.
"He doesn't look dead to us," Momoe muses.
"You mean...there actually is TWO of them?!" Megane exclaims, eyes wide.
"What a hideous thought!!" Kakugari gasps.
"Worry not!!!" Mendou snap-draws his katana. "In a moment, he shall be
a head shorter...!!!"
A second later, the scion of Japan's richest family undergoes what Lan
just suffered!!! "THAT INCLUDES YOU, TOO, YOU SNOB!!!!!!" Shinobu roars.
"And one more week for Mendou," Koosei notes in a very large notebook
entitled CLASS 3-4 DISCIPLINE RECORDS.
"D-darling's b-brother...!" Lum stammers, feeling her legs go under her.
"D-darling's b-brother...i-is...a-alive...?!"
The Oni passes out! "What a curious response," Kaeru muses.
* * *
Moments later, Lum's eyes open. She is now in the nursing station.
Sakura looks worried. "Are you alright?"
"Oooh...*datcha*!" Lum moans as she sits up. "I just had this crazy
dream that Darling's dead brother came back to life."
"What is the logic of her stating my life force should be terminated?" a
familiar voice inquires.
Turning pale, Lum spins around to see Kaeru standing near her.
"YOU?!?!?!" the Oni leaps into the air, backing away in disbelief and shock.
"I believe Lum has recovered," Sakura muses, then turns to Kaeru.
"Would you lay down here, please."
"Very well," Kaeru sits on the examination table, then lies back.
The nurse begins her examination. Everyone observes Kaeru's immediate
response to Sakura's commands, quickly noticing the total lack of emotion he
exhibits. "I'd swear he was an android, the way he acts!" Lan hisses.
"Or someone raised by machines," Mie muses. "That's a possibility."
"What do you know?! You're just a country bumpkin!" Lan sneers.
"I know much more that **you** ever will, airhead!!" Mie snorts.
Before Lan could retaliate, she finds herself facing Koosei. "Behave
yourself Lan, or it's a **month's** detention!!!"
"She started it...!!" Lan gasps...
...then gets a thousand-tonne hammer!! "A likely story!" Koosei snaps.
Lan moans. "What a thoroughly illogical creature," Kaeru notes.
"She can't help herself," Lum groans.
"She should be terminated if she continues to malfunction in this
matter," the Nagussan warns.
"Be our guest!!" the Oni looks sick.
Lan pales, then quickly makes herself scarce. "There!" Sakura nods.
"All done. You can step down, now."
Kaeru nods as he slips off the table. "What did you find?" Koosei hums.
"He's a normal, quite healthy teenager of eighteen years," the nurse
reports. "However, that doesn't match what Sensei once told me about Kaeru.
He suffered from incessant childhood bouts of asthma and bronchitis. In this
man, there's no sign of any disease within him."
"Understandable," Kaeru interrupts. "When my parents moved to prevent
my life functions from prematurely terminating, they transported me to a
Tagofu medical satellite. It was there, while the repairs to my damaged
internal systems were ongoing, that my initial genetic defects were detected,
then permanently eliminated."
"Couldn't you say a doctor saved your life and cured your asthma?!"
Ryuunosuke dumfoundedly shakes her head.
Kaeru considers the matter. "I did."
Everyone faints! "Did you swallow a computer?!!" Momoe gasps.
"To do as you propose would be illogical, not to mention potentially
fatal to the proper daily maintenance of my internal systems," Kaeru blinks,
wondering what planet Momoe came from to propose something that idiotic.
"There he goes again!!" Kumiko incomprehensively shakes her head.
"Hold it!!" Lum holds up her hands, then faces Kaeru. "Kaeru-chan, what
type of people were responsible for transporting you from Earth to Nagussa?"
"Androids," he responds.
Everyone faints! The Oni blinks. "Excuse me?! Did you say...?!"
"Androids," he repeats.
Everyone stares in disbelief at him. "You were raised by machines?!!"
Ryuunosuke gasps.
"Now, **I've** heard it all!!!" Koosei shakes his head.
"Any last words?!" Mie flashes Lan a triumphant smile.
Lan grumbles. "B-but...are there...any sentient hominoid organics...on
your planet?!" Lum stammers.
"Except myself," Kaeru muses, "...no."
Everyone stands there, trying to comprehend in her own way what type of
world Kaeru comes from. "So...why have you come here?!" Sakura points down.
The Nagussan sighs. "As you may understand, with the absence of
compatible female organics, I have no one with whom to...mate. After many
attempts with the known organic races in sectors known to the Republic, I came
to the only logical solution possible: proceed to the point of my initial
creation and seek a mate from those who would be compatible. Logically, they
are all here," he gestures to the females present.
Embarrassment crosses Sakura's face at his blatant honesty. "Um...yes,
I can see that," she looks over...to see Shinobu hugging one of Kaeru's arms.
"And by the looks of it, you've got yourself a volunteer."
Kaeru stares at Shinobu, then nods. "It appears you may be correct."
Instantly, Mendou moves to drag Shinobu away. "Shinobu-san, you must
stay away from him!!!" the scion of Japan's richest family gasps. "You cannot
have children with him!!! Your children will be living robots!!!"
His former girlfriend glares at him. "I don't KNOW you!!" she sneers.
Mendou is frozen in place as Shinobu yanks her arm away. "S-she...s-she
r-rejected m-me...?!" he stammers, then straightens, snapping his fingers.
A second later, a servant appears. "Yes, Young Master?!"
"Bring the equipment," Mendou orders.
In minutes, Mendou kneels in the hallway, now dressed in samurai undress
robes, a wakuzashi in hand. The servant holds his master's katana in hand.
"What is the logic of his proceeding to self-terminate?" Kaeru inquires.
"It's not logical," Lum sighs, "...but he won't be missed!"
"Amen to that!!" Megane snorts.
The Oni icily glares at the guards. "Neither will **you**!!!"
The four boys cower as Lum storms away...
* * *
"What a curious, destructive culture which exists on this world," Kaeru
muses as he, Shinobu and Lum leave the school for the Oni's scout. Lum and
Shinobu were given the day off to escort Kaeru to Oshika to meet his brother
and sisters. Shinobu gently hugs Kaeru's arm, gazing lovingly on Ataru's
brother. "Your capacity for violence is quite remarkable."
"All the races in this quadrant have long gone through ugly, violent
stages in their development," Lum muses. "My people underwent their
unification trial when another race invaded my world a millennium ago. It was
only two centuries ago when the Houses the Seifukusu imposed on us were
finally abolished and the present union government created. Earth's still got
some way to go before it's in the clear. Many are hopeful. You do come from
a race of survivors, Kaeru-chan."
"Fascinating," the adopted Nagussan muses. "The organic race which
preceded those who presently reside on Nagussa never evolved such self-
destructive tendencies. Their demise came with the injection of a terminal
virus similar to what is addressed as HIV on Earth. When the Fourth
Republic's female population was eradicated, the males, feeling a desire not
to continue, allowed themselves to naturally perish."
"How tragic!" Shinobu gasps.
Lum blinks. A Fourth Republic of Nagussa? "Did they call themselves
*Nagussa-oisen'a*?!" she inquires.
Kaeru blinks. "You speak Sagussan?" he stares at Lum.
"I'm learning it," the Oni blushes.
"You are almost correct," the adopted Nagussan nods. "In our language,
the term is *Nag'sa-ahysui'a*. Is that a Tere'na accent you possess?"
"That's the one my bond-mate has, yes," Lum nods, thanking her lucky
stars that Shinobu is so lovestruck over Kaeru, she would not get curious. "I
just found it surprising that both Nagussa and Sagussa have had four
civilizations to date. Darling...your brother...and I are soon to help the
*daishi'cha* commence work on Sagussa's Fifth Republic. Did your Fourth
Republic have any contact with Sagussa's Fourth Republic?"
"Intermittently," Kaeru muses. "Our predecessors found yours insanely
violent. It was at the time of Sagussa's War of Clone Rights. Their
influence in this sector is utterly appalling. No race was left unmarked."
Lum looks surprised. "So, you can emote!" she hums.
"Yes, I can...I believe," Kaeru nods. "However, I have had little
requirement to practice speaking in the dimension where you are comfortable
expressing yourself. I suspect if Shinobu continues her advances, I shall
possess ample opportunity to gain considerable practice."
The Oni giggles. "You better watch yourself, Kaeru-chan! If every girl
found out how honest you are, you'll have to beat them back with a club!!"
"What is the logic of striking females who merely desire companionship?"
Kaeru looks confused.
Lum catches herself from falling over. Suddenly, the three stop on
hearing someone run up to them. "Lum-chan!!" Nokoko gasps.
"Nokoko-chan!" the Oni looks shocked. "What's wrong?!"
The elder Moroboshi child stops, then blinks on seeing Kaeru. "Oh,
there you are, Ataru-chan!" she gasps. "You had us all worried sick...eh?!"
she stops, leaning close to gaze into Kaeru's eyes. "K-k-Kaeru-chan...?!" she
stammers, backing a step away. "Y-y-you're a-a-alive...?!!"
"Lum, why does everyone believe my life-force has been terminated?"
Kaeru stares at the Oni.
"Um...long story," Lum blushes, then turns to Nokoko. "What's wrong,
Nokoko-chan?! You look upset!"
Nokoko shakes herself out of her shocked stupor, then faces Lum. "It's
the worse sort of news!" she gasps.
Tomobiki then echoes with Lum's scream. "***DARLING'S MISSING?!?!?!***"
"That's right!!" Ataru's sister nods. "We were in Ishinomaki shopping.
I lost track of him, then when I turned around, he was gone! We've torn
Ishinomaki and Oshika apart looking for him but..." she helplessly shrugs.
A pained look crosses Lum's face. "Darling's...missing?! But how?!"
"And who's responsible," Shinobu notes.
Kaeru considers the question. "Nokoko, would you transport me to the
location where you last noted Ataru's presence. Perhaps I will be able to
discover who has absconded with him."
"O-okay," Nokoko nods, still shocked. "B-but...how is it you're still
alive?! You were quite dead by everyone's recounting!"
Kaeru stares at Lum. "Lum, why is it everyone believes my life-force
should be terminated?"
"Um...let's get my ship and I'll explain it to you on our way to
Oshika," the Oni muses.
"Very well."
* * *
Lum's scout rockets from Tomobiki. On the bridge, everyone relaxes.
Kaeru is busy examining the computer systems. Shinobu, naturally, is
examining Kaeru from a not-so-discreet distance. Observing this, Nokoko leans
at Lum. "Since when did she take interest in Kaeru-chan?" she whispers.
"Since she got a good look at him," the Oni hisses. "I think it's a
good sign. We don't have to tell her about Nassur-chan marrying Benten."
Both are then surprised to hear someone laugh. "What's so funny, Kae-
kun?" Shinobu muses.
Kaeru turns to her, pointing at the pachinko-board like machine Lum uses
as her primary computer system. "Is this your ship's central processor?" he
snickers, trying desperately to regain a sense of decorum.
"That's right," Lum nods. "What about it?!"
Kaeru loses control of himself in a spasm of giggles. "It is...the most
primitive machine...I have ever examined...!" he howls, dropping to his knees.
"It does not...even posses...a decent ODN interface...!!"
Shinobu giggles. Lum is unsure whether or not to let the Nagussan's
comments pass. "*Hey!!!*" the computer suddenly activates, its lights angrily
flashing. "*No need to get insulting!!*"
Kaeru stops laughing, staring anew at the machine. "It appears,
however, that the device's artificial intelligence program is remarkably
advanced," he muses. "Such a dichotomy is most illogical."
If the computer could blush, it would! "W-well, it s-serves me enough!"
Lum chuckles. "Anyhow, we've got some time before we get to Oshika. Kaeru-
chan, why don't you explain to us how exactly you came to live on Nagussa."
"Very well," Kaeru nods as everyone sits in a circle. He then produces
a very thin device which could serve as his wallet. Pressing a control
button, Kaeru then extracts a picture, from the device's side. He presents
the picture to Lum. "My parents, Kouhae and Raikue."
Lum looks. The picture is of two women, both statuesque beauties with
artistically sculptured faces. On the Oni's left is a pale-skinned woman with
shoulder-blade length brown hair styled with spiked bangs, twisted sides and a
long straight mass down the back. Her brown-black eyes sparkle with vast
intelligence immediately reminding Lum of Noa-chan. She is dressed in a
highly decorated silver Nagussan jumpsuit bearing hieroglyphs indicative of a
high-ranked official. Her mate is a dark-skinned woman slightly taller than
the first, clearly still of the same race. Her black hair is styled in a
left-side pulled-back cascade of curls. She has chocolate brown eyes, also
bearing a very intelligent glint. Her uniform is less decorated than her
mate's. "*Tcha*!!!" the Oni gasps, not believing that these are Kaeru's
parents. "They're the most beautiful women I've ever seen!!"
Nokoko and Shinobu stare over her shoulders for a closer look. "Gods,
they're gorgeous!!!" the former drools. "Did I just die and go to Heaven?!!"
"This is Kouhae," he indicates the pale-skinned woman. "She is my
mother. She also serves as Nagussa's Defence Minister. And this is Raikue,"
he indicates Kouhae's mate. "Her...relationship to Mother would be difficult
to describe to your races with your stratified mating rituals..."
"On Sagussa, she would be considered your *mashi'cha*," Lum muses.
"What's that?!" Shinobu looks confused.
"Mother's bond-mate," Lum translates.
"Exactly," Kaeru nods. "Raikue serves as a thoughtmistress in our
capital city. They have been a couple since they were first activated."
An admiring Lum sighs. "Oh, they're so beautiful. But...how did they
find you? Does your race come often to this quadrant?"
"Negative," Kaeru sits back. "In fact, before fifteen Earth-standard
solar revolutions ago, Nagussans never considered exploring this quadrant.
Our galaxy has been traditionally divided into Nagussan and Sagussan sectors
of influence. Neither race sought to interfere in the other's sphere of
influence. Fifteen solar revolutions ago, Mother and Raikue were serving as
officers aboard one of our deep-space exploration cruisers. They stumbled
onto a wormhole connecting a Nagussan sector with Earth's sector. When they
made landfall, they decided not to waste the opportunity. First contacting
the race on the largest satellite of the eighth planet of this system, they
proceed to explore Earth. It was in one away party that Mother and Raikue
discover the accident which befell me."
Lum nods, remembering a tale Oyuki told her of her people encountering
representatives from a highly advanced world. Although the princess was too
young to remember it, her parents would obviously remember Kaeru's parents.
"I'll ask Oyuki-chan about this," she waves the picture of Kouhae and Raikue.
"Very well," Kaeru nods.
"But, how the hell did they get into the hospital to get you out?!"
Nokoko urges. "That's something that's bugged Grandma for a long time!"
"Permit me to elaborate the events prior to that point of time," her
brother interrupts. "When Mother first came upon me, she was initially
inclined permit the local society to deal with my problem. However, as she
witnessed my suffering, Mother had what a Majujjou philosopher later proposed
was a change of heart. She...took pity on me. After...convincing..." a smile
tugs his mouth, "...Raikue of her logic, they trailed me until I was alone in
the medical centre, then...extracted me."
"Exactly how did she do that?!" Nokoko's eyebrow rises to her bangs.
"If Raikue-oba-chan's a philosopher, she would object to her mate's plan."
"Actually," Kaeru tries to keep himself from laughing, still finding
this tale amusing, "...Mother had a seduction planned for Raikue as soon as
they made landfall. It is...tradition among my people, to express one's most
desired emotions on reaching a strange field. Mother's relationship with
Raikue had reached the point where both logically concluded they could not
continue as a couple. My...problem, in essence, saved their relationship."
The three women stare incredulously at the Nagussa. "For a race of
androids, they sure are a passionate people!!" Lum gasps.
"Quite correct," Kaeru nods. "Nagussans are capable of expressing
emotion whenever it suits them, much like organic hominoid races elsewhere.
They simply choose not to expend so much energy in expressing emotion unless
circumstances force an emotional response."
"They're like the Vulcans," Shinobu muses.
"I am unaware of that race," Kaeru hums.
"They probably don't get 'Star Trek' where he comes from," Nokoko adds.
"Never mind," Lum interrupts. "So you were taken from Earth, taken to a
place where your wounds and diseases were cured, then moved to Nagussa. How
did your people take your coming? Did they...object?"
"Quite vociferously," Kaeru sighs. "Mother's action was...shocking.
She had to martial all her logic to convince the Republic General Assembly to
allow her to become my parent. They finally concluded that since Mother was
suffering a non-threatening malfunction, the Assembly acquiesced to her
desires. However, no one has to date followed Mother's example."
"That doesn't surprise me," Lum sighs. "What your mother did, kind as
it was, would be considered a gross violation of the Non-Interference Treaty
were any citizen of the Federation discovered kidnapping people from Earth."
"Is not your presence a violation of this treaty?" Kaeru hums.
Lum sighs. "The jury's still out on that. My people came here out of a
sense of obligation to the people of Earth. If we didn't come, another race,
the Ipraedies, would've probably invaded Earth."
"A sense of obligation?" the Nagussan is curious. "Continue."
"Well, I told you about the Seifukusu Dominion and what they did to
Uru," the Oni sighs. "When the Liberation came, we found ourselves stripped
of our society, our culture, our very sense of self. All we had left were the
Houses the Dominion imposed on us. That lasted for centuries. During that
time, we were drawn to try to discover some other place where we could form
some sort of emotional attachment. The one place which finally intrigued us
was the one planet which was spared invasion by the Dominion...Earth."
"Really?!" Shinobu gasps, quite fascinated by Lum's tale.
"Yes," Lum nods. "It became a fad on Uru to replicate Earth patterns of
behaviour, Earth fashions, Earth philosophy and culture. We saw your nation-
states as equivalent to our Houses, their wars of conquest not so different
from Houses competing for precious resources or a potential colony."
"When did this state of affairs cease?" Kaeru muses.
"Almost two centuries ago," Lum sighs. "It was the time of Earth's
American and French Revolutions. Could you imagine the shock we felt when we
watched common people rise up against their lords, overthrow them and impose
their own rule without any remnants of the old feudal structure in place?"
The Terrans are surprised. "Wow!" Nokoko whistles. "For once, little
old Earth actually has some influence with another world!"
The Oni blushes. "That's why we felt compelled to come to Earth when
the noise the Ipraedies were making about invading became too loud. That's
the reason I feel so comfortable living here, as do Ten-chan and Lan-chan. In
a sense, Earth's really not so different from Uru."
"I never thought of it that way," Shinobu muses...
* * *
Sometime later, Lum's scout lands in the parking lot of a department
store in Ishinomaki. Awaiting them is Mal and Reiko. "Beloved, Sister!!" the
Nendo-kata waves as the scout's passengers disembark. "There you are...eh?!"
she stops on seeing Kaeru. "Who is this?!"
Nokoko walks up. "Believe it or not, Mal-chan, this is my brother
Kaeru. Kaeru-chan, my mate and Lum's sister, Mal."
"That's my uncle?!!" Reiko gasps. "Isn't he supposed to be dead?!!"
Kaeru and Mal gaze upon the other. "A Nendo-kata?" the former gasps.
"A Nagussan?!" the latter muses.
"YOU KNOW EACH OTHER?!?!?!" everyone exclaims.
"Not personally," Mal smiles. "But the Great School has had prior
encounters with the Great School of Nagussa."
"I did not believe your race was capable of transporting themselves to
this galaxy," Kaeru stares at Mal. "Did a Majujjou assist you?"
"No," Mal smiles. "My particular school came to Earth via the Outland."
"Ah!" Kaeru nods understandingly, then stares at Reiko. "Who is this?"
"This is your niece," Lum smiles. "Reiko-chan's Darling's daughter."
"There is no physical resemblance," Kaeru reports.
"She's adopted," Nokoko explains.
The Nagussan nods. "Very well," he kneels to take Reiko into his arms.
"Come, Reiko. We shall discover what has become of your father."
The Noukiite giggles as Kaeru carries her into the store. The others
watch him. "He would be good with kids," Nokoko sighs.
