A/N: YARGH! Writer's block up the ass. Anyway, let's get on with the notes, summary of last chapter, non-spoiling summary of this chapter, and remarks on past reviews. ^^ Okay, in case you haven't noticed, the plot is not only being touched recently. It's being groped. Serious feeling up. Which leads to- you guessed it- the raping of the plot. We will be groping the plot here, and if things go better than planned, the plot will be DEFINITELY there next chapter. Consider this the last chapter of pointless characterization. Okay, recap. Last chapter, there was lots of talk about "when we get back to Earth" and lots of Hikaru whining and bitching. Well, here there will be more Hikaru shmuff, but that's because she's easiest to write for. Then I swear, there won't be that much complaining from her in a while. I swear. But there will be MUCH more other stuff this time. Like Izumi and Inez stuff. Plot stuff. Other stuff. Yeah. And notes on reviews… for some reason it's getting difficult to write for Akito and Gai, so I wouldn't expect much until we are deep into plot-land. Yeah. Oh, and the song Itsuki sings? It's not really a song. "Far Apart" is a poem by me, so no stealing! Anyway. Yeah. So, let's start the chapter now, shall we?

~*~

Inez winced as she heard the door to her laboratory open and close. She had a very good idea who it was, especially since Hikaru obviously went to bed. Someone who had a good idea of what was going on, but would still be angry. "Hello, Izumi," called she, not even looking to see if she was right.

Izumi glared into the dimly lit, cold room. "Inez, why didn't you tell me you moved Hikaru-chan into your class?"

"Because I knew you'd be upset, like you are now." Izumi frowned deeply, but did not venture into the room further. "Why did you move her? What does her getting upset concern you?"

"It concerns us all, and not for some campfire sing-a-long reason. Sit down, if you would, Izumi. This is a somewhat long story." Izumi complied, prepared to hear the worst and the most frank from the blonde doctor.

"Simply put, Hikaru is dangerous in an extreme emotional state like she is. And not just because things could start flying around, either. Are you aware that someone who wants most of us very dead is rising in power?"

"Magus?" It was a stab in the dark, but Izumi kind of figured that's who it was. Inez nodded. "Magus's power is rising to levels not seen since the sealing of the Elementals, according to Rumiko-san. However, He cannot affect the world at this time without choosing someone to be His host. The Gods are only able to possess those of Their own kind, but Magus, as the God of Spirit, is the exception. He can possess anyone at will. And He can see those in deep emotional turmoil easier than those who are not. And since Hikaru is the strongest of you…"

"The results of Him possessing her are devastating. So you moved her away from us so she could calm down, and not be so easy for Him to find. That all seems to make sense. But why doesn't anyone else know? Why are you telling me?"

Inez smiled at the blue-haired pilot's question. "Well, I believe you could handle the information better than most. You're much more emotionally stable than you were before, to the extent that you're much more calm about things and not so easily excitable as many people on the ship."

Izumi bit her lip, trying to suppress the faint blush she felt creep over her pale cheeks. "What makes you think that? I've been an emotional mess since Rinji died. Hell, I became obsessed with puns for the same reason! What makes you think I'm emotionally stable?"

"You no longer make puns, do you, Izumi? You're much more confident in facing the world head on since that little game of mahjong. Perhaps focusing on the present and not lamenting about the past has helped you?" Inez's eyes dropped to the floor. "I respect that, Izumi."

Inez sat a chair across the laboratory table from Izumi. She threaded her fingers together and supported her head on them. "Not only are you emotionally stable, but you are intelligent. Hikaru and Ryoko aren't the only ones to see it. You carry yourself in a way that makes others believe you hide some talent from them, but who would think it was your mere brilliance." Izumi felt her cheeks grow hotter as Inez half-lidded her gray-blue eyes at her. "It's not often that I find someone that I can have a conversation with without having to explain everything that comes out of my mouth. Simply put, the world is full of people that don't seem to appreciate intelligence anymore, and those lucky few who possess it, are cast aside. I, however, treasure it. In myself and in others." Izumi didn't even notice how narrow the table was until Inez was leaning over it slightly, and her face was close to her own.

