Author's Note: Please forgive me, it's been ages since I've updated due to major writer's block concerning the entire plot but the plot at long last is finished and the synopsis written to follow. Beside that, I had been swamped with work for the entire month of October, and had health problems in September so that also interfered with updates so again I'm truly sorry and hope that you enjoy this chapter. I promise you the rest of the story will be written in a more timely manner and the rest of the story will have some surprises in store.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
The next morning found Rain awake as the sky was lightening to a periwinkle blue from the dark of night and as usual the plan was to get dressed, slip out without the Kasshu men any the wiser, and head for the research lab. She exited the shower, dressed and descended to grab some juice in the kitchen when she was startled by a gruff voice. She jumped in surprise.
"Good Morning Rain," Domon said as he smirked from his chair, sipping coffee. He was amused by her deer in the headlight look and glanced at the digital readout on the coffeemaker. "You're getting an early start. Did you get any sleep at all last night?"
"Domon! You frightened me!" Rain scolded as her heart fluttered nervously.
Domon grunted as he sat back and folded his arms across his chest to regard her, his umber eyes boring into her. "You didn't answer my question."
Rain replied with an involuntary yawn as she headed for the refrigerator for the juice.
"Well, I guess that's my answer," he snorted as he got to his feet and approached the blue-eyed doctor. "You need to go back to bed. Now."
Rain opened the refrigerator door and she retrieved the orange juice. She reached up for a glass, poured the juice and sat nonchalantly at the table to sip it, ignoring the King of Hearts as he continued to peruse her with a stern expression. Her attitude just served to annoy him further.
"Did you hear what I said, Rain?" Domon said firmly as he stood before her.
"I heard you." She continued to drink her juice.
Her offhand answer made him more irritated as he glared at her. "So why are you still down here?"
Rain rose gracefully from her chair to face the angered gundam fighter. She addressed him in a gentle but firm manner. "Domon, I have work to do. I have no intention of going back to bed."
"You hardly got any sleep at all," he pointed out stubbornly
"I could say the same thing about you," she countered, standing eye-to-eye.
"You know that I don't require a lot of sleep. But you need more rest than you've been getting." Trying to lighten the mood, Domon reached and gently ran his fingers under Rain's azure orbs. "You could pack your wardrobe in the bags under your eyes," he said jokingly as she turned from him with a sniff.
"Very funny."
She walked around him and placed he empty glass in the sink then began to leave but found herself in an iron grip as Domon took hold of her arm, detaining her. "What do you think you're doing, Domon? Put me down!"
Without a word, the King of Hearts scooped up his former gundam partner and in spite of her protests, made his way to the stairs carrying her. In his haste to take care of the love of his life, he almost knocked his father down who was descending the stairs.
"Good morn--Domon what's the idea? And where are you taking Rain?" Dr. Kasshu asked standing before his youngest son as the latter put down the protesting young woman with her azure eyes flashing.
"How dare you hoist me up like a sack of potatoes!" she cried irately as he kept and iron grip on her. "Let me go, Domon Kasshu or you'll regret it."
Domon serenely regarded his father, ignoring her. "I was taking Rain back to bed. She didn't get enough sleep last night, and she was trying to leave before we got up."
The kindly doctor asked her, "And were you headed back to the lab?"
Rain nodded grudgingly and lowered her head. "You know I have a lot of work to do, Dr. Kasshu. I like to get there early because it's quiet and I can get more done without interruptions."
Dr. Kasshu gazed at the girl and said, "But it is very early, Rain-chan. I have to agree with my son, you do look like you need more rest." At Domon's triumphant smirk he added, "But that doesn't give him license to behave like a Neanderthal."
Rain gave Domon an I-told-you-so look as she removed her arm from his grip. But Dr. Kasshu took her and gently but firmly guided her back to the kitchen. He sat her in a chair and then turned to get himself some coffee. Having won the skirmish, Domon sat across from her with his arms crossed and a veiled expression with amusedly glowing eyes. In response Rain stuck her tongue out at him while Dr. Kasshu chuckled and took a seat as he watched the sparks fly.
