A/N: Whee, I was evil, wasn't I? ^^ Oh come on, did you really think I'd let them last? While the climax running up and hitting hard soon? Of course not. ^^ Besides, I'm trying to show you that, even if I don't like the character, I can still write for them like everyone else. ^^ Anyway, what happened last time, BESIDES Akatsuki and Yurika breaking up? Well, Inez was proven alive and such, people did characterization stuff. What happens this time? More of the same. Gomen nasai! But something has turned, ne? People have to talk to other people… But I promise that by the end of the chapter, another piece in the setting for the end will be put into play. Not a very significant piece, but a piece nonetheless. And they'll finally get home! Well… when, in this situation, where home equals Somenolenthe. ^^;;; Anyway, let's see what people have to say about recent events!

~*~

Finally! I found the Messenger I wanted for my domination. Granted, I am a bit disappointed in the strength of this one, but it's all right. It's workable. And I've decided in My kindness to give them an advantage. I'll wait until they get back to Somenolenthe to charge out and destroy them. Yes, this victory will be precious, and it must not be rushed. Many pieces must fit together first for the fall of these to be in My benefit, more than would be thought of. Yes…

I will keep hold on this dark green thread that I have found, and hold it until I can use what it's connected to.

~*~

The next morning, Hikaru was greeted by a message from Ryoko. "Hikaru… I'm really sorry about this, but I have to say SOMETHING." Hikaru blinked, and immediately connected to the tomboy pianist. "Say what, Ryoko?"

Ryoko bit her lip. It was one thing to admit to Izumi how jealous of Hikaru she was. It was another to say it to the person in question. "Well, Hikaru… This may be hard to understand, but…" she paused to take a breath, willing herself to tell the redhead her feelings. "I'm jealous of you, Hikaru. On so many levels."

Hikaru didn't realize for a full minute that her jaw was hanging open. She quickly closed it and swallowed, still trying to absorb the statement Ryoko dealt her. "You… YOU'RE jealous of ME? What for?" Ryoko glared at her. "Well, let's see. Your family life is better than mine, you're a better pilot, a better mage, and you have set plans for the future, whereas I don't."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back it up! First of all, you and I BOTH know my family life SUCKS! Remember, I lived with Grandmother, the one person I know that hated me because of my father!"

"'Tousan was downright rude to me!" Hikaru sighed. "Ryoko, you know you're just upset about something else and just becoming depressed. Stop it! And you're the better pilot and you know it! I don't care who says Akito-chan is the Nadesico ace, it's not true because YOU'LL always be the Nadesico ace pilot. And just because I can work my Aestivalis well doesn't mean anything. I have absolutely NO leadership skills, WHATSOEVER. And where I lack them, you have tons of them. THAT'S what makes you a great pilot, Ryoko." Hikaru glared right back at the Quakist in the window, scrunching up her nose. "And it doesn't matter if I'm a better mage. Everyone's better at something than everyone else. I can't cook, and Akito can, but I'm sure as hell a better writer than him. And Jun's a better writer than me, but he sucks ass at piloting. Do you see what I'm saying?"

At Ryoko's slow, embarrassed nod, Hikaru continued, "And plans for the future, hah! The only plan I have so far is being a mangaka, and I KNOW that won't be very successful at all, especially at first. But you, you could be a freelance pilot, or an instructor, or, hell, a pianist!"

Ryoko sighed. "I know, I was just being foolish, I know. And I know I have the affections of a beautiful woman, before you bring her up." Hikaru closed her mouth, as that was her next argument. "The thing is… I'm just so used to everyone thinking I was the best, that when something else comes up, and someone else is better at it, I feel jealous, you know?"

Hikaru nodded. "We all do, Ryoko." Ryoko shook her head. "No. It's like… if I'm not the best, I'm not good enough." Hikaru glared at her again. "Ryoko, that's your damn father talking!"

Ryoko furrowed her dark brows. "Do… you really think so?" Hikaru nodded angrily. "I thought you were done letting him rule your judgment! As much as you hate him, and hating him telling you that you weren't good enough, his damn words are coming out of your mouth!" She softened her tone. "You're giving in to him, Ryoko. You told us you'd never do that. Don't go back on your word now, when you need to think the best of yourself."

Ryoko nodded, hearing the same words she had just said in her ears, in her father's voice. "My Terra, Hikaru. Why didn't I see it? He… he made me look horrible in my own eyes, and I tried to peg it on you." Hikaru nodded. "Because I'm just so perfect in everyway." She giggled.