Inez smiled, almost invitingly at the younger woman, pushing her navy blue bangs aside, allowing her to see the hidden half of Izumi's face. "Not to mention that you are quite maturely beautiful, for only being twenty. It is said the perfect woman has beauty, brains, and brawn. You certainly have the first, you have proven to me your brains, and your sniper skills in battle prove your brawn. Needless to say, I haven't found one like you in quite some time, Izumi." It was with that that Inez caught Izumi's pale lips against her painted ones in a fierce, but gentle kiss that made Izumi's crimson eyes roll back into her head. Inez had done most of the talking, but Izumi began to think it was about time. 'All that chasing from me, and she finally initiates it.'

Inez pulled away and smiled at the pilot. "Maki Izumi, I would be honored if you would accept to becoming my lover." Izumi smiled back. "I'm honored for you to ask. And of course, I accept, Maboroshi Ai."

~*~

Hikaru was nearly mortified when she opened the door to the Three Angel's room the next morning, after Izumi and Ryoko had already left, to see Viktor standing there. After all, with nothing to do, she just started working on a new fanfic, and did some drawing for her manga. She didn't see any reason to change into her uniform until about lunch. She didn't need to eat breakfast anyway.

She smiled at the accountant, pleased that he would come visit her in the first place. "Hey, Viktor, what's up?"

A slight blush flared into Viktor's cheeks and he coughed a little to regain his composure. "Perhaps this is a bad time, Hikaru-san." Hikaru followed his gaze to her nightshirt. It wasn't revealing or anything, in fact it was almost too big for her, reaching her knees and with long sleeves, but the fact that she was still in her pajamas made her eyes widen.

"Aw, shit. Totally forgot I wasn't dressed. Come in, Viktor. I'll just… run into the bathroom real fast and get dressed." And run she did. Grabbing her red uniform, she bolted into the bathroom and closed the door. She called through it though, stripping out of her nightshirt. "Is there something you wanted to talk about Viktor, or did you just feel like talking to me, or what?"

Viktor sat in the director-style chair in one corner of the room. "I just figured you'd want to know… I told Uribatake-san what was wrong with you." A half-dressed Hikaru flung the bathroom door open, with nothing but a bra on for her top at the moment. "You did WHAT?"

Viktor's violet eyes widened and he couldn't help but notice Hikaru's anatomy. The flushing of the man's face made Hikaru roll her brown eyes as she pulled up the rest of her uniform, zipping up the top. "Men. I swear. Anyway, what the fuck is the matter with you!? You told him? What made you believe that I wanted that?"

"It wasn't so much that you wanted it as much as it needed to be done." Viktor moved his gaze to the floor, feeling shame for trying to help the redhead, who obviously had some problems to work out, and obviously by her.

"I didn't want him to know, shit. I was going to tell him, eventually, when it came up, and particularly when I was ready! Viktor, you obviously don't understand me if you believed I wanted you to do that."

"Well, how am I supposed to know when you're ready for anything?"

"When I do it my damn self, duh! Things like this take time!" Viktor couldn't help but notice the sudden movement of air. His mouth opened in surprise. "Is that you?"

"Is what- Oh. Fuck. Sorry. Control slipping, you know." The movement suddenly stopped. "Couldn't help but focus on something else at the moment. I'm calm now. Really. Sorry for blowing up at you, but that was a pretty shitty thing of you to do."

Viktor sighed. "I apologize, Hikaru. I was only doing what I conceived to be the best action. If he is as close to you as you state, I figured you would want him to know, particularly if you were going to talk to him, but couldn't find time to."

"Now that I think of it, Viktor, it seems it was more of a 'can't bring myself to do it' thing than a 'can't find time to do it' thing. Kind of like lying to myself. And I'm definitely good at lying to myself."

"Why would you do something like that?" Viktor didn't think Hikaru was the kind of girl who would be nothing but true to herself. He kept finding reasons to compare her with the captain.

"Oh, it makes it easier to talk to some people. And then I wouldn't have to face my own demons twenty-four-seven, you know? Just for extended amounts of time, and then nothing. I'm just going through a depressed period. I have those. Because I ignore myself most of the time, my self-hatred times get longer and more intense. But that's just me. I'm sure you do things differently, or you actually put your anger and sadness to good use. Especially as a Nergal official and all. Well, I'm trying to be productive. I'm starting a sequel to 'Under the Branches' and really getting serious about my own manga now." Hikaru bit her lip. "I'm rambling again, aren't I?"

Viktor was so set into listen-mode that it took him a minute to realize she wanted an answer. "Sort of. But that's just you getting it out, isn't it?" Hikaru grinned. "Give the man a prize, he finally understands something about me."