"Ah it's just like when you were children. The two of you would have a falling out and you'd act the same way, one lording over the other when victorious while the other would stay angry." He took a thoughtful sip of the coffee as he continued. "Then a few minutes later, you were the best of friends again."
Domon and Rain gazed at each other and the atmosphere warmed between them then Rain slid her hand across to him as he uncrossed his arms and captured it in both of his.
"I'm sorry," they said in unison as they both smiled at each other.
Dr. Kasshu grinned as he took another sip of coffee. "Just like old times."
The quarrel settled, Rain got up and addressed the two Kasshu men. "Well since you're both up, I have something to tell you. I'll be going away for a while to continue my research and I should be gone about just over a month. I'm leaving this afternoon."
Domon and Dr. Kasshu exchanged glances and Domon's eyes narrowed as he frowned. "Why?" he demanded.
Rain took a deep breath as she plunged in, "I have to go to the Neo European continent to meet with the friends and relatives of the fighters who perished because of the way they fought under the influence of DG cells."
"I repeat, why?" Domon wanted to know.
Rain sighed and she regarded him patiently as if she were explaining something to a not-so-very-bright child. "Domon, I have to go to talk to these people in order to complete the profiles of each victim. I plan to go to Neo England, Neo Greece, Neo Portugal, Neo Turkey, and Neo Italy."
"Neo Turkey?" he insinuated with a glint in his eye.
She knew exactly what he was implying and met his look with a steady gaze with a nod. The trio sat in silence, the atmosphere heavy with tension emanating from the couple.
Domon glared at her, his mouth in a deep frown. "Just what do you hope to accomplish from this? The fighters are gone and didn't you say there was autopsies done on them? You can get data from those. So again, I say why do you have to go to their home countries?"
Rain returned his regard with a hint of steely resolve. "Because, Domon, in spite of the autopsy reports there are some areas that need clarification. By talking to the families and close friends of the fighters, I'll be able to fill the holes in my information so I can come up with an antidote."
Dr. Kasshu cut in. "Rain-chan, the notes that Kyoji and myself made on the DG cells were quite extensive. I can acquire the secret files for you, as well as the notes we took, I still have the original notes in my office."
"Dr. Kasshu, I know but the way that cells infected one fighter differs from the other. By talking to families and friends who watched the process, I can determine the best combination of chemicals to develop the antidote. Father wanted to make amends and since he's no longer able to, as his only child, I must carry out his last wish." Rain said softly with a determined tilt to her delicate chin.
Domon snorted, "You seem hell-bent on torturing yourself for something that had nothing to do with you." He stood before her with his arms crossed and his face twisted in a deep scowl.
Rain sighed, suddenly tired of the conflict. "Domon, I promised myself when I fought Allenby while she was under the control of the DG cells that I was dedicated to seeing to saving all who have been infected by them. So if that makes me hell-bent then so be it." She met his glare with one of her own.
Dr. Kasshu watched as the petite girl held her ground against his obstinate son and shook his head. She was as tenacious as Mikamura when she set her mind to something. He remembered how stubborn Mikamura had been as he developed the Shining Gundam with the Hyper Mode connected and activated with only the intense anger of the fighter, ignoring the power of the other emotions. As a friend, he had tried to point out the flaw, but Mikamura had shunned his advice and the seeds of discord between them had been sown.
Domon continued to argue, "Rain, you're being obsessive. This idea is crazy and dangerous, these places are not safe." He moved forward and took hold of her slender shoulders. "I'm just worried that something could happen to you." He lowered his head, trying to hide his feelings.
Rain reached up and took his face in her hands. "Domon, itoshii, please understand. I have to do this. To right the wrongs of my father, I must do everything I can to eradicate the DG cells."
Domon said softly, "Isn't it enough that I don't blame you, that I never did? That I know that you are completely incapable of ever being at fault for the whole ordeal?"
Rain sighed deeply as she released him and walked away. "Domon as the only living member of my family and a scientist as well as a doctor, I am obligated to do everything in my power to make atonement for the evil he was party to." She headed to the door to leave as there was a knock. Domon strode over and opened the door to admit Chibodee, George, Argo, and Sai Saici who greeted the King of Hearts and then smiled at the blue-eyed doctor.
