CHAPTER 7: Ulube's Rule
Although it had started to storm very hard outside, things in the cabin were calm, which was expected at such a late hour. However, in the kitchen where Neo-Japan's team was, it was anything but calm. Eyes closed, lips pressed together, Domon and Rain hadn't broken apart since their passionate kiss had begun many minutes before. They continued to kiss as if they needed each other to breathe, each overpowered by the feelings in their hearts that they had kept hidden from each other for so long. It was better than a dream; their spirits ecstatic to be sharing such a kiss with each other. It was like no other either of them had ever experienced before because of the strong emotions involved on both sides. The fight that had happened earlier was now long forgotten. It had only occurred in the first place because of the loving feelings between them.
As the pouring rain continued, it suddenly thundered so loudly that Domon and Rain's kiss came to an abrupt end as their breaths drew apart. While the thunder's roar made Rain's hands grab a tighter hold on to Domon's broad shoulders, his arms released her but his large hands closed around her small waist. The Neo-Japan team then shyly took note of the way they were holding each other and then they stared at one another somewhat shocked over what had just happened between them.
After a few seconds Domon released Rain and backed away from her as he remembered his very own words to Ulube, Rain and I are only friends and we will not step over that line. His logical side knew that no matter how badly he wanted to continue to kiss Rain that he should tell her that they could never kiss again.
"What's wrong?" Rain asked innocently.
The fighter knew that his mechanic was the smarter one, but she didn't seem to be thinking too clearly as of right now. Staring at her flushed face, Domon's eyes moved to hers and he said in amazement, "I...I just kissed you."
Just as amazed, but looking more in awe than upset, Rain whispered with a shy smile, "I just kissed you back. In fact, I kissed you first."
Indeed she had and Domon had been very shocked when her soft hands had taken hold of his face to do so.
Knowing that Domon couldn't have faked the emotion in their very affectionate kiss, Rain became worried when she saw what looked to be confusion on his face. "Didn't you say that you want me?"
Domon wasn't about to tell her how much, but he said, "Yes. I said I...want you, but I didn't mean for that to slip out." In his head he kept screaming, The rule! Remember the rule, Domon!'
Very satisfied with the 'yes' part of his answer, Rain took Domon totally by surprise by moving her body back against his as she threw her arms around him. Her embrace was so powerful since she felt such an urgency to feel his lips again, that she knocked him up against the wall behind him. At first, his arms were down by his sides and his eyes wide as he thought that this had to stop, but as if giving into an addiction his eyes closed and he knew without a doubt that he wanted what was happening between them just as much as she seemed to. He had been wanting this with her in fact and his hands soon moved to cup her beautiful, flawless face as they continued to kiss.
Thrilled that Domon obviously had strong feelings for her, Rain kissed him like she never kissed anyone before; putting all of her love for him into that kiss. When his hands moved from her face, his arms then moved to hold her close as he began to send chills up and down her spine. Domon Kasshu, the man she had been in love with - wanted her. It was wonderful. He was her childhood friend, her best friend, her protector and her partner. My partner? Rain thought in her head. He's my Neo-Japan partner! We can't do this! We have a rule to abide! Suddenly she broke the kiss and pulled out of his arms and then backed a couple of feet away from him.
Breathless and not moving, Domon saw the confusion growing on Rain's face as her heavy breathing made her chest move up and down. "Domon," she breathed, "We...we can't do this."
He knew she was right and that had been why he had broken away from her the first time. Looking away from her, he whispered, "You're right. I know." However, upon turning back to look at her he got lost in her wide, blue eyes. I still want you, he thought. You're everything to me.
Rain watched his dark eyes hold her in their tender gaze as he began to move towards her ever so slowly. "Domon?" she asked not sure if he really cared about the rule at all now. It was quite surprising since he was normally so obedient of Ulube.
"Rain," he whispered as he recalled the passion in their kiss. "I never felt anything like this before."
Continuing to move backwards, she whispered, "Me either." Within seconds her back was against the wall.
Domon's now very powerful eyes imprisoned hers as he stared back at her overwhelmed that he wasn't dreaming. He hadn't known that the one person that he felt such love and desire for returned his feelings. Ready to indulge himself in another kiss with her, Domon placed his hands flat on the wall on both sides of Rain's shoulders as he ever so slowly began to lean close to her so that their lips could meet again.
Rapidly, Rain's heart beat and she was about to let Domon kiss her till the sound of thunder broke out once again. The rumble helped to silence her heart - making her duck from between his arms. Moving a good few feet away from him and seeing the puzzlement form on his face, Rain said, "I'm sorry, Domon."