~*~

"Would Uribatake Seiya, Notsumote Ariko, Hoshino Ruri, and Sarutahiko Omoikane report to the Guest Lounge immediately? Kanchou has called a meeting." Yurika heard Yukina's announcement in the Guest Lounge, sitting there with Rumiko, Akatsuki, and Inez.

Within the next ten minutes, all those called in had arrived. "Well? What's the emergency?" asked Uribatake. Rumiko frowned. "Misumaru-san, shouldn't you have called Hikaru-san in here as well? After all… If…"

"I'll get her," volunteered Inez, Jumping in a green flash. Uribatake shuddered. "I still can't get used to that. Gives me the willies." Akatsuki and Yurika rolled their eyes. Ruri couldn't help but notice how very alike the captain and the bastard were becoming. 'Pets begin to resemble their owners? …' The mere thought made her gaze jump to Omoikane, dutifully sitting beside his Ruri-sama. 'God help him the day he begins to call people idiots.'

Inez was prompt, Jumping back into the room holding Hikaru's hand in a flash of green and yellow. "What did you need me for again?" asked the unstable wind mage. "If we're correct, then there is some kind of magical reason for the PT Engines breaking down," answered Rumiko.

"Whoa, hold on to your shorts for one minute here. Is this just because we can't find a reason for the PT Engines to suddenly die when we tried to lift off? What makes you think that's the case?" demanded Uribatake, enraged by the thought of something like magic tampering with the workings of his babies.

"It makes sense, Otousan. Ninlan is very much like Earth, more than Mars will ever be. The only difference between the two is that Ninlan is a very magic-ridden planet," deduced Omoikane.

"However, according to Miss Fressange and Rumiko-san's lessons, Earth is a magic-ridden planet as well. It's just that the religion is no longer practiced there, so people that have it don't believe that strange things going on among them have anything to them. For this reason, I'm ordering you all to take Rumiko-san through the Y-Unit and Distortion Field Generators, to see if he might know something," Yurika declared.

Hikaru tapped her metallic shoe on the metallic floor, for once not musing about the cool sound. "I'll ask again. What do I have to do with this?" Inez's gray blue eyes flicked to Hikaru. "You're much stronger than Rumiko-san, magically. If the PT Engines have been tampered with, you might be able to sense the signatures before him."

"Ruri and Omoikane will be checking the system connections with the Engines, to make sure they haven't been tampered with, electronically. Uribatake and Ariko will explain the workings of the Engines and the Distortion Field Generator and what has been done to fix them and to diagnose the problem to Rumiko-san," concluded Akatsuki, smirking as he got the final word in about their new mission.

Ariko sighed. More things to do. At least then he wouldn't have to face Yukina. As they left, he hung back with his sister and her robot until they reached the Y-Unit.

~*~

Uribatake sighed and looked at his watch. They had been standing at PT Engine #2 for twenty minutes now. Ruri and Omoikane were obviously done. Ariko had gotten a deck of cards out and they were playing a card game Hikaru had taught them called Idiot. The girl in question was now sitting on the floor, acting very bored indeed. Rumiko, the all-knowing bitch, was still examining the Engine.

The Head Mechanic sat down beside the wind mage. "I'm guessing there isn't anything here?" Hikaru shook her head, yawning. "I've checked, like, fifty times. I don't know what the hell Rumiko-san is doing, but it sure is taking a hell of a long time."

"Tell me about it. What does he need to know? It's a goddamn PT Engine. Sure, we've been taking damn good care of it. Is that what's so strange?"

"He lives in a place where running water is a luxury and electricity doesn't exist as anything more than a variety of forbidden magic, Uri-P."

Hikaru's nickname for him made him remember the discussion he had with a certain Prospector the night before. He smirked sarcastically. "So, you're actually willing to still call me that?"

Hikaru's red eyebrows snapped together. "What made you think I wouldn't?" Uribatake stretched his legs out in front of him. "Somebody who talk to me last night." Hikaru sighed. "Viktor's such a stupid bitch. At least, when it comes to what I want."

Uribatake's mouth opened a little in surprise. "You know about last night?" Hikaru giggled. "Oh, yeah. I could SO say something wrong to make that just ten times worse, but I'll be nice. But yeah. I heard he bitched you out for me being an ass. It was my fault for complaining to him. Sorry about that."