"Hey Rain, what's shakin' and will you shake it for me?" the Neo American quipped with a wicked glint as Domon scowled at him.
"Chibodee, as always you are the very epitome of crude," George De Sand remarked disdainfully as drew up to Rain and took her hand to kiss it. "Mademoiselle Rain, you are radiantly lovely as always."
Rain blushed as she stammered nervously, "G-George, you're very kind," while Domon grunted and rolled his eyes.
Sai Saici crowed, "Hiya, sis. It's good to see ya."
Argo nodded, "You look well, Rain. Nastasha sends her regards."
Rain smiled as she responded, "Send her mine as well." She addressed the Shuffles but focused on Domon. "It's nice to see all of you but I have to go to the lab, I have work to do. Domon, I have a 2:00 flight, will you take me to the airport?"
He grunted an affirmative response as she continued, "My bags are packed and ready in my room. Could you put them in the core lander so we can go straight to the airport when you pick me up?"
He bowed mockingly and said, "At your service, Your Highness."
Rain fixed him with a glare as she snapped, "If you'd rather I find some other way there, I'm only too happy to oblige."
"I said I'll take you and I'll take you, dammit!" Domon roared as the rest of the Shuffles looked uncomfortable to be party to the apparent lover's spat.
"Fine," she said. "I'll see you at my office by one then. And I hope that you won't say anything to try to talk me out of it. I'm going to do this and that's final."
Domon responded gruffly, "This conversation isn't over yet, Rain."
"It is for now," she tossed over her shoulder, slamming the door in dismissal.
Domon glowered at the closed portal as he muttered something unintelligible under his breath. He whirled on his heel and commanded the Alliance, "Enough chit-chat, let's get down to business." He headed into the study as the rest of his comrades exchanged perplexed expressions and followed.
At the government research center, Rain was sequestered in her office, painstakingly pouring through the documents of her research and the lab's findings from the captured sea creatures for her development of compounds that could battle and defeat the effects of the DG cells on mammals. She was deep in concentration when there was a timid knock on her door.
"Come in," she called as she remained bent over her notes.
Soujiro Ishakawa stepped forward tentatively. "Dr. Mikamura, please forgive the intrusion."
Rain looked up inquiringly. "Yes, Soujiro, what is it?"
The meek man responded, "I was wondering if you needed me. I have some research I have to do and was hoping you could spare my services for the rest of the day."
"Really? What type of research?" Rain asked, curious.
Soujiro smiled as he replied, "Nothing of great import. Just something I've been working on and I figured if you had no need for me, I could spend some time on it."
Rain wondered what he wanted to work on outside of their current project but since her assistant appeared loath to elaborate she shrugged and said, "Go ahead, Soujiro."
"Thank you, doctor." As he turned to leave, Rain stopped him.
"Soujiro, before you go I want you to know I'm leaving this afternoon for just over a month. I have some fact finding to do on the Neo European continent and that's where I'm going."
The lab assistant regarded her with a benign smile. "You shall be missed, doctor but I wish you good fortune in your journey."
Rain smiled back. "Thank you, Soujiro. I appreciate your help in overseeing things here while I'm gone. And please let me know if anything comes up, I'll be taking my laptop with me and you can reach me by e-mail."
"I will. Have a safe trip, Dr. Mikamura," Soujiro said bowing as he left. He closed the office door and a sly smile curved his lips as he made his way to the library. . . .
Rain sighed as she gathered up her documents and glanced at her watch. She saw that she had a few hours before Domon picked her up and had every intention of making good use of the time before she left.
In the library, at the back of the room, Soujiro sat at his computer, tapping away at the keyboard as he studied a notebook filled with various scribbled notations and crudely drawn diagrams. As he continued perusing the contents of the notebook and made his own notes, he smiled in satisfaction, it appeared that everything was going smoothly and with Rain Mikamura's departure his plan could be put into action. The lab technician was elated and his notes contained elaboration of plans from the notes before him; the notes of none other than Wong Yun-Fat, the former prime minister of Neo Hong Kong. He acquired them from his now deceased cousin Ulube, who after drawing the vital information from the pages of Wong's meticulous and thorough research on the Dark Gundam, sent the notes to his cousin who was like a brother to him for safekeeping. Little did he know that Ulube would lose his life in the battle with the cursed Shuffle Alliance and upon that disastrous news the seeds would be sown for the mild mannered Soujiro to extract vengeance. It was apparent even more to him that his aspirations would become reality when Rain Mikamura was appointed head of the research department.
