A knock at the door echoed through the mid-morning room, "Housecleaning!" Ryuzo opened his eyes tiredly, 'I've never been so tired in my life...' He sat up partially, only to realize his right arm was trapped. The morning haze still effected his brain, "Uh... " He felt relaxed and didn't really want to get up anyway. The knock at the door echoed again.
"I'm still resting! Please don't come in!" Whined Ryuzo. A muffled, 'Okay' came from behind the door. Ryuzo curled back up against the warm body next to him. He blinked, then thought, '... wha? You mean...'
A faint sigh of satisfaction came from the body as she turned over. Kiyone curled up against him and kissed softly at his neckline in her half awake state.
His sudden awareness of being completely nude with a very equally bare woman against him. He gulped and stammered, "K..k..Kiyone?!"
She sleepily kissed his lips and whispered, "Mm... Goodmorning."
"What... what're...I mean... why're... you... me..." Ryuzo mumbled, getting kissed again.
Kiyone spoke, "I hope you're not this forgetful in your old age, Ryu. Don't I even get a 'Goodmorning'? Or maybe a, 'You were fabulous'?"
Ryuzo blinked, still dazed. He moved her hair back, as if looking at her for the first time, "This is real... isn't it. You're really here."
"Had this dream before?" She asked lightly.
Ryuzo blushed and said, "Well... not so much a dream but more like a fantasy. I never thought I'd say this... but... that was nothing like I expected."
"It never is." She closed her eyes and snuggled in closer.
Ryuzo looked up at the ceiling and said softly, "...I love you. Now, moreso than ever before. I am the luckiest guy in the galaxy."
Kiyone let out a giggle, "You should hear yourself. You sound like I'm the first woman you've ever been with."
"..." Ryuzo gulped nervously, "... you are. Oh sure, I've dated people... but... uh... as for what happened, I wanted that to be with the woman who is to be my wife."
Kiyone sat up just slightly, "You mean..." She blushed and looked a bit embarrassed, "Oh Ryuzo." A flush of guilt went through her. Her tone of voice dropped from playful to remorseful. "Why don't you tell me these things? I feel like... I don't know..." She shook her head, "I feel that although I am, oh, what's the word--"
"Don't say it. Please, just let me live in the moment? Don't turn this around... don't feel guilty. Don't regret last night, please? I'm happy - So VERY happy that I woke up with you next to me. Kiyone... Kiyone!"
Ryuzo reached over pulled Kiyone into a hug. "You were serious, right? About marriage?" His eyes looked confused, voice shook with concern and insecurity.
"...stupid." She murmured. "I never say anything I don't mean." She hugged his arms to her. "We'll do it. It won't be a traditional marriage, if you're okay with that. I just want something like this. Someone I care for, someone I love that I can trust and go to. Someone to hold me... even when I'm feeling inadequate and shy. I'm worried that you might be bothered that I don't want it to be normal."
"So what, it'd be like we've been the last year? I mean, we'd see each other more - of course. And I get the humble title as your husband?" He shrugged, "I couldn't be happier. You're my one. I've always felt that. You set the rules then. I told you I'm a willing victim last night. I don't plan on changing my mind now."
Kiyone turned around and snugged Ryuzo softly, "You've always got your mind set on things. I've always admired that about you, even if it was an annoyance when we first met. Then it's settled."
Ryuzo nodded and smiled to her. A woman he fell for from the instant she opened her mouth to speak. His heart filled with joy and strength. His better half. His partner. His lover. It wasn't a hard decision by any means. It was only that night that he really felt her true emotions. She showed herself finally to him, and he loved every bit of it. It was the happiest day of his life.
* * *
The marriage ceremony was practically nonexistent. At the end of the week long vacation on Jurai, Ryuzo and Kiyone were united - in marriage, anyway. They said their goodbyes and promised to meet often. Both of their chosen careers were inconvenient for any sort of constant attention to the relationship. Still, it left for some pretty exciting weekend getaways for the first year or so.
* * *
Several months later...
Night time was always a relative thing, in space. Ken could tell it was pretty late at night, because everyone was asleep. He wandered from his room to down the hall. He hated waking up in the middle of the night. It always caused problems for him the following day. The rooms were pretty much dark, with the exception of a few dimly lit emergency lights set up strategically down the corridors of the Spaceship Yagami.