"No, it kinda opened my eyes a bit. You thought I was too busy to talk to you?"

"Well, that's kinda the impression I got from Mr. Blondie. 'He's too busy to talk to a stupid, ugly fuck like you, so go make your own damn models,' or something like that."

"Little blonde bitch with blue eyes, can't listen to orders whatsoever? That would be Yumuna. He'd be out of a job if I could fire that ass." Hikaru laughed. "I didn't expect that kind of a reaction from you, Uri-P!"

"Well, you know me. Mr. Unpredictable. I just want you to know that I'll always make time to talk to you." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Hikaru smiled. "That's good. I mean, you have to be my best male friend for a reason, right?"

"I'm your best male friend? But I thought that Yamada, Tenkawa, and Aoi-"

"All really good friends, but not so connective as I am with you." Uribatake blinked. "You connect with me?"

"Dumbass. Of course I do! My only best, best friends can connect with me. That's why I can only tell them my problems, and not others. I have issues like that."

Uribatake looked away. "I don't think that's so bad. That just means you don't broadcast your problems to everyone. You don't feel comfortable with people's fingers in your life."

Hikaru drew her knees up. "Yeah, probably."

~*~

Izumi pushed Hikaru through the door to the cafeteria the next morning. The redhead, being to tired to care, yawned. "What is this about, Izumi? Miss Fressange told I wasn't supposed to talk you guys…" Izumi fisted her hands on her hips. "I don't care what Inez said, you're going to spend your Aqua-damned birthday with us whether you like it or not!" Hikaru blinked a couple of times. Being on Ninlan had clouded her internal calendar, not to mention the Boson Jump that brought them there… "It's April already?"

Seated at the Pilot's designated table, Gai waved a brightly colored box at the girl. "April 6th, to be exact, Hikaru. Sit your ass down and enjoy us practically molesting you with presents." Hikaru smiled. Fun with her friends without all the drama. She quickly ran over and plopped down in her seat, for once not occupied by someone else's butt since she stopped coming to breakfast.

The first present in front of her was the one in Gai's hand. Which actually proved to be a somewhat large present. "Shit, Gai, you've got big hands!" She tore off the shiny paper without a thought, and raised an eyebrow at the cardboard box underneath. Gai patted it. "I swear, you're going to like it. Hell, after that little thing with the Jovians, we're happy to give you them." Akito, actually there and sitting next to Gai nodded furiously.

"Wow, some things have obviously been fixed since I last saw you all." Hikaru thought for a moment, then yanked the box open, figuring out what it was. "GEKIGANGER TAPES!!!" She nearly flung herself at the two men to give them hugs. "Oh, Aer, I could kiss you both right now!"

"As much as that would NOT ruin our reputation, Hikaru, I'd rather not have it confirmed that this little group is 'orgylicious'." Jun handed her a somewhat small bag. "Sorry about it. I just couldn't figure out what to get you." Hikaru yanked out all the tissue paper and smiled. "A stuffed cat and socks with cats on them? How did you know I love cats?" Jun's face lit up, surprised that she actually liked them. Hikaru grinned. "Thank you, Juny!"

"Yeah, well, we all suck, Hikaru. Damn Jiro and Akito for setting such a high bar that we can't reach." Itsuki put a rectangular gift on the table. It ended up being a really popular book, and one that Hikaru had been dying to read.

Ryoko apologized for her lack of thought in her gift as well. "Ryoko, come on now. You're giving me candy! CAH-N-DEE! Everyone else is going to hate you more than I ever would for such a thoughtful gift!" Hikaru opened the package immediately and started eating the chocolate candies.

Izumi shrugged. "I figured you would want this. There's blood in it." Hikaru unwrapped it tentatively. It was a video of an anime that came out just before they were drafted on the Nadesico. "'Kiss of the Dragons'? Didn't forget that I wanted to see that, did you?" Izumi smiled and shook her head. "No, not really."

Jun leaned his head on his hands. "You know Hikaru, we missed you a lot lately." Hikaru was surprised. She was sure they wouldn't care where she was. "Really?"

"Really. I haven't really noticed how incredibly boring Rumiko is until you weren't there, not to mention how hard it is to understand him. And it gets too fucking quiet in that damn house without you. Hands down, we want you back."