"Uhh...no, Rain, I'm sorry," he said as if possibly coming to his senses while he pushed off the wall. He didn't want her to feel badly about anything that had just happened.
"You have no need to be sorry," she said looking upset as she hugged herself. "I'm just as much to blame for our...kissing."
Domon didn't know quite what to do because he knew he didn't regret their kisses and now he feared that she did. His heart dropped just like it had when he had thought she was falling for Chibodee.
"Domon, earlier tonight, I had no right to get jealous of Shirley," Rain said even though she hated the idea of Domon with someone else.
Though frustrated as he ran his hands through his wild hair, Domon calmly said, "We have to obey the rule, right?"
Still hugging herself, Rain said, "We don't have a choice." Deep down she wished that Domon would tell her to hell with the rule. If he wanted her bad enough wouldn't he do that?
Forcing himself to not think with his heart, he said, "You're right. We don't have a choice." Within himself however, he found that he wished that Rain would convince him that the rule didn't matter to her.
Trying to hide the hurt at not being able to show Domon what he meant to her; especially since he seemed to feel the same way, she said, "I guess we just got lost in the moment."
"Yeah, we...just need some space from each other for a little while," Domon said though it was the last thing that he really wanted. He would have been content if only just to hold her throughout the rest of the night.
As if trying to make it easier, Rain found herself rattling things off that she didn't mean as she forced a smile, "We're too different anyway. Maybe you need a fighter; a female fighter of course. I drive you crazy anyway and get on your nerves."
Does she really think that we just got lost in the moment? Was that kiss only a physical thing to her with no feelings? Domon wondered miserably. He forced himself to keep a straight face as he left the kitchen; not wanting to continue to make her feel her obvious discomfort of him being so near.
Now in the kitchen alone, Rain listened to the outside rain while thinking that she should slap herself for trying to convince Domon that she wasn't his type.
The next day in the government building, Ulube was smiling because he was quite pleased with how the meeting between the Neo-Japan team and Neo-American team had gone the night before. "Things are working out for the best," he said not looking worried at all in his dull, gray office.
"What do you mean?" Karato asked sitting in a chair in front of the desk as he recalled the night before. "Domon and Chibodee barely spoke to each other."
Ulube walked around his desk to look out of the window. "What I mean is that Rain is interested in the Neo-American fighter and Domon is interested in one of the Neo-American crew members. So it looks like things will work out and Neo-Japan will win the gundam fight."
"That's good," Karato said but it was clear in his voice that he had something else on his mind.
"But…" Ulube said upon hearing the commissioner's voice.
"I'm glad that Domon and Rain are interested in other people. I guess we over reacted about them possibly having feelings for each other."
"That's not what you really wanted to say," Ulube said growing frustrated with Karato's beating around the bush. "Speak your mind and I might actually listen."
"Fine. I've been thinking about that rule of yours."
"And," Ulube said at Karato's sudden silence, "Continue."
"Maybe it should be eliminated," Karato said after have giving it a great deal of thought over the past couple of days.
Calmly Ulube repeated, "You think we should eliminate the rule?" Walking around his desk and leaning over Karato, Ulube then exclaimed, "Are you going mad! Did you forget why I established the rule in the first place! Don't you remember what happened to my Father!"
"That was a long time ago," Karato said sorry he had gotten Ulube so upset.
"Not to me!" Ulube exclaimed just before forcing himself to calm down. He then leaned back against his desk in front of Karato and folded his arms. "Let me remind you of just what happened and how it destroyed my family."
Karato knew that he better not say a word as he nodded his head back to Ulube that he would listen.
"Twelve years ago my father was put in charge of the Neo-Japan gundam team. The Neo-Japan government was ruthless at the time because of their many years of control over the colonies. They made it clear to my father that the gundam team that he would choose would have to win the gundam fight."
Karato couldn't deny how strict the Neo-Japan government had been because of their control over all of the colonies for so long.
"My father had been careful to put together the best team, which ended up being a male and a female. His team had been on a winning streak...that is until they fell in love with each other. It had been so obvious when the female became fearful for her partner's life and he in turn didn't care about winning to keep our nation in control. The government gave my father hell and he all but begged his gundam team to focus on the fight by continuing to fight as they did before they fell in love, but his begging had been to no avail. The team only cared about what they were feeling for each other and ultimately they lost the gundam fight and Neo-Japan lost control over the colonies."