Moments later, Kaeru proceeds through the aisles, his scanner currently
examining the premises. Shinobu lovingly holds the Nagussan's free hand.
"Does Shinobu-chan wish to mate with Kaeru-kun?" Mal whispers to Nokoko.
"By the looks of it," her mate hisses.
"You don't sound so hopeful," Lum comments.
"Wouldn't you?" Nokoko whispers. "I mean, a race of androids living on
a planet with no organics watching over them? Doesn't that sound strange?"
"Not really," the Oni hums. "After all, I'm in psychic contact with a
race of women who's fondest wish is to literally DO Darling!"
Nokoko sighs. "Shit, where were the Sagussans when I needed them?!"
"Beloved!" Mal cries, playfully punching her mate's arm.
Nokoko mock-yelps in pain. "Now, now!" Lum wags her finger. "Only one
harem to one Moroboshi child!"
The three girls laugh, which is interrupted by Kaeru's announcement. "I
have discovered what has occurred to my brother."
"What?!" Lum spins on him.
"My shipmates absconded with him."
"WHAT?!?!?!" the Oni looks horrorstruck. "Why would they do that?!!"
"I cannot respond to that inquiry at present," Kaeru shakes his head.
"You see, when I was transported to Earth, my ship's science officer, Keri,
had discovered the wormhole by which Mother and Raikue first travelled to this
sector. They determined that while I was exploring Earth, they would traverse
the wormhole back to Nagussa. Proceeding to Earth by conventional warp drive
requires a journey of six days, seven hours, fifty-two minutes and sixteen-
point-seven seconds. Via the wormhole, according to the records from Mother's
cruiser, travel time is shortened to one day, nine hours, twenty-seven minutes
and forty-four-point-nine seconds. Science-first Keri desired to see if the
wormhole is stable enough to permit regular transport."
"That still doesn't explain why they would kidnap Darling!" Lum shakes
her head.
"I've got an idea," Shinobu interrupts.
"Elucidate further," Kaeru urges.
She smiles at him. "Kae-kun, are there twins on your planet...or
anywhere in your quadrant of the galaxy?"
Kaeru looks confused. "I do not understand."
"Two people who look alike, were born...created, I suppose...at the same
time, descent of the same family...like you and Ataru-kun."
"Negative for Nagussa," he muses. "As for the other races in the
quadrant, they rarely occur but are not completely unknown."
"What are you proposing, Shinobu?" Mal looks curious.
"Simple," Shinobu indicates Kaeru. "Kae-kun here would be considered an
anomaly on Nagussa. He's the only organic human in a world populated by
androids. Hence, his people would consider him quite...unique. He has little
if no memory of life on Earth. He would hardly remember Ataru-kun or Nokoko.
Therefore, he, much less his shipmates, would not consider the existence of
*two* beings with almost the same DNA/RNA patterns existing in a small sector
of another planet. The Nagussans have no knowledge of identical twins, so
they would innocently believe Ataru-kun to be an anomaly...worth exploring."
Everyone nods understandingly. "So they would transport Darling to
their ship to find out what's going on," Lum gasps.
"Possibly," Kaeru nods. "Keri is a very efficient scientist. She is
quite capable of running experiments on both the wormhole and investigating
the anomaly of my brother's existence at the same time."
"Hey!!!" an insulted Reiko cries. "Daddy's no anomaly!!!"
"To us, he would be quite the anomaly," Kaeru stares at the Noukiite,
then turns to Shinobu. "Your conclusion is quite logical, Shinobu. Raikue
would be very impressed by your deductive skills. I would be more than
pleased to introduce you to my parents when they come to Earth in two days."
Shinobu feels giddy. "I...I'm going t-to m-meet your...p-parents...?!"
she stammers, flushing deep red. "I...I'm honoured...K-kae-kun!!" she claps
her cheeks, shying away from Kaeru.
Nokoko, Mal and Lum look impressed by Shinobu's willingness to be with
Kaeru. "He's got the old Moroboshi touch," Kaeru's sister chuckles. "It
doesn't take him long to make good with a pretty lady."
"Y-yeah..." Lum nods...
* * *
"So that's what we think happened," Lum explains to Koosei over the comm
lines. The Oni and her companions returned to Oshika to await the arrival of
Kaeru's parents. "Darling's going to learn about his brother by actually
meeting the people who saved him."
"You don't seem worried, Lum," the teacher muses, looking at a faxed
copy of the picture of Kaeru's parents. "Ataru on a planet stacked full of
beauties like these two?!"
"They're androids, Koosei!" the Oni giggles. "Darling won't suffer a
relapse if he's around Kouhae-oba-chan or Raikue-oba-chan!"
"I see," Koosei muses. "Okay, Lum. Let's hope this ends peacefully
this time. How's Shinobu been with Kaeru?"
"Like Darling, Mendou, Inaba and Nassur never existed!" Lum giggles.
"That's a good sign. Darling had no idea what he would do for Shinobu when he
started getting everyone married off. He just assumed that Shinobu would
continue to see Inaba."
"Unlikely," Koosei adjusts his glasses. "From what I've heard of the
Destiny Management Organization, fraternization with normal mortals is usually
frowned upon. I think Kaeru would seem a decent match for Shinobu."
"I think so, too," Lum nods. "If she moves to Nagussa after graduation,
that's one less fly in Darling's hair."
Koosei looks worried. "I don't know about that, Lum. Moving to another
planet, especially one as radically different as Nagussa, might be a hell of a
shock for someone like Shinobu."
"It wasn't a shock for me coming to Earth," Lum looks confused.
"That's a little different than Shinobu leaving Earth," Koosei warns.
"If you say so," the Oni nods. "Oh, by the way, why is it you insisted
this call be scrambled?!"
In answer, an inhuman bellow is heard from the direction of Lan's scout!
"AAAAARGH!!!!" Lan's voice is barely recognizable. "WHY ARE THEY SCRAMBLING
THEIR SIGNAL?!?!?! SCRAMBLERS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED!!!!!!"
"Need I explain further?" Koosei muses.
"I concur," Lum nods, then presses some controls on her scanner. "Hey,
Koosei...why don't you ask Lupica to have Lan arrested and expelled back to
Uru?!!" the Oni icily smiles.
"***WHAT?!?!?!***" Lan's voice echoes over the comm lines.
Lum and Koosei giggle...
* * *
To be continued...
Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "My Darlings United" Part 3
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
IN THE SECOND PART OF "MY DARLINGS UNITED," Kaeru is escorted to school, where
he reveals he is from Nagussa, a world on the other side of the galaxy from
Earth. Everyone is quick to note that Shinobu has taken more than a friendly
interest in Kaeru. Soon, it is revealed that he is indeed Kaeru Moroboshi.
He reveals that he had been rescued by two fellow Nagussans. Because he is
the only organic humanoid in a world of androids, he has come to Earth seeking
a potential mate (much to Shinobu's delight). Later, Lum and Kaeru meet
Nokoko, who reveals that Ataru is missing. Going to Oshika with Nokoko,
Shinobu and Kaeru, the Oni hears the story of how the adopted Nagussan was
rescued by his parents, Kouhae and Raikue. In Oshika, Kaeru discovers that
Ataru was taken by his own shipmates, who would have been attracted to his
brother because of their genetic similarity.
**** **** ****
And with that...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Lum proceeds from her parked scout to the house. In the living room,
Kaeru has produced many pictures from his wallet-like device, depicting scenes
of the adopted Nagussan growing up. Many of the scenes depict Kaeru with his
parents, not to mention others who appear to be of the same race as Kouhae and
Raikue. The looks on everyone's faces, both Nagussan parents and friends and
adopted Nagussan child, seem no different from races around the galaxy. "It's
like you really never left Earth, Kae-kun," Shinobu comments, seeing a seven-
year old Kaeru attend a Nagussan summer solstice festival with his parents.
"I would not assume that, Shinobu," Kaeru muses. "Each culture, each
planet develops differently. It is illogical to attempt any form of
comparison between Nagussa and Earth."
"When did you join the Nagussan Defence Force, Kaeru-chan?" Lum picks up
one of Kaeru at what appears to be a high school graduation ceremony.
"After my twelfth summer," Kaeru sighs. "When I completed scholastic
training, the Council of Elderwomen decided that I had to contribute to
Nagussan society." A touch of sadness briefly crosses his face. "My parents
hesitated on implementing such a suggestion. They...felt as if a part of
their systems had been separated when I commenced my defence apprenticeship."
"They watched their baby grow up," Nokoko nods. "He was going out into
the wide world they had spent so long training him. I wish I was that lucky.
In comparison to Kaeru-chan and Ataru-chan, I've been quite sheltered."
"Our school must always shelter their own, Beloved," Mal protests.
"I didn't mean it that way, Mal-chan!!" her mate smiles.
"Do you have pictures of your time in the Defence Force?" Lum muses.
Kaeru begins to extract new pictures. "That must be the most handiest
thing to have," an admiring Shinobu gasps. "A computer that stores pictures.
You could carry a whole bookshelf worth of picture albums in there!"
"I bet things like that don't exist on Uru," Nokoko muses.
"Not even on Zephyrus," Lum shakes her head.
The new pictures soon display Kaeru attending his basic defence
apprenticeship, then his engineering apprenticeship, then his posting aboard
the "Ganshiki." Everyone is quick to notice the sudden change of race with
defense personnel. In lieu of the ethereal beauties under whose guidance
Kaeru matured, the people surrounding the young defence apprentice are a mix
of two races, the first being a Caucasian-like people with a bony prominence
above the crown of the nose, the other being an Oriental-like people with hair
colours which span the entire visual light spectrum. "Hey!!" Reiko points to
a person of the former race. "You have Noukiites there!"
"Incorrect, Reiko," Kaeru shakes his head. "Permit me to explain. The
current group of Nagussans were constructed in the likeness of many humanoid
races native to my quadrant. Mother and Raikue, for example, are constructed
in the likeness of Aojiroi. That person there," he indicates the defence
officer Reiko detected, "...is constructed in the image of a Hiyaken. The
others were constructed in the image of Tanana."
"How many races are represented on Nagussa?" Lum muses.
"Twenty-three," Kaeru replies. "Earth included."
"That's about the same amount represented among the *daishi'cha*," the
Oni hums. "I just find it curious that the Nagussans would construct androids
in the image of other races instead of their own."
"That would be counterproductive to inter-species relations," the
Nagussan warns. "Nagussa is, despite its peaceful intentions, a feared planet
in my quadrant. There are, like in this quadrant, races who view other races
possessing advanced levels of technology with fear instead of curiosity. To
better...facilitate more peacefuly relations, the current android series was
constructed to directly resemble the races they would potentially contact."
He stares at Lum. "I believe that was the same reason the Sagussans decided
to seek representatives from races in this quadrant to become *daishi'cha* for
the Grand Design proposed to initiate the Fifth Republic."
"I guess so, too," Lum nods. "So, who's that?!" she picks up a portrait
of Kaeru's shipmates.
Kaeru indicates each of them. "This is Stari, the 'Ganshiki's'
commanding officer," he indicates a female blue-eyed Hiyaken with blonde,
centre-parted hair curled at the end, possessing a regal bearing inherent to
the commanders of ships the galaxy over. "This is Shan, the 'Ganshiki's'
first officer," he indicates a male dusty-blond haired, blue-eyed Hiyaken,
standing protectively beside his captain. "This is Tsuri, the 'Ganshiki's'
combat officer," he indicates a suntanned female Hiyaken, her long brunette
hair partially separated in a side pigtail, her brown eyes flashing with
mischevious delight. "This is Keri, the 'Ganshiki's' science officer," he
indicates a Hiyaken with chestnut-brown hair styled in the same manner as
Stari's...and to Lum's surprise, green eyes behind round-frame glasses.
Kaeru pauses before introducing the last person. "Who's that?" Shinobu
points, not noticing his hesitation.
"This is...Naromo," he sighs, indicating a blonde haired Tanana with
blue eyes, her hair styled in side pigtails. "She is my fellow engineer."
The Nendo-kata and Nokoko are quick to detect the hesitation in Kaeru's
voice, but say nothing. Shinobu seems distracted, not noticing the adopted
Nagussan's pained look. Lum, however, has other things on her mind.
An android wearing glasses...?
* * *
"Hello, Lum-chan!" Chara waves as the Zeiwanite businesswoman appears on
the main viewscreen in Lum's scout. "What's up?!"
"Hi, Cha-chan," the Oni smiles. "Listen, I've got a question for you."
She then explains the situation around Kaeru and the Nagussans. Chara
is surprised to hear of the world Ataru's brother hails from. "A world solely
populated by androids?!" she gasps. "Wow!! I'd love to see that!"
"I could arrange a visit in a couple of days," Lum sighs. "That's when
Kaeru-chan's parents and his friends return. However, that's not the point of
the call. I was wondering...if you constructed an android, would you
construct one who wore glasses?"
The businesswoman blinks. "Construct an android with the need to wear
corrective lenses?! Be serious, Lum-chan! If I made a defective product like
that, I'd go out of business!! The only time I *would* construct an android
with that feature is when it is specially ordered."
"I see. Thanks, Cha-chan. I appreciate the information."
"No problem, Lum-chan. Call again, sometime."
The line is disconnected. The Oni sits back in her chair. Nothing
seemed to make sense. An android wearing glasses? Keri's lenses were
obviously reading glasses, meant for people who need to see things accurately
close up. But, why...unless...?
"Hey, Lum-chan!!" Nokoko's voice echoes.
Lum looks back as her sister-in-law steps aboard. "Oh, hi, Nokoko-
chan," the Oni smiles as she rises to her feet.
"Who'd you call?" Nokoko looks curious.
"Chara," Lum sighs. "Something was bugging me, so I called her to get
some information."
"About what?"
"About the fact that Kaeru-chan's science officer wears glasses."
"So?!"
"Nokoko-chan, an *android* wearing glasses? That's unheard of!"
"Hey, I only deal with real flesh-and-blood," Nokoko chuckles, then
looks serious. "So what do you think's wrong?"
"I don't know," Lum shakes her head. "It just struck me strange that an
android, one built to be an efficient science officer, would be forced to wear
glasses. Why, it would almost make you think that Keri was...?!" The Oni
stops, realization dawning on her face. "Oh, *datcha*, no!! It couldn't be!"
"Couldn't be what?!" Nokoko looks concerned.
Lum stares to the deckhead. "That...the Nagussans are human..."
Silence falls over the scout as Nokoko considers Lum's conclusion. "If
that's true, then we've got a problem...a big one."
"What sort of problem?!" concern crosses the Oni's face.
"Kaeru-chan...and Shinobu," Ataru's sister muses, "...and the fact that
Kaeru-chan might have a sweetheart waiting for him back on Nagussa."
Lum looks surprised. "Kaeru-chan has a lover?!"
"I'm not sure," Nokoko crosses her arms, "...but when Kaeru-chan was
showing us the picture of his crewmates, he really got pensive when he talked
about his fellow engineer, Naromo. We got the feeling that my little brother
has much more than friendly feelings when it came to her, still has them even
though he's got Shinobu fawning over him. And if what you say is true, if the
Nagussans are really human..."
"...then Shinobu loses again," Lum concludes. "*Tcha*! What a time for
this to happen!!"
* * *
"Girls, let's talk," Nokoko announces.
In the living room of Ataru's home, her friends gather. "What ails you,
Nokoko-chan?" Osooko looks concerned.
"It's about my brother and Shinobu," Nokoko sighs. "We all noticed how
hesitant he was when he was describing his shipmates...particularly one of his
shipmates."
"Naromo," Nintaiko nods understandingly.
"Exactly," Nokoko sighs. "Now, were things going as Kaeru-chan
believed, there'd be really no problem. Shinobu can carry on to her heart's
content. However, Lum has just now come to the astounding conclusion that the
Nagussans are in fact organic humanoids."
The Nendo-kata blink, shock crossing their faces. "But he clearly
affirmed...and clearly believes...they are sentient machines," Donna gasps.
"How did Lum-chan come to this conclusion?"
Nokoko describes Lum's theory as it pertained to the simple fact that
the "Ganshiki's" science officer, Keri, wore glasses. "I mean, build an
android who has to wear glasses?! I may not like the idea of dealing with the
things, but even **that** doesn't make sense!"
"Agreed," Ookako nods. "But...where does that leave Shinobu-chan?"
Nokoko sighs. "Well, do we tell her about Naromo?"
The Nendo-kata consider the matter. "No," Nintaiko shakes her head.
"My sister has shown a bizarre ineptitude when it comes to understanding
relations with others. She has seen Nassur-kun and Benten-chan together many
times and to date, still has not concluded the bond of Unity which exists
between them. It will serve her better if she learns of Kaeru-kun's
relationship with Naromo-chan on her own."
The others nod...
* * *
...while at that moment, Shinobu sneezes. "Oooh!" Ataru's ex-girlfriend
rubs her nose. "Someone's thinking about me."
"Why did you conclude that?" Kaeru looks confused. They are now walking
through the village park near the Tiger Cub. "I am not a medical officer, but
you seemed to suffer an allergic reaction to some aerial contaminant."
Shinobu stares at Kaeru. "Don't you people have a belief that you would
react if someone is speaking of you?"
"I do not believe so," he shakes his head. "If you wish to speak about
someone, it is logical to do so directly to that person."
She smiles. "A truly honest person," a sigh flutters from her lips.
"Will wonders ever cease?!"
A smile tugs his mouth. "Shinobu, may I ask you a question?"
"Ask."
"I have noticed that you have taken an intense interest in me."
Shinobu feels her cheeks heat. She still finds Kaeru's direct approach
somewhat overwhelming, even though to the Nagussan, it was perfectly natural.
Should she try to circle the question? No; that would either serve to confuse
Kaeru or sour his opinion of her. "Yes, I am interested in you," she nods,
reaching over to gently grasp his hand. "I'm very interested in you."
Confusion crosses his face. "Why?"
"Why?!" she looks surprised. "Isn't it obvious?! You're handsome,
intelligent, brave, loyal and trusting! Most men I've met have either tried
to keep things from me or else suffered from all sorts of weird problems!
You're the most perfect man who's ever crossed my bow! You're a breath of
fresh air to me, Kae-kun!!"
"I am not unpolluted air which has been inhaled."
Shinobu catches herself. "Sorry. That was an idiom. It means that
your presence makes me feel as if I no longer am plagued with problems."
"My presence makes you feel in this manner?" he looks surprised. "I am
pleased I am able to bring a positive presence to your life, Shinobu."
"Thank you," she sighs. "So, tell me...do I bring a positive presence
to your life, Kae-kun?"
"I would desire to answer your question," he looks regretful, "...but
you are the first compatible organic humanoid in whose company I have been. I
cannot answer your question for the simple fact that I have insufficient data
to form any sort of conclusion which could satisfy your requirement for an
answer."
*Boy, he can ramble!!* she gasps. Then again, she had long tolerated
Ataru's girl-chasing antics and later his violent mood shifts, Mendou's
snobbery and constant infatuation for Lum, Inaba's long absences and Nassur's
inattentiveness. Kaeru's vocal proliferation was certainly a refreshing
change. She could never deny that he would not answer her questions. She
just hoped he would not lose her doing so. "Well, I hope I do one day bring a
positive presence to your life, Kae-kun," she smiles. "But, tell me. Surely
a handsome man like you had some sweethearts back on Nagussa."
"You are correct," he nods. "If I comprehend the term 'sweethearts'
correctly, then I possess one."
Shinobu smiles, then stops. Kaeru spoke in the present tense! "Did you
say...you possess one?!" she stares at him. "As in...you have one **now**?!!"
"That is correct," Kaeru nods.
Apprehension crosses Shinobu's face. Would she be dumped again?!
Before she could say anything, Kaeru reaches into his pocket and extracts his
miniature photo album, producing a picture. "Her designation is Naromo," he
hands a picture to her. "Social registry code T-2312-S. She is my fellow
engineer on the 'Ganshiki.'"
Shinobu looks at the picture of the pig-tailed blonde haired woman.
"She's pretty!!" is the first statement that comes to mind.
"You believe so?" Kaeru looks surprised. "I am pleased you approve."