Hikaru smiled. Jun was never good at relaying his feelings, but he must have been working on it or something. "It's good to know that I'm loved, Jun-chan. Really. But I'm going to stay in Miss Fressange's class until she says I can come back." Jun nodded slowly. "I would do the same."

Akito checked his watch real fast. "Eek. Speaking of the magic tyrant, we better get going, or he will be jumping our asses. And I can only think of one person who would enjoy it." He smiled evilly at Jun. "Ne, Juny?"

"Ehhh? I don't know what you're talking about!" Nevertheless, the fire mage blushed so furiously, the thought he would burst a blood vessel. Hikaru's jaw dropped. "Don't tell me I've been missing THIS!?! Jun finally coming to terms with his inevitable bisexuality?" Jun's eyes got very big at this. "What!?! I'm not bi, Hikaru! I'm straight, dammit! STRAIGHT!"

Itsuki giggled dirtily. "Yeah, Hikaru. He wants Rumiko's dick straight up his ass." Jun covered his face. "I do NOT!!! Stop it! You're corrupting me!" Ryoko rolled her eyes and pulled Jun by the ear towards the door. "Come along, one of unknown gay tendencies. You've been corrupted for a long time now. And we are now late. Later, Hikaru." The redhead in question waved as Itsuki trailed behind, far enough from Ryoko to not be with her, but close enough to be obviously following her, followed by Akito and Gai holding hands. Hikaru smiled. It was good to see them together again.

It took her a moment to realize that Izumi was still there. In fact, she had turned to gather her new things and carry them to their room when she discovered her best friend was still there. "Oh, Izumi, don't you have to leave?" Izumi shrugged. "Rumiko won't mind if I'm a little late." She crossed her arms, and made no movement to sit down, nor to leave the room. "Jun was right, Hikaru. We all miss you. A lot." Hikaru nodded, familiar with the topic.

Izumi continued, despite Hikaru's obvious disinterest. "I suppose you never really notice how precious something is until you lose it." Hikaru gazed at her. "I didn't know you needed me so much, Izumi-chan. You're always so sure of yourself-"

"Of course I need you, Hikaru-chan. You're my best friend, for Aqua's sake." Hikaru looked away, a little embarrassed. "I… was beginning to think Miss Fressange or Jun was your best friend, Izumi…"

Izumi shook her head, not so surprised. For someone who did the unexpected, Hikaru sure was predictable. "I can connect with Jun pretty well, and Inez understands me well enough, but they aren't you, Hikaru. Neither of them were there for me when… when I was alone." Izumi took a few steps forward, making Hikaru take some steps back. This continued until Izumi had Hikaru against the wall. "Inez says you're depressed. And I can only think of a few things that revive happiness. Hiding the sadness, which you already do, and…" Izumi bent her head down and kissed Hikaru, something the redhead definitely did not expect.

Hikaru's eyes widened a bit, but shot to the door as soon as she heard it open. 'Shit!' Izumi pulled away to glance at the door to see her lover standing there, giving them a completely blank look, as if they weren't really there. "Something for you?"

Inez blinked. "No, not really. Just wondering why my lover is kissing another woman. And why I only caught the last part of it." Izumi rolled her eyes. "Hikaru, walk me to Rumiko's, will you? I believe that we have some talking to do." Hikaru fisted her hands on her hips. "You better believe we do."

It wasn't until they had left the ship that Hikaru initiated the discussion they DEFINITELY had to have. "What's this about you sleeping with Miss Fressange?"

"Please. I haven't slept with her yet."

"Emphasis on yet. When were you planning on telling me this?"

"When it came up."

Hikaru crossed her arms. "Well, it's about time, nonetheless. You've only been whining about her for months." Hikaru could feel Izumi's expression grow dark, without even looking at her. "What's wrong?"

Izumi bit her lip. "Nothing, Hikaru. Don't worry about it. You have enough on your mind." Hikaru furrowed her eyebrows and stopped walking. "I'm not going to not worry about it. Just tell me. I don't care. You're my best friend."

Izumi turned slightly. "I'm afraid… that I may have lost her already." Izumi felt her eyes begin to well up, and cursed her stupidity. Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "What, because of that little episode back there? Bah. She'll know that it was a friendly sign of affection. Our reputation as 'orgylicious', as Jun-chan called it, will get it ignored. No one will be surprised. Hell, they'll think we do it all the time. So just stop worrying, okay?"

