A/N: I just realized… I am at a LOSS for side stories. So, guess what? Lessons and character development! Woo-hoo! Anyway… We may actually see lots of interesting things this time. Who knows? And, I'm sorry. I lied. I guess we will be seeing more of Inez. *shrug* Well, let's get on with it!

~*~

Rumiko adjusted his glasses as he stood before the long plank table in the center of his house. "All right. I put down in front of each of you something you should be able to manipulate. Now I just want you to concentrate on changing it in anyway, and it-" he stopped suddenly as he looked over at Hikaru. "Ano… Amano-san?"

Hikaru looked up from the three small cyclones of air she created in the dusting of flour before her. "What?" Her right hand twirled as she looked a Rumiko, and he seriously could not believe the girl. "Do you mean to say that it comes that easily for you?" he questioned, his voice quivering. She nodded and smiled, making the three small ones fall and another large one come up, flour being flung in different directions. "It's easy. All you do it try to make it do something, and it does it!"

Akito raised a hand, careful to not spill the cup of water before him. "Um, Rumiko-san, maybe she has such an easy grip on it because, well, she's the only one here that believes it, so far." Most of the others mumbled their agreement, and the redhead glared at the Martian. "Akito, it's not fucking hard. Just turn the goddamn water into ice already!"

Rumiko shook his head. "She believes in what you all know is true BECAUSE she has such an easy grip on it." Hikaru leaned over her cyclone, focusing on every word that came out of his mouth. "Believe it or not, but Hikaru is the strongest of you magically. She knows what must be done, and she can do it well." She stuck her tongue out at her comrades, and Jun rolled his eyes.

Rumiko started with Akito first, kneeling before him on the other side of the table. "Tenkawa-san, just imagine that the water in the glass is frozen. Or think of something very cold. I don't care which, but just do something!" Akito crossed his arms. "What is the point of this, anyway?" Rumiko sighed and shook his head. "Your insolence is tiresome, Tenkawa-san, everyone else. I'm trying to gauge your strengths, and it's obvious that Amano-san is the strongest, for her faith in her Goddess must be strong as well!"

Hikaru raised her hand. "But, Rumiko-san, I'm atheist. I just used to pretend that I had the ability over wind when I was younger. That's the ONLY reason I have any belief in this, and that it explains so much." Rumiko shrugged. "But your skill and control is grand, remember that."

Akito rubbed his temples. "Would you just shut the fuck up, Hikaru? You're giving me a headache with all this magic-mumbo-jumbo." He barely had time to close his eyes before a gust of wind knocked all of her flour into his face. He coughed and glared at the redhead. "Dammit, Hikaru!" The redhead just grinned.

Izumi opened her crimson eyes to find water spouting in the once-empty cup before her. She smiled slightly. "Rumiko-san." He walked over and squinted at her work. "You've done this before?" She nodded. "Under Inez. That's when she called me Aqua's Rage." Rumiko nodded. "So Lady Ai at least remembers most of what she learned from Juveus-sama. That's good. At least we all know the others of your band are in good hands."

~*~

Inez made a note of the strengths of her four charges, who treated her more like they did before than as their magic teacher. Yurika stretched and yawned, wiggling her fingers. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely ready to take a nap or something." Inez chuckled. "Well, I would assume that, as you have a very taxing magic, it should only be used at discretion. Yurika stopped and put her hands on her hips. "Is that a subtle way of telling me not to mess around with the freewill of people?" She smiled. "You don't have to worry about that, Miss Fressange. I, for one, think that my newfound ability is, frankly, quite rude." She made a face.

Akatsuki smirked. "Why, Kanchou, I wouldn't mind you invading my thoughts or freewill. Set a time and place." Yurika smiled at the CEO of Nergal. 'Once you get past the malicious bastard, and the perverted womanizer, he really is a nice guy, I suppose.'

Yukina obviously didn't have the same thoughts. "Kanchou, I think he only wants you to see his fantasy of having hot monkey sex with you." Yurika's jaw dropped at the Jovian girl. "Yukina! Does Minato know of your language problem?" Yukina nodded. "Yes she does. I blamed it on Genichiro-san though, so she doesn't mind too much." Ruri rested her head in one hand and closed her amber eyes, whispering, "Baka," before dozing off. Inez regarded the princess and nodded slowly. "I suppose that's all for today. I needed to gauge you're strengths and weaknesses to develop what we begin on first, but obviously that's made you slightly exhausted. You're free to rest up, now."

