CHAPTER 10: Catching On
The banging continued on the door as Domon and Rain broke apart and stood up, each trying to catch their balance after being so abruptly brought out of their display of passion for each other. Being forced into the harsh reality of the rule wasn't at all enjoyable for either of them.
"That's it," Domon said grinding his teeth together as his passion for Rain turned into anger for Karato. "He's going to be sorry that he showed up here."
"Domon!" Rain exclaimed grabbing him by the front of his tan jacket to make him look at her before he charged to the door to tell Karato off. "You're not thinking. If he thinks we're not following the rule, he may try to separate us."
Staring at her and hating that she was right, Domon tried to shake his anger away and calming down a bit, he said, "Okay, okay. You're right."
Releasing her grip on Domon, Rain looked at the romantic setting around them and said very seriously, "We have to blow out the candles and flip the lights back on before he gets suspicious." Deep down however, she was pretty sure that Karato all ready knew that she and Domon had grown very close.
Grunting, Domon didn't tell Rain that he all ready suspected that Karato was there because of his suspicions.
Unlike her normal able to keep it together self, Rain suddenly became very nervous and looked into Domon's eyes as she said, "I don't want to be away from you, Domon."
Enclosing her pretty face in his hands, Domon desperately wanted to calm her and remind her that he would always be by her side protecting her. In a positive yet soft voice, he said, "Baby, I won't let anyone take you away from me."
Pleasantly surprised by what he called her, Rain calmed down and gave him a tender smile. He looked quite surprised himself before giving her a soft smile back. Sounding grateful to him for easing her fears, she braved up and said, "I'm okay now. I just lost it for a second since I've been so spoiled to have you in this cabin all to myself."
"It's been nice," Domon said tenderly since he enjoyed having her all to himself as well.
Turning her attention back to the banging on the door, Rain said, "Let's at least try to make it look like nothing has been going on between us."
"All right," Domon said as he released her so he could walk over to the wall to flip the lights on. Rain in turn blew out the candles and then began to fan the smoke away. She then watched as Domon approached the door to open it.
Karato was outside becoming more and more impatient as he yelled even louder than before, "Open this door now!"
Not liking to be demanded to do anything, Domon became annoyed as he opened the door to the screaming man.
Red from screaming, Karato looked as if he was about to burst as he gave Domon a very disapproving look.
Besides not liking Karato's demanding voice, Domon didn't like his expression either. The fighter looked at the Japanese Official as if he was crazy and grunted before saying, "What the hell are you doing here, Karato?"
Rolling her eyes, Rain wished that Domon had started this off in a nicer manner. They didn't need to get Karato even more upset.
Walking into the cabin, Karato looked at Rain then back to Domon and exclaimed, "I should be asking you what the hell you two are doing in here!"
Slamming the door shut, Domon said sounding just as upset, "None of your damn business!"
Looking at Domon like he was handling this very wrong, Rain wished for the first time that he was playing one of his staring games where he didn't say anything but only stared in silence. Why didn't he realize that being nicer to Karato would be better for them? But then again, she knew that wasn't her fighter's style when he became upset.
"None of my business?" Karato asked as if Domon was crazy. It was obvious that the gundam fighter wasn't going to be cooperative and then the candles on the table caught the commissioner's attention and he demanded, "Again, I want to know what's been going on in here!"
Some kind of way Rain pulled herself together and said nonchalantly, "Domon and I were just discussing the next gundam fight."
"I see," Karato said calming down; sounding as if he actually believed her. "Does Domon always take such an interest in your neck when you two are discussing a gundam fight?"
Both Domon and Rain's eyes widened as Rain's hand automatically lifted and touched her neck where Domon's lips had spent quite some time. When she pulled her hand away, Domon saw the pink mark his mouth had left on her, and he knew now that there was no denying what had been going on.
Karato then turned to the fighter and walked over to him. After analyzing Domon's face, he said, "And Mr. Kasshu, when did you start wearing pink lipstick?"
Lifting a hand to his mouth, Domon wiped a finger across it and when he pulled it away and looked at it, he saw just a trace of Rain's lipstick. Since he had never been scared of anyone, he only smiled as he recalled his and Rain's kisses.
