A/N: Allllrighty, I'm finally back with another chapter! Merci Beaucoup to every reviewer!
Sora: Glad you liked the little Rain thing. I really haven't had too much of her in the story, so I thought that I'd put something with her in it. Thanks for the Kudos! **gets into Arachnid Man Gundam and goes around destroying things by accident** I think I need lessons.
Lord Darkflame: Hey, don't worry about a thing. I'll get to everything soon enough, don't worry. Glad you like.
TaioraCrazedGirl: Why thank you! That's just what an author wants to hear from a reviewer. And yes, Allenby loves video games a lot. Had to put some in there.
Reine Spades: I'm glad that so many people like this story! Especially when the recommend it to other people. But what's this about Saffron thinking that I'm kind of a pain?
Saffron: I'm glad I answered your questions for now. And unfortunately, the Sai/Alex fight will have to wait another chapter. But explain what was mentioned above. **gives death glare** Or else I'll…I'll… Well, I don't know what I'll do, but it will hurt.
"GYAHHHH!" Alex landed hard on his back after charging at the other fighter. He got up gingerly, rubbing where his spine had connected with the cold floor. Allenby laughed. "C'mon, Alex! You can do better than that. If you can pull a draw with Domon in your first fight, you can beat me. Or can you?" Alex glared at her. Suddenly, he charged at the young woman, yelling incoherently. Allenby was caught in mid-laugh and lifted up onto Alex's shoulders, as he stopped short. Laughing even more, Allenby beat his back. "Put me down, you dirty rascal!"
Alex grinned. "How 'bout not?" With that he began to tickle her, making her laugh even harder. The more he persisted, the harder she beat his back, until the blows finally began to hurt. After a few more seconds, he put her down, where she collapsed, out of breath. Managing one last chuckle, she smiled at him. "I think that's enough horseplay for today, Tiger."
Alex put on a look of mock disappointment. "But I was just getting started! Fine, we'll stop." Grinning like a child on Christmas, he knelt down next to Allenby. "However, that doesn't mean that I'm not up for a small race to the transport. Winner gets the food, loser eats take-out. Or are you chicken?"
Allenby immediately got up and got into a sprinting position. "Ready… GO!"
Both of them raced off down a corridor, almost crashing into Argo. Paying no heed, they kept going, out the hall and into the cold Russian snow.
Inside, Rain and Domon looked out the window. Rain sighed happily. "Look at them, Domon. Look at how much that girl's done for Alex, and in only two days! It's amazing how much she's cheered him up."
Domon moved closer to his wife and slid an arm around her waist. "Reminds of some couple not to long ago. Except that the man was a bit thickheaded."
Rain gave him an amused smile. "Just a bit?"
Domon gave her one of his warning glances. "Watch it, or I might take a leaf out of Alex's book."
Both of them didn't even notice the door open, or the footsteps across the room. Suddenly, Domon heard a voice that he hadn't heard for a while.
"Hey there, Neo Japan. What's up?"
Turning around, Domon and Rain's faces lit up. "Chibodee! What are you doing here?"
The Neo American gave one of his cocky grins. "Heard you were hear, so I decided to check up on how you and the Living Eyebrow were doing."
Domon, in turn, grinned back. "Hate to break it to you, Chibodee, but 'the Living Eyebrow' is right behind you."
Chibodee's grin faded, and the ever-present stick fell out of his mouth as he slowly turned around. "H-hey, there Argo. N-nice day, huh?"
The huge Russian looked down at Chibodee, his face as stone-like as ever. "It's good to see you too, Chibodee. Just don't call me that again. Otherwise, you might find yourself participating in a Gundam match- without your Gundam."
The cocky American grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Argo." Turning towards the Neo Japan couple, he started talking again. "I'm a bit low on crew members. Bunny took a little vacation to see Graham, and Shirley's cousin is real good at being a portable version of George." At this, Domon and Rain smiled. Shirley's cousin, Kevin, had been assigned to Chibodee's crew for the year. It seemed like they constantly made fun of each other- especially with Kevin calling Chibodee "Queenie" all the time, after Chibodee's Shuffle Crest.
Chibodee looked out the window, through which he could see Allenby and Alex now having a snowball fight. "Who's the new guy?"
Domon looked at Chibodee. "That's Neo Canada's fighter, Alex Thomas. He's sort of a friend."
The other fighter grunted. "Seems to be getting along pretty well with Allenby, eh?"
Rain smiled. "They seem to have a crush on each other, and a large one, at that." Her face fell a bit. "Actually, he's why were here. Something happened three days ago, when he ran into something he called the 'Satan Gundam'."
Chibodee's face fell, as well. "That sounds less than pleasant. Reminds me of Shinjouku. Does this have anything to do with why my Shuffle Crest was burning three days ago?"
Domon looked at his hand, as the King of Hearts symbol glowed briefly. "Yeah, I think so. I was fighting Sai when his and mine both began to burn. So, I think it might be that this thing is as dangerous, if not more, than the Devil Gundam."
The Neo American sighed. "Well, let me know how he's doing." Then, Chibodee smiled. "So, Neo Japan. Do you want to join me in a Gundam fight?"
Domon grinned. "Sure. Just let me get my Gundam ready." With that, Domon swept out the door, with Rain following.
Allenby fell down on one of the seats inside the Neo Japan transport, her face red from the cold Russian winter. Alex was off making hot cocoa for the both of them. There was no denying it, she really loved him. But she couldn't tell him now. The tournament had only begun three months earlier, and they had known each other for only half that time. However, she really felt strongly about him. She hadn't felt this way since… well, since she had met Domon. Smiling, she closed her eyes and leaned back on the seat. However, before she could really get comfortable, Domon and Rain burst in. "Allenby, we need to get the Shining Gundam ready. I'm going to fight Chibodee in a match soon."
Sighing, the young woman stood up and headed towards the mobile suit area. She passed Alex on the way, who was still waiting for the water to boil so he could make the hot cocoa. When he saw her, he grinned. "No offense, but the cooker-thing's on the transport's real slow." Allenby smiled again. "No offense taken. But forget the cocoa. I have to ready the Gundam for a match." Alex laughed. "Well, the cocoa can still come in handy while watching, right?" Allenby walked away, chuckling softly.
"Gundam, Fight!" "Ready…. Go!"
The Gundam Maxter and the Shining Gundam launched at one another. Chibodee threw his fighting knuckles forward, and launched a volley of punches at Domon. Blocking most of them, the Shining Gundam retaliated by pulling out its beam saber. Launching an attack, Domon sliced away at where the Gundam Maxter once stood, only to cut away thin air. Behind him, Chibodee punched Domon right in the back, sending him to the ground. Inside his cockpit, Domon smiled. "You've improved, Chiobodee."
The Neo American grinned. "What, you think I'm just going to sit on my bum for four years?"
Domon laughed. "I wouldn't put it beneath you, Chibodee Crockett."
"Why, you dirty little mongrel!" Chibodee switched from normal mode to boxing mode in a flash, meanwhile turning gold. Domon's Shining Gundam also turned gold, and the faceplate opened as he prepared the Shining Finger.
"Bakuretsu MachineGun Punch!" Chibodee's fists flew forward, the multiple impacts denting the armor on the Shining Gundam. On the sidelines, Allenby, Rain, and Alex sat huddled together by a fire, watching the match.
Grasping the mug of hot chocolate in both hands, Alex shivered. The cold Russian night distracted him from the fight. It was just like this when John had betrayed him. Shivering again, he turned back to watch the fight, trying to ignore the nagging thought on the back of his mind… what if he comes back?