All too well Karato remembered how horrible it had been to be in Neo-Japan following that gundam fight.
"And who was punished? My father. He was tortured for not having control over his team. I watched my mother cry on a daily basis because my father had been beaten severely often and eventually taken away and never returned to us. She finally died because of the heartbreak over the loss of him. For years I vowed to get my revenge on any Neo-Japan Gundam team that fell in love with each other. That team my father put together should have been punished for letting their love take them over, not my Father. Luckily, I got my foot in the door in the Neo-Japan government so I could impose...the rule."
"You mean when you became Neo Japan's gundam fighter," Karato said remembering just how good Ulube had been.
"Yes, eight years ago I was teamed up with a beautiful woman as my partner. To my surprise we began to have very strong feelings for each other. However, unlike the team who disrespected my father, I didn't act on my feelings for my partner, no matter how badly we wanted each other. So because I didn't get carried away with so called…love, we won the gundam fight and gave Neo-Japan control over all of the colonies once again."
Karato remembered that being a very proud moment for Neo-Japan.
"Because I was so disciplined I was made commander and was able to establish the rule. The next gundam team, which I chose, won as well because there was no love involved."
"Are you really convinced that Domon and Rain will win the gundam fight as long as they obey your rule?"
"Yes," Ulube said without a doubt. "That's why they have won so far because they are obeying the rule. A team cannot be in love and win the gundam fight at the same time. If they should disobey the rule, I or any other government official won't be punished, but rather the team themselves. In fact, if Domon and Rain should fall in love and make us lose control over the colonies, I will no doubt see to it that they are tortured."
Karato gasped at Ulube's last words. "But Ulube, don't you ever regret losing the possible love of your life just to win the gundam fight?"
"No," Ulube said without feeling in his voice. "I feel a Neo-Japan Gundam fighter should sacrifice love for his nation. I'll be damned if Neo-Japan loses control over the colonies because of love ever again!"
That afternoon the present Neo-Japan team managed to go on with their normal routines before their next gundam fight. It was a wonder that they had been able to since they had been a constant on each other's minds. Domon trained hard while Rain prepared their gundam into tip top shape. They each hoped that when they saw each other back at the cabin that they wouldn't feel love and desire for the other like they had the night before. That would only make it too hard for them to be near each other.
Upon Domon's return out of the woods, he saw Rain letting herself into their cabin. After hearing footsteps she turned around and they faced each other not saying a word. They hadn't spoken since their very passionate kiss. Not moving at all, they continued to stare and began to realize that even though the rule prevented them from being with each other, there was nothing that they each wanted more.
Finally Rain turned back to the door and let herself in so she could head straight to her room. She couldn't face the man she cared for so dearly any longer. Some kind of way she had to deprogram her feelings for the fighter.
Once in the cabin, Domon watched her bedroom door close behind her and he never knew he could feel so lousy. After sharing a kiss with the woman of his dreams; his best friend, it was a major let down that they couldn't move forward. She was the first woman he really ever wanted to love, and now he feared that there would only be tension between them for now on.
Late that night, Rain got out of her bed to sneak to the kitchen. She was pretty hungry since she hadn't felt like eating anything earlier. The night had been miserable for her as she avoided her partner by staying in her room. Wrapping her robe around herself over her nightgown, she then quietly walked through the den and into the pitch, dark kitchen. Immediately she bumped into something hard and then that something hard flipped the lights on.
"Domon," Rain said surprised that he had beat her in there without being seen.
He was wearing the white T-shirt and black shorts that he normally slept in. "I was hungry," he said feeling he had to explain why he wasn't hiding out in his room like she had been doing in hers.
"You didn't eat either?" Rain asked moving past him and further into the kitchen while feeling guilty for not making sure that he had eaten.
"I wasn't hungry earlier," he said hating the awkwardness he felt between them. "Should I leave you in here alone?" he asked not really knowing what he should do.
"No, we're still partners," she said trying ever so hard to lighten the mood.
Domon didn't move while his eyes followed her as he said, "Are we still friends?"
Shocked by his words, Rain turned to look back at him and said with a weak smile, "We're the best of friends."
Not sure at all if she meant that, he changed the subject and asked, "Do you regret it?"
"Regret it?" she questioned back as she started to fumble around in the kitchen by wiping the all ready clean counter top with a rag.
"Do you regret our kiss?" he asked needing to know how she really and truly felt. Rule or no rule he had to know before he drove himself crazy.
Rain didn't say anything. She regretted the pain that she had been in all day by telling herself that she and Domon could only be friends, but that kiss was something she wanted to remember forever.