Ken fetched himself a cup and filled it halfway up with water. He leaned against the counter, half asleep while he sipped. A loud clatter came from down the hall and startled Ken awake, 'What was that?' He thought. He put the cup away and headed out the door and toward the noise.
Ryuzo sat in the chair near the front controls. He opened a small snack bag and idly fiddled with the display. He tweaked the knob a few times until it settled on a desired channel. Ryuzo leaned back with a smile and went to bite into a chip.
"Hands up in the air where I can see them!" said a very young male voice.
"Eh?" Ryuzo turned in his chair. At the doorway was a young boy of about seven years of age holding a Galaxy Police issue blaster at him. "Whoa, kid. Put that thing down before you hurt yourself."
"I said... hands in the air where I can see them, criminal! Identify yourself!" He glared at the older man.
Ryuzo blinked, 'Is this Kiyone's son? He looks just like her, in a way...' He smiled, "Please don't be alarmed. I'm no criminal." He went to stand.
"No sudden movements! Please identify yourself or I will have to use this!"
"Whoa, kid. Calm down. Just hand me the gun and no one will get hurt..."
"Are you threatening me?" Ken narrowed his eyes, "Identify yourself now, this is your final warning."
"No, you're threatening me." Ryuzo thought about it, 'He's serious. This is a dangerous situation. Hasn't Kiyone told him about us?' Ryuzo said in a soft voice, "I'm a friend." He hesitantly took a step forward, toward Ken.
Ken's eyes opened widely. He pointed the gun and shot instinctively at Ryuzo. The blast burned through the shirt sleeve and into his arm.
"OW! What are you thinking?!" Ryuzo yelped.
Ken rushed passed Ryuzo and pressed a button on the Yagami's front panel. Alarms sounded through the cockpit and spaceship.
Ryuzo winced, covering up the wound with his hand. His left arm ached in terrible pain. Ken ran past again, out the door and down the hall. Ryuzo turned the corner and began the chase. "Come back here!"
Ken was quick. He was already several feet ahead of Ryuzo. Ken turned the corner and slammed into Kiyone and fell backwards with an 'oof'. "There's a burglar! He tried to steal the Yagami!" Ken panicked.
"Burglar? What are you doing with my blaster?" Kiyone took the gun from Ken.
Ryuzo turned the corner, "There you are." He paused, "Your son SHOT ME!"
"He what?" Kiyone seemed surprised, yet amused. "What'd you do?"
"Me?! You're blaming me? I'm the one who's injured here!"
Kiyone couldn't help but laugh, "It's a burn... barely something to complain over. It's on 'stun'."
"Well it hurts. And he shot me!" Ryuzo exaggerated. 'What the hell... she's not even worried that her own son pulled a gun on me. I could have been killed!'
"You're such a baby." Kiyone commented. She went to help Ken up, "I'm sorry... he came aboard when you were asleep. I didn't expect this to happen..." Kiyone seemed embarrassed, "How do I explain this... this is Ryuzo. He's my... " She paused, "boyfriend."
Ryuzo made a face but stayed quiet. He sighed and asked, "When does the pain go away?"
Ken looked at Ryuzo, then his mother, "A... boyfriend?"
Kiyone nodded, "Yes. Are you okay?" She ruffled Kens hair.
"I'm okay. Just... let me know these things, okay? I'm goin' to bed." Ken shrugged and walked down the hall tiredly.
Ryuzo waited until Ken had walked down the hall and back to his room. He turned to look at Kiyone, "So that's it? Just 'Are you okay?' and 'He's my boyfriend.'? Shouldn't you even scold him? He did shoot me, you know."
"Oh come on, admit it... it's funny."
"It's not funny!" Ryuzo growled.
Kiyone smiled, a tad bittered, "I raised my son well. He wouldn't have done any permanent damage. Think about it for a moment. He reacted very well. Give him some credit."
"...he SHOT me in my ARM!"
"You are a big baby. Come on, let's go get that cleaned up." Kiyone lead the way to the cockpit, turning off the alarm that had been sounding off all this time. She then lead Ryuzo to a bathroom area.
Ryuzo sat down and pulled off his shirt with some difficulty. "It hurts. When will it stop hurting?"