Approve?! Shinobu did not know whether to laugh, cry, run away or punch
Kaeru for playing her for a fool! Before she could say anything, Kaeru
retrieves the picture, sadly gazing upon it. "Still, she is an android," he
sighs. "Despite my feelings for her, she cannot aid me in bearing offspring."
Shinobu stops. Naromo, despite her stunning beauty, was an android.
Kaeru had come to Earth seeking a mate. Why was she panicking?! "Um...yes,
that's true," she stammers, essaying a smile. "I'm sorry for you both."
"Your condolences are appreciated," Kaeru nods.
He replaces Naromo's picture in his photo-container, then returns it to
his pocket. They proceed in the general direction of Ataru's home. *Idiot,
nice thing to say!!* Shinobu snaps at herself. *He's heartbroken and looking
for someone to comfort him and *you're* tearing him apart!* Recovering, she
stares at Kaeru. "Kae-kun, will I get the chance to meet Naromo?"
"Yes," he nods. "If all goes according to the plan agreed to prior to
my arrival, the 'Ganshiki' should return to Earth by tomorrow. You can meet
her then. I understand that you might be uncomfortable around her, sense her
as a potential rival, but she is a most pleasant person. I believe you will
both become companions, if not bond-mates."
Shinobu blinks. Kaeru was not afraid to introduce his lover to her.
That took bravery. Then again, he probably did not understand the concept of
skeletons in the closet. He saw no problem in bringing her and Naromo
together. Shinobu wondered if she was up to the task of meeting someone who
knew Kaeru more intimately than she did. It had been quite the shock running
into Ataru's first fiancee. At least with Naromo, she stood the chance to
make a positive impression. It was definitely no time to slip up. "I hope
so, too," she smiles, squeezing his hand.
Kaeru seems pleased, gently returning her gesture...
* * *
"Whoo!!!" Shinobu sighs as she sits down in the living room after
returning from her walk with Kaeru. "What a day!!"
Lum and Reiko stare at her from nearby. "Did you and Kaeru-chan have
fun, Shinobu?" the Oni muses.
"Oh, we just talked," the Terran smiles. "He's such a wonderful man!"
"I'm...g-glad," Lum chuckles. "Really."
"You seem bothered by something, Lum," confusion crosses Shinobu's face.
"Are you okay?"
"Wh-who?! M-me?!" Lum stammers. "I'm fine! I'm fine!!"
Shinobu gazes at her, then hums. "I understand! You're worried I might
be upset because Kae-kun had a prior girlfriend before coming here, right?!"
The Oni faints! "You know?!!"
"Of course I do," the Terran smiles. "Kae-kun told me all about her!
Ataru-kun never told me about Windy, nor did Mendou-san tell me about Asuka!!
In fact, Kae-kun wants me to meet Naromo! How does that tickle you?!"
Lum seems flummoxed. Shinobu had to be on a roll if she forgot that
Mendou never knew about Asuka before she was unveiled long after Ataru's ex-
girlfriend and the scion of Japan's richest family had started dating.
"Um...that's nice, Shinobu! R-really nice!!"
"Good!!" Shinobu nods, icily glaring at the Oni. "Now, if you don't
mind, I don't want you prowling around me when I'm with Kae-kun! If I catch
you, I'll make all of Lan's idiotic attempts at vengeance look tame when I'm
finished with you!! Understand, Lum?!"
"N-no problem...!" Lum readily nods.
Shinobu triumphantly marches away. Reiko stares at Lum. "Why didn't
you try to tell Shinobu that you think Kaeru-oji-chan's friends are human?"
"Would you?!" the Oni stammers, staring at the Noukiite.
* * *
The remainder of the day passes uneventfully. Nokoko and Lum team
together to fashion a large dinner for their returned sibling. It is the
first time Shinobu has been exposed to the Oni's recently refined culinary
skills. "Wow!!" she readily gobbles a serving of taimeshi. "This is the best
food I've ever had! Can I have some more?!" she holds out her bowl.
"Thanks," Lum smiles, giving her a new serving. "I'm glad you like it."
"How'd you learn to cook like this, Lum?" Shinobu begins on her new
serving. "You're better than Mendou-san's whole culinary staff!!"
"I can't be **that** good!" the Oni blushes.
"Don't bet on that!" Reiko readily gulps her serving.
Shinobu suspiciously glares at Lum. "Okay, Lum, out with it!! Before
the Spirit War, you couldn't cook even if your life depended on it! Every
time you tried, something weird ALWAYS happened!! What's the big secret?!"
Lum shrugs. "I picked it up from Noa-chan."
Shinobu blinks. Those who had seen the Oni's bonding with Noa-chan
never spoke of the Oni's connection with the Seishin-born-Sagussan bureaucrat.
"Noa?! She's responsible for this?! But...isn't she still on Sagussa?"
"In the Dream Time, yes," the Oni nods.
Shinobu blinks. "But...?!"
Lum sighs. "Just after the Spirit War, Noa came to me. You were there,
remember? She wanted to forge some link between Sagussa and myself so I'd
understand and accept why they want to be with Darling. Since that time, I've
dreamt of her...and in doing so, learned things I never knew before." She
taps her bowl. "Like make taimeshi without poisoning everyone I'm serving."
Nokoko, Mal and Reiko giggle. Kaeru remains silent. "But...why have
you never told us about these dreams?" Shinobu looks confused. "I have to
admit that questions about Ataru-kun's future has been preying on our minds
since Inaba-kun gave us the chance to see it!"
"Because it's none of your business," Lum sips her juice. "Besides, you
know what'll happen if Mendou or the guards learned of it."
Shinobu's eyes roll. "True."
Dinner ends without further comment. As Lum, Mal and Nokoko clean up
and Reiko proceeds to her bedroom to do her homework, Shinobu and Kaeru meet
in the living room. "Curious," Ataru's brother muses. "Ataru himself will
soon become the *daite'cha* of the Sagussan Fifth Republic, while at the same
time, I am an active participant in the establishment of the Nagussan Fifth
Republic. Would that be considered...fate, Shinobu?"
In answer, Cherry appears! "Did someone say something about fate?!"
Shinobu is decked by an explosion!! Kaeru blinks, then respectfully
bows his head to the Buddhist monk. "Forgive me, Eminent One," the Nagussan
intones. "I did not believe your kind had preceded us to this sector."
Cherry blinks. "Um...are you sure you know who you're taking to?"
"Cherry!!" Lum snarls, leaning over Kaeru to glare at the monk. "What
are you doing here?! You know Darling doesn't like it when you visit!! Now
scat or I'll make sure Darling'll never have to worry about you again!!!"
"Enough, Lum! There are more important things to concern ourselves with
than Ataru's paranoid desires to isolate himself from the truth!!" Cherry
points at Kaeru. "I've come to warn the child of the pegasus of his destiny."
"My destiny?" Kaeru looks concerned. "Oh, you must be a Majujjou
precognitive philosopher. Please elucidate further."
Lum, Cherry and Shinobu stare at the Nagussan. "'Majujjou?!'"
"Yes," Kaeru nods. "A spiritually advanced race which inhabit a world
within two thousand light years of Nagussa. They have the inherent ability to
teleport themselves over interstellar distances, believing they are guided by
the great Universal Power to seek their own destiny."
The Oni shakes her head. "Um...Cherry's no Majujjou," she smiles.
"He's just a normal Terran monk."
"And an annoying one at that!" Shinobu glares at the monk in question.
"Curious," Kaeru stares at Cherry. "He seems so much like a Majujjou."
"How?!" both girls prompt.
"By the instantaneous method he made himself appear before us."
Lum and Shinobu are decked by an explosion!! "Maybe he IS a Majujjou,"
the latter moans.
"It is to wonder," the former sighs.
Kaeru stares at Cherry. "You were stating?"
"Ah, yes!" Cherry nods, visibly pleased that he has finally encountered
someone who is willing to take him seriously. "Hark and listen well, my boy!
The fate of your adopted world now rests on your shoulders!"
"The fate of Nagussa?" concern crosses Kaeru's face. "How so?"
"Simple. You will soon learn of a great secret which has been masked
from those you dearly care for. The revelation of this secret will expose a
deadly conspiracy which will, if unchecked, destroy that which you seek to
create! You must prepare yourself for this conflict, Kaeru. Thousands will
depend on your success."
"I see," Kaeru nods. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Cherry leans close to Kaeru. "Beware your brother Ataru. The
demons within him may potentially aid the evil threatening Nagussa. If they
are allowed to emerge, then nothing will save those you love!"
Ataru's brother blinks. "I was unaware my brother possessed hostile
spirits within his body which could destroy innocents."
"They are there!" Cherry warns. "Be assured of that. Those who
presently surround you have had bitter personal experience with these demons.
They can attest to what you will be forced to face."
"I understand," Kaeru nods. "Is there anything further?"
"Yes," the monk sniffs, staring around the room. "Is that taimeshi I
smell?! Is there any left?!"
Lum and Shinobu faint! Kaeru produces a heaping bowl of leftover
taimeshi. "Is this what you desire?" the Nagussan innocently inquires.
"Yes!!" Cherry licks his lips, then takes the bowl. "Remember my words,
my son, and success for you and Nagussa is assured!"
He disappears with the wind. Lum and Shinobu stare disbelievingly at
Kaeru. "Why'd you listen to that annoying idiot?!!" the former demands. "And
why'd you give him all my leftover taimeshi?!!"
"Because it is tradition to give wandering Majujjou gifts of food on
their travels," Kaeru shrugs, visibly wondering from what sort of hostile,
inhumane place does the Oni hail.
"He's *not* a Majujjou!!" Shinobu snaps.
"Are you positive?" Kaeru muses. "The manner by which he transports
himself was more than sufficient to convince me he is Majujjou."
Lum and Shinobu sigh...
* * *
Later, Lum moves to leave. "Well, I'm heading back to Tomobiki," she
looks at Shinobu, who relaxes in the living room. "Want a lift, Shinobu?"
"No, thanks," her classmate smiles. "I called my mother and told her I
was staying here for the night."
Lum blinks. "R-really?" she stammers. "Well, that's up to you, I
suppose...just as long as Nokoko-chan and Mal-chan know you're here."
"I told them," Shinobu nods.
The Oni stares in confusion at her classmate. Suspecting what she did
about the Nagussans, she knew that when Naromo arrived tomorrow, Shinobu's
hopes of a happy life with Kaeru would be dashed. She looks outside to see
Nokoko and Mal coming back from visiting Ookako and Hei. Flying to them, Lum
lands right in front of her sister-in-law. "What's this about you allowing
Shinobu to stay overnight?!!" she demands.
"What about it?!" Nokoko looks confused.
"You know what I told you!" Lum snaps. "Having Shinobu sleep with
Kaeru-chan won't do her any good when Naromo arrives!!"
"So?!" Kaeru's sister shrugs. "Let her find out on her own, I say! It
might teach her finally to stop chasing people who're already taken!!"
"You must agree that all our words advising her to relax have not been
effective," Mal adds. "In a sense, sister, this is the **only** way to make
Shinobu-chan learn her mistakes!"
Lum considers the point, then nods. "Oh, okay! I just don't want her
to tear the place to pieces when she does find out!"
"Trust us," Nokoko laughs. "She won't get the chance. She makes a grab
for a chair and she gets a one-way express trip back to Tomobiki!!"
"Oh, okay!" Lum nods. "I'll see you in the morning!"
The Oni flies to her scout. Just as she is about to board, she is
stopped by Nokoko's yell. "Hey, Lum-chan!!!"
"What is it?!" she calls back.
"Don't tell Kinshou or Muchi about Kaeru-chan!!" Nokoko laughs.
"Don't worry!!" Lum waves as she steps inside. "I won't even tell my
parents or Ten-chan!!! 'Night!!"
In minutes, the scout rockets away from Oshika...
* * *
"Kaeru's alive?!!" Benten gasps.
Lum's scout is now in hover-orbit in Tomobiki. The Oni has updated her
friend about the events surrounding the return of Ataru's brother to Earth.
"That's right!!" the Oni nods. "He's really nice! You should come down and
meet him before he returns to Nagussa!"
"You told his parents yet?!" the Fukunokami muses.
"Nope!" Lum shakes her head. "That's why I'm scrambling this message,
just to ensure Lan doesn't get too nosy, then decides to stick her nose where
it doesn't belong!"
Almost in emphasis, an inhuman bellow from far below echoes through the
scout's hull. "So I hear," Benten smirks. "You better make sure Jariten
doesn't get wind of it, either! He'll blab it to every person in sight!"
"Well, he's been too busy with school and Minami-chan to worry too much
about what I've been doing," the Oni smiles. "I think Darling's idea about
sending Ten-chan to school's worked out really well. He hasn't caused any
problems since."
"That's good," the Fukunokami nods. "He's an okay kid; it's just that
he likes to stick his nose where it doesn't belong, then when he's caught, he
pleads that he's only just a nice boy! Sheesh!! I hope any kid I have
doesn't turn out like that!!"
"Hopefully not," Lum's eyes roll. "Oh, speaking of which, I don't think
you'll have to worry much about Shinobu getting puppy-eyes whenever Nassur-
chan's around again."
"How so?!" Benten looks surprised.
"Because now, all she's got eyes for is Kaeru-chan."
The huntress blinks. "Wait! I thought you told me that Kaeru's got a
girl waiting for him back on Nagussa. And if what you suspect about those
people's true, then Shinobu loses out again!"
"Let her find out on her own!" Lum snorts. "It's probably the only way
she'll ever learn not to horn in on other people's lovers. She still doesn't
realize that you and Nassur-chan are married."
"Hasn't anyone told her?!" Benten looks surprised.
"Nope," the Oni giggles. "Everyone's too scared to tell her. They
think she'll take it out on all of them when she does find out. Mie-chan's
waiting for the chance to tell her. She wants to put such a spin on it that
Shinobu'll believe Lan, Mendou and the guards *deliberately* kept everyone
quiet just to protect themselves!"
The Fukunokami falls over. "Shit, you're getting caustic in your old
age, aren't you?!!" she gasps.
Lum laughs...
* * *
...while elsewhere, Shinobu's sneezes again. "Oooh!! Who's talking
about me this time?!" she moans, rubbing her nose.
"You still up, Shinobu?" a sleepy Nokoko walks into the living room,
dressed now in an oversized T-shirt.
"I'm about ready to head to bed," Shinobu yawns, standing and stretching
herself. "I'll just see if Kae-kun's alright, then I'll go to sleep."
She proceeds upstairs to Ataru's room. "Hold on a sec'!" Nokoko yawns.
Shinobu turns around...just in time to catch a small box. "What's
this?!" she looks confused.
"You'll need 'em," Nokoko sighs as she heads back to her bedroom.
"Ataru-chan and Lum-chan keep a supply. 'Night!"
Ataru's sister walks into her room, then closes the door behind her.
Confused, Shinobu opens the box...then extracts a series of square vacuum-
sealed packages containing a obviously recognizable contraceptive aid. She
blanches as she realizes what is in her hands. "Gods, they actually have this
stuff in the house?!!" she exclaims. Setting the condoms aside, Shinobu turns
to proceed to Ataru's bedroom...then stops, turns back and extracts one.
"Just in case," she muses.
A second later, she opens the door and looks in. "Kae-kun, are you
still awake...URK!!!!" she exclaims, her face now sheet-white.
Kaeru is now seated in the bed scanning Ataru's diaries. That would not
be so strange...were he not nude! "Is there a problem, Shinobu?"
Shinobu has turned her back to Ataru's brother, her face now flush red.
"Um...c-could y-you please p-put your p-pants on...?!" she stammers.
Kaeru blinks, then nodding, stands and slips on his trousers. "You seem
ill-at-ease, Shinobu. Is there something amiss?"
Cautiously staring at him, Shinobu breathes out in relief on seeing his
privates covered. "Sorry about that," she slips into the room. "I just was
taken aback when I saw you with no clothes on."
"Oh!" he nods understandingly. "Does the lower extremities of my body
repulse you in some fashion?"
"Er...n-no!!" she stammers, shaking her head. "You don't understand.
In Japan, people normally wear pyjamas when they sleep."
"Pyjamas?!" confusion crosses his face. "What is the logic of wearing
clothes when one sleeps? I have never worn such items."
Shinobu blinks, trying desperately to regain some sense of decorum.
"I...oh, I see," she nods. Perhaps Nokoko's offering was not such a bad idea
after all. "Um...what are you reading?" she nods to the bed.
Kaeru sits, picking up one book. "These appear to be my brother's
personal journals. I was perusing them to attempt to better understand the
people Ataru has interacted with since my departure to Nagussa. You have been
cited in these journals on many occasions, Shinobu."
"Oh, that's understandable," Shinobu sits beside him. "Lum likes prying
into those diaries every chance she gets."
Kaeru hums. "That may explain why Ataru kept his journals in that
secure metal chamber," he nods to a small safe set in one corner. "He made
use of a most complex security system. I will apologize to him in the future
for bypassing the system, but I have requirement for information which these
journals readily provide."
"Well, diaries are always seen as private," Shinobu muses. "As I said,
Lum loved to peek into them whenever the mood struck her. I'm surprised
Ataru-kun didn't get some sort of safe earlier."
"So I have ascertained," Kaeru muses. "He noted in an entry dated
ninety-eight days ago that he obtained a safe to ensure that Lum would never
again be privy to his innermost thoughts and feelings."
Ninety-eight days ago? Shinobu quickly visualizes a calendar. The last
weeks of September was when Ataru's mood radically altered, a harbinger of the
Spirit War. It stunned Shinobu that so much happened in such a small period
of time. "Why did you want to look at the diaries, Kae-kun?" she muses.
"To better understand what sort of person my brother is," he sighs.
"Prior to the journal entry I mentioned, Ataru seemed quite grossly uncaring
of his surroundings. He rarely made negative comment towards anyone. The
only ones who earned his ire were fellows named Cherry, Mendou, Megane, Chibi,
Paama and Kakugari. His comments towards any female were always positive."
"Well, that was the way he was like," Shinobu smiles.
"So it seems," he nods. "However, in the wake of the journal entry I
mentioned, his mood radically transformed. He was critical of everyone he
knew, even those with whom he was once quite flattering. Lum has been the
recipient of some very critical comments from my brother, as have yourself."
That did not surprise Shinobu. Ataru had systematically dismantled his
opinions of everyone apart as he was attempting to bring a firmer sense of
control to his life. Those he found too undeserving of his respect, he no
longer considered friends. Shinobu had obviously become one of them. Now,
she had a chance to regain the ground she lost. "Kae-kun?" she smiles.
"Yes?" he looks at her.
Shinobu's hand drifts over to gently grasp his. "I hope I never earn
any negative criticism from you."
Kaeru blinks, then gently reaches over to draw Shinobu into his arms.
"I suspect not," he muses.
Shinobu smiles as they kiss...
* * *
To be continued...
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
WRITER'S NOTES:
1) The Sunin (a contraction of "sumo-ninja") were created as a sort of
answer for how Ataru (and Lum in "The Final Chapter") escaped being run down
and nearly killed at the end of "Only You," "Lum the Forever" and the
aforementioned fifth movie.
2) The Nagussans' registry number system works in the same manner as the
Sagussans' *daishi'cha* sequence numbering system, but with one difference.
The code works on a mixed alpha-numeric system in the pattern X-0000-X. The
first letter identify's the Nagussan's ancestral race, the number serves as a
sequential reference system and the second letter is a gender identifier.
**** **** ****
Therefore...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Fifteen years ago...
Once upon a time, the House of Moroboshi was not the divided ruin it is
today, its parts preying on each other like a pack of cannibals forced to turn
on their own for sustenance. Once, the part-Vosian matriarch Nagaiwakai could
hold a civil conversation with her daughter-in-law Kinshou without the latter
mooing at the former. Once, Kinshou actually loved and cared for her
children, Nokoko and Ataru. Strange, you think? Impossible, you exclaim! Be
patient, gentle reader, for there is a simple explanation to this curious
misconception. For you see...Kinshou and Muchi Moroboshi actually gave birth
not to two, but to THREE children: a daughter, then twin sons.
Yes. Ataru had a twin brother.
