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CHAPTER 13: Help Outside
As Chibodee Crocket approached closer to the Neo-Japan building, the view surprised him. There was a doctor leaning his whole body against one of the doors of the building as if he was holding it up. As the fighter moved closer he could hear the doctor mumbling the words, "Please just let them go."
Let them go? Chibodee thought just before hearing the doctor desperately cry out something else.
"I need to get back into this building!" exclaimed the man in the white doctor's jacket.
"Dr. Mikamura?" the American gundam fighter said upon realizing who the doctor was. "Are you okay?"
Caught by surprise the devastated doctor lifted himself from the door and wiped the tears away from his eyes. Turning around to see the young, enthusiastic fighter he had met not long ago, the sad man said, "No. I am not okay."
Concerned, Chibodee asked with a raised eyebrow, "Are you upset that Ulube will replace Domon Kasshu as Neo-Japan's gundam fighter? I myself was shocked and would love to know what happened."
"How did you know he's no longer our gundam fighter?" Dr. Mikamura asked looking quite surprised at how fast the news had spread.
"You should know how I found out," Chibodee said wondering why the doctor was as upset as he was. "You know that our governments have been getting quite chummy with each other." Under his breath, Chibodee then mumbled, "I wish I could get chummier with Rain."
How dare you speak of my daughter that way! Dr. Mikamura thought before exclaiming, "Chibodee Crocket…"
"Oh man," Chibodee said holding up his hands, "I'm sorry, Dr. Mikamura. Sometimes my mouth speaks before I engage my brain with it first. I didn't mean to show disrespect to your daughter at all. She just seems like a…very special woman."
Shaking his head in agreement, the doctor soon found himself saying, "She is a very special woman, and I wish you were all that I had to worry about."
Seeing the very obvious despair on the doctor's face, Chibodee said, "I know it seems that all I can do is rattle my mouth off, but maybe I can help you if you just tell me why you're so upset." The Neo-American fighter felt he owed Rain's father that much after the chummy comment.
Looking back at the fighter, Dr. Mikamura knew he had nothing to lose by telling the young man why Ulube was now the Neo-Japan fighter. "It's Rain…Rain and Domon."
"Did Domon hurt her?" Chibodee asked trying to control his temper as he remembered how unfriendly Rain's partner's first impression had been. Chibodee guessed that Domon had been punished for whatever he did to Rain and that was why he wasn't Neo-Japan's gundam fighter any longer.
"No…no," Dr. Mikamura said a bit frustrated. "Domon would never hurt Rain. They've been best friends since they were children."
"But they seem so…different from each other," Chibodee said folding his arms as if he didn't believe the doctor.
Dr. Mikamura took his glasses off and wiped the sweat from his face with the sleeve of his doctor's jacket. Putting his glasses back on, he said, "Domon and Rain are being punished for breaking the rule and it seems that there's nothing I can do about it."
"Breaking the rule?" Chibodee asked trying to remember everything that he had learned about the Neo-Japan government. Suddenly the fighter said, "Wait a minute. Are you trying to say that Domon…and Rain. I mean…Rain and…Domon. No way!"
"Yes! They're in love with each other!" Dr. Mikamura spit out.
Forgetting about the punishment, Chibodee said, "Come on. What in the hell does she see in that guy?"
Finding himself sticking up for the young man that his daughter had always cared for, Dr. Mikamura said, "I don't have time to defend Domon but I can tell you that he has always protected my daughter and she's the only woman that he's shown a real love for."
"Okay, fine," Chibodee said not about to argue with the doctor who looked so shook up. "Domon and Rain broke the stupid rule. So what's their punishment?"
The older man's face fell with sadness as he said, "Ulube's thinking of ways to torture them and…I think he plans on killing them."
Blinking his eyes back in shock, Chibodee said, "What!"
Dr. Mikamura then suddenly grabbed on to Chibodee's jacket and said, "Please, I'm begging you. Please help me rescue my only daughter and Domon."
Domon and Rain were still locked up in the interrogation room, however they were glad to at least be locked up together. The fighter watched as his girlfriend, who was standing in front of him, unconsciously massaged her arms. Concerned, he said, "I see that your arms hurt from when you defended yourself from that jerk."
"Oh," Rain said realizing what she was doing as she looked down and saw that she did have one obvious bruise. "It could have been a lot worse."