Soujiro took out a folded paper and read its contents for the umpteenth time:
My dear cousin,
I am writing this to inform you that our boyhood dreams of ruling the universe are about to become reality thanks to the Kasshu family. I have possession of the Dark Gundam and have eliminated that pest, Mikamura, who had been backing out so his usefulness was at an end. But in a delicious twist of irony, his daughter, Rain, has become the ultimate life source for the Dark Gundam. And that will ensure that I will be the ruler of Neo Japan and because of the tournament being won by Domon Kasshu, our fighter, ruler of the universe . . . .
It was common knowledge that Domon Kasshu and the other fighters had defeated Ulube, sending him to his demise and made heroes for their defeat of the Dark Gundam. Heroes! Soujiro snorted. Don't make me laugh, the real hero was his cousin, the tall and strong Ulube who helped keep other kids from him when he was a small and helpless boy, not that uncouth and rough Domon Kasshu, his father and the snooty and proud daughter of that loser Mikamura.
"Soon, cousin, soon. I shall avenge your death and carry out our grand design," Soujiro whispered his onyx eyes glittering in malicious anticipation. He took out his cell phone, dialed a number and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Everything is proceeding and your task is about to commence. Do not fail me," Soujiro commanded. He listened and answered, "Good."
He hung up and exited the library.
Meantime, the Shuffle Alliance arrived at the government gundam hangar led by Domon as they entered the large structure and headed over to where Burning Gundam was standing their attention was drawn to the noise of a large aircraft outside. Curious, they all went out to see a transport fleet ship of Neo Japan landing, its landing jets shooting dust and smoke as it touched down.
The hatch of the craft opened and a ramp slid out and to the ground. A large metallic contraption that looked sickeningly familiar came rolling down on an enormous flatbed, one that made the men scurrying about to unload it look like ants in comparison. The Alliance gaped at it in a mixture of disbelief and growing horror.
Chibodee, the most outspoken of the group gave a long low whistle. "What the hell is that piece of crap doing here?"
Sai said fearfully, "Seeing that thing again gives me the creeps."
George commented, "It makes me wonder what Neo Japan wants with the monster's remnants."
Argo nodded as he agreed, "It does make one wonder. Domon, do you have any idea as to why your nation has taken the main remains of the Dark Gundam?"
Domon remained speechless as he observed the unloading of the machine that brought such tragedy to his life and nearly took away the woman who was his life. He noticed Akino as she went to oversee the transporting of the Dark Gundam and shaking himself from his reverie he approached her with a frown.
"Akino, what's going on here? Why is the Dark Gundam down here, I thought it was going to stay at the colony?"
She turned with and addressed him in her usual clipped efficient manner, "Actually, Domon-san, the Prime Minister has requested that we take it apart."
The rest of the Shuffles approached the two. Chibodee asked, "Why does he want you to take it apart?"
She glanced at the tall Neo American fighter and replied, "We want to dissect it and figure out how to permanently disable its theoretical capabilities. We have also been collecting remnants of the Dark Gundam that had scattered all around the earth and brought them here as well."
"Well that explains the transmissions," Domon said definitely. He turned to the gundam mechanic and inquired sharply, "So why wasn't I told of this, Akino?"
She regarded him evenly. "His Excellency the Prime Minister did not feel it necessary, Domon-san."
He gazed at her incredulously. "Not necessary? I'm only the one who led the group of gundams that defeated the damned thing that's all!" He whirled from her in a fit of pique as he said to the rest of the Alliance, "Karato thinks that it's unnecessary for me to know that they decided to take this thing apart."
Argo patted him on the shoulder. "Don't feel bad. My government never deems me important enough to tell me their plans either."