Rain knew that was it. They had been caught for sure especially since Domon wasn't trying to hide that they had been kissing at all.
Karato was very sick of Domon's non-fear attitude of everything, including the rule, so he yelled, "Domon Kasshu, you don't even look like you're going to deny that you and Rain were kissing in here!"
"Mr. Karato," Rain said as politely as she could as she walked over to him, "Please, let me explain." She wanted to remind him of how they were still winning all of their gundam fights.
"Save it, Rain," he said disgusted as he walked away from the Neo-Japan team. "I've been seeing the way you two have been looking at each other. I knew that both of you staying in this cabin together wasn't a good idea. I'm going to have to separate you."
Becoming enraged, Domon somehow said in a very controlled, but challenging voice as he pulled Rain to his side and put his arm securely around her, "Over my dead body you're separating us."
Karato became dismayed to see Rain not pulling away from the fighter. Her devotion to him was very obvious as her hand moved to rest on his chest. Now seeing the team's determination to stay together on their faces, the commissioner exclaimed, "You two can't do this! That's why we tried to arrange you both to be with someone else for a night - so you wouldn't want each other!"
Becoming furious yet again, Domon exclaimed, "You sick…"
Rain quickly placed her hand on Domon's face and turned him to look at her, and then she shook her head no with very pleading eyes.
Closing his mouth, Domon realized that Rain didn't want him to make things worse.
"Mr. Karato," Rain said in a firm voice as she looked back at the Japanese Official. "With all due respect, what Domon and I feel for each other is real and didn't start because of a physical need."
Shaking his head and looking as if the world was coming to an end, Karato said, "I should have known that the two of you were going to play house in this cabin. Ulube is going to be extremely upset!"
"Damn it!" Domon said very insulted, "We're not playing house! We love each other!"
Both Rain and Karato were shocked. Rain, because Domon had just admitted so easily to someone else that he was in love with her, and Karato was shocked that Domon even knew the meaning of the word love. It seemed that Rain was even more important to Domon than fighting.
"What about the rule and the gundam fight?" Karato asked wishing he could shake both Domon and Rain to their senses.
"What about the gundam fight?" Domon asked as if the fight wasn't going to be affected at all. "We've been together for over a month now and yet we have still won our fights during that time. The rule is just freakin'…"
"Domon," Rain hissed before he really started to let Karato have it.
Mumbling, the fighter looked at Rain and said, "Well, it's...stupid."
Wanting to prove a point, Karato looked at Domon and began to say, "Stupid rule or not, what happens if Rain isn't allowed to stay here with you?"
Tightening his arm around Rain's waist, Domon said, "I'd lose the rest of the Gundam fights, but…"
"I knew it!" Karato screamed cutting Domon's words off, "Ulube was right. Love will make you do ridiculous things. I can't believe you'd intentionally lose the rest of the gundam fights if Rain couldn't stay here with you."
With threatening eyes, Domon said, "You didn't let me finish. I was going to tell you that you will be very sorry if you even try to take her away from me."
"Is that a threat?" Karato asked quite a bit disturbed. It was bad enough that he had to worry about Ulube.
"Yes," Domon said looking more deadly than he ever had in a fight.
"Don't you get it?" Karato asked as he turned around from the team and walked away holding his face in his hands afraid of what Ulube would do if he knew. He then turned back to the team and cried out, "You broke the rule! You both said that you wouldn't!"
That was the only part that got to both Domon and Rain. They had gone back on their words. However, as they looked at each other they knew it was worth it. What they felt was real and they knew they were meant to always be together.
Trying one more time to get through to the Neo-Japan team, Karato said, "Do you two really want to be punished?"
Willing to give his life up for the female clinging to him, Domon looked furious as he said in a deep voice, "If anyone touches Rain, I will kill them."
Feeling very protected, Rain said to the commissioner, "Mr. Karato, I think that you would rather see us continue to win the gundam fight than to be punished."
Karato looked into the female's persuasive, blue eyes. He then looked into Domon's fearless, dark eyes and saw that the fighter truly planned to never let Rain go.
"Damn it!" Karato exclaimed throwing his arms up as if giving in. "Do as you wish, but if Ulube finds out that the two of you are breaking the rule, I didn't know anything about it. Do you understand?"
