Thanks to Redlion2 for making me want to keep this story going.

Chapter 5: Envy

"This is really our fault if you think about it," Karato said to Ulube as they sat at a conference table in Karato's gloomy office just after going over the opponents that the Neo-Japan team would be fighting in the future.

"Karato," Ulube said not wanting to play a guessing game. "If you have something to say, why don't you just spit it out."

"Alright...fine," Karato said letting out a breath as he pushed back into his chair. "We should have never made the Neo-Japan team consist of a male and female...again."

"Excuse me?" Ulube questioned calmly as he raised an eyebrow at the man across the table from him. "I specifically remember you insisting that we put Domon Kasshu and Rain Mikamura together if we wanted an undefeated team."

"I know, I know," Karato mumbled looking very frustrated as he remembered how excited he had been at the idea.

"You were actually right about how they would work together as a team," Ulube said pushing back more into his chair as well.

"I was?" Karato asked shocked that the man with the partial mask on his face would now admit it so easily. Back then Ulube had acted as if Karato wasn't the greatest at making decisions.

"Well of course you were right. You said Domon Kasshu could win with a partner that he actually got along with. We both know that Rain was his childhood friend and the most qualified mechanic to do the job. Her doctor skills surely haven't hurt," Ulube said just before smiling at how perfectly everything had worked out with Domon and Rain being partners.

"Yes," Karato said. "But now I fear that we have given them ideas."

"Yes," Ulube said putting his hands together. "The last time we saw Domon I was close to telling him that he and Rain could not stay in the cabin together whether they had different bedrooms or not."

"What made you change you mind?" Karato asked remembering that Ulube didn't look scared of Domon when the young fighter was in a fit of rage.

Leaning on the desk as if he had a secret to tell, Ulube said, "Domon and Rain cannot be separated because of his need to have her near. Why do you think he protects her so? He fights and trains better just knowing that she's near."

"You make it sound as if he does love her," Karato said becoming worried because of the rule.

"Part of me thinks that he does, but now they know that we are enforcing the rule more than ever. Domon surely doesn't want to break it." Letting out a low, deep chuckle, Ulube added, "This might actually turn out quite entertaining for us to watch as they force themselves to pull away from each other in order to not break the rule."

"But...what if they decide to act on these feelings you think they might have for each other? It could mess up their winning streak," Karato said not even mentioning the punishment they would have to endure.

Turning very serious and looking upset, Ulube somehow kept his voice low as he said, "Then I guess first and foremost they better keep winning the gundam fights and not give into their feelings...or they will be punished."


Domon sat down on a log in the woods away from the cabin to catch his breath after some very vigorous training. He hadn't been concentrating on the next fight though it may have seemed that he had because of the sweat he had worked up. Once again he began going over the events of the last couple of days. He hated that Rain could have been seriously hurt all because of Ulube being worried that they might care for each other as more than friends. Never before had Domon planned on breaking the rule, though he had found himself having crazy feelings for Rain as of lately. However, they were only friends and partners of the Neo-Japan team. Then in the back of his mind he couldn't help but be just a little aggravated that Rain laughed hysterically at the idea of them being more than friends the other night as they sat at the table in the kitchen. She even said it was ridiculous. As crazy ideas started to fill his head once again, he thought, I can't help but love her eyes. They're the bluest I've ever seen. "Stop it!" he yelled at himself.

"Stop it?" the source of the battle in his head asked appearing before him. "What did I do now?"

Standing up because Rain had taken him by surprise, Domon said, "I was talking to myself."

Rain then took her turn to sit down on the log. "So what do you want yourself to stop doing?" she asked tired after all of the work she had done on Neo-Japan's gundam.

"Uh...I have to stop taking breaks," Domon said trying to sound as truthful as possible. He couldn't tell her that he had so many thoughts of her running through his mind once again like so many times recently.

"I don't know why you don't give yourself a break," Rain said watching him and wondering if he ever thought of anything else rather than fighting.

As if reading her mind, Domon thought, She probably thinks that all I think about it fighting. That might be a good thing for now.

"Earth to Domon," Rain said tilting her head as she looked at him.

"I was thinking about fighting," he said in an unfriendly, all work and no play voice.

"What a shock," Rain said rolling her eyes. She almost felt jealous that he could concentrate so hard on his job as Neo-Japan's gundam fighter. Lately her concentration had been broken from her job more than a few times as she daydreamed about the dark haired fighter. Shaking her head of her thoughts and wanting to remind her partner of something, she said, "You do remember that we're meeting Neo-America's Gundam team tonight, don't you?"

"Crap...no," Domon said aggravated. "I completely forget. I don't understand why Neo-Japan is so concerned with becoming better friends with Neo-America."