Yurika made a beeline from the dimly lit cafeteria to the hangar, and Yukina watched as Akatsuki licked his lips hungrily, before running after her. She sighed, and shook Ruri's shoulder gently. The healer's eyes opened slowly and focused on the Jovian girl. She shook her head, ridding herself of this feeling of disorientation that overwhelmed her. Yukina smiled at the other girl. "Come on, Ruri-chan. I'll walk you to your room." She helped Ruri to her feet, but Ruri shook her head no. "No, Yukina… I have to go back to the bridge. I can't go to sleep…" but her sentence trailed off as she yawned. Yukina put her hands on her hips. "Princess Notsumote Hoshino Ruri of Peaceland! You get your ass in bed right now! Omoikane will understand!" Ruri's eyelids started to droop, and she realized this was a battle that she could not win. She slowly nodded, and allowed for Yukina to lead her to her bedroom, barely comprehending that Yukina led Ruri into the Jovian girl's room instead of to Ruri's.

It was only after Yukina shut the door behind her that Ariko came up behind her and questioned, "Why did you put Oneesama into your bedroom?" The copy mage shrugged. "My room is closer to the cafeteria than hers, and if she walked any longer, I'd have to carry her. And I can't do that. I'm skinny and weak." She grinned. Ariko relaxed slightly. Yukina looked down both ends of the hall. "Hey, Ariko, let's go get some food, eh?." Ariko blushed and shook his head no. "No thanks, Yukina-san. I have a few more things to do for Uribatake-san." Yukina sighed. "That guy works you like a dog. I'll have to go yell at him for that."

Ariko smiled. "I think you'd have to get Oneesama or Hikaru-san to do that."

~*~

On the trek back to the campsite and the Nadesico, Itsuki noticed a troubled look on Jun's face. Leaving Ryoko's side with an explaining glance, she sidestepped over to the blue-haired man. "Somethin' wrong, Junny?"

Jun looked up to see the musician, and shook his head no. "nothing for you to be concerned about." Itsuki rolled her eyes. "Jun, I'm your friend. I'm obligated to know. And besides, I'm sure everyone is getting sick of me only being in on what's going on with me or Jiro. I might as well become enlightened. Something about Kanchou as usual, eh?" The blue-haired man nodded. "I really should have said something, demanded to be in Miss Fressange's group or something. Because I seriously think that Akatsuki is getting in on my territory." Jun glared at the ground. Itsuki bit her lip. "Did you just call Yurika your territory? What, have you marked her or something?" Jun's eyes popped open and his face turned red, Itsuki laughing at his embarrassment. "Oh, calm down Junny! Jeez!"

Jun glared at the woman, his face still very pink, "You guys just love trying to corrupt me, don't you?" Itsuki nodded, grinning. "Oh hell yes, you little pyro. And we're doing one hell of a job, aren't we?" Jun sighed. "I swear, one of these days I might just say 'fuck it' about Akatsuki and Kanchou getting together and just offer my services to any threesome they want, bondage or otherwise."

Itsuki clapped a hand on his back, her high laugh making him wince slightly. "That's the spirit, Junny!" she exclaimed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders in a quick hug before returning to her old spot next to Ryoko.

~*~

"Aw, dammit! That was just sad!" whined Hikaru from her seat in front of "Fighting Kanji" in the recreation hall. Ryoko glanced over. "What is your malfunction?" Hikaru turned her head, but kept her hands on the controls. "I only got a 463 hit combo!"

Akito choked on his Mars Cola, one of the last cans on the ship. "'ONLY' 463??? What the fuck is the matter with you, Hikaru?" Hikaru shrugged slightly. "I don't know. Seriously, isn't that fucking pathetic?" Ryoko smirked at the shock of the Martian regarding one of her best friend. "Hikaru's always prided herself with her skill in fighting games. Of course," She crossed her arms smugly, "she hasn't challenged the master."

Hikaru glared at the green-haired pilot. "You call yourself the master, Ryoko, but I have yet to see you beat my record of 782 hits." Akito's jaw dropped. "Okay, Hikaru. I think it's safe to say you have no fucking life." Hikaru smiled maliciously, and waved an arm at the seat next to her. "Would you like to go against me, Ryoko? It should prove interesting." Ryoko smiled just as cruelly, and sat down, taking the controls into her hands. "You will die, Hikaru."