Staying calm, both Domon and Rain said, "Yes."
Looking very disappointed, Karato said, "I came here hoping that I was wrong about my suspicions of you two being involved. I see it's impossible to stop you from breaking the rule."
"You've got that right," Domon said very seriously.
Relieved, Rain said, "Mr. Karato, Ulube will not find out about Domon and me."
With a worried expression on his face, Karato said, "If the two of you get caught, I will indeed say a prayer for you both. You'll need many."
The team watched as Karato left; slamming the door behind him. There was a silence and then Domon pulled Rain into his arms and held her against his strong chest. She was more precious to him than anything; than anything had ever been to him in his life before. No one was going to take her away from him - no one.
Rain too never wanted to be away from Domon. She was hopelessly in love with him.
Another month later, Karato was relieved to see that the Neo-Japan team had won their last few gundam fights. They had even won the extremely hard one against Neo-Russia. At first it was hard to tell who was going to win that fight. It went on longer than most and both Domon and Argo struck each other over and over before Domon finally claimed victory. Karato was relived that Domon had won because it was obvious to him how Domon and Rain still felt about each other since he still saw sweet looks exchanged between them. But, as long as they kept winning, he assumed that Ulube would never find out about the secret relationship.
The morning of the day that the Neo-Japan team was to fight Neo-China's Sai Saici, the pilot of the Dragon Gundam, Rain got up early to inspect the Shining Gundam. "I'm sure Domon's been up," she whispered to herself as she walked out of her bedroom. To her surprise however, she saw Domon's boots still lying on the floor where he had kicked them off the night before. Assuming that he had over slept, which was very surprising, Rain opened his door to see him lying in his bed still asleep. Smiling, she walked over to him knowing just how she wanted to wake him up. As she leaned over and gently kissed his lips, her hand also touched his face causing her to become alarmed. As Domon's eyes slowly blinked open after receiving her kiss, he gave her a soft smile.
"Baby," Rain said feeling his forehead as her doctor instincts kicked in, "You've got a fever." Running a hand through his hair, she added, "And, it's causing you to sweat." With that she pulled the covers off of him, which made him give her a soft smile once again.
In a somewhat weak voice, he said, "Trying to check me out in my boxers, huh?"
"Your body needs to cool off," she said in a professional voice.
"Well, if you stay in my bedroom it's going to do anything but that," he said managing to tease her again even though he didn't feel quite right.
Worried about him, Rain said, "I wish you didn't have a gundam fight today."
"Oh…that's right," Domon said beginning to sit up as if he remembered that he wanted to train a bit more for it.
"No. You need to rest," Rain said sitting down on the bed as she tried to stop him.
"I'll be okay," he said as he sat all the way up and put a hand on her shoulder as if to reassure her that he was okay.
So concerned about him, Rain stood up and said, "Stay here while I go get the thermometer." By the time Rain got back to his room, Domon all ready had on his pants and was buttoning up his tan jacket. "Domon," I told you that you need to rest."
"Rain, you know that I can't back out of a gundam fight," Domon said secretly enjoying her concern for him.
"You could have at least waited a little while before you got dressed," she said almost sounding aggravated with him. She wanted him to take care of himself.
Domon opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, Rain stuck the thermometer into it.
About a minute later, Rain took the thermometer out of his mouth and after she studied it, she said, "Though it's not real high, you still have a fever, Domon. Take that jacket off of you now."
"Aren't we feisty this morning?" Domon teased. "I'll tell you what. You take off something and then I'll take off something."
"Domon," Rain scolded while shaking her head. "I'm serious. You need to take it easy before the fight."
Deep down Domon knew she was right because he did feel weak enough to want to go back to sleep. He watched as she unbuttoned his jacket and then pushed it off of him. "Rain," he said making her lift her pretty face to look into his eyes. She expected him to protest against her worrying about him, but he instead said, "Thanks for caring about me so much."
"Well, I can't help but worry about your health. I am a doctor, and...I love you," she said causing him to smile.
"I love you, too," he said making her smile as well and then he let her lead him back to his bed so he could lie down.