Highly insulted, Domon grunted as he strode angrily away. "I gotta go pick up Rain to take her to the airport. I'll see you guys later." He leapt into his core lander and swooped off as the others watched.
Unknown to the Shuffles, a slight figure in the shadows was observing the goings on with keen interest . . . .
At Neo Tokyo's governmental jet concourse at the airport, Domon drove the core lander over to the waiting jet. Because Rain was considered a high ranking government official, the aircraft used to transport others of high ranking status was at her disposal for this journey and was fueled and waiting for her.
The ride to the concourse was silent for the most part, Domon had been surly and uncommunicative so Rain decided to keep conversation at a minimum. He parked the lander and leapt over the side, reaching in to get her luggage and then led her to the waiting aircraft. He handed the baggage to a waiting attendant and then stood beside Rain as they watched the bags get loaded on and stored away.
The attendant returned and approached Rain. With a respectful bow he said, "Dr. Mikamura, your luggage is stowed and we are ready to eave when you are."
"Thank you very much, I'll be there shortly," she said with a smile, dismissing him. She turned to a still taciturn Domon and said with forced cheeriness, "Well, I guess it's time."
He grunted as he stood there unresponsive, a statue with granite features but Rain knew that something deep inside was bothering him. She tried again by facing him.
"Domon, why don't you tell me what's wrong?" she asked bluntly, not in the mood for beating around the bush.
Domon sighed deeply as he gazed down at her, his eyes softening. "I'm sorry, Rain. Just because I'm pissed at Karato I shouldn't take it out on you, especially since I'm not gonna see you for a month."
Her azure orbs glowed in gentle compassion. "So why don't you tell me what happened?"
Domon sighed again as he began, "The remains of the Dark Gundam has been sent down here from the colony for the purpose of taking it apart and eliminating its three theoretical capabilities. Me and all the rest of the Shuffles watched as it arrived."
Rain's eyes grew wide as she remarked, "And why didn't Prime Minister Karato contact you about this?"
Domon replied in derision, "I asked the same thing. Akino said that he didn't think it was 'necessary'."
Rain shook her head in disbelief, "That's incredible. After all, you are the owner of the title Gundam of Gundams."
"You don't have to tell me," Domon said resentfully. "I plan to have a talk with him about it."
The two stood in silence as both contemplated just what their nation's hierarchy was doing. The jet attendants stood at the boarding stairs waiting and snapped both Domon and Rain out of their respective reveries.
Domon turned to Rain and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Well, I guess you'd better be going, huh?"
She nodded coyly. "Yeah."
His voice lowered to a whisper, "I'll miss you, koishii. Promise me you'll keep in touch."
She smiled fondly at him. "I promise. And you promise me you'll stay out of trouble."
He sniffed, "I have no intention of getting into trouble, Rain."
"But you're angry now," Rain said softly. "It's just that when you get angry you have a tendency to do impulsive things, things you end up regretting. I worry about you, Domon."
He gave her a lopsided grin as he assured her, "Don't worry, koishii. I promise I'll keep my cool." He reached down and cupped her face in his hands to plant a soft, tender kiss.
She responded by opening her mouth to allow him entrance, her arms snaking around his lean torso under his fluttering red cape. The kiss became deep and passionate, filled with the emotion of two people very much in love who were parting, albeit temporarily.
Finally they broke apart and leaned in to each other, forehead to forehead. Rain said softly, "See you in about a month, okay?"
Domon sighed as he responded, "Yeah. Take care of yourself and let me know how you're doing."
"Will do." They stepped apart and Rain slowly made her way to the staircase heading into the jet. "I love you," she said as she began ascending.
Domon answered, "I love you too, koibito. Have a safe trip."
She held a thumbs up and turned to finish entering the craft. Domon watched as Rain disappeared into the jet and then reappeared at a window waving as the jet began slowly pulling away to taxi down the runway. He watched with a heavy heart and raised his finger to his mouth to throw a kiss at the jet as it ascended to the blue clime, rapidly becoming a black dot as it got farther away. In a swirl of red, he turned on his heel and headed back to the core lander.
NEXT----MANON'S LAMENT