It was clear to Domon that the talkative Rain, wasn't talkative on this subject. "You know," he said moving towards her and leaning on the counter, which made her stop wiping it down, "today I thought about what you said about me needing to be with a fighter. You're seriously wrong. If I were with a fighter, it might be exciting at first but we'd probably end up literally killing each other."
Rain had to smile back at Domon. "Are you getting philosophical on me?"
Domon smiled back then said, "I don't think I've ever thought harder than I have today."
"About what?" Rain whispered.
Pushing off the counter to stand straight up again, he said, "About the rule."
"And?" she asked waiting for him to say that they had to obey it no matter what.
Looking very hesitant to speak at first, Domon finally said, "Look, you don't have to answer me, but did you think about breaking the rule today even for just one second?"
Stunned beyond belief, Rain knew this topic was getting way too dangerous now. Was Domon Kasshu considering breaking the rule? Did he really care for her that much? Wasn't he too loyal to Neo-Japan to do such a thing?
With a cocky smile, Domon thought that he had his answer since she didn't answer him. "You did think of breaking the rule with me at some point today. Last night's kiss wasn't just us needing to be...physical with just...anyone. Right?"
Becoming livid, Rain exclaimed, "Do you really think that I would just kiss anyone like that! Of course it wasn't just physical! There were strong feelings involved!" Rain then quickly covered her mouth before she accidentally let more slip out.
Domon's heart raced as he said very seriously, "Then you do feel something for me."
"It doesn't matter, Domon. We can't have these feelings for each other."
That was what he needed to hear. She admitted that she too definitely had feelings by how she answered him. "Look Rain, I don't have the answer, but I know what I want," he said now looking confident that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. "I'm the last person on earth who was looking for these feelings that I have for you - that I never felt before."
"How long have you been having those...feelings?" Rain asked still shocked and thinking that she had to be dreaming.
"Months. What about you?" he asked as if this was just their normal everyday conversation.
"Months as well," she said seriously. "I just never thought in a million years that you felt the same way."
"Yes, Domon Kasshu the fighter does have a heart. Actually, I'm quite as shocked as you look."
Very slowly Rain smiled, but then it left her pretty face as she asked, "What about the rule?"
"Let's break it," Domon said bluntly.
"Are you saying that you'd rather explore our relationship than obey Ulube's rule?" Rain asked as her blue eyes began to flirt with his deep, brown eyes.
"I think we'll go insane if we don't," Domon said feeling as content with her now as he did the night before when they had been locked in a kiss. He knew this wasn't a case of just wanting something that he couldn't have. They truly meant something of greater importance than just friends to each other.
Rain was thrilled to have this side of Domon exposed; that he was curious about love - with her. "Okay, let's take a chance and break the rule," she said not thinking of Ulube, a punishment or listening to her conscience which was telling her that she should take the rule very seriously.
Thanks for the reviews since my last update:
GoldAngel-Thank you for all of your...impressive updates on your stories and I'm glad you liked the way Rain stuck up for herself. I'm always thrilled to get a complement from you, KSF!
Ryan-Domon a lunkhead-Ha! Ha! I like that. Obviously, I'm a huge G Gundam fan and a hopeless romantic as well. I seem to be stuck on a G Gundam kick for now.
RedLion2-Thank you so very much! I was and am still touched by such a wonderful review, especially since I truly admire your talented work. I hope I stay on the right track and your updates have been outstanding. (A sincere thank you for all of your recent reviews on "Misguided Emotions".)
Sean-Thanks. I just love writing mushy Domon and Rain stuff.
Black Joker Lady-Ha! Ha! I almost did make them scream that they love each other! And yes, what they did is definitely against the rule. Naughty Neo-Japan team!
Turtle lover-I'm glad someone else laughed. I laughed myself when Domon was trying to sound like Rain talking to Chibodee. Thanks!
Squeekers-Thanks! Yes, things have heated up. I still have to figure out just what Ulube is going to do.
Assassin-G-I'm glad you like this...strange fic. Thanks.
Hawk Sage-Well, here's the next chapter and thanks for the review.
Anime Vampire-Thanks for your good advice on the rating. I'm so glad you like this fic. I think you'd slap me if you read what I had D & R doing in my first G Gundam story-"POofTG."
domon and rain-I understand you are busy. Don't worry about it. I'm just very glad you reviewed. Thanks!
Namaida-Thanks for being a loyal reader. I'm an amine fan as well. I too think D & R make a cute pair. Thanks!