The presence of three children in the lives of the Moroboshi Clan
brought unbridled joy to not only their loving parents, but to Nagaiwakai and
Komeru. In fact, they happily and willingly lent as much assistance as they
could to Muchi and Kinshou, ensuring that their children...Nokoko, Ataru and
Kaeru...could enjoy a happy life. As the elder son, Ataru was slated to
become the heir to Nagaiwakai's position as leader of the Moroboshi Clan. As
the elder daughter, Nokoko was guaranteed the right to succeed Komeru as the
new clan matriarch, the leader of the clan's day-to-day operations. That left
Kaeru to follow whatever path he desired. That was what his parents wanted.
Kaeru suffered from a series of minor respiratory ailments. He was
never as healthy or active as his brother. However, Kaeru showed a surprising
aptitude for learning. He was already speaking full sentences before he was
two, was walking before ten months and was toilet-trained before twenty months
had passed. Kaeru's natural willingness to succeed at such an early age
endeared him to his parents, who doted on him incessantly. Whenever Kaeru
wanted a toy, he got it. Whenever Kaeru wanted to go on a vacation, they
went. This was not the same with Ataru or Nokoko. While their parents did
care for them and certainly did not abuse them, Ataru and Nokoko never
received the loving attention their brother did. Eventually, both learned to
rely on Kaeru to get any special attention from their parents.
Matters changed one New Year's Eve when Ataru and Kaeru were three.
After remaining awake to welcome the dawn of a new year, the siblings left
their grandmother's farmhouse in Gotou-Rettou to play. The three wandered to
a precarious spot near a cliff. Making their way through the flowers, Nokoko
and Ataru easily avoided a hidden dip in the tall grass. Kaeru did not. He
fell down the dip, then tumbled over a cliff! By the time Nokoko and Ataru
realized their brother was missing, Kaeru lay twenty metres below on the
seashore, suffering from massive internal injuries. By the time he was found
by a roving patrol of Kuromoroboshi ninjas, it was nearly too late.
As the Moroboshi family, who soon gathered at the accident scene,
suffered the heartbreaking trauma of Kaeru's loss, they failed to notice that
there were two witnesses to his tragic tumble: two shapely, ethereal humanoid
women dressed in matching silver jumpsuits emblazoned with a rampaging pegasus
motif. Both took close interest in the dying child. Remaining unseen on
Gotou-Rettou, they followed Kaeru to the island hospital, where the doctors
attempted to keep him alive. When his death was believed certain, the doctors
withdrew to contact his relatives. The two women entered the hospital
undetected and, driven by a curious need to assist the suffering boy, silently
transported themselves and Kaeru to their orbiting starship. In the wake of
Kaeru's disappearance, a massive manhunt was unleashed by Nagaiwakai to locate
his remains; the doctors were all but certain that his injuries were fatal.
None, not even the part-Vosian matriarch once anointed as a Righteous Gentile
in the eyes of the Republic of Zephyrus, could ever conceive that aliens had
something to do with the disappearance of Kaeru Moroboshi.
And that is where our story truly begins...
* * *
Oshika. New Year's night.
A subdued party is ongoing at Ataru Moroboshi's beachfront home, not so
different from New Years' parties all across Japan. However, this particular
celebration could be conceived as odd simply by the presence of two frigate-
class starships parked on the beach down from Ataru's home. The house is
gaily decorated with icons as those invited to this party celebrate the end of
the most hectic year of their lives. Hope reigns supreme that the new year,
1984, would bring a greater sense of peace and prosperity to the inhabitants
of this quaint villa on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
In the living room, Ataru, Lum, Nokoko and Mal play gracious hosts to a
small group of friends. Nassur and Benten have come from Home Base, happy now
that their honeymoon had ended without incident. Hazel is there, now ending
her sojourn with Ataru's grandmother at Rishiri-tou. Yukio is present, on a
brief vacation from her training on Cademus. Dakejinzou Shogai came from
Fukunokami. Chiezou and Ashin Budou have come from Tsuchira, along with the
Shinto high priest's daughter Aikyou, resting from her task to help Asuka
Mizunokoji overcome her fear of men. Mal's fellow Nendo-kata are present, as
is the recently-handfasted Nicole and Mujanba McTavish. Also present are
Atako, Ria and the other bioroids from Sado. Tomobiki is represented by
Koosei Ryooki (who came with Oyuki), not to mention Momoe, Kumiko, Natsuko and
Ryuunosuke (who came with their fiances); as well as Mie.
Absent from this scene are the usual crowd who flock around Lum whenever
the Oni is in Tomobiki. While their bioroid sisters are welcome at this
party, Mendou, the guards and Lan were warned to stay away. In the wake of
events in the previous story, Lum adamantly refused to attend a New Year's
party Mendou was holding at the Tarouzakura. In fact, the Oni publicly ripped
up the invitation in class two days ago. Refusing to celebrate the new year
with those she no longer considers true friends, she happily aided Ataru in
arranging the party at Oshika. To ensure that NOBODY unwelcome at this party
could possibly interfere, Komeru ordered his paramilitary forces to form a
defensive cordon around Oshika, with orders to shoot to kill. To prevent any
unwanted aliens (read Rei and Lan) from interfering, a mobile anti-ship
torpedo battery from the Royal Tritonian Defence Force is now set up on the
small island to the sea-side of Nicole's crystal palace.
Conversation is brisk as everyone exchanges stories about the previous
years' events. Aikyou is certain that within the week, Asuka will be fit
enough to return to public life. Ataru wonders if such a marriage could
possibly work given the latter's blind infatuation of Lum. Several other
handfastings have occurred since the last Senior Year Special: Nicole and
Mujanba McTavish, Tatsuko and Saiten Fujinami, Osooko and Hei Sakurambou and
Nintaiko and Donna Miyaki.
In addition, Ataru no longer had to worry about Kurama being a factor in
his life. In setting up Operation: Double-fall, Ataru arranged to have the
Tengu princess create a clone of himself which would be used as the "body" for
Nagisa to discover. This was partially to get Kurama to agree to cease
contemplating Ataru as a possible mate. It was also partially in response to
Kurama's vile insult of Hazel. When the Tengu visited Ataru, one can imagine
the shock she felt when she learned that a half-Ipraedies hybrid was a guest
in his home. Ataru was barely able to keep Kurama from tearing Hazel apart
(or should that be the other way around?...F.H.), then with a liberal
application of his *qu'f-piaqu'r's* buttstock, made the princess his unwilling
accomplice in executing Ataru's and Nagaiwakai's year-end joke on Tomobiki.
Kurama's departure is the topic of conversation between Mie and her
classmates. "At least we'll never have to see her again!" Ryuunosuke sighs.
"She's always been such a pain since she first came looking for a mate."
"Now, all we have to do is find a way to get rid of Lan," Momoe nods in
agreement. "Just because Lum'll be leaving in February doesn't guarantee that
airhead won't continue to be a pain in our collective backsides!"
"Amen to that," Kumiko snuggles to her fiance's side. "But come
February, I won't be living in that zoo."
A chorus of agreement echo from Momoe and Natsuko. "I wish I was as
lucky as you," Ryuunosuke shakes her head. "Given the way Dad throws money
away, we'll never get out of our apartment at Tomobiki High School!"
"Then why don't you live with us, sister?" Tatsuko leans on her elbows
beside Ryuunosuke. "Saiten-chan and I'll be happy to support you, Father and
Nagisa-kun if you decide to rebuild Hamajaya here."
"Now, there's an idea," Nagisa playfully kisses his fiancee on the
forehead. "We'd already have a clientele awaiting us!"
"Yeah!!" the tomboy laughs.
Nearby, Ataru and Lum share a toast with Nassur and Benten. "Here's to
never seeing Kurama again," the Terran sighs. "Good riddance to bad rubbish!"
"Amen to that!!" the Fukunokami chortles as they drink. "I wonder how
long it'll take her to find another schmuck so she can try to get her heir!"
"As long as it doesn't concern me, I don't care!" Ataru shakes his head.
"Here's also to being with people who *really* appreciate you for what
you are," the Oni toasts. "Not for what they try to make you into becoming."
"I can agree to that," the Vosian nods as they drink. "I'm surprised
that your other classmates caved in so easily."
"Well, I told them that both you and Dakejinzou-chan were here on *my*
orders to kill any of them should they try to harass Darling," Lum shrugs.
The hunters laugh. Ataru sighs, staring at his girlfriend. He had
taken a considerable risk when he helped his grandmother launch Operation:
Double-fall. However, deep down, Lum knew that Ataru was still alive. She
had gone through the proper motions in hopes of discovering what really befell
her Darling. Ataru hoped that Lum's willingness to sacrifice herself for him,
not to mention turning against her classmates to expose his "murderer," would
convince Nagaiwakai to finally accept the Oni as his future wife. Then again,
Ataru had no worries; if he married Lum, she would be automatically exempt
from the imposition of the United Nations' Resolution 444.
Ataru's train of thought is broken when the doorbell is heard. "I'll
get it!" Reiko yells as she runs to the door, then opens it. "Great-grandma!"
Nagaiwakai steps in. "Hello, Reiko-chan," the matriarch kneels to
receive her great-granddaughter's embrace. "Are you behaving yourself?"
The Noukiite readily nods as Ataru, Nokoko and Atako step up. "Hello,
everyone," Nagaiwakai beams as her grandchildren embrace her, then she stares
at Nassur. "Natsu-chan, are you behaving yourself?!" she coyly muses.
The Vosian hunter stammers, staring in shock at the twentyish-looking
Nagaiwakai. Her hair hangs loose, covering her ears. Benten looks upset as
the matriarch makes her way upstairs. "Shit, when Ataru said she was a flirt,
he wasn't kidding!" she mutters.
"Oh, Benten, stop complaining!" Hazel sighs. "Oba-chan doesn't mean any
harm! Beside, if she can accept Sensei, how long do you think it'll be before
she'll accept Lum-sensei?!"
"True," the huntress muses. "But, why **my** husband?!"
"Why do you think *I* fell in love with him?!" Dakejinzou hums.
Before anyone could say anything more, the doorbell rings again. "Who
could that be?!" Lum flies to the door. "Coming!"
She opens the door...and is deluged by a storm of hay!! "Hello?!!" a
flighty voice is heard. "Is there anyone home?!!"
"Help!!!" the Oni cries as she finds herself buried under a stack of
hay! "Darling!!! There's a visitor!!!"
"Mother?!!" Nagaiwakai gasps.
"Great-grandma?!!" Ataru, Atako and Nokoko yelp.
"'GREAT-GRANDMA?!?!?!'" the others exclaim.
Riding a mustang side-saddle into the living room is a beautiful brown-
haired woman resembling what Nagaiwakai could be when she is physically
thirty-four. Like her daughter, she wears her hair loose, covering her ears.
She is dressed in a beautiful kimono displaying a prairie scene with a herd of
stampeding horses. Slipping off her mount, she brushes herself off, then
smiles. "Oh, there you are, Nagai-chan. Am I too late for the party?"
"Um...not really, M-mother," Nagaiwakai giggles, then turns to everyone
else. "Everyone, this is my mother, Kimaenowakai Hana."
The guests respectfully bow. Nassur is frozen in place, staring in
disbelieving shock. "B-but...h-how...?" he stammers.
"It is to wonder," Benten disbelievingly shakes her head.
The Moroboshi children then introduce their lovers. Kimaenowakai stares
in confusion, then looks at Nagaiwakai. "Nagai-chan, have you been hiding
something from your poor, suffering mother?!"
"Wh-what do you mean, Mom?!" Nagaiwakai looks defensive.
"Since when did I get TWO great-granddaughters?!!" Kimaenowakai points
at Atako and Nokoko. "I clearly remember one!!"
"Um...that's a long story," her daughter chuckles.
The Hana clan matriarch then stares at Lum and Mal. Both sweat,
wondering if she, like her daughter, would immediately disapprove of their
presence. "Nagai-chan, there's something wrong with these two," Kimaenowakai
stares at her daughter. "Why do they have pine cones in their hair?!"
"'PINE-CONES?!?!?!'" Lum and Mal exclaim.
"And why did they dye it green?!" Kimaenowakai hisses. "Is this some
silly new fad?!"
Lum and Mal faint! "Um...no, Mom, it's natural...and those are horn-
buds," Nagaiwakai tries not to laugh. "You see, they're Onis."
Surprise crosses her mother's face. "Onis?!!"
Kimaenowakai stares anew at Lum and Mal. Both smile. The Hana clan
matriarch then leans back. "Well, that's their problem," she shrugs.
Ataru and Nokoko look relieved. Lum and Mal feel faint. "You have to
excuse Great-grandma," Atako chuckles, her face flushing. "She doesn't really
seem to understand things at times. She really doesn't mean any harm."
"Thank the gods I was created **normal**!" Shinoko sighs.
By that time, the first ray of dawn begins to shine through the picture
window. Everyone looks to the east to see the brilliant golden orb rise over
the horizon. They walk outside into the fresh air, sitting in groups to
observe the first sunrise of 1984. Lum and Ataru sit together with Reiko and
Nagaiwakai and Kimaenowakai. The Hana clan matriarch stares at her great-
grandson. "Well, at least one of you made it this far," Kimaenowakai sighs.
"Excuse me?!" he stares at his great-grandmother. "What do you mean
'one' of us, Great-grandma?! There's Nokoko-chan, remember...and now there's
Atako-chan, too!!"
"Mother?" Nagaiwakai looks concerned.
"That's enough, child," Kimaenowakai holds her hand up. "He has every
right to know this." She then stares at Ataru. "Ataru-chan, have you ever
wondered why your parents, no matter what else they want to do, always find
time to go to a Buddhist shrine every New Year's Day?"
Ataru and Lum blink. "I always found that strange," the Oni muses.
"So did I," her boyfriend looks ill. "Then again, they did too many
strange things for my tastes!" He stares at Kimaenowakai. "But, what...?!"
The Hana clan matriarch seems neutral. "Because, child, fifteen years
ago this day, your twin brother died."
An oppressive silence falls over the beach, broken only by the wind...
* * *
"I HAD A BROTHER?!?!?!" Ataru screams.
Moments after Kimaenowakai's revelation, the members of the Moroboshi
family plus their attendant lovers gather in the living room. The other
guests remain outside to grant them privacy. Disbelief is clearly on Ataru's
face. "Why was I never told of this?!!" he slams his fists into the table.
"Don't you think I would've liked to know about my brother?!!"
"Of course you would, Ataru-chan," Kimaenowakai sighs. "But, your
grandmother and I decided that we'd wait until you were mature enough so that
you could understand and comprehend what we told you."
Ataru looks down, then feels Lum's comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Then why didn't Mom or Dad told me about this?!" he stares at Nagaiwakai.
"Or hell, why didn't Komeru-oji-chan told me?! Why?!!"
"Why not?!" Nagaiwakai snorts, glaring at Lum. "Mother is correct. We
held off telling you about Kaeru-chan earlier until you were old enough to
comprehend what had happened. We would've liked to have told you last New
Years Day...but of course, that sow Kinshou would never allow it."
"Why?!!" Lum demands.
"Oh, haven't you come to understand that by now?!" Nagaiwakai sneers.
"Grandma, that's enough!!" Atako leaps between the matriarch and the
Oni. "Snapping at Lum-chan's not going to bring Kaeru back!"
Nagaiwakai relaxes. "Perhaps you are right, Atako-chan," she sighs,
standing. "Then again, if Kaeru never died, your brother would probably have
never had to put up to the antics which came in Lum's wake!"
The matriarch storms out of the room. "Grandma...?" Lum looks sad.
"Boy, is she thick or what?!" Shinoko shakes her head, whispering to
Mal. "Can't she see how much Lum loves Ataru-kun?!"
"Hush," the ex-Nendo-kata warns. "There is much disUnity Grandmother
has suffered, disUnity she believes my sister to be responsible. You must
grant her time to permit herself to forgive. Forcing Grandmother against her
will to accept Lum-chan will not serve the cause of Unity, Shinoko-chan."
"If you say so," the bioroid hesitantly nods.
Ataru faces Kimaenowakai. "What did Grandma mean by **that**?!"
"Isn't it obvious?!" the Hana clan matriarch muses. "You see, you were
slated from birth to take Nagai-chan's place as the leader of the clan.
Nokoko-chan would have replaced Komeru-chan as the chief of the clan's day-to-
day operations. Kaeru-chan, therefore, was left to develop in whatever way
Muchi-chan and Kinshou decided was best for him. He was their favourite
child. They doted on him, babied him, did everything for him. You and
Nokoko-chan rarely if ever received the proper amount of caring you should
have. Were it not for Nagai-chan or Komeru-chan stepping in when they did,
both of you would've not had much in the way of a happy childhood."
Ataru looks confused. "I didn't know I had a happy childhood."
"I certainly didn't!!" Nokoko snorts.
Kimaenowakai sighs. "Of course, if the chance offered itself, Nagai-
chan and Komeru-chan would've taken you out of that house as soon as possible.
In fact, it would've happened hadn't Kaeru-chan's...passing so distracted us."
Ataru blinks. "And after Kaeru died?!" Lum urges.
"Well, you know what happened to Nokoko-chan," Kimaenowakai stares at
her great-granddaughter. "As soon as possible, she was shipped off to Komeru-
chan and promptly forgotten by Muchi-chan and Kinshou."
Disbelief crosses Lum's face. "And Darling?!" she indicates Ataru.
"What could you expect?" Kimaenowakai sighs. "Kinshou didn't try to
care for him...while at the same time, she didn't want to let him go. If
Ataru-chan was taken away, she'd had nothing left. She pulled every dirty
trick in the book to keep Nagai-chan away from her grandson...while at the
same time, she gladly wished for the day she'd be forever rid of Ataru-chan."
"It...came to the point when I finally decided I didn't want to live
with her any more," Ataru shakes his head, continuing the tale. "I finally
decided I didn't need to put up to her abuse, so I'd leave on my own and go
live with Grandma. I would've done it, too."
"What stopped you?" Lum looks concerned.
He stares at her. "You came into my life."
"I...don't understand."
"Why do you believe my daughter loathes you?" Kimaenowakai sighs. "At
the time you moved to Tomobiki, Nagai-chan had almost succeeded in persuading
Kinshou to let Ataru-chan go. It would have been a pleasant arrangement for
all concerned. Your coming to Tomobiki put the kibosh on that. After all, if
Ataru-chan lived in Rishiri-tou, *you* would've lived with him..."
"And Ten-chan and I would've been living away from Darling's mother!"
Lum gasps, realization dawning on her face.
"That's right," the Hana clan matriarch nods. "Why did you think
Kinshou seemed so desperate to keep Ataru-chan in Tomobiki? Why she convinced
you to go all out to keep Ataru-chan in his personal dungeon? She cared for
you and your cousin...that was obvious. But you were linked to Ataru-chan.
If Ataru-chan left Tomobiki, you would go. She used you, Lum...and by all
appearances, you willingly supported Kinshou's side. And because of that, my
daughter may never find it within herself to forgive you."
The Oni shudders, trying to comprehend exactly what her future great-
grandmother-in-law just told her. Yes, there were times, where Ataru did
express a desire to leave Tomobiki. It was true that Ataru's mother persuaded
Lum to keep Ataru home. That urging made Lum believe that Kinshou loved her
son, her incessant "I wish I never had him" tirades notwithstanding. Lum had
believed it was the mental trauma of the *saikoo jinseijitsu's* emergence
which drove Ataru to sever connections with his parents. She never once
considered there really was NO love between Ataru and his parents.
Wrong. She never permitted herself to see that fact. Lum once accepted
that Ataru's parents were part of her "safety net," the band of people she
used to keep track of her Darling. Even after she admitted that she had tried
to dominate Ataru, Lum hoped that Ataru would at least try to reform some
connection with his parents. Kimaenowakai's revelation made the Oni realize
that there was NO relationship between Ataru and his parents. The legal
manoeuvring Ataru had done in "Sakura's Class Reunion" truthfully was a long-
overdue acceptance of what existed in the Moroboshi household.
"Darling, I'm sorry," she whispers, leaning into him.