"Well," Rain said as if she worked in foreign relations. "It's always better to be friends than enemies."

"Yeah, whatever," Domon said walking away.

Domon, you're such a pain sometimes; so unwilling to understand Rain thought frustrated, but then she had to smile about the times that he really had been a good friend to her.

That night, Domon and Rain rode in the corelander, both not too thrilled about the night that was before them. They weren't in the mood to socialize and Ulube was on both their list of not favorite people. "I almost wish your eye hadn't healed so fast," Domon said as they neared the government building.

"Why would you say that?" Rain asked hoping that she had heard him wrong.

"If you still had that bruise, Ulube could see what happened to you by him sending that animal to the cabin the other night." The corelander seemed to be moving faster as if growing with Domon's anger.

Falling silent, Rain remembered how scared she had been when that man wouldn't let go of her and she remembered how relieved she had been when Domon charged in and saved her from the attempted assault.

Seeing Rain's face in the mirror in the inside of the corelander, Domon said, "Rain, I'm sorry."

"What?" Rain asked as she looked to the man's back who was sitting in front of her.

"I shouldn't have brought that night up," he said wishing she'd just start running her mouth about something so the subject would be changed. To his dismay, Rain kept silent the rest of the way to the government building. After reaching the building, Domon quickly found a place to leave the corelander. After he exited out of it he waited for his partner as she did. He then surprised her by pulling her into a gentle embrace and then he whispered, "I don't mean to sound insensitive about what happened to you. So really, I'm sorry."

The embrace had been quick and Rain finally made Domon feel better by smiling at him as she slowly backed out of his arms. To Rain's surprise though, Domon then abruptly moved away from her and said, "Yeah, whatever." As he walked away looking quite mad, Rain then heard him yell, "Come on all ready!"

Following behind him and looking at him as if he was nuts, Rain wondered if he had split personalities.

Just after entering the building, and before they were seen by anyone in it, Domon pulled her into a small room on the side. It almost reminded Rain of times when they were younger playing Hide and Go Seek. She and Domon were often very hard for the other kids to find.

"Let go of my arm," Rain said aggravated with him and his moodiness.

"Shhh...," Domon grunted now looking aggravated with her. "One of those damn government officials was watching us."

"Watching us?" Rain asked as her eyebrows moved together. "All we did was hug."

"I know," Domon said checking around the room as if to double-check that it was indeed free of others listening.

"How do they want us to treat each other?" Rain asked frustrated. "It was just an innocent hug."

"Lower your voice," Domon whispered putting both of his hands on her shoulders. "If they suspect us as being more than friends, they might separate us."

Not fully believing that, Rain said, "We're too good of a team. They won't break us up."

"I don't mean as a team, Rain. I mean they might not let us stay in the cabin together."

Rain's eyes softened as she looked back at the man that she had been slowly falling for while the other half of her said she couldn't. "You don't want us to be apart?" she questioned softly.

Tempted to say that he hated the thought of her being anywhere other than with him, he instead said, "You're my best friend and I just want to protect you incase someone like that jerk from the other night ever shows up again."

"Oh," Rain said as disappointment filled her heart but her brain knew they could never be more than friends.

Suddenly Karato's voice could be heard just outside the door talking to a government official. "Where's the Neo-Japan team?"

Whispering even lower, Domon said with his dark eyes wide, "Rain we can't act like...buddies in public anymore. We don't want to be punished, especially since nothing is going on between us...so I'll walk out first claiming to not know where you are. You come out in a few minutes." He hated to be this way with her, but he wanted to stay on the team and even if he didn't, the Neo-Japan government wouldn't just let either of them leave the team. It was almost like the Neo-Japan government owned them.

Rain only nodded her head okay before Domon walked out of the room.

"Domon Kasshu," Karato said sounding glad to see him. "Where is your partner?"

"Who?" Domon asked as if she meant nothing to him.

"Rain," Karato said as if Domon was crazy.

Walking past the commissioner, Domon only said, "She came with me. I'm sure she'll show up."

Still in the room thinking, Rain repeated the line that Domon had said, "Especially since nothing is going on between us." Domon probably wouldn't be interested in my type if I was the last woman on earth. Not realizing how beautiful she was, she imagined the knock out, model looking, fighting type to be what he really wanted. He could probably care less about whether a girlfriend of his has brains.

About five minutes later Rain stepped out of the room and then into the room where the Neo-American team was to be introduced to the Neo-Japan team.

"Rain," Ulube said walking over to her with a smile on his face. "I'm glad to see that you are indeed here. Your partner sure acted like he didn't care." A part of Rain wanted to tell Ulube something about sending that horrible man out to her cabin the other night, but then another part of her was too busy not liking this act that Domon was putting on. Wasn't he going a bit too overboard? Wouldn't that look suspicious right there? How could they go from being friends to acting like they couldn't care less about each other?