That afternoon Karato knew something wasn't right when the Neo-Japan team showed up for the gundam fight against Sai Saici of Neo-China. The commissioner hoped that the Neo-Japan team didn't have a lover's spat. He didn't want to worry about such a thing affecting the way Domon fought. Karato watched as Rain left Domon and walked over to Ulube. What does she want to talk to him about? Karato wondered as he began to walk over to them. As he approached closer he could hear Ulube speaking.
"Rain, you must be going out of your mind to suggest that Domon drop out of this fight," the man in the mask said about to laugh.
"He's sick," Rain said trying to sound very professional. "And even if we drop out of this gundam fight it won't hurt our standings. We've won every fight so far."
Folding his arms, Ulube turned to see Domon talking to Sai Saici. "He looks fine to me, and your only concern should be that he wins the fight even if he has to get the life knocked out of him to do so."
Smiling as if Rain was overreacting, Karato walked up and said, "Rain knows that Domon has to fight today no matter what."
Seeing the fury in Karato's eyes, Rain said in defeat, "Yes sir. You are both right." She then turned and left the two men.
"Domon Kasshu of Neo-Japan," Sai Saici said eager to fight his opponent. "I think I'll call you Bro. Are you prepared to finally lose a fight, Bro?"
"In your dreams," Domon said but not sounding too convincing. Though he was feeling better, he still didn't feel quite himself.
"I hope your partner…let's say Sis, handles your first loss okay," Sai Saici said so very confidently.
Not in the mood to defend himself quite like he normally would have, Domon said, "I look forward to a great fight with you, Sai Saici."
"You got it, Bro," Sai Saici said just before walking off.
"Ulube, please excuse me while I speak to Rain," Karato said as if nothing was really wrong.
Ulube nodded his head yes because he wanted to concentrate on the upcoming fight anyway. Standing there by himself, he suddenly laughed as he recalled Rain's request for Domon to drop out of the fight. That might possibly be the funniest thing he had ever heard.
"Rain Mikamura," Karato said catching her before she got back to Domon. "What do you think you were just doing?"
"Mr. Karato," Rain said spinning around to him, "Domon is sick and I just want what's best for him."
"Let me tell you something, Dear," Karato said with a look that showed he feared that things were going to take a turn for the worse if she didn't listen. "I seem to remember a time when Domon had hurt his shoulder quite badly from a fall earlier this year during his training, and you didn't insist that he skip his fight the next day."
"Are you trying to say that I didn't care for him then?" Rain asked before Karato could say she didn't love Domon then so she wanted him to fight his best.
"No, I know you always cared about him. But this love you have for him now is making you put his life before the gundam fight even more so than your friendship had. Your only concern should be that the Shining Gundam is in tiptop shape. Stop thinking with your heart when a fight is to take place."
Trying to keep her cool, Rain said, "I thought I was supposed to be concerned about the pilot's health as well. I am a doctor."
"You are only expected to tend to his wounds during his training. During a fight he is suppose to put his life on the line for Neo-Japan," Karato said seeing Rain getting more and more upset. "You knew that when you became part of the Neo-Japan team. That's why you agreed to follow the rule. If you and Domon weren't in love, you wouldn't have dared suggested to Ulube that Domon skip this fight. That was totally absurd. You should want him to fight for Neo-Japan no matter what condition he's in."
Even though Rain knew that Domon only had a twenty-four hour virus and that he would survive, wanting to make a point she said, "If a Neo-Japan pilot should lose his life in a fight, don't you realize that you would be out of a pilot?"
Rain thought she had him there, but the commissioner said, "We always have a back up plan, Mikamura. Have you forgotten that Ulube was a gundam fighter and a very good one at that?"
"Oh…so if something happened to Domon, Ulube would just take his place?" Rain asked disgusted with how Domon's life seemed to mean nothing to the Neo-Japanese Official.
"Honestly, Rain," Karato said keeping calm. "I don't know if it's because I know that you and Domon are in love with each other or not, but it was so apparent to me when you were talking to Ulube that you love Domon. Do you want Ulube to figure out that the rule has been broken?"