"So am I," he sighs, gently stroking her hair. "I never realized it was
that idiot who was behind the times you stopped me from going to see Grandma.
It was times likes those when I really felt myself hating you, resenting you.
Believe me, if there were times I wanted to give you hell, they were it."
Lum nods. "I wouldn't've blamed you."
Seeing that they now wish to be alone, everyone else rises and steps out
of the living room. Once outside, Shinoko looks at Atako. "What do you think
will happen now?" she hugs herself. "Will Lum move here?"
"Maybe," Atako sighs. "She's got one month left in that zoo. Once
that's done, those morons in Tomobiki'll never see her again."
"A lot can happen," her bond-mate sighs. "Especially in Tomobiki."
"Unfortunately," Atako's eyes roll...
* * *
After the New Year's celebrations, everyone returns to their lives. For
Lum, that means returning to Tomobiki to attend her final month as a senior in
Tomobiki High School. However, the revelations about Kaeru have soured the
Oni's feelings towards the two people with whom she presently resides. They
quickly learn of her sudden change of mood, with the corresponding increase of
water usage thanks to numerous showers. Ten-chan's gentle inquiries earn him
a few ugly stares, convincing him to quickly drop the matter. Everyone else
in Tomobiki, with the exception of Mie and Koosei, quickly get the hint as
soon as they try to be friendly with the Oni. Immediately, blame is placed on
Ataru, which earns Mendou and the guards more detentions from Koosei.
One day, Lum marches home. The blazing heat around her causes all in
her way to withdraw. Out of nowhere, Mendou appears in his classmate's path.
"Lum-san, what a lovely day this is...urk!!!"
The scion of Japan's richest family cowers from the blazing stare Lum
gives him. "M-my, L-lum-san...are y-you still u-upset...?!"
"Upset?!" the Oni sneers, then turns to a gameshow spin wheel called THE
MOOD WHEEL, each slot marked with various emotional states. "Let's see," she
spins the wheel. "Mood Wheel, Mood Wheel, turn, turn, turn," she chants,
"...which mood shall I be to make this moron learn?!"
The arrow points at one entry. "'Incensed!!!'" Lum snaps, then faces
Mendou. "I'm incensed today, Mendou!!! NOW, GET LOST!!!!!!"
Mendou makes a hasty retreat. Behind the Oni, Shinobu and Mie stare in
disbelief. "Boy, she's still sore?!!" the Kyushu native gasps.
"After learning about what Ataru-kun's parents did to her, I don't blame
her!" Shinobu shudders. She learned about Kaeru from Shinoko and Nintaiko.
The Oni turns, glaring at her classmates. "What do you two want?!"
"Hey, don't give us that crap!" Mie marches up to her. "Doing it to
that jerk is okay, but remember that you have **real** friends here, too!!"
Lum looks contrite. "I'm sorry, Mie. After what Great-grandma told me
about Kaeru and what Darling's parents did behind my back, I feel so used!!"
"I don't blame you," Mie gently squeezes her classmate's shoulder.
"Just remember who are your real targets and who are innocent bystanders."
"I'll try," Lum nods. "Want some tea?"
The Terrans nod, following the Oni to the Moroboshi home. The three
stop just as they arrive at the front gate, aghast on seeing the front door
smashed in. "What the hell happened here?!!" Shinobu gasps.
"Lum-chan, Lum-chan!!!" Ten-chan flies out of the house.
"Ten-chan, what happened?!!" Lum looks relieved that her cousin is well.
"One of THEM is here!" the young Oni points inside.
"'Them?!'" Lum looks confused as the three teens walk inside. "What do
you mean, Ten-chan?!" she turns into the living room...then screams!
The living room looks as if the Unabomber had used it for target-
practice! Kinshou and Muchi are now crushed under the living room table, the
whole squashed against a wall!! What scares Lum, Ten-chan and Shinobu the
most is the giant man now sitting cross-legged by the window, dressed from
head-to-toe in a midnight-shaded ninja's uniform. What scares them more is
that the gentleman in question is even LARGER than Captain Invader, his build
making him a perfect candidate for sumo wrestling. "Ah," the man smiles under
his mask. "Welcome home, Youngest Mistress."
"Wh-who are y-you...?!" Mie stammers, then looks left and right to see
Lum, Shinobu and Ten-chan hiding behind her! "What's going on?!!"
The giant rises to his feet, then respectfully bows. "I am Tengeki,
leader of the Hana Sunin bodyguards protecting the Lady Kimaenowakai Hana."
"Y-y-you're Great-grandma's bodyguard...?!" Lum stammers, then
realization dawns on her face. "Oh, that's right! Darling's mother always
neighed whenever you people appeared!"
The giant seems to smile as he produces a small package. "I bear this
from the Youngest Master Ataru," he bows, handing it to Lum.
The Oni hesitantly takes the package. Everyone else stares at her.
"What is this, anyway...?" Mie turns back...then gasps. "Where'd he go?!!"
The other shiver on seeing him gone like the wind! "Wow!" Mie sighs.
"I hate it when they come and go like that!!" Shinobu stammers.
"Who is that guy, anyway?!" Mie looks curious.
Later, in Lum's room, the Oni explains. Tomobiki's first encounter with
the Sunin occurred shortly after their first encounter with Elle. When Ataru
was dragged to Uru to get married to Lum, he automatically rebelled and tried
to escape. Just as everyone moved to chase him down, a platoon of the giant
sumo-ninjas appeared. In quick order, they pounded EVERYONE into okonomiyaki,
then, after declaring Ataru's "engagement" to Lum null-and-void, escorted
their mistress' great-grandson to Earth! The next encounter came at the end
of the pseudo-war between the Mendous and the Mizunokoji in the wake of
Memory's first appearance. When Ataru was being chased by everyone after they
realized that their lives could go back to normal, a platoon of Sunin stepped
in the way. The last encounter came at the end of the Second Tag Race. When
everyone in Tomobiki tried to "express" their anger over Ataru's and Lum's
spat, a COMPANY of Sunin stepped in.
At every encounter, no one could learn where the sumo-ninjas came from.
Inquiries with Ataru's mother proved useless since she neighed every time the
Sunin appeared. Any powers or skills the Sunin's victims possessed...Benten's
combat skills and machine gun, Oyuki's cold-generating powers, Lan's bazookas,
Shinobu's strength, Rei's polymorphing powers, even Lum's lightning...were
useless. If they did not crush you by their mass, their own dread arsenal
made people's lives exciting...in a very painful, almost terminal, way; every
encounter with the Sunin sent people to the hospital for up to two weeks!
At the end of Lum's recounting, Mie nods to the package. "Aren't you
going to open that?" she muses.
In seconds, a beautiful stuffed doll in Ataru's image lies in the Oni's
hands. He is depicted dressed in a sleeved Sagussan jumpsuit. "A doll of
Darling?!" Lum muses, then sees a note in the box. Picking it up, she reads.
"'Dear Lum-chan. As you can guess, I haven't been feeling good since Great-
grandma told me about my brother. I'm not going to let that stop me...and I
won't say 'I told you so' since even *I'm* surprised by what those two morons
did behind our backs. Still, I can't wait for us to be finally together when
this month is over with. Here's a little something to keep you company when
you're forced to suffer the presence of idiots...your Darling.'"
With a squeal, Lum hugs the doll. Mie, Shinobu and Ten-chan smile...
* * *
Next morning, Lum meets with Mie. "'Morning!" the Oni waves.
"'Morning," the Kyushu native smiles as Lum lands beside her. "Ready
for the final month of classes?"
"Naturally," Lum smiles. "One more month of ignoring Megane's and
Mendou's tirades, then I can bid this place a not-so-affectionate farewell!"
"Lucky you," Mie sighs, wondering again as she sees the Ataru doll in
Lum's shirt pocket if she should finally reveal to the Oni her connection to
Sagussa. "Well, who knows what this new year'll bring to us."
"I'm counting on a walk down the aisle," Lum laughs.
"Just as long as I get to be your maid-of-honour!" Mie warns.
"Deal!!" the Oni laughs.
Walking several metres back is Shinobu. She intently watches Lum and
Mie banter like they were lifelong friends. Ataru's ex-girlfriend sighs as
she gazes on the clear sky overhead, her thoughts recounting a diary entry:
"...and so another day begins with the daily tired march to
classes. Few at school seem to understand that a new year has
dawned, new possibilities loom on the horizon. Those that do look
forward to a coming marriage, moving to a new city, beginning a
life which no longer orbits around Tomobiki. Or should that be
'around Lum?' So much has happened since her arrival.
"Ataru-kun's departure from Tomobiki should have warned us
of what was coming. We deceived ourselves in thinking that the
carnival our lives had become would never end. How foolish, how
immature we were. Many now openly speak of the time when Lum
would leave Tomobiki, go to Oshika and marry Ataru-kun. They no
longer heed Megane's and Mendou-san's tirades, having finally seen
how mindless, how childish, they really were.
"Is this growing up? Is this what happens when one lets go
of the past and looks forward to the future? I once actually
believed nothing would change, actually wished that nothing would
change, that all would remain frozen in time. Our class now
counts four people who are officially engaged to marry. One is by
all intents and purposes engaged. Another is working avidly for
the day when she will marry. The remainder hover between giving
in to the tide and seeking to find their place in the world...or,
try desperately to cling to past glories...
Shinobu's train of thought is interrupted when she walks right into
Lum's back! "Hey!!!" the Terran exclaims. "What the...?!"
"Shinobu?!" the Oni looks back.
Shinobu looks first at Lum, then Mie, noticing both have stopped.
"What's wrong?!" she looks back at Lum.
"Look," Mie nods down the street.
Shinobu looks...to see a man walking down the street several metres
ahead. "That's Ataru-kun!" she hums.
"That's not Ataru-chan," Mie warns. "His walk's more regimented.
Further, have you ever seen him wear those clothes...much less pack a gun?"
"Are you sure that's a gun?!" Lum looks worried.
"I think so," Mie nods. "Let's follow him."
Nodding, the three proceed in review order. As they trail him, they
notice his face turning left and right, taking in the details around him.
"He's got a goatee," the Oni whispers. "Darling has a full beard."
"And there's that dimple on his cheek," Shinobu hisses.
"My point exactly," Mie nods. "He's not Niphentaxian, but that still
doesn't answer the question as to who he is."
The three continue to follow the stranger. Ahead of them, Kaeru glances
back. The three in his wake had expressed curiosity, but had yet decided to
initiate contact. While continuing his exploration, he would await their
decision. He then stops, sensing a presence ahead. Focusing, he stares upon
two gargantuan humanoids. "Oh, no!!" Lum gasps. "The Franken twins!"
The Frankens glare at Kaeru. "Moroboshi, eh?!" the first twin sneers.
"We've been looking all over for you!!"
"It's not nice to ignore when other people wanna talk to ya!" the second
twin cracks his knuckles.
Kaeru remains neutral. "I did not believe my presence would cause
offense. Very well. I shall depart."
He turns to leave, but the twins double around to face him. "Hold it,
you!!!" the first growls. "You ain't goin' noplace!!"
"Then I shall remain," Kaeru acknowledges.
"Good!!!" the second snarls. "'Cause there're some people who ain't
pleased about what you pulled on people sometime ago!!"
Confusion hints in Kaeru's eyes. "At what exact time did I reportedly
commit this offense against the sentients native to this habitation?"
"Six days ago, ya creep!!!" the first snaps.
The Nagussan engineer considers that information. "You are in error."
"What?!!" both Franken twins snap.
"Six Earth-revolutions ago, I was departing Nagussa aboard my cruiser,
the Nagussan Defence Force Ship 'Ganshiki.' I was not on Earth."
"Ever heard of that place?" Mie stares at Lum.
Lum rapidly shakes her head. Presently, the twins are so steamed, they
could chew neutronium. "Look," the first snarls. "We may not be the swiftest
people around, but we know ya when we see ya...and here ya are!!!"
"Then you have my condolences," Kaeru sighs.
"What condolences?!!" the second snaps.
"For your lack of intelligence," the Nagussan innocently replies.
The Franken twins faint! Shinobu shakes her head while Lum and Mie slap
their foreheads. Storming to their feet, the twins look incensed. "Oh, so ya
wanna insult us, eh?!!" the first snarls. "Get ready for a bruising!!!"
"You wish to initiate hostilities?" one of Kaeru's eyebrows rise.
"What do ya think?!!" the second chuckles.
"As you wish."
His right hand drops beside his pants' bulge. It suddenly melts away,
revealing a large particle pistol. With a snap-draw which would impress Wyatt
Earp, Kaeru aims and fires! As the Franken twins pass out, Kaeru returns his
pistol to its holster. "Do not interfere in my exploration again, sentients.
Should you consider otherwise, I will immediately terminate your existences."
Behind him, Lum, Mie and Shinobu are aghast. "That was quick!!!" the
Kyushu native gasps, her jaw scraping the floor.
"Is that really Ataru-kun?!!" Shinobu stares at Lum. "Could that be
another personality developing?!!"
"I hope not!!" the Oni shudders. "Dealing with the Cyborg and the
*saikoo jinseijitsu's* enough for me, thank you!!"
The three girls follow Kaeru. The Nagussan engineer turns down the
street passing in front of Tomobiki High School. Already arriving are many
students, among them Mendou and the guards. The scion of Japan's richest
family tenses as Kaeru approaches, then with a banzai yell, leaps at the
Nagussan, drawing his katana. "Moroboshi, you bastard...!!!"
Kaeru remains inhumanly calm as his eyes note the oncoming attack. His
pistol clears its holster as it bears on Mendou's blade. A second later, the
katana, warped by the impact from Kaeru's gun, drops to the ground many metres
away from its master!! Everyone freezes as they stare disbelievingly at the
sight of Mendou now powerless, facing the business end of Kaeru's pistol.
"Explain your actions, sentient," the Nagussan icily demands.
Mendou stares at Kaeru, then straightens himself. "Forgive me, sir," he
lightly bows. "I believed you to be someone else. Excuse me."
"What?!!" Lum flies up to Mendou. "You could tell that's not Darling!!"
"Of course, Lum-san," the scion of Japan's richest family smiles as he
indicates Kaeru's features. "Look at those clear, intelligent eyes! A clean
face! Iron discipline in his mouth! He's well exercised! The demeanor of a
warrior...not the total moron Moroboshi is!!"
Lum icily glares at Mendou. "Keep it up, idiot!!! I just might arrange
that you won't marry anyone...because you'll be DEAD!!!!"
"You desire this sentient terminated?" Kaeru inquires.
"Yes, please!!" Lum wishfully claps her hands.
"Very well," Kaeru aims and fires!
Mendou screams in mortal terror as he dodges the incoming bolts, running
to the safety of the school. "Unfortunate," Kaeru stares at his pistol. "My
targeting sights must be misaligned. I rarely miss a moving target."
"Oh, do you want your sights realigned?" Lum inquires.
"It would be logical," Kaeru nods.
The Oni moves to grab Megane. "Here! Use him as a target!!"
"Lum-san?!!" the guards' leader wails as he dodges her hand, then runs
away as quickly as his legs could take him.
Kaeru seems fascinated. "He seems unwilling to provide himself as a
target. I would have not terminated him."
"You might have to reconsider that line of thinking," Mie warns.
Kaeru considers the matter. "If you believe that is logical, then I
shall pursue such consideration immediately."
The other guards gag as they quickly withdraw, thus allowing the
school's female population to gather around Kaeru. Finally able to stare at
Ataru's brother from close range, Shinobu feels her cheeks flushing. *He's
cute!!* she gasps. *He's cuter than Ataru-kun, Mendou-san, Inaba-kun and
Nassur-kun put together!!! Lucky me!!*
Kaeru stares inquisitively at her. "Is there a problem, sentient?"
Shinobu is presently in the grip of a fantasy where she and Kaeru are
behaving like a typical married couple, with a loving home, children and, of
course, spending as much time as possible in each other's arms. Noticing her
dazed look, Kaeru turns to Lum. "This sentient appears to be malfunctioning."
Shinobu utters a romantic sigh. "I'll malfunction for you anytime...!"
"You actually desire to malfunction?" he blinks. "How illogical."
* * *
To be continued...
Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "My Darlings United" Part 2
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
IN THE FIRST PART OF "MY DARLINGS UNITED," fifteen years ago, Ataru's twin
brother Kaeru was believed killed after a fatal fall from a cliff. Today,
Ataru and Lum celebrate the coming of 1984 with their friends when his great-
grandmother Kimaenowakai Hana visits to inform him of Kaeru. Lum soon
realizes how much Ataru's parents had manipulated her to keep Ataru in
Tomobiki. After she has returned to Tomobiki, Lum immediately isolates
herself from her classmates and so-called "friends." Ataru sends her a doll
in his image to keep her company during her final month in Tomobiki High
School. The next morning, Lum, Shinobu and Mie encounter Kaeru, presently
exploring the streets of Tomobiki. After watching him nearly kill the Franken
twins, they trail him to school, where he has a brief encounter with Mendou.
**** **** ****
Thus...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Kaeru is brought into room 337. "Ryooki-sensei!!!" Lum calls out as she
follows the Nagussan inside.
Koosei turns, then stops on seeing Kaeru. "Who's this, Lum?!"
"We found him on the street today," the Oni explains. "Have you ever
heard of a planet called Nagussa?!"
The homeroom teacher thinks for a moment. "Have I heard of a planet
named Nagussa?! Have **I** heard of a planet named Nagussa?!"
Everyone intently stares at him. "HAVE I heard of a planet named
Nagussa?!" Koosei hums. "Nope."
Everyone faints! "It is logical for you to conclude that," Kaeru nods.
"Why?!" Mie looks confused.
Turning to the blackboard, Kaeru draws a circle. "This is a crude
representation of this galaxy." He divides the circle into four parts. "We
divide the galaxy into representational quadrants as a means of locating
ourselves." He draws an 'X' outside the galaxy on the line dividing the upper
quadrants. "My home planet, Nagussa, is located in a stellar cluster at this
point." He draws a second 'X' in the middle of the lower left quadrant.
"This is the location of Earth relative to our locating system."
"Th-that's on the other side of the galaxy...in a stellar cluster
OUTSIDE the Galactic Barrier?!!" Koosei stares disbelievingly at the Nagussan.
"It would take us centuries just to get **to** the Barrier at that point..."
he gestures at the galactic border closest to Nagussa, "...but then, there's
the problem of getting THROUGH the Barrier!!"
"That seems logical given the primitive technology the races surrounding
this world exhibit," Kaeru muses.
"Hey!!!" Lan looks incensed. "Who're you calling 'primitive,' you
walking computer?!!"
Shinobu bashes Lan with the teacher's desk! "Don't be insulting!!!"
"Uh-oh!" Momoe mutters. "Looks like Shinobu's found another guy!!"
"That's a relief! It'll spare us from telling her that Nassur married
Benten," Kumiko hisses.
"I speak the truth," Kaeru faces Lan. "Your ships are surprisingly
incapable of excellerating beyond galactic escape velocity, a goal Nagussa
reached fifty millennia ago. By this time, the more advanced of your races
should have easily penetrated the Barrier. What is the logic of delay?"
"Why're you asking me?!!" Lan looks defensive. "I'm no warp engineer!!"
"How unfortunate," Kaeru muses. "All Nagussans are knowledgeable in
both basic and advanced warp dynamics. Your collective races have not even
reached a proper understanding of basic warp dynamics."
"W-well, give us enough time to c-catch up, there!" Lum interrupts,
hoping to avoid a fight between the Nagussan and Lan.
To no avail. "Well, forgive us for living!!!" Lan snarls as she
produces a bazooka...
...and is promptly shot by Kaeru, then belted in the head by Koosei's
hundred tonne hammer, then for good measure buried under the teacher's desk by
Shinobu!!! "YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!" Shinobu howls, her eyes glowing with
rage. "You won't be told again, you airhead!!!"
"And that's another week for you, Lan!!" Koosei turns away.
The Seishin girl moans. "Hey, Shinobu," Ryuunosuke taps her classmate
on the shoulder. "Even if you've got a crush on him, you forgot something!"