"Usually after I arrest you." She grinned, "Kidding. The stun abilities tend to wear off after an hour or so. It *is* supposed to stop you. He should have hit you in the legs... then you wouldn't have been able to chase after him."
"I can't believe this. That's not right at all. Are you training him to be a Galaxy Policeman? Is this really necessary? He's just a kid!" Ryuzo snapped.
"Are you telling me how to raise my son?" Kiyone raised an eyebrow at Ryuzo. She poured a cleanser along a rag and touched it to the (very small) sore on Ryuzo's arm.
"Well... no... I mean... maybe." He sighed, "When I was his age, I may have been learning how to use a sword -- but I'd never hurt anyone either." Ryuzo seemed serious, "It's unsettling how he reacted. I suppose that's what's bothering me."
"Okay, what do you propose? All I had done was taught him how to take care of himself. What he had done was in total defense." Kiyone put away the cleanser.
"To a defenseless man, thank you very much." Ryuzo shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe some good old fashioned Juraian sword training is what he needs. The discipline alone would help him out."
"Ah yes, the fallback of Juraian training. You *know* I can't let him do that." She placed a bandage over the wound and leaned back against the counter.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I've explained this." She crossed her arms, "I've learned that mistakes can be made. I don't want his identity known. I want his future to be presented to him when he's good and ready, not when he's seven years old and playing with swords just because someone thinks I don't know how to raise my son."
"I never said you don't know how to raise your son."
"You implied it."
"I didn't mean the full out training grounds... I mean... like... just me. I'll teach him."
Kiyone laughed lightly, "You'll get sick of that quickly. You have your duties, too."
"Yeah? So? It'll give us reasons to spend more time together."
"Ooh, I knew it. Getting closer to a woman through her children. I see how you are." She waved a finger at Ryuzo.
He pulled his shirt back on, still rubbing his sore left arm. "Well, the offer is there. I think it'll be good for him. It can't hurt what he's already learned."
"I'll ask him tomorrow, then."
"Ask him?"
"Yes. He makes his own decisions. About what he would like to do, what he would like to eat, where he wants to attend school, etc. It's an independent household. I help him along, but he's pretty darn self sufficient." She smiled, "He takes care of me as much as I take care of him."
Ryuzo let out a hum, "Oh... I see." He stood up and placed his hand at Kiyone's side, "I'll say, I like the way he's taken care of you then." He leaned in close, "I don't think I can go back to sleep after this."
Kiyone smiled back, "You're so romantic. Too bad I'm exhausted." She closed her eyes and set her head on his shoulder.
"Let me join you then?" Ryuzo whispered, "I promise, I won't keep you up... too long."
"I think you're enjoying married life too much, Ryuzo." She murmured, "Don't keep me up too late, okay? I've got an early morning."
"I swear." He grinned and moved in to kiss Kiyone softly, "Let's go."
* * *
Another typical day at Galaxy Police headquarters. Ryuzo had been training Ken for about three months now. From the occasional lesson on Jurai, on Yagami, or even any spare room available for them. They had a competitive relationship together and Ken was a quick learner. Yet another day was done and it was time for Ken to be dropped at Kiyone and Mihoshi's office. They walked down the hall.
"I have to go to the bathroom." Ken complained.
"But we're almost there." Ryuzo mentioned.
"I want to go to the bathroom now! Look, right there." He pointed to a public bathroom. "I'll be back in a minute."
"Fine." Ryuzo followed up until Ken went into the bathroom. He leaned against the wall next to the door, watching the area.
The platform bustled with a general amount of activity. Ryuzo observed quietly, as he had every time before. When he's not busy back at Jurai, he's training Ken or spending time with Kiyone. He smiled to himself and thought of his current life. His mind drifted a bit, until he spotted Kiyone wandering down the hall toward where he was. 'Oh, I guess she's not in her office yet.' He went to open his mouth, but noticed another officer with her that was not Mihoshi. Instead, he watched quietly.
Kiyone and the other officer walked passed where Ryuzo and that extra bathroom was. They stopped in front of her office to talk. He was an older looking officer, maybe in his mid thirties. His features were chiseled and appealing. Their conversation, although it could not be heard by Ryuzo, seemed warm and friendly. The older officer touched Kiyone on the arm, then smiled as he turned to go. Kiyone went into her office after watching the officer head back down the hall.