Upset, Rain said, "Maybe you're just worried about you possibly being punished for not being able to stop Domon and me from breaking the rule." Suddenly feeling very disrespectful after her words, Rain said, "Mr. Karato, I'm so very sorry. Please forgive me for saying that. It wouldn't be your fault. You tried to stop us. I'm just…"
"I know. You're very much in love with Domon," Karato said looking around to make sure that they weren't being watched. "Listen, Rain. You don't know the whole story with Ulube's family. If you and Domon are caught, I won't be punished even if Ulube eventually finds out that I knew you two were breaking the rule." Karato remembered how Ulube's father had been tortured and killed for not being able to convince his Neo-Japan team to put their love aside and fight the gundam fights to the best of their ability. "Rain, Ulube would only blame the team, you and Domon. And I'd hate to think of what punishment he would put both of you through."
Rain too hated that thought, and nothing else was said.
During the fight, both Ulube and Karato watched very closely. It seemed to a certain extent one of the hardest that Domon had ever competed in. Though the rest Rain had insisted that he take had helped him to have some energy for the fight, Sai Saici was quite a fighter who didn't want to give up. For a long bit of time the Dragon Gundam held down the Shining Gundam and Ulube feared that Domon wasn't going to fight back as he should. He had to wonder is Dragon Gundam was that powerful. Each time the Neo-Japan fighter had got back on his feet, he found himself off of them because of the great force Sai Saici used on him.
Karato could see the stress on Ulube's face, which caused him to remind Ulube in his calmest voice that Domon was a bit under the weather. The man in the mask wasn't interested in excuses because in his eyes, Domon had to win the fight no matter what. The sound of Rain's voice calling out Domon's name through out the fight began to run through Ulube's mind over and over. Her voice hadn't revealed at all that she was trying to get him to fight harder for Neo-Japan. It instead was filled with worry for her partner as if she loved him. Suddenly, uncontrollable flashbacks of the Neo-Japan team that Ulube's Father had chosen ran through his mind. All that team had ended up being worried about was being together. Lost in love, they stopped caring about winning the gundam fight for Neo-Japan. Rain's scared voice definitely caused Ulube to wonder if it was happening once again to a Neo-Japan team. A rage began to run through Ulube as he watched Domon's lack of fighting.
"Rain!" Domon called to her after hearing the incredible fear for his life in her voice. "I'm all right. Calm down."
"Oh, Domon," she said standing on her platform hoping that he really was since he didn't look it.
"My plan's starting right now," he said and with that the Shining Gundam finally started to put quite a hurting on the Dragon Gundam - taking Sai Saici by surprise. Domon's plan had worked like a charm. He knew Sai Saici couldn't keep fighting as hard as he had been forever. Now worn out, Sai Saici could barely fight back and found himself on the verge of losing the gundam fight and did when Domon used the Shining Finger.
Ulube was pleased with the win, but still had troubled thoughts about the Neo-Japan team. Domon and Rain had caused him to worry in this fight, which was a first and Ulube didn't like it at all.
Relieved that Domon was all right, Rain felt unstoppable tears running down her face. Moving away from the platform, she took off almost running so she could hide. The last person she wanted questioning why she was crying was Ulube.
Ten minutes later, Domon was still looking for Rain. He was a bit disappointed that she disappeared after the fight. "Where did she go?" he said to himself out loud as he moved between some trees not too far away from where the fight had taken place.
Standing up from where she had been sitting down on a log, Rain looked around to make sure no one else was around and then she ran towards Domon's voice. When she saw him she again made sure no one was looking and then threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Domon. I hated that fight," she said into his chest as she hugged him.
Feeling quite weak, now Domon looked around to make sure that no one was watching them. "Didn't you see how the fight ended?" he asked quite proud of his win.
"Yes," the concerned female said still hugging him. "But you really shouldn't have been fighting cause of the way you feel, and Sai Saici fought you so hard."
"He's a great fighter," Domon agreed. "If I felt better, I would have fought much harder but then I figured I'd just let him run out of energy while he pounded on me."
"I hated it." To her, Domon had looked helpless throughout most of it.
"I could tell in your voice," Domon said kissing the top of her head as he held her. "I hope Ulube wasn't around you to hear."