Ryoko rolled her eyes, I can still kick your ass, Hikaru." Hikaru stuck her tongue out. "That's not saying much. A lot of people could kick my ass."

~*~

Yurika was message directly from Jun, no attempts to be courteous at all. "All right Yurika, spill it. I've been hearing all sorts of rumors about you and Akatsuki, from you guys broke up, to him getting caught admiring Minato's breasts, to you suddenly finding that he's a transvestite, to him asking you to have a threesome with Akito or something. What's the real story?" Yurika was impressed. "Wow, the rumors have evolved that much, that fast? Well done." This did not set off Jun at all. "Don't avoid the subject. Talk."

Yurika sighed. "Well, you heard right." Jun's jaw dropped. "You mean Akatsuki really IS a transvestite that has been hounding you for a threesome and got caught ogling Minato, so you broke it off with him?" Yurika giggled. "No, that's all wrong. I DID break up with him though." Jun cocked his head. "What for?"

Yurika thought about how she could explain this; she didn't even know exactly how it happened. "Well, a few days ago, he was very kind to Izumi. Kinder than I've ever seen him with anyone, even me. So I guess I got upset, and yelled at him, and broke up with him." Jun's knit his eyebrows. "Didn't you, like, do things in Carmina with him?" He wasn't happy when he initially heard this, but he accepted it. But he also knew the incident with Izumi happened BEFORE they got to Carmina.

Yurika nodded. "I guess… it was me giving him one more chance or something. Or, hell, I might have even used him for sex. I don't know." Jun considered this. It was true, she had been a lot more cruel and cold since the start of her relationship with Akatsuki. Maybe that old saying about the pet resembling the master applied a lot more in this case than originally considered. "So, when you asked him about Izumi, what did he say?" Yurika frowned. "He said that she was practically his sister-in-law, but…" Yurika sighed again. "Who knows. Maybe I'm in the wrong here, but isn't it my place to leave him if I can't trust him?" Jun tapped his chin. "Well, then, maybe the act of breaking up wasn't wrong, but maybe the direction. Perhaps you could have been a bit nicer about it?"

Yurika scoffed. "Why should I have? You and I both know he doesn't care. I was just an easy lay. And besides, once he was done with me, he would have left me too, and gone on to the next willing woman and used her." Yurika sniffed snobbishly. Jun had to agree; Akatsuki wasn't someone you wanted to be known to trust, because breaking it seemed to be his best talent.

~*~

It appeared the communication lines were getting much use before lunch. About a half hour before the scheduled stop, Yukina decided that Ariko couldn't hide in the pink Aestivalis, far ahead of Jun's black Aestivalis, any longer. She beeped him, unmannerly, and instantly connected to him. "What're you doing, Ariko-chan?"

Ariko jumped a bit; he HAD been reading on of the technical manuals Uribatake wanted him to read on this trip. "Reading, why?" Yukina shrugged. "Nothing really. Just bored. Minato's reading too, and Jun's being boring right now. So I decided that I'd talk to you!" She smiled broadly at the prince, though his position had been long since forgotten.

Ariko closed his book slowly; he wouldn't get any reading done if Yukina wanted to talk to him. Especially if Yukina wanted to talk to him. "Well, what do you want to talk about, Yukina?" Yukina knew exactly what she wanted to talk about. "Where are you gonna go when we get to Earth, Ariko-chan?" Ariko knew the answer; he just didn't really want to say it. "Probably go back to Peaceland with Oneesama and Omoikane." Yukina bit her lip. "Where IS Peaceland, anyway?" Ariko opened up a window showing a map of Europe. "It used to be known as Denmark." He indicated its location to Yukina on the map, then closed it.

Yukina's jaw dropped. "What? You mean if I want to visit you when we get to Earth, I have to travel across the freaking world!?" Ariko was confused. "You'd want to visit me?" Yukina nodded. "Sure! You're the only person around my age that makes any sense around here!" She made a fake sniffle. "And I'm gonna be living in Tokyo!"

Ariko bit his lip. "But I don't know if I want to go to Peaceland… I might go stay in Japan with Uribatake-san, like when we were on the run, or something…" Not that he knew what something was, mind you. Yukina clapped a hand to her developing chest. "You can come stay with us if you want! Ne, Minato?" Minato smiled and nodded. "Sure, I don't see why not." Ariko smiled. "I'd like that very much, but there is a good chance I'll go back to Peaceland, you know."