Ryuzo stared intently. A twinge of jealousy flushed through him. Someone poked his arm. He looked down to notice Ken, "Oh... you done? Let's go then."
"I was waiting for you." Ken stuck his tongue out at Ryuzo.
"C'mon." He pushed off the wall and walked down the hall to the office, knocking on the door softly, "Hello... Child Delivery."
"Oooh, my mail order child has come in finally?" Kiyone answered the door. She grinned playfully, then kneeled down and ruffled Ken's hair, "How's my boy been?"
"Oh, as good as he could be." Ryuzo joked, "You know how boys can be."
"Good enough." Kiyone smiled, "I have a sandwich already for you on my desk. Eat up."
Ryuzo watched Ken rush over to the desk to get the sandwich. "Man, I just fed him two hours ago..."
"Growing kids are like that. Take a seat, I should wrap up here shortly."
He felt that twinge of jealousy again and said, "What, no 'Hello's for me?"
"What type of greeting are you expecting? I'm on the clock, here." Kiyone seemed annoyed, "Just go sit down."
Kiyone went to her desk and started working on some reports. Ryuzo took a seat as he was told. He battled with this jealousy bug. 'I've never felt jealous before. Why now? He wasn't all that good looking. Maybe it was the touch... the way he looked at her... argh. This is not me. Have faith in her. Have faith in yourself, Ryuzo.'
Mihoshi walked into the office, going over to her desk and passing Kiyone another datapad. "Here you go, Kiyone."
"What's the meaning of this? Mihoshi... this doubles my work for tonight!" She looked over the pad, "This was supposed to be done three days ago. You're not shoving this off on me."
"But I already have my own work to do." Mihoshi whimpered, "You're so much faster at that then I am."
"Well, then you have to do my reports. I can't do both and get out of here at a sane hour." She bargained, "A trade for a trade or you're out of luck. I'm on to your games."
Mihoshi sighed, "Yes yes. Hand them over." She went over ot her desk and started working on the reports. Kiyone started work on her new project.
Ryuzo looked up, "Anything I can do?"
"Not really... just make yourself comfortable. We'll be a bit. You could always head over to the Yagami with Ken, you know."
Ryuzo thought to himself, 'But I really don't want to go anywhere without you.' "No, no... it's okay. I feel weird going there without you anyway. They always give me strange looks at the docks. I'm fine." He had a strange inflection in his voice. Kiyone raised an eyebrow at him and nodded lightly.
"Okay, your choice. It's pretty dull here. We may be another hour or so." She noted.
"I'm okay." He said confidently.
A knock at the door echoed through the room, "Come in!" said Mihoshi.
The door opened. The officer from earlier stepped into the room, "Ms. Makibi, oh good, you're still here."
Kiyone sat up, "Yes sir! I've got a little extra paper work to handle today. Did you forget something from earlier?"
He smiled, "Well... nothing too pressing. I wanted to talk to you about that extra training you were asking about. I looked over the schedule and there is some extra openings next month in the class. They're two week courses." The officer smiled, and then noted, "However, I could do some private lessons if you're interested. It'll take half the time of the training, but you'll work later for about a week. Really your choice. I have the credentials and we can start as soon as tomorrow."
"I..." She hesitated, "... have to think on that a little, sir. As much as I'd like to cut down training time, there's something to be said about classroom training." Kiyone commented.
"They say the same about one-on-one training." The older man smiled, "I'm offering. It's a quicker step into that special forces unit you're so interested in. Please think about it, please."
"I wouldn't want you to be bothered with training me. You have other things to do..." Kiyone attempted to decline, "I'll think about it though."
"And I wouldn't have offered if I didn't have the time free. I know you would be a great student. You're one of the top officers here. It'd be an honor to be known as the one who trained you." He urged.
"You flatter me, Sir. I'll talk to you tomorrow about this. In the meantime, I have to go back to work. Thank you for stopping by."
"No problem." He nodded, "See you later." He exited the office.
Kiyone and Mihoshi went back to work quietly. Ken sat over at his own desk area, working on some schoolwork.
Ryuzo felt even more heated by the whole interaction that had just happened. He stayed silent, almost brooding. He stood up and announced, "I'm going for a walk."
"A walk? I'm almost done here..." Kiyone looked up at him.