"I don't care," Rain said lifting her head to look at her fighter. "You're worth more to me than the gundam fight. I was so scared for your life that I began to cry. I ran out here so no Japanese Official would see me."
"I'm okay, Rain," Domon said wanting her to calm down.
Studying his face, Rain then felt his forehead with her hand and said, "Your fever hasn't completely broken. We have to get back to the cabin so I can take care of you."
Giving Rain a warm smile, Domon knew there was nothing he'd rather more than his Rain looking after him.
As they left - from behind the trees, Ulube emerged watching their backs as they walked away. The blood boiled through his veins as he realized that the rule had been broken. All of the past wins of the present Neo-Japan team meant nothing to Ulube as he felt his sanity leaving him. Once again he had flashbacks of his mother crying because his father had never returned to her. It was time to confront and then torture the Neo-Japan team.
Thanks so much for the reviews on chapter nine:
GoldAngel2-I could see Domon saying freakin' too about a hundred times a day-Just kidding. LOL. I think that Karato has been catching plenty of sweet smiles and eye contact between the Neo-Japan team lately. I'm sure he's never seen Domon do that before. I know about crazy days. Don't worry about it. Besides I'd rather you keep busy writing all of your outstanding, great, marvelous stories!
Sqeekers-Sorry about the cliffhanger, I just couldn't help myself. (In one of my stories for another anime I think I ended every single chapter that way.) Thanks for really getting into this. I'm touched.
Sean-Yes, Karato just had to go to the cabin! Even he's pretty worried about what Ulube will do to Domon and Rain if they are caught breaking the rule!
Turtle Lover-Yes! Yes! Yes! Karato's catching on to the breaking of the rule. He's been witnessing all of the sweet smiles and the eye contact between the Neo-Japan team lately. Domon and Rain better watch out!
Black Joker Lady-Domon and Rain finally had to let each other know that they love the other. I love them as a couple. Believe me, I thought of you when I did the Nastasha and Argo scene. You'll get your answer about what Karato will do in this chapter. As for what other characters will show up in this story, I'm not sure yet. Forgive me for being so goofy in this story with the great G Gundam series. Your G Gundam story is Fantastic! Keep the chapters coming!
Ryan-Yes, Nastasha definitely saw the sparks flying between the Neo-Japan team and felt like mentally torturing them a bit. Rain is going to try to be calm in this chapter, but Domon...well, that's another story. You're going to get a lot of answers on what Karato will do in this chapter.
Redlion2-Yes, I think that down deep Domon is quite surprised at just how much he truly does love Rain. He never knew a woman could have so much control over him. I just love those two so much!--(The tough fighter, the smart, sweet girl)--That's why I love your G Gundam stories! (All of your other stories are great as well!) Poor Domon and Rain are eventually going to be in a lot of trouble.
Emily-I'm so very glad that you reviewed and like my story! I update once a week. Believe me, I wish I had more time to update. Plus, I think my brain needs a few days to think between chapters.
DR Shipper-Yes! It was a cliffhanger! Please don't hunt me down and kill me! LOL. I'm very glad you reviewed and that you like my story. I hope you like the next chapter.
CUZ I CAN-I'm thrilled that you like both of my stories! I've said this many times, but I truly had a ball writing "Partners Outside of the Gundam". Here's the update you wanted! So sorry that some of my fluff made you want to throw up! I hope you were close to a bathroom. LOL. I hope you like the following chapter.
Shadow Tigress-Thanks so much for the complement! Don't worry about it, I sometimes want to throw my computer through my window because of the internet connection. Here's the update!
Shuffle Queen-I guess I do deserve a good slap for that cliffhanger. Sorry! LOL. I'm so glad that you like this and I hope that I didn't leave you waiting too long.
Cat-You are so very nice. Oh, GoldAngel2 has a brand new RK fic up! I also just realized that Rayne Rhiana has a good one on the site as well. Redlion2's work is great and I'm extremely lucky to get such nice reviews from the authors on this site. I love getting reviews very much from the non-authors as well.
Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85:P-I hope that meant that you liked it. LOL. Thanks.
Rayne Rhiana-I'm so touched by your devotion and I love ALL of your stories! I'm so glad that you are enjoying this crazy, weird story and you'll see what happens with Karato in this chapter.