Yukina sighed. "I know… I just…" Ariko cocked his head. "What, no teasing me today?" By the look on her face, Ariko was glad she was in another Aestivalis, because she might have slugged him.

~*~

Gai was trying to eat his lunch when Akito fell on him. "Gerk! 'Kito! Get off me!" Akito grinned at his boyfriend and lover. "Give me one good reason why I should." He then shifted so it was more comfortable for the both of them, and Gai forgot his reason. "Um… I don't have one?" Akito laughed. "I figured." Gai offered his bowl to Akito. "Want some?" Akito shook his head. "No. Miss How Mei's saying: 'You cook, you eat.' In other words, we eat off everyone else's plates as we cook for them." Akito grinned.

Gai rolled his eyes. "What's with you today? You're all smiles, and that's a big change for you." Akito frowned at him. "Haven't you heard? Akatsuki and Yurika broke up! The big fat loser is out of her life now!" He stretched, but fell backwards and off of Gai. "Ow."

Gai frowned. "What does that have to do with you?" Akito shrugged, but did not try to get up. "Nothing really. I just don't like seeing her with someone so…"

"Ruthless? Heartless? Perverted?" Gai suggested. Akito slugged him in the arm, pulling himself up. "Hey, she seems to have a thing for perverted guys. I mean, hell, I went with her." Gai snorted. "And we all know how perverted you can get. Or maybe it's her that makes men perverted. Ah well. Who knows." Akito rolled his eyes, but was still thoughtful. "You remember yesterday morning, Gai-chan?" Gai didn't answer, because the answer was obvious. It would be quite some time before they forgot the incident yesterday.

Izumi's scream had woken most of the inn, but those who thought they recognized the shriek, or at least the room it came from, had run in, in their nightclothes. Izumi had been shaking, and looked more pale than normal, if possible. Yurika had been the first of them to will herself to see what had made the normally calm girl wail so. She immediately had begun ripping at the blankets that had circled the Martian doctor. She had motioned for Ruri to come over, but even the computer operator had been stunned. She had never seen someone truly look so close to death. Even Tsukumo had at least a warm smile before his death. Inez had looked sickly, as if her whole life had held on by a thread.

It wasn't a sight any of them wanted to see again.

"What about it, 'Kito?" asked Gai, pushing the images out of his mind. Akito knew that this wasn't a happy subject, but there was something that he had an idea about that he had to get someone's opinion on. "Well, Rumiko said Magus was looking for someone, and He found Miss Fressange. But since Miss Fressange isn't the one He was looking for, He trapped her in a box, right? Well, who's almost like Miss Fressange, magically?" Gai furrowed his brow. "Akatsuki is the only other gravity… what're you saying, Akito?"

Akito looked at him incredulously. "Isn't it OBVIOUS? Magus was trying to get Akatsuki!"

Gai still didn't understand. "But why would he need to?" That, sadly, Akito couldn't answer.

~*~

About ten minutes later, Akito came over to where Ryoko sat alone. "Hey, Ryoko, where's Itsuki?" Ryoko shrugged. "She said she wanted to go practice her magic, but she refuses to do it around me after her little accident." Akito raised an eyebrow as he plopped down next to the tomboy that once sought his affections. "Accident?" Ryoko nodded. "Yeah, a while ago we went on a little date, remember." Akito smirked. Itsuki had gone to a lot of work to win Ryoko back for good. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Well, she sang to me, and she accidentally cast a spell on me." Akito winced. "Ouch. How bad was it?" Ryoko shrugged. "Not bad at all, actually, it was like zoning out and not being able to come out of it. Not that I wanted to or anything, actually. But she FLIPPED it. She was all upset and such… and now she refuses to let me listen to her play music until she gets herself under control." Akito raised an eyebrow again. "She brought her violin?" Ryoko nodded. "She needs SOMETHING to do during these breaks, and she wants to be completely controllable, since her accident."

"Understandable. But where does that leave you?" Ryoko fell back against the rock she leaned against. "Bored senseless." Akito giggled, and the obvious act of feminism from the Martian made Ryoko take her turn to raise a black eyebrow. "And how are things going between you and Gai, eh?"