~*~

Hikaru confronted Inez after dinner, right before their lesson, with this excuse. "So, you see, Miss Fressange, she was just trying to make me feel better. She wasn't being unfaithful or anything."

Inez nodded. "I somewhat figured that was what it was. As you are all very close, it seemed very likely. I apologize for over reacting and I will apologize to Izumi after the lesson.

Hikaru nodded, then went to her seat in the laboratory. But some thoughts still plagued her. 'Was it really all that much of a lie? I mean, we are all affectionate to each other. She really did just kiss me to make me feel better, to let me know she was there. Are we really more physical than we believed?'

~*~

Megumi watched the ripples in the wooden bowl of soup as she stirred it. Rumiko was actually a good cook, just not obsessive over it like Akito. So it wasn't as if the soup was disgusting, as it was fairly good, but it was more that Megumi wasn't hungry. She sighed and pushed her bowl away, the very thought of food making her feel sick.

Rumiko raised an eyebrow. Megumi usually ate like no tomorrow at his house. 'Usually blames it on the atmosphere and lack of fellow crew members.' "Is there something troubling you, Meg?"

Megumi took a deep breath and nodded slowly, unsure if it was the right time to bring it up, but unable to hide it any longer. "Before we got on Ninlan, I was having these weird dreams. They were always about someone that looked a lot like you saying, 'Together we stand' and never anything else. But just before we got here, I had a dream where I actually saw the face and it really did look like you!"

Rumiko was silent, even after her description. 'Dreams of a person… me, no less, saying "Together we stand…"' He whispered, "Together we stand, to end all lies," putting the message from his dream with hers. It made sense, too much sense, which was unnerving to say the least. Megumi drew her eyebrows together. She didn't hear what he said, but wasn't going to pursue it. "Is it… bad? My dream, I mean?"

Rumiko leaned back in his chair and pushed his spectacles up. "Not necessarily. In fact, at this point, it could be the final piece of the puzzle. You see, Meg, I've been having a similar dream. Only, I know it was you. Your Nadesico uniform was distinctly visible, especially before you came here. When I first met you, I was a little shocked to see you. So, in essence, we both dreamed of one another, but for a reason." He leaned forwards, interlocking his fingers and supporting his head on them. "In yours, the message was, 'Together we stand,' right? Well, in mine, the message was, 'to end all lies.'" Megumi nodded. "'Together we stand, to end all lies.'" She blinked. "What lies?" Rumiko shook his head. "Of that, I am not certain."

Megumi looked away. "How is it possible for me to have such a dream?" Rumiko shrugged. "I had the dream because I am a mage, Magus's Calm, no less. As a Messenger of Magus, no matter the classification, I am in tune with feelings and dreams in people. And it was in the prophecies for me to have the dream." He closed his amber eyes. "But for you… Well, you have many aspects of a mage. The only thing you lack is a connection to the Gods themselves. Perhaps you have the lost ability of fortune-telling?"

Megumi narrowed her blue eyes at him. "But how is it that I have magic without a nanocontroller?" Rumiko glanced at the silver symbol on his hand. "Fortune-telling is not an aspect of magic, such as healing, but more of a psychic ability, like being able to see into people's pasts."

Megumi bit her lip. "So you're saying I'm psychic?" Rumiko shrugged. "It's all very well possible."

~*~

Yukina stretched as she began undressing in Minato's room. "Minato…" Minato was about to lay down with a book, trying to find her spot. "Mmhmm?" Yukina pulled her nightgown on. "What if Oniichan doesn't like Ariko-chan?" The question made Minato look up from her book. "What makes you ask that, Yukina? Why wouldn't Tsukumo approve of Ariko-chan?"

Yukina laid down on her futon, crossing her arms behind her head. "Because Ariko is from Earth, not to mention a government official." Minato placed her bookmark back into the book; this was an important discussion she needed to have with her sister-in-law. "Yukina, I'm from Earth. Tsukumo obviously approved of me." Yukina snorted. "But you're different, Minato. He's in love with you. And for good reason, I see now. You're a good person. Smart and funny…"

Minato smiled and shook her head. "Ariko is a good person, too, you know. He wouldn't hurt a fly, except maybe try to strangle Omoikane a couple of times, or hit some of the other mechanics over the head with his clipboard, but other than that…"

Yukina sighed and rolled onto her stomach. "Ariko is part of the Earth Government! The very people we were taught to hate at a young age!" Minato rolled her eyes. "Ariko is the second heir and first prince to a NEUTRAL country, Yukina. You're getting ridiculous. Stop worrying already! Tsukumo would want you to be happy. Personally, I would like to see you and Ariko become closer. I think it would be cute."