Suddenly, Rain walked away from Ulube and appeared to be headed to hergundam partner, and Domon noticed that Karato seemed to be watching them closely. Becoming irritated, Domon assumed that Rain hadn't quite understood what he meant when he told her that they couldn't act as buddies in front of all the Japanese officials. His greatest fear was the power the govenment might have to take her away from him. As she stepped next to her partner, his eyes widened as they stared into hers and he mumbled, "Rain, stay away from me."

Hurt, and biting her tongue before giving him a piece of her mind, Rain walked away from him. For now the rule was forgotten by Rain and her heart was hurting.

Though it didn't feel right to Domon since he was so used to Rain always standing right next to him, he knew it was better for them to keep a clear distance between them.

Now standing across the room from her partner with daggers in her eyes as she watched him, she thought, The Neo-Japan government doesn't ever have to worry about anything happening between you and me, Mr. Kasshu.

Soon entering the crowded room of Japanese officials were the American officials. Following behind them was a man with hair that he must have tinted purple himself, or at least Rain hoped. However, she thought the crazy color looked good on him. The young man looked so happy and full of life and was ever so friendly as he made his way towards a very serious Domon. "You must be Neo-Japan," the man said holding out his hand to the serious, young man.

At first Domon looked at the man with the purple hair as if he was crazy.

"Domon," Karato said as if they were all going to be the best of friends. "This is the gundam fighter for Neo-America, Chibodee Crocket."

Finally Domon held out his hand and without a word, shook Chibodee's.

Looking very confident with his very big smile, Chibodee said, "I see you're a man of few words. I know you have a partner though. Maybe he says more."

"Oh yes," Karato said as if Chibodee had come up with the solution to keep Domon and Rain apart. Karato wanted the two gundam teams to get along and Domon didn't seem to care so maybe his partner could help. She was definitely the friendlier of the two. "Let me introduce you to Domon's partner," Karato said happily.

Smiling, Domon thought to himself, Rain's going to think that you're a complete jerk, Chibodee Crocket.

"Rain!" the commissioner called out to her.

Obeying her commander, Rain stepped over to them and Chibodee's bright green eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw her. "And you are?" Chibodee asked in a smooth voice.

Cutting in, Karato said, "She is Rain Mikamura, Domon's partner."

Chibodee's eyes couldn't move from Rain's as he took her hand and brushed the top of it with a kiss, "Rain Mikamura, you are quite possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

Folding his arms, Domon waited to hear Rain tell Chibodee that she wasn't into shallow jerks who seemed to be only interested in looks. However, Rain's eyes stayed on Chibodee's as she thanked him with a sweet smile.

Domon's arms flung open and down to his sides as he watched Rain looking quite happy for Chibodee's attention.

Ready to begin a night of flirting, Chibodee said, "I can see which Neo-Japan partner I won't mind getting to know."

Feeling his blood boil, Domon kept control while his conscience spoke to him. Rain has every right to be interested in the Neo-American Fighter. Karato and Ulube would probably be happy and...she's only your friend, Domon.

"Rain," Chibodee said softly. "I love your name. What do ya say we take a walk in another room and get away from all of these officials?"

At first Rain didn't feel right about it. It was obvious that Chibodee was very interested in her, but down deep in her heart she knew she felt too much for Domon - even if he was making her miserable this night, and felt nothing more than friendship for her.

Suddenly however, four girls who were the Neo-American crew could be heard introducing themselves to Domon. One by one, Rain listened to each of them say their names. First there was Janet, then Cath, then Bunny and then Shirley who gave Domon such a sweet smile.

Not knowing what to do, Domon just said a low hello. Shirley made it clear by clinging to his arm and with her smile that she wanted to get to know him better; especially since Ulube told her that Domon and his partner, Rain, were only friends.

Rain noticed the look of confusion on her partner's face on what to do with Shirley, but she also noticed that he wasn't pulling away from her.

"Yes, Chibodee," Rain said disgusted but trying to sound sweet. "Let's get out of this room."

Smiling, Chibodee held out his arm to Rain, and she put hers through it and then they started to walk out of the room. Rain sadly thought that Domon probably wouldn't even notice.

Watching them leave, Domon felthimself becoming more and more upset. What is wrong with you, Rain? Could you really be interested in that guy? He and I are totally different.

"Domon," the red head who was clinging to him said. "I just love that red cloak of yours. It's very attractive on you."

Suddenly thinking that Shirley might come in handy, Domon forced himself to calm down and to be nice. "Thank you...uh...Shirley. Why don't we sneak out of here?"

Shirley's friends giggled as Shirley nodded her head yes smiling back at Domon, and she said, "I don't think anyone will know that we're gone since both of our countries officials seem to be mingling quite a bit."