"I'm going for a walk." He said again. Ryuzo walked out the office door and closed it loudly behind him.
Kiyone blinked, "... what the..." She looked over at Ken, "Did something happen today during training?"
"No... nothin' exciting." He went back to his work.
"Okay. Mihoshi, watch Ken for a bit. I'm going to go after Ryuzo. I'd better catch up before he becomes impossible to find." She sighed, a little frustrated that she had to chase after him.
Kiyone ran out the door and down the hall. She caught the back of Ryuzo moving down the left corridor. She caught up pretty quickly, tapping on his shoulder, "Where do you think you're going?"
Ryuzo kept walking, "Don't know, don't care. I'm just walking."
"Just walking? We're going to leave soon. Come back to the office." She followed intently.
"Why? I don't feel like sitting. I'll catch a ride back to Jurai..." Ryuzo snapped, continuing forward.
Kiyone blinked and grabbed his arm, "What are you talking about? It's not that big of a deal... we'll take you back to Jurai tonight, if you want."
"Look, I'm not in the mood." He shrugged her hand away from him.
She glared at him and grabbed his hand. "Now I know something is wrong." Kiyone dragged him over to a small room labeled 'Janitor', closing the door behind them and promptly locking it.
The room was pretty small, holding a few brooms and extra cleaning utensils. Ryuzo looked annoyed at Kiyone, "Why can't you just leave me alone?"
She blinked and leaned against the door, "..." Kiyone's arms hung at her sides, "Oh... I see. I thought that being married to you, I was supposed to not leave you alone."
"Married to me? Is that right, 'Ms. Makibi'? What was that, back there? Huh?"
"... are you angry that I use my own last name, STILL? Back there? What about back there? It was work related."
"It didn't seem work related." He sneered. "I saw how he talked to you... how he touched you."
Kiyone blinked, "Whoa... WHOA. Touched? Back up there. He hasn't touched me in any way..."
"I saw it with my own eyes!" He almost yelled, "Don't lie to me!"
"I'm not lying! Listen to yourself."
Ryuzo grabbed Kiyone by the shoulders and pushed her back against the door, unintentionally being forceful. "He touched your arm like this. He acted very friendly to you."
She winced, between his yelling and the impact against the door. She looked up at Ryuzo, "Jealousy isn't an attractive feature on you, Ryuzo."
"You're my wife! People around here don't even know you're married! I have a right to feel jealous that an older... nicer looking... MAN is putting the moves on you." Ryuzo fumed.
"No matter how nice they seem, or even their age, my heart belongs to you." She looked up at him. The room fell silent.
Ryuzo let go of her. He turned away from Kiyones gaze, "...I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry. I just never see you. I don't know how you are at work. It's hard on me. Harder than I thought it'd be. I... I honestly feel threatened."
"You have no reason to feel threatened." She stepped over and touched his cheek. She turned to look at him. "I'm trying my best. I know you'd want us to have more time together... but you knew what this was before we were married."
Ryuzo pushed Kiyone back against the door softly. He tilted his head and touched his lips to hers in a warm kiss. "Kiyone, I just love you so much. Don't leave me for a better guy. I'm trying my best here, too. I want you to love me as much as I love you."
"I do." She looked up at him a little mischievously, "Take me."
"Wh..what?" Ryuzo blushed, "Here?"
She put a hand at his waist, pulling him close to her. Kiyone kissed him again. Not forcefully as his, but playfully. Ryuzo shuddered and lost himself in her gentle urgings.
An hour later, the two found themselves back at the office. "Wow, he must have been across the station or something. You guys took so long!" Mihoshi commented. Both blushed and agreed with Mihoshi's comment.
Despite Ryuzos' complaints, Kiyone took up that offer for the extra training. Every night she had come back to the ship late, Ryuzo was there to greet her. They would make love every night. Sometimes it was to satisfy Ryuzo's jealousy. Other nights to relax Kiyone. Her body was aching, stressed and strained. Not much time for relaxing with literal double-shifts. They both somehow managed to live through the week.
* * *
The night had been long and eventful. Ryuzo and Kiyone had returned back to the Yagami from the Galaxy Policemans charity event that happened every year. Ryuzo stumbled over to the couch, laying down with his legs propped over the edge.