Shinobu looks horrified. "I DID?!?!?!" she gasps, then leaps on
Ryuunosuke, ferverently shaking the tomboy. "What did I forget?!! What?!!
WHAT?!?!?! ***WHAT?!?!?!***"
"You don't know his name," the tomboy stammers.
An explosion occurs!! "Um...what is your name, anyway?!" Lum wonders.
"My official designation is Engineer-second Kaeru ryi'Kouhae-Raikue,
social registry code C-1515-H," he automatically iterates. "I am the second
engineer officer assigned to the Nagussan Defence Force Ship 'Ganshiki.'"
Those who attended Ataru's New Year's party freeze, staring in shock and
disbelief at the Nagussan. "Um...this may be an illogical question, but have
you had any prior designation before the one you possess now?" Mie gently
inquires. "Say...fifteen Earth-standard solar revolutions ago?"
Kaeru nods. "You are correct. My self-designation at that time was
Kaeru Moroboshi."
Jaws hit the floor at those words! "'Kaeru...MOROBOSHI?!?!?!'" Mendou
exclaims. "He's related to Moroboshi?!!"
"He's...Ataru's twin brother," Koosei shakes his head.
"Ataru's supposedly **dead** twin brother!!" Mie emphasizes.
"He doesn't look dead to us," Momoe muses.
"You mean...there actually is TWO of them?!" Megane exclaims, eyes wide.
"What a hideous thought!!" Kakugari gasps.
"Worry not!!!" Mendou snap-draws his katana. "In a moment, he shall be
a head shorter...!!!"
A second later, the scion of Japan's richest family undergoes what Lan
just suffered!!! "THAT INCLUDES YOU, TOO, YOU SNOB!!!!!!" Shinobu roars.
"And one more week for Mendou," Koosei notes in a very large notebook
entitled CLASS 3-4 DISCIPLINE RECORDS.
"D-darling's b-brother...!" Lum stammers, feeling her legs go under her.
"D-darling's b-brother...i-is...a-alive...?!"
The Oni passes out! "What a curious response," Kaeru muses.
* * *
Moments later, Lum's eyes open. She is now in the nursing station.
Sakura looks worried. "Are you alright?"
"Oooh...*datcha*!" Lum moans as she sits up. "I just had this crazy
dream that Darling's dead brother came back to life."
"What is the logic of her stating my life force should be terminated?" a
familiar voice inquires.
Turning pale, Lum spins around to see Kaeru standing near her.
"YOU?!?!?!" the Oni leaps into the air, backing away in disbelief and shock.
"I believe Lum has recovered," Sakura muses, then turns to Kaeru.
"Would you lay down here, please."
"Very well," Kaeru sits on the examination table, then lies back.
The nurse begins her examination. Everyone observes Kaeru's immediate
response to Sakura's commands, quickly noticing the total lack of emotion he
exhibits. "I'd swear he was an android, the way he acts!" Lan hisses.
"Or someone raised by machines," Mie muses. "That's a possibility."
"What do you know?! You're just a country bumpkin!" Lan sneers.
"I know much more that **you** ever will, airhead!!" Mie snorts.
Before Lan could retaliate, she finds herself facing Koosei. "Behave
yourself Lan, or it's a **month's** detention!!!"
"She started it...!!" Lan gasps...
...then gets a thousand-tonne hammer!! "A likely story!" Koosei snaps.
Lan moans. "What a thoroughly illogical creature," Kaeru notes.
"She can't help herself," Lum groans.
"She should be terminated if she continues to malfunction in this
matter," the Nagussan warns.
"Be our guest!!" the Oni looks sick.
Lan pales, then quickly makes herself scarce. "There!" Sakura nods.
"All done. You can step down, now."
Kaeru nods as he slips off the table. "What did you find?" Koosei hums.
"He's a normal, quite healthy teenager of eighteen years," the nurse
reports. "However, that doesn't match what Sensei once told me about Kaeru.
He suffered from incessant childhood bouts of asthma and bronchitis. In this
man, there's no sign of any disease within him."
"Understandable," Kaeru interrupts. "When my parents moved to prevent
my life functions from prematurely terminating, they transported me to a
Tagofu medical satellite. It was there, while the repairs to my damaged
internal systems were ongoing, that my initial genetic defects were detected,
then permanently eliminated."
"Couldn't you say a doctor saved your life and cured your asthma?!"
Ryuunosuke dumfoundedly shakes her head.
Kaeru considers the matter. "I did."
Everyone faints! "Did you swallow a computer?!!" Momoe gasps.
"To do as you propose would be illogical, not to mention potentially
fatal to the proper daily maintenance of my internal systems," Kaeru blinks,
wondering what planet Momoe came from to propose something that idiotic.
"There he goes again!!" Kumiko incomprehensively shakes her head.
"Hold it!!" Lum holds up her hands, then faces Kaeru. "Kaeru-chan, what
type of people were responsible for transporting you from Earth to Nagussa?"
"Androids," he responds.
Everyone faints! The Oni blinks. "Excuse me?! Did you say...?!"
"Androids," he repeats.
Everyone stares in disbelief at him. "You were raised by machines?!!"
Ryuunosuke gasps.
"Now, **I've** heard it all!!!" Koosei shakes his head.
"Any last words?!" Mie flashes Lan a triumphant smile.
Lan grumbles. "B-but...are there...any sentient hominoid organics...on
your planet?!" Lum stammers.
"Except myself," Kaeru muses, "...no."
Everyone stands there, trying to comprehend in her own way what type of
world Kaeru comes from. "So...why have you come here?!" Sakura points down.
The Nagussan sighs. "As you may understand, with the absence of
compatible female organics, I have no one with whom to...mate. After many
attempts with the known organic races in sectors known to the Republic, I came
to the only logical solution possible: proceed to the point of my initial
creation and seek a mate from those who would be compatible. Logically, they
are all here," he gestures to the females present.
Embarrassment crosses Sakura's face at his blatant honesty. "Um...yes,
I can see that," she looks over...to see Shinobu hugging one of Kaeru's arms.
"And by the looks of it, you've got yourself a volunteer."
Kaeru stares at Shinobu, then nods. "It appears you may be correct."
Instantly, Mendou moves to drag Shinobu away. "Shinobu-san, you must
stay away from him!!!" the scion of Japan's richest family gasps. "You cannot
have children with him!!! Your children will be living robots!!!"
His former girlfriend glares at him. "I don't KNOW you!!" she sneers.
Mendou is frozen in place as Shinobu yanks her arm away. "S-she...s-she
r-rejected m-me...?!" he stammers, then straightens, snapping his fingers.
A second later, a servant appears. "Yes, Young Master?!"
"Bring the equipment," Mendou orders.
In minutes, Mendou kneels in the hallway, now dressed in samurai undress
robes, a wakuzashi in hand. The servant holds his master's katana in hand.
"What is the logic of his proceeding to self-terminate?" Kaeru inquires.
"It's not logical," Lum sighs, "...but he won't be missed!"
"Amen to that!!" Megane snorts.
The Oni icily glares at the guards. "Neither will **you**!!!"
The four boys cower as Lum storms away...
* * *
"What a curious, destructive culture which exists on this world," Kaeru
muses as he, Shinobu and Lum leave the school for the Oni's scout. Lum and
Shinobu were given the day off to escort Kaeru to Oshika to meet his brother
and sisters. Shinobu gently hugs Kaeru's arm, gazing lovingly on Ataru's
brother. "Your capacity for violence is quite remarkable."
"All the races in this quadrant have long gone through ugly, violent
stages in their development," Lum muses. "My people underwent their
unification trial when another race invaded my world a millennium ago. It was
only two centuries ago when the Houses the Seifukusu imposed on us were
finally abolished and the present union government created. Earth's still got
some way to go before it's in the clear. Many are hopeful. You do come from
a race of survivors, Kaeru-chan."
"Fascinating," the adopted Nagussan muses. "The organic race which
preceded those who presently reside on Nagussa never evolved such self-
destructive tendencies. Their demise came with the injection of a terminal
virus similar to what is addressed as HIV on Earth. When the Fourth
Republic's female population was eradicated, the males, feeling a desire not
to continue, allowed themselves to naturally perish."
"How tragic!" Shinobu gasps.
Lum blinks. A Fourth Republic of Nagussa? "Did they call themselves
*Nagussa-oisen'a*?!" she inquires.
Kaeru blinks. "You speak Sagussan?" he stares at Lum.
"I'm learning it," the Oni blushes.
"You are almost correct," the adopted Nagussan nods. "In our language,
the term is *Nag'sa-ahysui'a*. Is that a Tere'na accent you possess?"
"That's the one my bond-mate has, yes," Lum nods, thanking her lucky
stars that Shinobu is so lovestruck over Kaeru, she would not get curious. "I
just found it surprising that both Nagussa and Sagussa have had four
civilizations to date. Darling...your brother...and I are soon to help the
*daishi'cha* commence work on Sagussa's Fifth Republic. Did your Fourth
Republic have any contact with Sagussa's Fourth Republic?"
"Intermittently," Kaeru muses. "Our predecessors found yours insanely
violent. It was at the time of Sagussa's War of Clone Rights. Their
influence in this sector is utterly appalling. No race was left unmarked."
Lum looks surprised. "So, you can emote!" she hums.
"Yes, I can...I believe," Kaeru nods. "However, I have had little
requirement to practice speaking in the dimension where you are comfortable
expressing yourself. I suspect if Shinobu continues her advances, I shall
possess ample opportunity to gain considerable practice."
The Oni giggles. "You better watch yourself, Kaeru-chan! If every girl
found out how honest you are, you'll have to beat them back with a club!!"
"What is the logic of striking females who merely desire companionship?"
Kaeru looks confused.
Lum catches herself from falling over. Suddenly, the three stop on
hearing someone run up to them. "Lum-chan!!" Nokoko gasps.
"Nokoko-chan!" the Oni looks shocked. "What's wrong?!"
The elder Moroboshi child stops, then blinks on seeing Kaeru. "Oh,
there you are, Ataru-chan!" she gasps. "You had us all worried sick...eh?!"
she stops, leaning close to gaze into Kaeru's eyes. "K-k-Kaeru-chan...?!" she
stammers, backing a step away. "Y-y-you're a-a-alive...?!!"
"Lum, why does everyone believe my life-force has been terminated?"
Kaeru stares at the Oni.
"Um...long story," Lum blushes, then turns to Nokoko. "What's wrong,
Nokoko-chan?! You look upset!"
Nokoko shakes herself out of her shocked stupor, then faces Lum. "It's
the worse sort of news!" she gasps.
Tomobiki then echoes with Lum's scream. "***DARLING'S MISSING?!?!?!***"
"That's right!!" Ataru's sister nods. "We were in Ishinomaki shopping.
I lost track of him, then when I turned around, he was gone! We've torn
Ishinomaki and Oshika apart looking for him but..." she helplessly shrugs.
A pained look crosses Lum's face. "Darling's...missing?! But how?!"
"And who's responsible," Shinobu notes.
Kaeru considers the question. "Nokoko, would you transport me to the
location where you last noted Ataru's presence. Perhaps I will be able to
discover who has absconded with him."
"O-okay," Nokoko nods, still shocked. "B-but...how is it you're still
alive?! You were quite dead by everyone's recounting!"
Kaeru stares at Lum. "Lum, why is it everyone believes my life-force
should be terminated?"
"Um...let's get my ship and I'll explain it to you on our way to
Oshika," the Oni muses.
"Very well."
* * *
Lum's scout rockets from Tomobiki. On the bridge, everyone relaxes.
Kaeru is busy examining the computer systems. Shinobu, naturally, is
examining Kaeru from a not-so-discreet distance. Observing this, Nokoko leans
at Lum. "Since when did she take interest in Kaeru-chan?" she whispers.
"Since she got a good look at him," the Oni hisses. "I think it's a
good sign. We don't have to tell her about Nassur-chan marrying Benten."
Both are then surprised to hear someone laugh. "What's so funny, Kae-
kun?" Shinobu muses.
Kaeru turns to her, pointing at the pachinko-board like machine Lum uses
as her primary computer system. "Is this your ship's central processor?" he
snickers, trying desperately to regain a sense of decorum.
"That's right," Lum nods. "What about it?!"
Kaeru loses control of himself in a spasm of giggles. "It is...the most
primitive machine...I have ever examined...!" he howls, dropping to his knees.
"It does not...even posses...a decent ODN interface...!!"
Shinobu giggles. Lum is unsure whether or not to let the Nagussan's
comments pass. "*Hey!!!*" the computer suddenly activates, its lights angrily
flashing. "*No need to get insulting!!*"
Kaeru stops laughing, staring anew at the machine. "It appears,
however, that the device's artificial intelligence program is remarkably
advanced," he muses. "Such a dichotomy is most illogical."
If the computer could blush, it would! "W-well, it s-serves me enough!"
Lum chuckles. "Anyhow, we've got some time before we get to Oshika. Kaeru-
chan, why don't you explain to us how exactly you came to live on Nagussa."
"Very well," Kaeru nods as everyone sits in a circle. He then produces
a very thin device which could serve as his wallet. Pressing a control
button, Kaeru then extracts a picture, from the device's side. He presents
the picture to Lum. "My parents, Kouhae and Raikue."
Lum looks. The picture is of two women, both statuesque beauties with
artistically sculptured faces. On the Oni's left is a pale-skinned woman with
shoulder-blade length brown hair styled with spiked bangs, twisted sides and a
long straight mass down the back. Her brown-black eyes sparkle with vast
intelligence immediately reminding Lum of Noa-chan. She is dressed in a
highly decorated silver Nagussan jumpsuit bearing hieroglyphs indicative of a
high-ranked official. Her mate is a dark-skinned woman slightly taller than
the first, clearly still of the same race. Her black hair is styled in a
left-side pulled-back cascade of curls. She has chocolate brown eyes, also
bearing a very intelligent glint. Her uniform is less decorated than her
mate's. "*Tcha*!!!" the Oni gasps, not believing that these are Kaeru's
parents. "They're the most beautiful women I've ever seen!!"
Nokoko and Shinobu stare over her shoulders for a closer look. "Gods,
they're gorgeous!!!" the former drools. "Did I just die and go to Heaven?!!"
"This is Kouhae," he indicates the pale-skinned woman. "She is my
mother. She also serves as Nagussa's Defence Minister. And this is Raikue,"
he indicates Kouhae's mate. "Her...relationship to Mother would be difficult
to describe to your races with your stratified mating rituals..."
"On Sagussa, she would be considered your *mashi'cha*," Lum muses.
"What's that?!" Shinobu looks confused.
"Mother's bond-mate," Lum translates.
"Exactly," Kaeru nods. "Raikue serves as a thoughtmistress in our
capital city. They have been a couple since they were first activated."
An admiring Lum sighs. "Oh, they're so beautiful. But...how did they
find you? Does your race come often to this quadrant?"
"Negative," Kaeru sits back. "In fact, before fifteen Earth-standard
solar revolutions ago, Nagussans never considered exploring this quadrant.
Our galaxy has been traditionally divided into Nagussan and Sagussan sectors
of influence. Neither race sought to interfere in the other's sphere of
influence. Fifteen solar revolutions ago, Mother and Raikue were serving as
officers aboard one of our deep-space exploration cruisers. They stumbled
onto a wormhole connecting a Nagussan sector with Earth's sector. When they
made landfall, they decided not to waste the opportunity. First contacting
the race on the largest satellite of the eighth planet of this system, they
proceed to explore Earth. It was in one away party that Mother and Raikue
discover the accident which befell me."
Lum nods, remembering a tale Oyuki told her of her people encountering
representatives from a highly advanced world. Although the princess was too
young to remember it, her parents would obviously remember Kaeru's parents.
"I'll ask Oyuki-chan about this," she waves the picture of Kouhae and Raikue.
"Very well," Kaeru nods.
"But, how the hell did they get into the hospital to get you out?!"
Nokoko urges. "That's something that's bugged Grandma for a long time!"
"Permit me to elaborate the events prior to that point of time," her
brother interrupts. "When Mother first came upon me, she was initially
inclined permit the local society to deal with my problem. However, as she
witnessed my suffering, Mother had what a Majujjou philosopher later proposed
was a change of heart. She...took pity on me. After...convincing..." a smile
tugs his mouth, "...Raikue of her logic, they trailed me until I was alone in
the medical centre, then...extracted me."
"Exactly how did she do that?!" Nokoko's eyebrow rises to her bangs.
"If Raikue-oba-chan's a philosopher, she would object to her mate's plan."
"Actually," Kaeru tries to keep himself from laughing, still finding
this tale amusing, "...Mother had a seduction planned for Raikue as soon as
they made landfall. It is...tradition among my people, to express one's most
desired emotions on reaching a strange field. Mother's relationship with
Raikue had reached the point where both logically concluded they could not
continue as a couple. My...problem, in essence, saved their relationship."
The three women stare incredulously at the Nagussa. "For a race of
androids, they sure are a passionate people!!" Lum gasps.
"Quite correct," Kaeru nods. "Nagussans are capable of expressing
emotion whenever it suits them, much like organic hominoid races elsewhere.
They simply choose not to expend so much energy in expressing emotion unless
circumstances force an emotional response."
"They're like the Vulcans," Shinobu muses.
"I am unaware of that race," Kaeru hums.
"They probably don't get 'Star Trek' where he comes from," Nokoko adds.
"Never mind," Lum interrupts. "So you were taken from Earth, taken to a
place where your wounds and diseases were cured, then moved to Nagussa. How
did your people take your coming? Did they...object?"
"Quite vociferously," Kaeru sighs. "Mother's action was...shocking.
She had to martial all her logic to convince the Republic General Assembly to
allow her to become my parent. They finally concluded that since Mother was
suffering a non-threatening malfunction, the Assembly acquiesced to her
desires. However, no one has to date followed Mother's example."
"That doesn't surprise me," Lum sighs. "What your mother did, kind as
it was, would be considered a gross violation of the Non-Interference Treaty
were any citizen of the Federation discovered kidnapping people from Earth."
"Is not your presence a violation of this treaty?" Kaeru hums.
Lum sighs. "The jury's still out on that. My people came here out of a
sense of obligation to the people of Earth. If we didn't come, another race,
the Ipraedies, would've probably invaded Earth."
"A sense of obligation?" the Nagussan is curious. "Continue."
"Well, I told you about the Seifukusu Dominion and what they did to
Uru," the Oni sighs. "When the Liberation came, we found ourselves stripped
of our society, our culture, our very sense of self. All we had left were the
Houses the Dominion imposed on us. That lasted for centuries. During that
time, we were drawn to try to discover some other place where we could form
some sort of emotional attachment. The one place which finally intrigued us
was the one planet which was spared invasion by the Dominion...Earth."
"Really?!" Shinobu gasps, quite fascinated by Lum's tale.
"Yes," Lum nods. "It became a fad on Uru to replicate Earth patterns of
behaviour, Earth fashions, Earth philosophy and culture. We saw your nation-
states as equivalent to our Houses, their wars of conquest not so different
from Houses competing for precious resources or a potential colony."
"When did this state of affairs cease?" Kaeru muses.
"Almost two centuries ago," Lum sighs. "It was the time of Earth's
American and French Revolutions. Could you imagine the shock we felt when we
watched common people rise up against their lords, overthrow them and impose
their own rule without any remnants of the old feudal structure in place?"
The Terrans are surprised. "Wow!" Nokoko whistles. "For once, little
old Earth actually has some influence with another world!"
The Oni blushes. "That's why we felt compelled to come to Earth when
the noise the Ipraedies were making about invading became too loud. That's
the reason I feel so comfortable living here, as do Ten-chan and Lan-chan. In
a sense, Earth's really not so different from Uru."
"I never thought of it that way," Shinobu muses...
* * *
Sometime later, Lum's scout lands in the parking lot of a department
store in Ishinomaki. Awaiting them is Mal and Reiko. "Beloved, Sister!!" the
Nendo-kata waves as the scout's passengers disembark. "There you are...eh?!"
she stops on seeing Kaeru. "Who is this?!"
Nokoko walks up. "Believe it or not, Mal-chan, this is my brother
Kaeru. Kaeru-chan, my mate and Lum's sister, Mal."