Twenty minutes, fifteen rounds, and thirteen combination hits from Hikaru, all over 500 hits, later, Ryoko beat her head against her seat. "Why does Hikaru keep kicking my ass?!?" Akito, who was watching the whole thing quite intently, answered, "Because she obviously loves this game and knows everything there is to know about it. Hikaru, I am fucking impressed." Hikaru grinned and made the victory sign. Ryoko glared at the redhead. "One more time Hikaru, just one more time!" Hikaru shrugged, not fazed by Ryoko's anger at all. "Sure, Ryoko. Whatever you want. I'M not the one who needs practice." Akito settled in his chair between the two, glancing once in a while from the screen, to Hikaru's nimble fingers, to Ryoko's gritted teeth, and back again. His eyebrows were raised when Hikaru killed Ryoko once again, without even taking a hit.

"Arg!!!" yelled Ryoko, collapsing once again in defeat. She wasn't the only one, however. The ship suddenly jerked and shook violently, throwing both Hikaru and Akito to the floor, the Martian landing on the artist. As Akito quickly pulled himself of the redhead, and helped her up, Hikaru glared at Ryoko. "Jesus, Ryoko! Nice time to suddenly break out, you think?!?" Ryoko's dark eyebrows furrowed, and Akito sighed. "What do you mean, Hikaru?" asked the pianist. Hikaru just put her hands on her hips. "Don't play dumb with me, Ryoko-chan. You know perfectly well that you have magic in earthquakes!" Ryoko rolled her eyes. "Are we back on that again?"

"Yes!" Akito sat back down in his seat. "Hikaru, be reasonable. Doesn't this whole thing sound a little farfetched?" Hikaru shifted her glare from Ryoko to him. "Baka! Did you really think the air systems were messed up? Every time you get upset, it gets hella cold in whatever room you're in! Even Gai-chan said that-" She clapped a hand to her mouth.

Akito raised his eyebrows. "…Well?" he asked, trying to not suddenly jump the girl for information. Hikaru looked at he floor. "Gomen…"

Ryoko rolled her eyes again. "Tenkawa, you dog. You lose Kanchou and you try for a rebound." Akito pulled on a strand of his short hair. "God damn you people! It's not a rebound, for crissakes!" Hikaru put her hands on her hips. "'Aqua's sakes', Akito!" Akito sighed. "Fine, AQUA'S SAKES! Dammit." He slumped into his chair. "Why can't any of you believe me?"

Ryoko laid a finger on her cheek. "Let me guess. His letter made you want him again." Akito raised his eyebrows. "How did you know?" Ryoko shrugged. "It seems typical. I mean, come on. I've only been fucking Itsuki for the past month or so. Cut me some slack. I know things. That, and something I get bored and steals some of her romance novels."

Hikaru sat down, her dark brown eyes full of worry. She began playing against the computer again, not even focusing on the screen, but still annihilating every character there. 'Akito wants Gai-chan again. But if they get back together, things will just go back to the way they were before. They'll be arguing constantly, and Akito would be on perpetual PMS until they break-up again. I can see it; it's a never-ending cycle. It will go on, and on, until someone just gives up completely.' As the game's credits reflected off her glasses, her eyes went back into focus. 'Fighting games have always been therapeutic to me. Drawing, writing, and playing video games. Maybe that's why I'll never be a true person. I will always be just interested in things everyone can do, but I just happen to be better at than them.'

~*~

I amuse myself by watching these… traitors, you could call them. But they do not know that by simply existing that they go against my will. Well, I will let them live for now. To see those that I have ordered destroyed prosper is something that They must have a hand in. How They are doing this, I do not know. They are sealed away, and have been as such for centuries upon centuries.

Still, Aer's Calm is confusing. How she can be so submerged in their personal lives, and in her own abilities, is astounding. And that Aer's Rage is a pest. I will eventually rid myself of them. But for now, I will merely observe, and confuse those that believe they know me.

~*~

Rumiko knocked softly on the door, afraid of what his punishment will be. Igadosu opened the door soon after, and smiled at him sadly. Rumiko bowed his head. "I assume you know why I'm here. I only pray that you will hold off my punishment until Lady Ai is safe." Igadosu shook his head, and gestured for the younger man to come in. He said nothing until Rumiko was seated.