Yukina set her mouth into a firm line. Minato had a point, but her point made her wonder about something else. "Hey, Minato… Are you ever gonna fall in love with another man?"

Minato traced the kana on the front of the book in her lap tentatively. "I might." Yukina sat up immediately. "You can't, Minato! You've already given-"

"But," interrupted the helmswoman, "he would have to accept that I have already promised to meet another man after death, and that's a promise will keep, no matter the cost. Your brother wants us to be happy, Yukina. Whatever we do. And I will meet him when the time comes. Until then, I have the right to do what I please with my life."

Yukina lay back down, pondering this. 'Oniichan wouldn't want Minato to be unhappy and lonely, but hasn't she already told him she'd marry him? I know he's gone, but doesn't she have that promise to keep? Or will he be happy with whatever she does, wanting her to move on, but to come back to him after the end?'

~*~

Akito wasn't surprised to find Ryoko and Itsuki duking it out on a fighting game after dinner. "So this is where you two have been for the past hour? Taking your anger out on video games?" Itsuki turned to glare at him. "We WERE playing ping-pong, but we went to this, because Ryoko claims that it trains better for piloting." Ryoko smirked. "She's just pissed because I'm kicking her ass."

Akito shrugged and pushed his glasses up. "Hikaru said the same thing about this game. It makes your reflexes in your hands quicker, so their reaction time is much less. Or something like that." He glanced at Itsuki and widened his eyes, trying to get his message across. 'What's this I keep hearing from the How Mei Girls about dinner after dinner?'

Itsuki smiled. 'Just another of my dastardly plans. You'll hear all about it tomorrow from the other girls.' Akito rolled his brown eyes. "Just don't do anything you'll regret."

Itsuki's smile went wicked. "I won't… much." She coughed. "You mean, dinner is over already? Oh, how time flies. Ryoko, I think we should go annoy the How Mei Girls to see if they would like to feed us, even if we are late." Akito rolled his eyes again. 'How very obvious, Itsuki.'

Ryoko shrugged as her stomach growled. "Late food is better than no food at all." With that, the two women walked in silence to the cafeteria. When Itsuki opened the door, she gestured for Ryoko to go in first. "After you, miss." Ryoko rolled her stormy blue eyes, but was shocked at the scene before her.

The lights had been turned down significantly low, and the cafeteria was much cleaner than expected after a meal with the crew. The pilots' table had a white tablecloth over it, and only two chairs remained at the usually chair-riddled table. Two white candlesticks supplied most of the light in the room. Ryoko's jaw dropped at the sight. Itsuki walked up behind her and rested her hands on her shoulders. "I know, it isn't much, but what can you do. I assure you, the dining room at Jiro's house is much more beautiful. But this is the best we can do."

Ryoko, touched by the scene, nearly forgot that she was supposed to be mad at Itsuki again. "But why?" Itsuki shrugged. "We both deserve some time to relax, away from the others. Key word is relax."

Ryoko sat down at one of the chairs; Itsuki at the other, across the table. In what seemed like seconds later, Sayuri and Eri came in from the kitchen, carrying two dishes. Itsuki received a large bowl of ramen, one of her favorite foods, no matter how simple. Ryoko received a plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Ryoko glanced at the violet-haired pilot. "How did you know that my favorite food was chicken?" Itsuki shrugged, smiling. "There are many things I know about you, Ryoko." Ryoko was satisfied with that, but not about the situation. "All right, Itsuki, what's the real reason for this?"

Itsuki sighed, almost fearing this question. "Bottom line, Ryoko, I miss you. Terribly. Since our last argument, you haven't really talked to me. And I feel terrible because of it. You've gotten so far under my skin, it scares me." She swallowed, obviously having trouble saying this. "I love you, Ryoko. Simple as that. But, looking back on my past performances, I haven't been very good to you. I blame my arrogance. And for that, I apologize. I'm very sorry, Ryoko."

Ryoko did not expect Itsuki to apologize first. Usually, Ryoko has to. 'Maybe me always admitting my wrongs has made her think about her own.' "Itsuki, you may make me regret saying this, but I accept your apology."