"That's my uncle?!!" Reiko gasps. "Isn't he supposed to be dead?!!"
Kaeru and Mal gaze upon the other. "A Nendo-kata?" the former gasps.
"A Nagussan?!" the latter muses.
"YOU KNOW EACH OTHER?!?!?!" everyone exclaims.
"Not personally," Mal smiles. "But the Great School has had prior
encounters with the Great School of Nagussa."
"I did not believe your race was capable of transporting themselves to
this galaxy," Kaeru stares at Mal. "Did a Majujjou assist you?"
"No," Mal smiles. "My particular school came to Earth via the Outland."
"Ah!" Kaeru nods understandingly, then stares at Reiko. "Who is this?"
"This is your niece," Lum smiles. "Reiko-chan's Darling's daughter."
"There is no physical resemblance," Kaeru reports.
"She's adopted," Nokoko explains.
The Nagussan nods. "Very well," he kneels to take Reiko into his arms.
"Come, Reiko. We shall discover what has become of your father."
The Noukiite giggles as Kaeru carries her into the store. The others
watch him. "He would be good with kids," Nokoko sighs.
Moments later, Kaeru proceeds through the aisles, his scanner currently
examining the premises. Shinobu lovingly holds the Nagussan's free hand.
"Does Shinobu-chan wish to mate with Kaeru-kun?" Mal whispers to Nokoko.
"By the looks of it," her mate hisses.
"You don't sound so hopeful," Lum comments.
"Wouldn't you?" Nokoko whispers. "I mean, a race of androids living on
a planet with no organics watching over them? Doesn't that sound strange?"
"Not really," the Oni hums. "After all, I'm in psychic contact with a
race of women who's fondest wish is to literally DO Darling!"
Nokoko sighs. "Shit, where were the Sagussans when I needed them?!"
"Beloved!" Mal cries, playfully punching her mate's arm.
Nokoko mock-yelps in pain. "Now, now!" Lum wags her finger. "Only one
harem to one Moroboshi child!"
The three girls laugh, which is interrupted by Kaeru's announcement. "I
have discovered what has occurred to my brother."
"What?!" Lum spins on him.
"My shipmates absconded with him."
"WHAT?!?!?!" the Oni looks horrorstruck. "Why would they do that?!!"
"I cannot respond to that inquiry at present," Kaeru shakes his head.
"You see, when I was transported to Earth, my ship's science officer, Keri,
had discovered the wormhole by which Mother and Raikue first travelled to this
sector. They determined that while I was exploring Earth, they would traverse
the wormhole back to Nagussa. Proceeding to Earth by conventional warp drive
requires a journey of six days, seven hours, fifty-two minutes and sixteen-
point-seven seconds. Via the wormhole, according to the records from Mother's
cruiser, travel time is shortened to one day, nine hours, twenty-seven minutes
and forty-four-point-nine seconds. Science-first Keri desired to see if the
wormhole is stable enough to permit regular transport."
"That still doesn't explain why they would kidnap Darling!" Lum shakes
her head.
"I've got an idea," Shinobu interrupts.
"Elucidate further," Kaeru urges.
She smiles at him. "Kae-kun, are there twins on your planet...or
anywhere in your quadrant of the galaxy?"
Kaeru looks confused. "I do not understand."
"Two people who look alike, were born...created, I suppose...at the same
time, descent of the same family...like you and Ataru-kun."
"Negative for Nagussa," he muses. "As for the other races in the
quadrant, they rarely occur but are not completely unknown."
"What are you proposing, Shinobu?" Mal looks curious.
"Simple," Shinobu indicates Kaeru. "Kae-kun here would be considered an
anomaly on Nagussa. He's the only organic human in a world populated by
androids. Hence, his people would consider him quite...unique. He has little
if no memory of life on Earth. He would hardly remember Ataru-kun or Nokoko.
Therefore, he, much less his shipmates, would not consider the existence of
*two* beings with almost the same DNA/RNA patterns existing in a small sector
of another planet. The Nagussans have no knowledge of identical twins, so
they would innocently believe Ataru-kun to be an anomaly...worth exploring."
Everyone nods understandingly. "So they would transport Darling to
their ship to find out what's going on," Lum gasps.
"Possibly," Kaeru nods. "Keri is a very efficient scientist. She is
quite capable of running experiments on both the wormhole and investigating
the anomaly of my brother's existence at the same time."
"Hey!!!" an insulted Reiko cries. "Daddy's no anomaly!!!"
"To us, he would be quite the anomaly," Kaeru stares at the Noukiite,
then turns to Shinobu. "Your conclusion is quite logical, Shinobu. Raikue
would be very impressed by your deductive skills. I would be more than
pleased to introduce you to my parents when they come to Earth in two days."
Shinobu feels giddy. "I...I'm going t-to m-meet your...p-parents...?!"
she stammers, flushing deep red. "I...I'm honoured...K-kae-kun!!" she claps
her cheeks, shying away from Kaeru.
Nokoko, Mal and Lum look impressed by Shinobu's willingness to be with
Kaeru. "He's got the old Moroboshi touch," Kaeru's sister chuckles. "It
doesn't take him long to make good with a pretty lady."
"Y-yeah..." Lum nods...
* * *
"So that's what we think happened," Lum explains to Koosei over the comm
lines. The Oni and her companions returned to Oshika to await the arrival of
Kaeru's parents. "Darling's going to learn about his brother by actually
meeting the people who saved him."
"You don't seem worried, Lum," the teacher muses, looking at a faxed
copy of the picture of Kaeru's parents. "Ataru on a planet stacked full of
beauties like these two?!"
"They're androids, Koosei!" the Oni giggles. "Darling won't suffer a
relapse if he's around Kouhae-oba-chan or Raikue-oba-chan!"
"I see," Koosei muses. "Okay, Lum. Let's hope this ends peacefully
this time. How's Shinobu been with Kaeru?"
"Like Darling, Mendou, Inaba and Nassur never existed!" Lum giggles.
"That's a good sign. Darling had no idea what he would do for Shinobu when he
started getting everyone married off. He just assumed that Shinobu would
continue to see Inaba."
"Unlikely," Koosei adjusts his glasses. "From what I've heard of the
Destiny Management Organization, fraternization with normal mortals is usually
frowned upon. I think Kaeru would seem a decent match for Shinobu."
"I think so, too," Lum nods. "If she moves to Nagussa after graduation,
that's one less fly in Darling's hair."
Koosei looks worried. "I don't know about that, Lum. Moving to another
planet, especially one as radically different as Nagussa, might be a hell of a
shock for someone like Shinobu."
"It wasn't a shock for me coming to Earth," Lum looks confused.
"That's a little different than Shinobu leaving Earth," Koosei warns.
"If you say so," the Oni nods. "Oh, by the way, why is it you insisted
this call be scrambled?!"
In answer, an inhuman bellow is heard from the direction of Lan's scout!
"AAAAARGH!!!!" Lan's voice is barely recognizable. "WHY ARE THEY SCRAMBLING
THEIR SIGNAL?!?!?! SCRAMBLERS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED!!!!!!"
"Need I explain further?" Koosei muses.
"I concur," Lum nods, then presses some controls on her scanner. "Hey,
Koosei...why don't you ask Lupica to have Lan arrested and expelled back to
Uru?!!" the Oni icily smiles.
"***WHAT?!?!?!***" Lan's voice echoes over the comm lines.
Lum and Koosei giggle...
* * *
To be continued...
Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "My Darlings United" Part 3
by Fred Herriot
450 Clare Avenue South, Welland, Ontario L3C 3B3 Canada
gorgo@caffeine.havajava.com
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-sixth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
IN THE SECOND PART OF "MY DARLINGS UNITED," Kaeru is escorted to school, where
he reveals he is from Nagussa, a world on the other side of the galaxy from
Earth. Everyone is quick to note that Shinobu has taken more than a friendly
interest in Kaeru. Soon, it is revealed that he is indeed Kaeru Moroboshi.
He reveals that he had been rescued by two fellow Nagussans. Because he is
the only organic humanoid in a world of androids, he has come to Earth seeking
a potential mate (much to Shinobu's delight). Later, Lum and Kaeru meet
Nokoko, who reveals that Ataru is missing. Going to Oshika with Nokoko,
Shinobu and Kaeru, the Oni hears the story of how the adopted Nagussan was
rescued by his parents, Kouhae and Raikue. In Oshika, Kaeru discovers that
Ataru was taken by his own shipmates, who would have been attracted to his
brother because of their genetic similarity.
**** **** ****
And with that...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!
**** **** ****
Lum proceeds from her parked scout to the house. In the living room,
Kaeru has produced many pictures from his wallet-like device, depicting scenes
of the adopted Nagussan growing up. Many of the scenes depict Kaeru with his
parents, not to mention others who appear to be of the same race as Kouhae and
Raikue. The looks on everyone's faces, both Nagussan parents and friends and
adopted Nagussan child, seem no different from races around the galaxy. "It's
like you really never left Earth, Kae-kun," Shinobu comments, seeing a seven-
year old Kaeru attend a Nagussan summer solstice festival with his parents.
"I would not assume that, Shinobu," Kaeru muses. "Each culture, each
planet develops differently. It is illogical to attempt any form of
comparison between Nagussa and Earth."
"When did you join the Nagussan Defence Force, Kaeru-chan?" Lum picks up
one of Kaeru at what appears to be a high school graduation ceremony.
"After my twelfth summer," Kaeru sighs. "When I completed scholastic
training, the Council of Elderwomen decided that I had to contribute to
Nagussan society." A touch of sadness briefly crosses his face. "My parents
hesitated on implementing such a suggestion. They...felt as if a part of
their systems had been separated when I commenced my defence apprenticeship."
"They watched their baby grow up," Nokoko nods. "He was going out into
the wide world they had spent so long training him. I wish I was that lucky.
In comparison to Kaeru-chan and Ataru-chan, I've been quite sheltered."
"Our school must always shelter their own, Beloved," Mal protests.
"I didn't mean it that way, Mal-chan!!" her mate smiles.
"Do you have pictures of your time in the Defence Force?" Lum muses.
Kaeru begins to extract new pictures. "That must be the most handiest
thing to have," an admiring Shinobu gasps. "A computer that stores pictures.
You could carry a whole bookshelf worth of picture albums in there!"
"I bet things like that don't exist on Uru," Nokoko muses.
"Not even on Zephyrus," Lum shakes her head.
The new pictures soon display Kaeru attending his basic defence
apprenticeship, then his engineering apprenticeship, then his posting aboard
the "Ganshiki." Everyone is quick to notice the sudden change of race with
defense personnel. In lieu of the ethereal beauties under whose guidance
Kaeru matured, the people surrounding the young defence apprentice are a mix
of two races, the first being a Caucasian-like people with a bony prominence
above the crown of the nose, the other being an Oriental-like people with hair
colours which span the entire visual light spectrum. "Hey!!" Reiko points to
a person of the former race. "You have Noukiites there!"
"Incorrect, Reiko," Kaeru shakes his head. "Permit me to explain. The
current group of Nagussans were constructed in the likeness of many humanoid
races native to my quadrant. Mother and Raikue, for example, are constructed
in the likeness of Aojiroi. That person there," he indicates the defence
officer Reiko detected, "...is constructed in the image of a Hiyaken. The
others were constructed in the image of Tanana."
"How many races are represented on Nagussa?" Lum muses.
"Twenty-three," Kaeru replies. "Earth included."
"That's about the same amount represented among the *daishi'cha*," the
Oni hums. "I just find it curious that the Nagussans would construct androids
in the image of other races instead of their own."
"That would be counterproductive to inter-species relations," the
Nagussan warns. "Nagussa is, despite its peaceful intentions, a feared planet
in my quadrant. There are, like in this quadrant, races who view other races
possessing advanced levels of technology with fear instead of curiosity. To
better...facilitate more peacefuly relations, the current android series was
constructed to directly resemble the races they would potentially contact."
He stares at Lum. "I believe that was the same reason the Sagussans decided
to seek representatives from races in this quadrant to become *daishi'cha* for
the Grand Design proposed to initiate the Fifth Republic."
"I guess so, too," Lum nods. "So, who's that?!" she picks up a portrait
of Kaeru's shipmates.
Kaeru indicates each of them. "This is Stari, the 'Ganshiki's'
commanding officer," he indicates a female blue-eyed Hiyaken with blonde,
centre-parted hair curled at the end, possessing a regal bearing inherent to
the commanders of ships the galaxy over. "This is Shan, the 'Ganshiki's'
first officer," he indicates a male dusty-blond haired, blue-eyed Hiyaken,
standing protectively beside his captain. "This is Tsuri, the 'Ganshiki's'
combat officer," he indicates a suntanned female Hiyaken, her long brunette
hair partially separated in a side pigtail, her brown eyes flashing with
mischevious delight. "This is Keri, the 'Ganshiki's' science officer," he
indicates a Hiyaken with chestnut-brown hair styled in the same manner as
Stari's...and to Lum's surprise, green eyes behind round-frame glasses.
Kaeru pauses before introducing the last person. "Who's that?" Shinobu
points, not noticing his hesitation.
"This is...Naromo," he sighs, indicating a blonde haired Tanana with
blue eyes, her hair styled in side pigtails. "She is my fellow engineer."
The Nendo-kata and Nokoko are quick to detect the hesitation in Kaeru's
voice, but say nothing. Shinobu seems distracted, not noticing the adopted
Nagussan's pained look. Lum, however, has other things on her mind.
An android wearing glasses...?
* * *
"Hello, Lum-chan!" Chara waves as the Zeiwanite businesswoman appears on
the main viewscreen in Lum's scout. "What's up?!"
"Hi, Cha-chan," the Oni smiles. "Listen, I've got a question for you."
She then explains the situation around Kaeru and the Nagussans. Chara
is surprised to hear of the world Ataru's brother hails from. "A world solely
populated by androids?!" she gasps. "Wow!! I'd love to see that!"
"I could arrange a visit in a couple of days," Lum sighs. "That's when
Kaeru-chan's parents and his friends return. However, that's not the point of
the call. I was wondering...if you constructed an android, would you
construct one who wore glasses?"
The businesswoman blinks. "Construct an android with the need to wear
corrective lenses?! Be serious, Lum-chan! If I made a defective product like
that, I'd go out of business!! The only time I *would* construct an android
with that feature is when it is specially ordered."
"I see. Thanks, Cha-chan. I appreciate the information."
"No problem, Lum-chan. Call again, sometime."
The line is disconnected. The Oni sits back in her chair. Nothing
seemed to make sense. An android wearing glasses? Keri's lenses were
obviously reading glasses, meant for people who need to see things accurately
close up. But, why...unless...?
"Hey, Lum-chan!!" Nokoko's voice echoes.
Lum looks back as her sister-in-law steps aboard. "Oh, hi, Nokoko-
chan," the Oni smiles as she rises to her feet.
"Who'd you call?" Nokoko looks curious.
"Chara," Lum sighs. "Something was bugging me, so I called her to get
some information."
"About what?"
"About the fact that Kaeru-chan's science officer wears glasses."
"So?!"
"Nokoko-chan, an *android* wearing glasses? That's unheard of!"
"Hey, I only deal with real flesh-and-blood," Nokoko chuckles, then
looks serious. "So what do you think's wrong?"
"I don't know," Lum shakes her head. "It just struck me strange that an
android, one built to be an efficient science officer, would be forced to wear
glasses. Why, it would almost make you think that Keri was...?!" The Oni
stops, realization dawning on her face. "Oh, *datcha*, no!! It couldn't be!"
"Couldn't be what?!" Nokoko looks concerned.
Lum stares to the deckhead. "That...the Nagussans are human..."
Silence falls over the scout as Nokoko considers Lum's conclusion. "If
that's true, then we've got a problem...a big one."
"What sort of problem?!" concern crosses the Oni's face.
"Kaeru-chan...and Shinobu," Ataru's sister muses, "...and the fact that
Kaeru-chan might have a sweetheart waiting for him back on Nagussa."
Lum looks surprised. "Kaeru-chan has a lover?!"
"I'm not sure," Nokoko crosses her arms, "...but when Kaeru-chan was
showing us the picture of his crewmates, he really got pensive when he talked
about his fellow engineer, Naromo. We got the feeling that my little brother
has much more than friendly feelings when it came to her, still has them even
though he's got Shinobu fawning over him. And if what you say is true, if the
Nagussans are really human..."
"...then Shinobu loses again," Lum concludes. "*Tcha*! What a time for
this to happen!!"
* * *
"Girls, let's talk," Nokoko announces.
In the living room of Ataru's home, her friends gather. "What ails you,
Nokoko-chan?" Osooko looks concerned.
"It's about my brother and Shinobu," Nokoko sighs. "We all noticed how
hesitant he was when he was describing his shipmates...particularly one of his
shipmates."
"Naromo," Nintaiko nods understandingly.
"Exactly," Nokoko sighs. "Now, were things going as Kaeru-chan
believed, there'd be really no problem. Shinobu can carry on to her heart's
content. However, Lum has just now come to the astounding conclusion that the
Nagussans are in fact organic humanoids."
The Nendo-kata blink, shock crossing their faces. "But he clearly
affirmed...and clearly believes...they are sentient machines," Donna gasps.
"How did Lum-chan come to this conclusion?"
Nokoko describes Lum's theory as it pertained to the simple fact that
the "Ganshiki's" science officer, Keri, wore glasses. "I mean, build an
android who has to wear glasses?! I may not like the idea of dealing with the
things, but even **that** doesn't make sense!"
"Agreed," Ookako nods. "But...where does that leave Shinobu-chan?"
Nokoko sighs. "Well, do we tell her about Naromo?"
The Nendo-kata consider the matter. "No," Nintaiko shakes her head.
"My sister has shown a bizarre ineptitude when it comes to understanding
relations with others. She has seen Nassur-kun and Benten-chan together many
times and to date, still has not concluded the bond of Unity which exists
between them. It will serve her better if she learns of Kaeru-kun's
relationship with Naromo-chan on her own."
The others nod...
* * *
...while at that moment, Shinobu sneezes. "Oooh!" Ataru's ex-girlfriend
rubs her nose. "Someone's thinking about me."
"Why did you conclude that?" Kaeru looks confused. They are now walking
through the village park near the Tiger Cub. "I am not a medical officer, but
you seemed to suffer an allergic reaction to some aerial contaminant."
Shinobu stares at Kaeru. "Don't you people have a belief that you would
react if someone is speaking of you?"
"I do not believe so," he shakes his head. "If you wish to speak about
someone, it is logical to do so directly to that person."
She smiles. "A truly honest person," a sigh flutters from her lips.
"Will wonders ever cease?!"
A smile tugs his mouth. "Shinobu, may I ask you a question?"
"Ask."
"I have noticed that you have taken an intense interest in me."
Shinobu feels her cheeks heat. She still finds Kaeru's direct approach
somewhat overwhelming, even though to the Nagussan, it was perfectly natural.
Should she try to circle the question? No; that would either serve to confuse
Kaeru or sour his opinion of her. "Yes, I am interested in you," she nods,
reaching over to gently grasp his hand. "I'm very interested in you."
Confusion crosses his face. "Why?"
"Why?!" she looks surprised. "Isn't it obvious?! You're handsome,
intelligent, brave, loyal and trusting! Most men I've met have either tried
to keep things from me or else suffered from all sorts of weird problems!
You're the most perfect man who's ever crossed my bow! You're a breath of
fresh air to me, Kae-kun!!"
"I am not unpolluted air which has been inhaled."
Shinobu catches herself. "Sorry. That was an idiom. It means that
your presence makes me feel as if I no longer am plagued with problems."
"My presence makes you feel in this manner?" he looks surprised. "I am
pleased I am able to bring a positive presence to your life, Shinobu."
"Thank you," she sighs. "So, tell me...do I bring a positive presence
to your life, Kae-kun?"
"I would desire to answer your question," he looks regretful, "...but
you are the first compatible organic humanoid in whose company I have been. I
cannot answer your question for the simple fact that I have insufficient data
to form any sort of conclusion which could satisfy your requirement for an
answer."