Akito blushed and grinned. "Pretty good, actually." Ryoko rolled her eyes. "You finally had sex, didn't you?" Akito nodded quickly. "Yup!" Ryoko regarded him. "Hmm… Okay, I'm stumped. Did you top it or bottom it?" Akito sighed. "Bottomed it." Ryoko laughed heartedly. "And I'm not surprised!"

Akito growled under his breath. "What's that supposed to mean?" Ryoko rolled her eyes. "Please. I'm only IMPLYING that little Akito-chan was found out long before he figured it out himself. Besides," she shrugged, "Itsuki and I switch."

Akito was confused. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, what? You did what?" Ryoko nodded. "You heard me, Tenkawa. I knew you were gay, or at least bi, before we found that Daigoji was actually alive." Akito looked at her in disbelief. "How? Hell, I didn't know until-"

"Yeah, yeah. Well, I figured it out on Tenician Island, remember? You were ranting about how you had to care about Gekiganger, the only reason you fell for that crazy Aqua girl, because otherwise Gai would die in your heart. Remember now?"

Akito's jaw dropped. He had been completely incoherent at the time, and had been rambling because he felt drunk because of that damn paralyzing powder getting to his head. "Aqua… Shit, Ryoko, you'd damn good."

Ryoko smirked. "I know."

~*~

The second person on Jun's conversation roster had walked himself far into the woods to think. Jun did not like trees, especially after walked through them in his Aestivalis for the past few days, and now walked through them with his own legs. "Damn trees…" He found Akatsuki in another clearing, this one with a river. "Wow… This one would've been better for camp, aesthetically anyway." Akatsuki turned at the voice of the shorter man. "Something for you?" he asked calmly.

Jun entered the clearing, and leaned against a tree. "I've gotten half the story from Yurika. Now I want the other half." Akatsuki chuckled cruelly. "And why should I give it to you?" Jun had to admit, he didn't really know why he wanted Akatsuki to tell him the tale of his and Yurika's breakup. Before, it had been to find out how much he should murder the CEO of Nergal. But, after hearing Yurika's side, and how cold she made Akatsuki sound, he was sure something was up.

"Because I'm trying to be a nice guy. Does that bother you?" Akatsuki raised his hands in defeat. "No, not at all. I'm just a little surprised that someone actually gave a damn." Jun furrowed his brow. "Just to clear the record, I don't give a damn. I just want to get the story out of the horse's mouth, and not from Megumi or Minato."

Akatsuki nodded, "Fair enough." He cleared his throat. "She got upset with me setting this right with Izumi, thinking that because I told her I forgive her, I'm automatically sleeping with her behind Yurika's back." Jun had figured as such. The breakup was a little spontaneous, even for Akatsuki and Yurika. "So, she got upset, and decided I wasn't good enough for her anymore. Case closed, the end." His tone had grown bitter as he told his side fully, and Jun couldn't help commenting on it. "No, not the end. I can tell in your voice. Something… Did she say something that angered you?"

"Aoi, cut the crap. It's obvious. The whole SITUATION upset me." Akatsuki's gaze went to the water. "I realized that it's no fun being left, dumped, broken up with." Jun sighed, rolling his dark blue eyes. "So you got a taste of your own medicine."

"That's not it, Aoi." Akatsuki wrapped his arms around himself. "At first, it was a physical thing. I was merely attracted to her for her body. Of course, her tactical mind is what got her the job of captain, but I chose her, you know. But, I guess it grew into something else. It went from lust to love in less than a month." He sighed.

Jun reciprocated the sigh. "Dammit, why is it that everyone and their damn brother has to have the hots for Yurika!?" Akatsuki laughed. "Why did Akito have almost everyone girl on the ship wanting him? Why does Doctor Fressange have many men and women wanting her hand at Nergal? I swear, these Martians have pheromones like you wouldn't believe!" Jun blinked. "Is that really what it is?"

Akatsuki shrugged. "Who knows." He walked over to Jun and held him against the tree he was leaning against. "No matter what it is, Aoi, I want you to do me a favor. Promise me that you'll be her knight of shining armor. She only has you here for her now. Make sure no one does anything to her." Akatsuki's closeness unnerved Jun; he could easily kill him now with none the wiser. Akatsuki let him go, however, and Jun was finally able to breathe after Akatsuki left the clearing. Shaking his head to get his bearings, he glared at the river. "Damn it. I am NOT bi." With that, the fire mage stomped back to camp, angry with himself for almost giving in to the gravity mage's charms, even if they weren't intentionally pointed at him.