Kiyone followed, a bit less awkwardly as Ryuzo. She pulled off her overjacket and placed it down, "I see someone can't hold his liquor."
"I didn't realize that was alcoholic." He commented, staring up at the ceiling. "I just wish the world would stop spinning."
"Not even a good enough buzz to make it worthwhile, huh?" She stepped over to the couch and worked at untying Ryuzo's shoes. She smiled and idly pulled off his socks, placing the socks and shoes beside the couch. Kiyone stretched and undid a hair tie, letting it fall gently on her shoulders.
"Didn't you have anything to drink?" Ryuzo asked. His cheeks still pink from the effects. He eyed Kiyone as she pulled her hair down, somewhat lost in thought and awestruck by her graceful motions.
Kiyone blinked and noticed Ryuzo watching her intently, "Not a drop. I've learned my lessons from the past."
"Wha, you don't trust me?" He joked. "I promise I won't get you drunk just to take advantage of you."
"You, sir, are toasted." She tossed a blanket on him. "I'm going to get you some water. I'd say stay put... but I don't think you can move much anyway."
Ryuzo made a face, curling up under the blanket, "Now you're just makin' fun of me."
"Right you are, good sir." She wandered to the kitchen. After a minute, she returned with a cup of water. "Sit up, you need to drink this. It'll be good for you."
He sat up after a long moment and held out a hand. She sat down next to him and offered the glass. Ryuzo drank half the glass down, then set it on the table. He place a hand on his head, then went to lay back down. Ryuzo's head landed onto Kiyone's lap a bit roughly.
"Oww. Watch it." She playfully smacked his forehead with the palm of her hand.
Ryuzo reached up and rubbed the tender spot where she had smacked. He closed his eyes and said softly, "Next time I go to one of these things, I'm asking YOU what's safe to drink."
"No harm done." She leaned back against the couch. Her left hand went to Ryuzo's short black hair and started to work her way along the scalp from the side to back with her fingertips. She looked down at him thoughtful, warmly. The smile on her face made him feel safe.
"... Kiyone?" Ryuzo studied her face thoughtfully. "Why do you put up with me?"
"That's a loaded question, don't you think?" She continued her gentle head massage. "I shouldn't put up with you at all." She softened her voice.
"Kiyone..." Ryuzo sounded sad. "You're right, you shouldn't."
She moved her right hand through the other side of his hair, sliding her left hand down the front of his elaborate shirt. She idly undid the buttons with her fingres, "What would you do? It's hard to take something so important from our lives and just say... what would you do without that? Where would you be?"
"I have absolutely no idea." He mumbled, still watching Kiyone's face.
"It wasn't a question that can be answered." She pulled his shirt open, showing off his now bare chest. Her fingertips ran softly along his warm skin. Ryuzo shivered, though not really moving to Kiyone's motions.
Ryuzo commented, "Why do you put up with me, then?"
"I look into your eyes and everything feels different. I love to wake up next to you. I want to take care of you." She spoke softly, patiently.
"I'm not your son, I'm your husband." Ryuzo looked confused.
"I know." She leaned down and kissed him on the lips softly. She raised her head and smiled, "What I feel is that I love you. Sometimes I think you'd be a mess without me. I have to remind myself that... maybe I'd be just as much of a mess without you."
"I think I'd be a worse mess without you." He murmured, "You make me whole."
Kiyone shook her head. She leaned down and kissed him again. "You make you whole. We make each other happy, and that's all that matters."
* * *
The pilot seat of Yagami was occupied by Kiyone. She maneuvered over the Juraian surface and landed in an open field. Ryuzo and Ken exited through the side door. Kiyone lead them out.
"I've got an escort mission today. I may be a while. Ken may need to stay the night... is that okay? I'll come by as soon as we're finished. I'll call beforehand." Kiyone noted.
Ryuzo nodded and gave Kiyone a goodbye kiss, "Yeah, it's fine. It's like his second home now."
"It is not." Ken commented with a bag slung over his shoulder. "Come back soon. I wanna sleep in my room."
"I trust we'll be fine." Ryuzo frowned and nudged Ken playfully. "Yes, call me please."
Kiyone nodded and boarded the Yagami once again, lifting off and heading back into the sky. Ryuzo stared into the sky as she left before nudging Ken, "Okay, back to training."
"Yeah yeah..."