*Boy, he can ramble!!* she gasps. Then again, she had long tolerated
Ataru's girl-chasing antics and later his violent mood shifts, Mendou's
snobbery and constant infatuation for Lum, Inaba's long absences and Nassur's
inattentiveness. Kaeru's vocal proliferation was certainly a refreshing
change. She could never deny that he would not answer her questions. She
just hoped he would not lose her doing so. "Well, I hope I do one day bring a
positive presence to your life, Kae-kun," she smiles. "But, tell me. Surely
a handsome man like you had some sweethearts back on Nagussa."
"You are correct," he nods. "If I comprehend the term 'sweethearts'
correctly, then I possess one."
Shinobu smiles, then stops. Kaeru spoke in the present tense! "Did you
say...you possess one?!" she stares at him. "As in...you have one **now**?!!"
"That is correct," Kaeru nods.
Apprehension crosses Shinobu's face. Would she be dumped again?!
Before she could say anything, Kaeru reaches into his pocket and extracts his
miniature photo album, producing a picture. "Her designation is Naromo," he
hands a picture to her. "Social registry code T-2312-S. She is my fellow
engineer on the 'Ganshiki.'"
Shinobu looks at the picture of the pig-tailed blonde haired woman.
"She's pretty!!" is the first statement that comes to mind.
"You believe so?" Kaeru looks surprised. "I am pleased you approve."
Approve?! Shinobu did not know whether to laugh, cry, run away or punch
Kaeru for playing her for a fool! Before she could say anything, Kaeru
retrieves the picture, sadly gazing upon it. "Still, she is an android," he
sighs. "Despite my feelings for her, she cannot aid me in bearing offspring."
Shinobu stops. Naromo, despite her stunning beauty, was an android.
Kaeru had come to Earth seeking a mate. Why was she panicking?! "Um...yes,
that's true," she stammers, essaying a smile. "I'm sorry for you both."
"Your condolences are appreciated," Kaeru nods.
He replaces Naromo's picture in his photo-container, then returns it to
his pocket. They proceed in the general direction of Ataru's home. *Idiot,
nice thing to say!!* Shinobu snaps at herself. *He's heartbroken and looking
for someone to comfort him and *you're* tearing him apart!* Recovering, she
stares at Kaeru. "Kae-kun, will I get the chance to meet Naromo?"
"Yes," he nods. "If all goes according to the plan agreed to prior to
my arrival, the 'Ganshiki' should return to Earth by tomorrow. You can meet
her then. I understand that you might be uncomfortable around her, sense her
as a potential rival, but she is a most pleasant person. I believe you will
both become companions, if not bond-mates."
Shinobu blinks. Kaeru was not afraid to introduce his lover to her.
That took bravery. Then again, he probably did not understand the concept of
skeletons in the closet. He saw no problem in bringing her and Naromo
together. Shinobu wondered if she was up to the task of meeting someone who
knew Kaeru more intimately than she did. It had been quite the shock running
into Ataru's first fiancee. At least with Naromo, she stood the chance to
make a positive impression. It was definitely no time to slip up. "I hope
so, too," she smiles, squeezing his hand.
Kaeru seems pleased, gently returning her gesture...
* * *
"Whoo!!!" Shinobu sighs as she sits down in the living room after
returning from her walk with Kaeru. "What a day!!"
Lum and Reiko stare at her from nearby. "Did you and Kaeru-chan have
fun, Shinobu?" the Oni muses.
"Oh, we just talked," the Terran smiles. "He's such a wonderful man!"
"I'm...g-glad," Lum chuckles. "Really."
"You seem bothered by something, Lum," confusion crosses Shinobu's face.
"Are you okay?"
"Wh-who?! M-me?!" Lum stammers. "I'm fine! I'm fine!!"
Shinobu gazes at her, then hums. "I understand! You're worried I might
be upset because Kae-kun had a prior girlfriend before coming here, right?!"
The Oni faints! "You know?!!"
"Of course I do," the Terran smiles. "Kae-kun told me all about her!
Ataru-kun never told me about Windy, nor did Mendou-san tell me about Asuka!!
In fact, Kae-kun wants me to meet Naromo! How does that tickle you?!"
Lum seems flummoxed. Shinobu had to be on a roll if she forgot that
Mendou never knew about Asuka before she was unveiled long after Ataru's ex-
girlfriend and the scion of Japan's richest family had started dating.
"Um...that's nice, Shinobu! R-really nice!!"
"Good!!" Shinobu nods, icily glaring at the Oni. "Now, if you don't
mind, I don't want you prowling around me when I'm with Kae-kun! If I catch
you, I'll make all of Lan's idiotic attempts at vengeance look tame when I'm
finished with you!! Understand, Lum?!"
"N-no problem...!" Lum readily nods.
Shinobu triumphantly marches away. Reiko stares at Lum. "Why didn't
you try to tell Shinobu that you think Kaeru-oji-chan's friends are human?"
"Would you?!" the Oni stammers, staring at the Noukiite.
* * *
The remainder of the day passes uneventfully. Nokoko and Lum team
together to fashion a large dinner for their returned sibling. It is the
first time Shinobu has been exposed to the Oni's recently refined culinary
skills. "Wow!!" she readily gobbles a serving of taimeshi. "This is the best
food I've ever had! Can I have some more?!" she holds out her bowl.
"Thanks," Lum smiles, giving her a new serving. "I'm glad you like it."
"How'd you learn to cook like this, Lum?" Shinobu begins on her new
serving. "You're better than Mendou-san's whole culinary staff!!"
"I can't be **that** good!" the Oni blushes.
"Don't bet on that!" Reiko readily gulps her serving.
Shinobu suspiciously glares at Lum. "Okay, Lum, out with it!! Before
the Spirit War, you couldn't cook even if your life depended on it! Every
time you tried, something weird ALWAYS happened!! What's the big secret?!"
Lum shrugs. "I picked it up from Noa-chan."
Shinobu blinks. Those who had seen the Oni's bonding with Noa-chan
never spoke of the Oni's connection with the Seishin-born-Sagussan bureaucrat.
"Noa?! She's responsible for this?! But...isn't she still on Sagussa?"
"In the Dream Time, yes," the Oni nods.
Shinobu blinks. "But...?!"
Lum sighs. "Just after the Spirit War, Noa came to me. You were there,
remember? She wanted to forge some link between Sagussa and myself so I'd
understand and accept why they want to be with Darling. Since that time, I've
dreamt of her...and in doing so, learned things I never knew before." She
taps her bowl. "Like make taimeshi without poisoning everyone I'm serving."
Nokoko, Mal and Reiko giggle. Kaeru remains silent. "But...why have
you never told us about these dreams?" Shinobu looks confused. "I have to
admit that questions about Ataru-kun's future has been preying on our minds
since Inaba-kun gave us the chance to see it!"
"Because it's none of your business," Lum sips her juice. "Besides, you
know what'll happen if Mendou or the guards learned of it."
Shinobu's eyes roll. "True."
Dinner ends without further comment. As Lum, Mal and Nokoko clean up
and Reiko proceeds to her bedroom to do her homework, Shinobu and Kaeru meet
in the living room. "Curious," Ataru's brother muses. "Ataru himself will
soon become the *daite'cha* of the Sagussan Fifth Republic, while at the same
time, I am an active participant in the establishment of the Nagussan Fifth
Republic. Would that be considered...fate, Shinobu?"
In answer, Cherry appears! "Did someone say something about fate?!"
Shinobu is decked by an explosion!! Kaeru blinks, then respectfully
bows his head to the Buddhist monk. "Forgive me, Eminent One," the Nagussan
intones. "I did not believe your kind had preceded us to this sector."
Cherry blinks. "Um...are you sure you know who you're taking to?"
"Cherry!!" Lum snarls, leaning over Kaeru to glare at the monk. "What
are you doing here?! You know Darling doesn't like it when you visit!! Now
scat or I'll make sure Darling'll never have to worry about you again!!!"
"Enough, Lum! There are more important things to concern ourselves with
than Ataru's paranoid desires to isolate himself from the truth!!" Cherry
points at Kaeru. "I've come to warn the child of the pegasus of his destiny."
"My destiny?" Kaeru looks concerned. "Oh, you must be a Majujjou
precognitive philosopher. Please elucidate further."
Lum, Cherry and Shinobu stare at the Nagussan. "'Majujjou?!'"
"Yes," Kaeru nods. "A spiritually advanced race which inhabit a world
within two thousand light years of Nagussa. They have the inherent ability to
teleport themselves over interstellar distances, believing they are guided by
the great Universal Power to seek their own destiny."
The Oni shakes her head. "Um...Cherry's no Majujjou," she smiles.
"He's just a normal Terran monk."
"And an annoying one at that!" Shinobu glares at the monk in question.
"Curious," Kaeru stares at Cherry. "He seems so much like a Majujjou."
"How?!" both girls prompt.
"By the instantaneous method he made himself appear before us."
Lum and Shinobu are decked by an explosion!! "Maybe he IS a Majujjou,"
the latter moans.
"It is to wonder," the former sighs.
Kaeru stares at Cherry. "You were stating?"
"Ah, yes!" Cherry nods, visibly pleased that he has finally encountered
someone who is willing to take him seriously. "Hark and listen well, my boy!
The fate of your adopted world now rests on your shoulders!"
"The fate of Nagussa?" concern crosses Kaeru's face. "How so?"
"Simple. You will soon learn of a great secret which has been masked
from those you dearly care for. The revelation of this secret will expose a
deadly conspiracy which will, if unchecked, destroy that which you seek to
create! You must prepare yourself for this conflict, Kaeru. Thousands will
depend on your success."
"I see," Kaeru nods. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Cherry leans close to Kaeru. "Beware your brother Ataru. The
demons within him may potentially aid the evil threatening Nagussa. If they
are allowed to emerge, then nothing will save those you love!"
Ataru's brother blinks. "I was unaware my brother possessed hostile
spirits within his body which could destroy innocents."
"They are there!" Cherry warns. "Be assured of that. Those who
presently surround you have had bitter personal experience with these demons.
They can attest to what you will be forced to face."
"I understand," Kaeru nods. "Is there anything further?"
"Yes," the monk sniffs, staring around the room. "Is that taimeshi I
smell?! Is there any left?!"
Lum and Shinobu faint! Kaeru produces a heaping bowl of leftover
taimeshi. "Is this what you desire?" the Nagussan innocently inquires.
"Yes!!" Cherry licks his lips, then takes the bowl. "Remember my words,
my son, and success for you and Nagussa is assured!"
He disappears with the wind. Lum and Shinobu stare disbelievingly at
Kaeru. "Why'd you listen to that annoying idiot?!!" the former demands. "And
why'd you give him all my leftover taimeshi?!!"
"Because it is tradition to give wandering Majujjou gifts of food on
their travels," Kaeru shrugs, visibly wondering from what sort of hostile,
inhumane place does the Oni hail.
"He's *not* a Majujjou!!" Shinobu snaps.
"Are you positive?" Kaeru muses. "The manner by which he transports
himself was more than sufficient to convince me he is Majujjou."
Lum and Shinobu sigh...
* * *
Later, Lum moves to leave. "Well, I'm heading back to Tomobiki," she
looks at Shinobu, who relaxes in the living room. "Want a lift, Shinobu?"
"No, thanks," her classmate smiles. "I called my mother and told her I
was staying here for the night."
Lum blinks. "R-really?" she stammers. "Well, that's up to you, I
suppose...just as long as Nokoko-chan and Mal-chan know you're here."
"I told them," Shinobu nods.
The Oni stares in confusion at her classmate. Suspecting what she did
about the Nagussans, she knew that when Naromo arrived tomorrow, Shinobu's
hopes of a happy life with Kaeru would be dashed. She looks outside to see
Nokoko and Mal coming back from visiting Ookako and Hei. Flying to them, Lum
lands right in front of her sister-in-law. "What's this about you allowing
Shinobu to stay overnight?!!" she demands.
"What about it?!" Nokoko looks confused.
"You know what I told you!" Lum snaps. "Having Shinobu sleep with
Kaeru-chan won't do her any good when Naromo arrives!!"
"So?!" Kaeru's sister shrugs. "Let her find out on her own, I say! It
might teach her finally to stop chasing people who're already taken!!"
"You must agree that all our words advising her to relax have not been
effective," Mal adds. "In a sense, sister, this is the **only** way to make
Shinobu-chan learn her mistakes!"
Lum considers the point, then nods. "Oh, okay! I just don't want her
to tear the place to pieces when she does find out!"
"Trust us," Nokoko laughs. "She won't get the chance. She makes a grab
for a chair and she gets a one-way express trip back to Tomobiki!!"
"Oh, okay!" Lum nods. "I'll see you in the morning!"
The Oni flies to her scout. Just as she is about to board, she is
stopped by Nokoko's yell. "Hey, Lum-chan!!!"
"What is it?!" she calls back.
"Don't tell Kinshou or Muchi about Kaeru-chan!!" Nokoko laughs.
"Don't worry!!" Lum waves as she steps inside. "I won't even tell my
parents or Ten-chan!!! 'Night!!"
In minutes, the scout rockets away from Oshika...
* * *
"Kaeru's alive?!!" Benten gasps.
Lum's scout is now in hover-orbit in Tomobiki. The Oni has updated her
friend about the events surrounding the return of Ataru's brother to Earth.
"That's right!!" the Oni nods. "He's really nice! You should come down and
meet him before he returns to Nagussa!"
"You told his parents yet?!" the Fukunokami muses.
"Nope!" Lum shakes her head. "That's why I'm scrambling this message,
just to ensure Lan doesn't get too nosy, then decides to stick her nose where
it doesn't belong!"
Almost in emphasis, an inhuman bellow from far below echoes through the
scout's hull. "So I hear," Benten smirks. "You better make sure Jariten
doesn't get wind of it, either! He'll blab it to every person in sight!"
"Well, he's been too busy with school and Minami-chan to worry too much
about what I've been doing," the Oni smiles. "I think Darling's idea about
sending Ten-chan to school's worked out really well. He hasn't caused any
problems since."
"That's good," the Fukunokami nods. "He's an okay kid; it's just that
he likes to stick his nose where it doesn't belong, then when he's caught, he
pleads that he's only just a nice boy! Sheesh!! I hope any kid I have
doesn't turn out like that!!"
"Hopefully not," Lum's eyes roll. "Oh, speaking of which, I don't think
you'll have to worry much about Shinobu getting puppy-eyes whenever Nassur-
chan's around again."
"How so?!" Benten looks surprised.
"Because now, all she's got eyes for is Kaeru-chan."
The huntress blinks. "Wait! I thought you told me that Kaeru's got a
girl waiting for him back on Nagussa. And if what you suspect about those
people's true, then Shinobu loses out again!"
"Let her find out on her own!" Lum snorts. "It's probably the only way
she'll ever learn not to horn in on other people's lovers. She still doesn't
realize that you and Nassur-chan are married."
"Hasn't anyone told her?!" Benten looks surprised.
"Nope," the Oni giggles. "Everyone's too scared to tell her. They
think she'll take it out on all of them when she does find out. Mie-chan's
waiting for the chance to tell her. She wants to put such a spin on it that
Shinobu'll believe Lan, Mendou and the guards *deliberately* kept everyone
quiet just to protect themselves!"
The Fukunokami falls over. "Shit, you're getting caustic in your old
age, aren't you?!!" she gasps.
Lum laughs...
* * *
...while elsewhere, Shinobu's sneezes again. "Oooh!! Who's talking
about me this time?!" she moans, rubbing her nose.
"You still up, Shinobu?" a sleepy Nokoko walks into the living room,
dressed now in an oversized T-shirt.
"I'm about ready to head to bed," Shinobu yawns, standing and stretching
herself. "I'll just see if Kae-kun's alright, then I'll go to sleep."
She proceeds upstairs to Ataru's room. "Hold on a sec'!" Nokoko yawns.
Shinobu turns around...just in time to catch a small box. "What's
this?!" she looks confused.
"You'll need 'em," Nokoko sighs as she heads back to her bedroom.
"Ataru-chan and Lum-chan keep a supply. 'Night!"
Ataru's sister walks into her room, then closes the door behind her.
Confused, Shinobu opens the box...then extracts a series of square vacuum-
sealed packages containing a obviously recognizable contraceptive aid. She
blanches as she realizes what is in her hands. "Gods, they actually have this
stuff in the house?!!" she exclaims. Setting the condoms aside, Shinobu turns
to proceed to Ataru's bedroom...then stops, turns back and extracts one.
"Just in case," she muses.
A second later, she opens the door and looks in. "Kae-kun, are you
still awake...URK!!!!" she exclaims, her face now sheet-white.
Kaeru is now seated in the bed scanning Ataru's diaries. That would not
be so strange...were he not nude! "Is there a problem, Shinobu?"
Shinobu has turned her back to Ataru's brother, her face now flush red.
"Um...c-could y-you please p-put your p-pants on...?!" she stammers.
Kaeru blinks, then nodding, stands and slips on his trousers. "You seem
ill-at-ease, Shinobu. Is there something amiss?"
Cautiously staring at him, Shinobu breathes out in relief on seeing his
privates covered. "Sorry about that," she slips into the room. "I just was
taken aback when I saw you with no clothes on."
"Oh!" he nods understandingly. "Does the lower extremities of my body
repulse you in some fashion?"
"Er...n-no!!" she stammers, shaking her head. "You don't understand.
In Japan, people normally wear pyjamas when they sleep."
"Pyjamas?!" confusion crosses his face. "What is the logic of wearing
clothes when one sleeps? I have never worn such items."
Shinobu blinks, trying desperately to regain some sense of decorum.
"I...oh, I see," she nods. Perhaps Nokoko's offering was not such a bad idea
after all. "Um...what are you reading?" she nods to the bed.
Kaeru sits, picking up one book. "These appear to be my brother's
personal journals. I was perusing them to attempt to better understand the
people Ataru has interacted with since my departure to Nagussa. You have been
cited in these journals on many occasions, Shinobu."
"Oh, that's understandable," Shinobu sits beside him. "Lum likes prying
into those diaries every chance she gets."
Kaeru hums. "That may explain why Ataru kept his journals in that
secure metal chamber," he nods to a small safe set in one corner. "He made
use of a most complex security system. I will apologize to him in the future
for bypassing the system, but I have requirement for information which these
journals readily provide."
"Well, diaries are always seen as private," Shinobu muses. "As I said,
Lum loved to peek into them whenever the mood struck her. I'm surprised
Ataru-kun didn't get some sort of safe earlier."
"So I have ascertained," Kaeru muses. "He noted in an entry dated
ninety-eight days ago that he obtained a safe to ensure that Lum would never
again be privy to his innermost thoughts and feelings."
Ninety-eight days ago? Shinobu quickly visualizes a calendar. The last
weeks of September was when Ataru's mood radically altered, a harbinger of the
Spirit War. It stunned Shinobu that so much happened in such a small period
of time. "Why did you want to look at the diaries, Kae-kun?" she muses.
"To better understand what sort of person my brother is," he sighs.
"Prior to the journal entry I mentioned, Ataru seemed quite grossly uncaring
of his surroundings. He rarely made negative comment towards anyone. The
only ones who earned his ire were fellows named Cherry, Mendou, Megane, Chibi,
Paama and Kakugari. His comments towards any female were always positive."
"Well, that was the way he was like," Shinobu smiles.
"So it seems," he nods. "However, in the wake of the journal entry I
mentioned, his mood radically transformed. He was critical of everyone he
knew, even those with whom he was once quite flattering. Lum has been the
recipient of some very critical comments from my brother, as have yourself."
That did not surprise Shinobu. Ataru had systematically dismantled his
opinions of everyone apart as he was attempting to bring a firmer sense of
control to his life. Those he found too undeserving of his respect, he no
longer considered friends. Shinobu had obviously become one of them. Now,
she had a chance to regain the ground she lost. "Kae-kun?" she smiles.
"Yes?" he looks at her.
Shinobu's hand drifts over to gently grasp his. "I hope I never earn
any negative criticism from you."
Kaeru blinks, then gently reaches over to draw Shinobu into his arms.
"I suspect not," he muses.
Shinobu smiles as they kiss...
* * *
To be continued...