~*~

No real incidents happened between the end of lunch and the beginning of dinner. At least, none that were important enough to be recorded. However, with the last meal of the day, came weariness that would not be succumbed to until the travelers made it to their destination, which wasn't very far away at this point, and a subject that could no longer be ignored.

Rumiko had an over-scheduling problem. He had to teach Megumi how to see magic and how to detect signatures, but he also had to teach not only his normal class, but Inez's as well, since she fell ill. Add this to trying to figure out how to cure Inez, and this proved for a very full day. He rubbed his temples at the mere thought of the workload. It was going to be hell from now on. "Magus's Buttocks…" he swore under his breath, trying to be discreet, but knowing that Megumi probably heard it.

And she did. Meg narrowed her eyes at the man. "What's wrong?" Rumiko sighed. "Maybe I'm a little in over my head. I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to juggle your lessons, my regular students' lessons, Lady Ai's students' lessons, and work with you to unlock her box." Megumi winced; it did seem like a lot. "No doubt. Maybe you can ask Igadosu-san for help?" Rumiko shook his head. "This is my responsibility. You all have become my responsibility and, though it becomes a bit difficult at times, I don't want to surrender that duty to anyone else, even for a little help."

"Ano… Rumiko-san?" The last person Rumiko expected to see was Hikaru, but she was there. "I could take over teaching for you. At least, with our clowns, while you can concentrate on Meg and Miss Fressange." Rumiko glared at her. "Hikaru-san, you're not finished with your training, and therefore, you're incapable of teaching." Hikaru fisted her hands on her hips. "Miss Fressange said I was done, and I know all the basics from what I've read before and been taught by the two of you! I'm perfectly capable!" Rumiko rubbed his temples again. "Fine, whatever you wish. But don't come crying to me if something goes wrong." Hikaru glared at him. "Nothing WILL go wrong."

~*~

Four hours later, at nearly ten at night, the Aestivalises finally pulled into the plain between the woods where the ship was hidden and the town that had become a sight for sore eyes to the people who didn't even live there.

The Ninlandish men, and the American woman were dropped off near the town, and walked back to their houses, Megumi following into Rumiko's house. The other Aestivalises left Rumiko's vermilion one near the town, too tired at this point to care about whether or not the townspeople would freak out.

Ruri's first order of business was to get Inez into the infirmary. She had to enlist the help of Uribatake and Goat to do as such, but they left the infirmary to go to bed after Inez was laying on one of the hospital beds. She closed her eyes and held both of her hands over Inez's heart, not seeing the bright white light that came out of her symbols. 'Pulse rate, normal, but a bit fast. Breathing, steady. Still no sickness or injury, but some signs of hunger.' Her eyes flew open. Of course Inez was hungry, she hadn't eaten since the night before her fall!

Going to the storage closet, she found an empty IV bag and a package of intravenous nutrients, also known as "Coma Food" by Miss Fressange. She poured some water into the bag, opening the package with her teeth. She slowly poured the contents of the package into the bag, watching the powder dissolve until the package was empty. Then, she closed the IV bag up and shook it, to help the dissolving process along. Going back into the main room of the infirmary, Ruri found an IV stand and some needles and tubes. She made short work of connecting everything together, but the kicker was actually putting the needle in Inez's arm. Sweat beading on her pale forehead, she slowly pushed the needle into Inez's inner elbow, willing the blood to not flow out of the small cut until she could put tape on it.

Admiring her work, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. For the first time since learning of her power, she actually believed she had something going for her with it.

~*~

TBC…

~*~

A/N: I'm aware that it wasn't quite as long as we usually expect, but certain things have to happen next time that just CANNOT happen here. Things like Rumiko stuff, Hikaru stuff, and random other relationship crud, not to mention the kicker of the story, that will lead to events that are in the climax. I know, it seems like a lot of pieces, right? Well, there are a lot of pieces involved. Such is magic on it's own. And it seems I've already told what'll happen next time, so how did you all like this one, eh? I admit, I'm not exactly happy with some of these bits, but hey. This chapter is annoying to say the least. In the middle of important things, nothing special capable in this one. Next one will end a lot more… cliff-hanger-y, though. ^^ That's just because I'm an evil bastard. ^^ Anyway, keep a look out for next time and remember: Reviews equal Inflated ego equals Faster chapters! Anyway, till next time, later!