* * *
There were three ships in formation, protecting one smaller vessel across the void of space. Kiyone sighed, "Another boring mission."
Mihoshi sat in the co-pilot seat, "These are the easiest, Kiyone."
"Miraki should never have recommended us for this." Kiyone seemed annoyed.
"But you are fully certified, right? This is just the type of mission that brings more promotions. I'm envious. Soon enough I won't even be able to accompany you."
"You can take the training too, you know." Kiyone mentioned. "I just needed the extra boost. I hate it when I feel my career isn't going anywhere. Sometimes you have to take the incentive."
"Captain Miraki seemed to push you in your training." Mihoshi paused, "Do you think he may have a thing for you?"
"Mihoshi! Don't say things like that. He's a superior officer. I think he just wanted what was best for me. Ryuzo already doesn't like him." Kiyone checked the sensors.
Mihoshi let out an "Aah." noise. "Well, we'll see."
"Yeah right?" Kiyone intoned.
The front sensor erupted with a loud beeping noise. "What's that?" Mihoshi checked.
"Communications open! What's going on there?" Kiyone requested.
An officer from the first ship popped up on the screen. "Missiles... everywhere! Prepare yourself and follow the mission at all costs! This isn't a joke, this is real."
"Yes sir!" Kiyone pushed a few buttons on the panel, "Mihoshi, battle stations!"
"Roger!" She adjusted her seat and pulled her console in front of her.
"Fire at all attacking objects. I'll move Yagami to a defensive position." She pushed another button on the screen, "Communications open: What's your status? We should land as soon as possible!"
Explosions rocked around Yagami. Kiyone braced herself, "Mihoshi, you're supposed to shoot those down!"
"There are too many! I'm trying to keep the damage at a minimum."
"Keep working at it. Try harder, dammit." She growled, "We'll move to the front position. You other two fall back and stick with the target."
"Yes sir!" Announced the voices on the communications end.
Kiyone pushed another button. "Opening hailing frequencies: Please identify yourself! This is Detective Kiyone Makibi of the Galaxy Police. What you're doing is an act of treason."
"An act of treason? What kind of universe do you live in?" Said the voice on the other end.
"I live in the same as yours. Please, identify yourself and this can be resolved peacefully." Kiyone noted.
"Oh, but you're wrong. The criminal you're escorting killed thousands of my people. They don't deserve to live another day! I can't stand to sit by and allow them to go free. There will be no peace involved today." Growled the voice.
"Shinaku." Kiyone voiced, "That's you, isn't it? This isn't a game. You can't just attack the Galaxy Police in the name of your 'Justice' in order to get what you want done. You'll hurt more innocents than necessary. We're taking this prisoner back to headquarters, where they will be tried and convicted properly."
"Shut up! You lie!" The voice snapped.
Mihoshi noted to Kiyone, "They've stopped firing. Keep them talking."
"Our system will not fail you. The Shinaku are a proud people. You shouldn't resort to violence." Kiyone urged.
"The Galaxy Police have done nothing but made this harder than it should be! Let me kill him now and I will spare your lives."
"This isn't what you want." Kiyone spoke softly, "You would know how much we've backed the Shinaku time and time again. Please, let the authorities handle this and I promise you that justice will be served properly."
Mihoshi spoke in her communicator, "Alert to other ships, we're approaching the planet Nubira. We'll make a landing there, outside of Galaxy Police Sub-Station 3986. Continue to protect the prisoner until we've landed and ensured their safety."
"Not what I want?" The voice continued, "You don't even know what I want, lady. My family... my entire life was RUINED by that scum. You speak of justice and promises. I'll tell you that you lie! Nothing will come of it. There's no honor in putting a criminal away for life. There's no honor for my people! I know how the Galaxy Police do things. Your promise means nothing!"
"..." Kiyone lowered her voice, "Mihoshi, alert the other ships to continue to the surface. We've got a lock on them. We'll have to engage with them to keep the mission going."
"... Roger."
"Are you still there? We've got a lock on your vessel. Surrender immediately and no one will be hurt." Kiyone announced.
The convoy already started to retreat to the nearest planet surface. Only Yagami and the offending ship remained.
"You're a disgrace to your profession! I'll never surrender!"
Kiyone pushed a button. Missiles fired out of the Yagami, hitting the other ship at multiple angles. The space sky rocked with explosions.