"Yes," Domon said remembering how helpless he had felt when he hadn't been able to protect her from Charles. It had practically killed the fighter to know that the woman he loved was about to be attacked and he couldn't get to her. Long ago under no ones orders, he had appointed himself to always watch over her, but he had nearly failed horribly. A strong rage of anger ran through him at the thought of someone wanting to hurt of all people, Rain. Turning away from her, he slammed his fist against the wall and said frustrated, "I wanted to help you so badly. If I wouldn't have been…drugged up by Ulube, I would have broken free from that chair and I swear I would have thrown myself through that damn window to protect you."
Seeing that his not being able to get to her was tearing him apart and that he was clearly disappointed in himself, Rain silently moved very close behind him and slid her arms around his waist as her head moved to rest on his back. Not knowing it was because of her touch, she felt the tension start to leave his body and his arms fold over hers. "Domon, you did help me…more than you know."
He let out a sigh of relief that nothing had happened to her. Looking towards the window and into the other interrogation room, he remembered Rain defending herself quite well. In a low voice, he said, "I thank the above that you paid close attention when I trained you."
"That's not the only way that you helped me," she said and Domon's curiosity made him turn to face her as he wondered just what she meant. Rain could see in his eyes that he wanted to know how he could have helped her since he had been unconscious most of the time that they had been prisoners. "Domon, when I woke up to find myself in an interrogation room, you were actually in the same room with me, unconscious. I had really begun to think that it was the end of both of our lives but then…I heard your voice in my head as clear as day. I never experienced anything like that before. Do you know what you said?"
It was as if they weren't even prisoners at the moment as Domon stared into her beautiful, blue eyes and said softly, "I would have told you not to give up, not to give up on us."
Tears started to show in Rain's eyes as she said amazed, "That's…that's exactly what you said to me. That's when I decided to fight back."
Knowing even more that there was a strong bond between them, Domon whispered in awe, "We really are a part of each other, aren't we?"
Looking even more amazed, she said, "Domon, I had said that too."
"What?" he whispered as if he had heard her wrong.
"After I heard you in my head telling me not to give up, I had whispered to you…we are a part of each other."
Domon's deep, brown eyes held her gorgeous blue ones in his gaze as his hand moved to hold the face of the woman who was undoubtedly made for him. It had never been more clear that she was his future, and he hers.
Reminding them that they were still prisoners, the key was heard in the doorknob making both of their heads spin to look in that direction. Without hesitation, Domon moved his body in front of Rain's to protect her and she instinctively grabbed on to the back of his tan jacket staying very close to him.
"Domon! Rain!" Karato yelled swinging open the door. "Ulube has thrown Dr. Mikamura out of the building, swearing not to change his mind about torturing the both of you. Quick…get out of here!" the commissioner yelled just before leaving the room as quickly as possible. He didn't want Ulube to catch him setting the prisoners free.
After watching Karato's fast departure Domon became outraged. "Rain," he said in a deep, serious voice as he turned around to her. "When Ulube shows up here, I want you to leave. I'm going to beat the life out of him for what he almost had done to you."
Remembering that Ulube had injected her fighter with something to make him weak, Rain moved in front of him and said upset, "No, Domon! I don't think that you have all of your strength back just yet."
"That monster's going to pay!" Domon exclaimed turning back to the door not paying attention to what Rain was trying to say.
"But, Domon. Physically you're not yourself yet," she protested, not wanting him to challenge Ulube to a fight. "Let's just get out of here together," she said attempting to pull her fighter out of the room, but he wouldn't budge.
"I'm ready for him," Domon said with determination in his voice as he concentrated on putting a hurting on Ulube.
Rain knew it was in Domon's blood not to be scared of anyone, but besides being the woman who loved him, it was her instinct as a doctor to fear for his life at the moment. He had just come out of unconsciousness not long ago.
"Ulube is not going to know what hit him!" Domon exclaimed with fury in his eyes, prepared to attack. However, a sudden slap across his face took the young fighter totally by surprise, making him look as if he didn't believe what had just happened. Comprehending that Rain had indeed slapped him, a stunned look appeared in his eyes as he looked back at her not saying a thing.
Covering her mouth with her hands, they began to tremble because of what she had just done. She wasn't trembling over the thought of Domon striking her back, but that she had possibly disappointed him tremendously. She feared that he would never forgive her since she could so easily see the surprised, alarmed look in his eyes. It was a look he had never given her before and she was terrified that things would never be the same between them. "I'm…I'm sorry," she said sounding very upset as she lowered her hands away from her face.