"You have nothing to fear, Rumiko. I will not turn you in." Rumiko's eyes widened. "What?" he cried, both relieved and confused by Igadosu's words. The older man nodded. "I will carry out the Ninlandish tradition of doing nothing in something that is not my business. It is your business, only yours and Magus's. If He deems punishment, it will be His word and hand alone. Not mine." The master priest relaxed a bit, and continued. "Rumiko, you're not my first apprentice, but you've definitely been the best I've had the pleasure of training. It's my honor that you go on to teach friends of Lady Ai, Elemental of otherwise. For that, I thank you, and will do you the favor of not reporting you." Rumiko nodded. "I thank you as well, Igadosu. You've been a fantastic teacher, a wonderful master, and a good friend. I believe, now, that I have the strength to teach those bumbling idiots I call my students." Igadosu began laughing at Rumiko's statement. "And that's the arrogant bastard I've had to deal with for over ten years!" He wiped a tear from his eyes and smiled at his former apprentice. "I wish you good luck on your journey." Rumiko stood and hugged his former master. "I'm going to need it, Igadosu."

~*~

Inez fought the wave of dizziness that consumes her conscious thought for a moment, pushing it back and continuing to talk Ruri through the process. "That's right, Ruri-chan. Just focus on closing the wound. Once you can stop and clear the most fatal of wounds and sicknesses, will we start working on making them go away entirely." Beads of sweat clung to the princess's forehead, and the sincere, but clueless robot boy wiped them off with a napkin. Only after the slit on Inez's wrist closed up effectively did Ruri reopen her amber eyes and breathe heavily.

Omoikane, Yukina, and Yurika all clapped happily. Ruri gave them something of a smile before collapsing onto a chair, winded and exhausted. Akatsuki rubbed his chin. "Why is it that Ruri's power is so difficult, as opposed to ours?" He slowly, carefully levitated his glass of water over to the out-of-breath healer, who grasped it and gulped it down quickly.

Inez rubbed her now scarred wrist. "It's difficult for her because she is working with the power of Life itself, not just Nature or Thought. It takes some of her own life to work with it, which makes her very tired. Don't worry though, Ruri." She gave the girl a reassuring smile. "It won't shave years off your life. Eventually, you won't get very tired at all."

Ruri was much more herself after she finished Akatsuki's water. "That's good to hear. Though, I never expected to suddenly have to become a medical engineer." Yukina furrowed her brow. "What did you expect to do with your life, once we get back to Earth?" Ruri glanced at the Jovian girl. "I expected to become involved with Asuka Incorporated-"

Akatsuki interrupted, chuckling, "As if we'd let a prize like you run off to work for another company, Ruri-chan." Ruri glared at the CEO of Nergal. "It would be either that or…" she trailed off, shifting her gaze to the floor. Omoikane bent down to see her face. "Peaceland?" Ruri nodded slowly. "Though I never knew my family, I am still the first heir to the kingdom. And I have become much more close to my brother than I would have otherwise."

Inez nodded. "Ruri, you may leave for the day, if you wish. Kanchou, I want you to enter Nagare's mind. Nagare, I want you give a thumb's up when what she says she sees is true, and thumb's down when she is wrong."

Ruri stood and left the dim cafeteria, able to walk by herself this time. 'It's so difficult… Will I be able to be Queen, and a Healer? Not to mention a successful computer operator… and what of Omoikane? I left my position before… and I know it will be brought up again when we get back to Earth. Will I be able to leave it again? Or will personal feelings swing my decision the other way? And will we ever get back to Earth?'

~*~

Uribatake was trying to fix the Y-Unit when Hikaru popped up out of nowhere, scaring the living daylights out of him. "Jesus, Hikaru! You pulling a goddamn Inez?" Hikaru's red eyebrows locked together. "'Pulling an Inez'?" Uribatake nodded, turning back to the wires before him. "New term we use. Miss Fressange has been freakin' appearing and reappearing at random times, rambling about this, that, or the other thing. So, now, whenever someone pops up unannounced, we call it 'pulling an Inez'."

"Hmm," grunted Hikaru, plopping down to sit next to the open panel. "So what have you been up to, Uri-P?" Uribatake shrugged. "Trying to fix the PT Engines in this baby."