"Fine then," Domon said as the two of them walked into the room that Chibodee and Rain were in. The room was huge and looked like a museum with tons of pictures of Japanese history on the walls. Shirley was quite interested in it, while Domon was more interested in what his partner found so intriguing about Chibodee Crocket.

Clear on the other side of the large room, Rain still had her arm through Chibodee's and she laughed at the jokes that he was cracking about the gundam fights that he had been in. He really did seem like a nice guy, but Rain knew that he was quite the flirt. As she moved around, something red caught her attention and she realized that Domon was in the room as well. Still attached to Domon's arm was the pretty red head and Rain became jealous and then furious at herself for being jealous. She had never seen Domon with another woman before and she found she didn't like it. Sadly, she thought, Domon could probably care less that I'm with Chibodee.

"Rain," Chibodee said in a sweet voice. "You suddenly look sad. What do ya say we ditch this place?"

Rain knew she shouldn't go off with a stranger, but than she remembered all of the good things that she had heard about the Neo-American Gundam fighter from Karato when she was first told about Neo-America and Neo-Japan becoming better acquainted with each other.

Laughter was suddenly heard from Domon so Rain turned and saw him enjoying himself and it made her all the more want to leave with Chibodee.

Shirley had said something funny, but not as funny as Domon had made it out to be. He couldn't help it though. He found himself wanting Rain to think that he was having such a good time with the red head since she seemed to be having such a good time with the Neo-American Fighter.

"Let's go," Rain said to Chibodee, and then they both disappeared out of the room.

"Shirley," Domon said not missing Rain's disappearing act. "Why don't we go outside?"

"Sure," she said wondering if he just wanted to follow his partner. His eyes seemed to be on her almost the whole time they had been in the museum looking room. After Domon and Shirley made their way outside, a corelander flew over them and watching Domon, Shirley said, "That was Chibodee."

Not saying anything, Domon lead Shirley to his means of transportation and then assisted her into it. Soon moving along in the air in the corelander, Domon hadn't said anything and Shirley knew now without a doubt that he was following his partner. Playing dumb, she asked, "Domon, where are we going?"

Not used to someone else other than Rain sitting behind him, Domon said, "Uh...I hope you don't mind just going for a ride."

"Not at all," Shirley said quickly losing interest in Domon since he seemed much more interested in his partner. However, she had to make sure that this Domon guy didn't start something with the boxer she so adored.

Making sure to stay behind, Domon continued to follow Chibodee's corelander. Suddenly, a noise started chiming. "Damn," Domon said sounding frustrated upon hearing that the corelander was in need of fuel. Remembering Shirley in the back, he decided it better to just refuel and give up on his chase.

Later back at the Neo-Japan government building, Domon sat with Shirley and her crew while waiting for Chibodee and Rain to come back. Though Domon had no desire to become romantically involved with any of the girls, he decided they were an okay bunch and that they did help pass the time while waiting for Rain and Chibodee to come back.

When Chibodee's corelander finally appeared back at the government building, Domon moved away from the girls as if he didn't care that Rain returned. However, as soon as he was in the building by himself, he looked out the window. That's when he saw Chibodee help Rain out of the corelander and then the man with the purple hair lean close to Rain for a kiss.

"Domon," Shirley said making him jump away from the window before he actually saw the kiss. "I just wanted to thank you for...the ride."

He didn't say anything cause for now all he could think about was that Rain was outside kissing Chibodee. Domon's heart fell and he almost felt sick as he thought, Does Rain really prefer him over me? I feel like I'm losing everything.

Seeing that Domon seemed confused once again this night probably over his partner, Shirley walked up to him and then hesitantly hugged him. Something in Domon made him hug this woman back since he felt so dejected over Rain falling for Chibodee. When he released Shirley, Rain was standing there watching trying to act as if she didn't care about what she saw. She forced her tears from rolling out of her eyes when she saw another woman in Domon's arms. Though she had just told Chibodee that she could only be his friend, it seemed that Domon wanted more with the red head.

As Shirley left the room, Domon and Rain only stood staring at each other; both looking anything but happy.

Finally Domon started walking and demanded, "It's late. Let's go."

Not saying anything, Rain turned around and they both headed to the corelander.

Once in it they were completely silent though they felt like blowing up on each other. The rule had now been completely forgotten by both of them as Rain imagined Domon getting along happily with Shirley. Domon was getting more mad as he wondered just what Rain and Chibodee had done and wondered why they had to stay out so long.

Watching as the corelander moved further and further away from the government building was Ulube smiling. "Looks like it's definitely all business and no play for you now, Neo-Japan team," the man with the mask said smiling.


Thanks for reading, Jen