Staring at her, he then let out a deep breath and his eyes began to soften from their stunned look and then he said, "No, I needed that. I didn't even see your hand coming till it was too late to block it. You knew and let me know that my reflexes aren't right yet because of that…damn injection."
"Oh, Domon. I didn't want to slap you. I just panicked," she said still looking clearly upset over it.
Taking both of her hands in his, Domon kissed the one that hit him and said, "This little hand knocked some sense into me. I love you for wanting to…protect me."
Pulling her hands out of his, Rain threw her arms around him and began to kiss his face softly where she had struck him.
"Rain," he said putting his hands on her waist to gently ease her off of him, "We'll do plenty of that later. Right now, let's just get out of this building." Domon then thought, Once I have my strength completely back, I'm going to make Ulube wish he had never been born.
Releasing Domon, Rain said bravely, "All right. I'm ready to get out of here."
Taking her hand, he pulled her to the door and then he peeked out. Not seeing anyone, he then turned to her and said, "Okay. No one's out there." Tightening his hand around hers, he said, "Hold on tight."
Squeezing his hand back, she said, "I will."
Feeling very disgusted because Dr. Mikamura couldn't understand why Domon and Rain had to be punished, Ulube headed to the interrogation room where Karato had told him the prisoners still were. The man with the mask was beyond livid when he found the door to the room open and the prisoners gone. Turning to the officials that were with him, he said, "Make sure that every door in the building is locked and can only be unlocked from the inside with a key. Chain the doors shut with a lock if you have to. If you spot the prisoners, don't confront them. Tell me where they are so I can do it."
"Yes, sir," the officials said before scrambling off to do as their commander ordered.
"Stupid fools," Ulube said out loud to no one about the ex-Neo-Japan team. "Domon and Rain will not be able to escape from this building and they won't be able to hide from me forever."
Outside of the Neo-Japan building, Chibodee said with such confidence and with a big smile on his face, "Dr. Mikamura, I will save your daughter."
"Chibodee Crocket, I will forever be grateful to you," the doctor said bowing his head to the fighter.
"It's no big deal," Chibodee said as he began cracking his knuckles. "I'll have a talk with what's his face."
"Do you mean Ulube?" Dr. Mikamura asked seeing that the young fighter didn't understand how dead set Ulube was about torturing Rain and Domon.
"Yeah. I can handle him," Chibodee said not serious enough for the doctor.
"Chibodee, Ulube has gone completely insane! There's no reasoning with him!"
"Hey," Chibodee said putting his hands on the doctor's shoulders as if to calm him down. "If I said I'm gonna to save Rain, I will."
"And Domon too," Dr. Mikamura said since the Neo-American fighter obviously had to be reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Chibodee said releasing the doctor. "I guess him too."
Looking back at the building, the older man said, "We have to figure out a way in."
"Not you and me," Chibodee said shaking his head no. "We fighters will figure it out."
"We?" Dr. Mikamura asked looking very confused.
"Yes. I'm sure that only the toughest gundam fighters will be showing up shortly."
"What are you talking about?" Rain's father asked starting to wonder if Chibodee was a bit insane himself.
"Calm down," the young fighter said patting the doctor on the back. "When my government told me that Domon wasn't the Neo-Japan fighter anymore, I instantly called my new, good buddy to let him know."
Somewhat afraid to ask, the doctor repeated, "Your new good buddy?"
"Sai Saici of Neo-China," Chibodee exclaimed happily. "He was pretty upset when Neo-Japan beat him in their recent gundam fight. Sai really thought that he was going to win. After he lost he decided he wanted a rematch. When I called and told him that he wouldn't get the chance because Domon is no longer a gundam fighter, Sai seriously blew up."
It was making more sense to Dr. Mikamura now as he said, "Neo-China's fighter is on his way here to talk Ulube into letting Domon remain Neo-Japan's gundam fighter so they can have a rematch?"
"I doubt he'll be the only one showing up," Chibodee said as if the day was going to be quite interesting. "On the way here I ran into that uptight George De Sand of Neo-France."
"Uptight?" George asked calmly though he was insulted as he appeared in front of the Neo-Japan building.
"So Pretty Boy decided to show up," Chibodee said as George shot him a deadly glare.
Turning away from the immature fighter, George said to the doctor, "I have seen you on television, Dr. Mikamura, and it is an honor to meet you."
"Thank you," the doctor said shaking the very polite fighter's hand. At least there seemed to be one levelheaded person that might help save Rain and Domon.