Itsuki smiled, that genuine smile that was barely ever seen by anyone but Ryoko. "I'm so glad. I'm serious, you've made me very happy right now. I won't let you regret this. Really." Itsuki bit her lip, unable to stop the rising feeling in her. She started to hum a short tune, light and airy, but still deep and profound, before beginning to sing. "What is it that attracts me to you? Is it the way your hair falls just right? The way you hide behind your mirroring mask, that taunts me to see through myself…" Ryoko found herself closing her eyes, focusing on the words that escaped Itsuki's mouth. "I wonder if that's what you do, if I am that transparent. But if you did, you would seem, to know more about what to do."

Itsuki cleared her throat before continuing. "But no, what really brought me to you, was that first glance you gave. My heart melted, when you said, that very simple hello…" Ryoko had subconsciously started swaying back and forth to the soft beat, falling more and more into herself. "I know that you want me… I know that you love me… You should conceal your feelings more… But my question is, why don't you get me? Why are we still far apart?" Itsuki's eyebrows gathered. She stopped singing, even if she was only partway done. Ryoko did not open her eyes. Itsuki couldn't help but notice the tint of silver in the air-

No.

Itsuki shook Ryoko's shoulder. "Ryoko? Ryoko! Oh Go-er, Magus! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it! I didn't mean to work magic on you!" Ryoko's eyes snapped open, and she gave her a confused look. "What?"

Harumi stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the cafeteria. "Itsuki, how dare you work magic on Ryoko-san!" Itsuki shook her head, her dark brown eyes getting bigger by the second. "I didn't mean it! I swear it! Oh Magus, Magus, Magus, Ryoko, I'm so sorry! It was a big mistake!"

One side of Ryoko's mouth turned up. Here she had her once-again lover in tears over something so trivial. It was so ridiculously funny that Ryoko couldn't help smiling. "Itsuki, calm down. It's no big deal. Honestly. I didn't mind it at all. In fact, it was kind of like being pulled into a place of no worries. Completely pleasant. So just stop freaking out!"

Itsuki wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ryoko… I just don't see how I could have done such a thing…" Ryoko set a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, really, Itsuki. It wasn't so bad. In fact, it felt really good. Kind of like you claimed me as yours by using magic on me."

Itsuki had to giggle, even with her tears. "So it was like sex? Wow." Ryoko slugged her in the shoulder. "Slut." Itsuki sniffed, making Ryoko feel bad. "Aw, stop your crying. Shit. Now you're making ME feel bad." Itsuki smiled. "I'm-" Ryoko put a hand to her mouth.

"Say and I'll so kick your ass." Ryoko could feel Itsuki's genuine smile grow wicked under her hand. Then the next thing she felt was a sharp bite on her middle finger. Ryoko yelped in surprise. "Itsuki!"

Itsuki wiped her face off with napkins, grinning. "So is everything fixed, Ryoko?" Ryoko gave her own wicked smile. "If you stop being such a bitch about my piano-playing." Itsuki giggled. "Fair enough."

~*~

Rumiko finally found the page. He almost missed it, for it was quite late, he was quite tired, and he had to work by candlelight. But, nevertheless, he found it. 'No wonder those things looked so familiar. They were created by the Martians in the war. They sent us some, but... They were hidden away, so no one would use them. Because our peace is more valuable than anything. Of course.'

He placed his bookmark string onto the page, then blew the candle out, readying himself for bed. He took a moment to look over at Megumi, still sleeping in his armchair. 'Does she even know what they're coming has started? This is a sure sign of it. Too many coincidences for it to not be.' His amber eyes gazed at the page in his book.

'The Infinity Engine. Now known to the Earthlings as the Phase Transition Engine.'

~*~

TBC…

~*~

A/N: Woo, that took much shorter than I expected. Amazering. Anyway, how was it? A lot of stuff this time. In fact, it was like a mixed basket, almost. Well, we know me. When I touch base with almost everyone, that means something big's going to happen. Which it is. All this time we've been touching the plot, feeling up the plot, etcetera… The next chapter is the start of what can only be described in comparison as "the raping of the plot". That's right, folks. After thirteen chapter, the plot decides to rear it's ugly head into the business, and we will be busy trying to juggle yet another ball. I seem to be becoming more dedicated to the completeion of this, however. I predict… maybe around March it will be done? Rough guesstimate? Anyway, you know that. R/R as always, and try to keep me this motivated! ^^ Bye~!