The other ship moved and started after the other Galaxy Police ships. Yagami followed, continuing with the pursuit and firing accordingly. They returned fire as well, the battle now waging well into the atmosphere of the planet Nubira.
"I'm warning you! One more shot and you're done for. Surrender immediately and no one will get hurt." Kiyone urged the pursuers.
"If I'm going down, I'm taking that asshole with me!"
Kiyone blinked, watching the screen, "They've dropped their weapons and powered their thrusters. Crap! Yagami's not gonna like this..." She grabbed the controls and maneuvered Yagami to intercept the other ship as it blasted toward the prisoner convoy.
Everything went black for them.
* * *
The Galaxy Police hospital on Nubira was small and ill equipped. At least fifteen officers were badly injured, some even were killed in the assault.
"What's going on here!?" Asked Ryuzo to the young cadet "I want some answers. Where's Kiyone? Where's Mihoshi?"
"Please sir, calm down. We know as much as you do at this point." The boy pleaded. "What is your relation with the Detective? We'll try our best to help you out.."
"My relationship? She's my wife! We're married! I've even got the paper to prove it. Let me see her now!" Ryuzo pushed forward.
The cadet held up his hands and said, "I can't. I'm sorry. She's in surgery. We don't know anything other than who is injured. Please let the professionals handle this and we'll call you over if there are any updates. I promise."
Ryuzo looked like he was going to cry. Surgery? Professionals? He didn't like those words. Ryuzo wandered back over to the lobby area and sat next to where Ken was sitting.
"What do they know? What's going on with my Mom?" He asked.
"She's... uh... I'm not gonna sugar coat things, kid. They're working on her and they won't let me know what's going on. I don't have any information on Mihoshi, either." Ryuzo sighed.
Ken looked tired, "They'll let us know soon though, right? Mom'll be okay, right? And Mihoshi?"
"... I'm here for you. They'll let us know as soon as THEY know. Just sit back and relax. It's going to be a very long night."
Time felt like it went two times slower than usual. Ken passed out in the lobby chair as Ryuzo kept his mind too occupied for sleep. A doctor approached Ryuzo several hours into the night. "Hello, are you 'Ryuzo'?"
He sat up, rubbing his eyes, "Yes... that's me. Are you Kiyone Makibi's doctor?"
The man nodded. "Yes. Please... can we take a walk?"
Ryuzo looked down at Ken who was passed out, then ermed, "Can you have a nurse sit with the boy? That's her son. I shouldn't leave him alone."
"Certainly." The doctor called over a nurse and had them sit next to Ken. Ryuzo got up and followed the doctor down a corridor to a room with a comfortable couch. Ryuzo took a seat on that couch and the the doctor sat across from him.
"The anticipation is really getting to me. Is she okay?" His voice shook. It shook with fear and loneliness.
"Your her husband, correct? My my... this is a really tender subject..." The doctor straightened up, "Kiyone Makibi is fine. She's in a stable, good condition now. However..."
"... however?" He blinked, 'She's fine. It can't be about Mihoshi? Oh no... that'd be devastating to her.'
"I'm sorry, Ryuzo." The doctor leaned over and touched Ryuzo on the shoulder, "We weren't able to save the baby. Her body wasn't strong enough after the crash. We tried our best. You, being her husband, are the first to know. You'll have to be strong for her through this time of loss."
"...hold on...wait a minute... what? What?" Ryuzo raised his voice, "Baby? I'm gonna be a Father?" He looked at the doctor, whose eyes were filled with sadness. "...I was going to be a Father. Oh no.." He covered his mouth, shocked. His body tensed with the overwhelming urge to cry, but he kept it in.
"I take it... you didn't know? What an awkward circumstance." The doctor stood. "Well, you will be able to visit your wife in a few hours. Please get something to eat and rest. You'll have to be strong for her. For both of you. I'll prescribe some time off. She'll need more than a day or two off to recuperate from this. Again, I'm sorry for your loss."
Ryuzo moved back down the hall in a daze. His entire perspective warped around him. He wasn't sure if he was to be relieved, depressed, or upset. He relieved the nurse next to Ken and sat back in the chair. He couldn't help but think about things over and over again until finally the tears came. He covered his head in that small hospital lobby and cried, alone.