"Is that what made us crash here?" Uribatake nodded. Hikaru slid down so she was lying down, blocking the path entirely. "I don't know what's wrong with me lately, Uri-P. I'm just so tired all the time."

"Must have something to do with the whole magic thing." Hikaru sat up suddenly, shocked at his probable assessment to the situation. "What makes you think that?" The mechanic shrugged again. "I told you, Miss Fressange has been Jumping all over the ship, ranting about her theories behind this whole thing." Hikaru's face darkened. "She's been Jumping…" The girl sighed. "She tells Kanchou 'No Jumping', yet she does it all the time herself. I wonder why that is."

Uribatake closed the panel and suddenly stood. "Hikaru, why is it that I have most of my intelligent conversations with you?" Hikaru grinned. "What can I say? I'm a good friend and everyone knows it." Uribatake sighed. "Well, Hikaru, I'll see you later."

"Later, Uri-P!"

~*~

Megumi smiled at Amiannah Renald of Somenolenthe, the girl who ran the general store. Amiannah smiled slightly back. The girl had nothing to argue about; Megumi was buying over 500 pence worth of just clothing for herself. Amiannah bowed graciously, her short, bushy, light blue hair falling over her ears. "Thank you very much, Miss Reinard," said Amiannah gratefully, and in Japanese, no less. Megumi nodded, caught off guard by the way an alien on a distant planet could speak Japanese.

She traveled light footed to Rumiko's house, but couldn't help but notice the odd looks she got from the town's people. She walked directly into the former apprentice's house, and he was just cooking himself some dinner. She cocked a head at him. "Rumiko-san, why do the townspeople give me such strange looks?"

Rumiko glanced back to see the girl from his dreams. "Well, Miss Rainerd, people on Ninlan don't look as you do. At least, not the way you dress." Megumi nodded, dropping her new clothes onto the table. "That's why I bought these. But, isn't it something else?"

Rumiko stopped stirring the stew immediately. He slowly walked over to the table and sat down. "Miss Rainerd-"

"Megumi, please. Or Meg. Meg is good," interrupted the voice actress. Rumiko nodded. "Meg. I don't think you're aware of this… but we had been waiting for your arrival for some time." Megumi blinked. "My arrival?"

"The arrival of your ship." Rumiko stood and stepped to a podium with a very old book open on it. He began to read from it, aloud, "'And the prophecies state that the younger priest would imagine the woman, and the comet would fall, bringing an end to Magus and, in affect, our world.'" He closed the book and turned back to Megumi. "I dreamt of you, Meg. I had a premonition, and you whispered, 'To end all lies.' The lies, I am not sure of. But you are here." He turned away. "That proves the prophecies more than anything would have."

Megumi stepped over, looking at the book. "'Book of Holy Words'… who wrote this?" Rumiko smirked. "The Gods themselves." Megumi opened it tentatively. "Interesting." She paused. "May I borrow this, Rumiko-san?" Rumiko's jaw dropped. "Of course not! That's my Book of Holy Words!" Megumi bit her lip. "Well then… Can I stay the night here and read it?" queried she, hopefully.

Rumiko put his hands on his hips. "Why the sudden interest in our culture?" Megumi shrugged. "Nothing else better to do. The radio won't work this far from any form of our civilization. That, and, well… it's just very fascinating." Rumiko sighed, but nodded. "All right, you can stay the night and read it. Let me get you a candle."

Megumi smiled, her freckles standing out slightly. "Thank you very much, Mr. Rumiko!" exclaimed the voice actress in English. Rumiko smiled back, holding a tan candle. "Please, Meg. Just Rumiko."

~*~

TBC…

~*~

A/N: This was going to be much longer, but I had a fear of this not ending up as long as I wanted it to be, so I cut it off here, rather than have it be twice this size. Yeah, that's how much I'm holding off on. Anyway, how was it, people? Lots of stuff… Oh, and Hikaru kicks lots of ass in fighting games, did you know that? Well, you do now. And… um… stuff. Lots of characterization. I would expect a lot more chapters like this. I like doing it like this… it makes it somewhat easier. Anyway, what should we expect? More exploring on Somenolenthe, more magic lessons, more characterization, including some look into Rumiko-chan's past! Anyway, as always, review me and I'll give you candy! (Disclaimer: Candy is psychological only. Tabby's metaphorical candy does not exist, therefore, you don't get any. Blah.)