"I would have been here sooner," the fighter of Neo-France said. "But I wanted to let my friends know of Domon Kasshu's ex-position. You see they too, as I, would like a rematch with Domon."
"Yes. We do," a woman said as she and her huge partner came into view.
Smiling, George said, "Dr. Mikamura, let me introduce you to the Neo-Russian team, Nastasha Zabigov and Argo Gulski."
"Yes," Dr. Mikamura said shaking their hands. "I know who you are."
"Don't forget me," Sai Saici said running up to them. After his introduction, Dr. Mikamura turned to Chibodee and said, "We need to hurry and save Rain and Domon."
"Save them?" George asked knowing he was missing something.
Looking at the building again, Dr. Mikamura then suggested that they move away from it.
Once they were out of view from anyone who might look out of the building, George asked, "What do you mean save Domon and Rain?"
"Oh," Chibodee said as if he still didn't quite understand the seriousness of what was going on, "Rain and Domon broke some stupid rule."
Knowing the rule, Nastasha said, "I understand now. Because they were caught breaking it, that's why Domon isn't allowed to remain Neo-Japan's gundam fighter."
"It sounds that way," Argo agreed wondering what the punishment was going to be.
Sai looked totally confused and asked, "They were caught breaking what rule?"
Chibodee looked at his new buddy and said, "Neo-Japan and Rain weren't supposed to get all hot and heavy with each other, but they did."
"Hot and heavy?" George asked not quite understanding.
"Dude," Sai Saici said to Chibodee. "Looks like your chance with Rain is gone."
Forgetting about Rain's father, the Neo-American fighter said, "You never know. I just have to turn on the charm for her."
No one seemed to notice that Dr. Mikamura was about to blow up.
George finally caught on to Chibodee's hot and heavy comment and said, "I see. The rule was that Domon and Rain could not become more than friends. Correct?"
"Yes," Nastasha said just before looking at Argo. "I think they've been more than friends for quite awhile actually."
George was still quite a bit shocked as he said, "It is just hard to believe that Rain, a sweet, smart woman, would fall for Domon Kasshu. He seems like such a ruffian."
Smiling at George's word for Domon, Nastasha said, "She made it very clear to me how she feels for him, and I could see that he loves her very much as well."
Chibodee still didn't like the idea that Rain could really love Domon, so he said, "You know, Nastasha. Love is a strong word."
"For your information," the doctor said with irritation in his voice. "Commissioner Karato told me that Domon and Rain are very much in love. And I know my daughter. Love isn't a game to her." Thinking of the times that Domon and she were there for each other when they were younger, the doctor added, "I guess it really shouldn't surprise me at all that they have fallen in love with each other."
"Well it surprises the heck out of me," Sai Saici expressed.
"And me," Chibodee agreed.
"You two just need to get over it," Nastasha said aggravated with them. "Rain Mikamura and Domon Kasshu are more than just a good gundam team. Now let's help them to get out of this alive, or are Argo and I the only ones who want a rematch?"
"I am ever so sorry," George said regretting his earlier words. "I did not mean to underestimate Domon and Rain's feelings for each other." Clearing his throat, he questioned, "Am I to understand that they will be punished for breaking the rule?"
Full of frustration, Dr. Mikamura said, "Yes! Ulube wants to torture them and I know he'll end up killing them if we don't stop him!"
"Don't worry. We'll save Rain," Chibodee said not wanting to see her hurt.
Correcting the Neo-American fighter, George said, "And Domon."
"Yes," Chibodee said wishing that he and Domon had gotten off on a better foot when they had first met.
As Domon and Rain made their way quietly down the hall, they suddenly heard footsteps about to turn the corner up ahead of them. Not saying anything, Domon quickly pulled and then pushed Rain into a nearby utility room, which was filled with mops, brooms and other things to clean with. Following her in, he then closed the door as softly as possible because he didn't want to give away where they were. As he stayed standing by the door, it took everything in him to fight the sudden urge to see if it was Ulube walking down that hall. If he looked and saw that it was the horrible man, Domon knew even without his complete strength, he would surely open the door and attack the commander.
Seeing Domon remaining by the door with his hand on the knob, Rain sounded worried as she whispered, "Domon?"
Turning to her, he saw the concern in her soft eyes and knew that she could tell that there was a small war going on in his head. Letting go of the doorknob, he walked over to her and pulled her close up against his chest making the fighter in him remain calm for now. "My Rain," he said knowing only she could take him away to another place as he sank into her returned embrace.
Thanks for reading, Jen
