-----------------
Disclaimer: Okey-dokey. I've made it through eight chapters without any sign of people suing me. The only reason I even continue writing these thingies is this: If one of ya'll gets angry with me for a cliffhanger, you might resort to a lawsuit, and I'm not leaving myself open anywhere. So, once again:
I DO NOT OWN OUTLAW STAR.
-----------------
Author's Notes: Okay, I'm only gonna say this once and then I'll shut up. I've had a lot of people complain to me about the length of the chapters. Just so you know...it doesn't make me very happy.
If you want to complain, then spit it in the right, cuz my attention has left. I am not trying to be mean, but do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under to get all these chapters out in enough of a rush so that people won't stop reading? It's very difficult to keep all of my readers happy, and if you aren't happy, you don't have to yell at me – kindly ask for slightly longer chapters or just don't read anymore. It's not exactly easy to come up with a huge continuing story like this and not run out of ideas. I'm saying it right now. If I get more than 3 more people telling me I'm not writing enough, I'll show them what not writing enough is: I'll discontinue this fic.
I'm not kidding. I'm not usually one to blow up like this, but after a while, even MY patience grows thin. So please, I beg of you – do not make me discontinue this fanfiction, as I enjoy writing it.
Anyway, to those people that haven't gotten pissed off at me for going "KABOOM!!!" back there (all of whom I'm sure have exited), please enjoy this chapter. I made it EXTRA long. *hint hint* *nudge nudge* *wink wink* *cough cough* *poke poke*
-----------------
Sorry, no review responses for this chapter. I might say mean things that I would regret. *sighs* Sorry. I really am. But if I hadn't warned you right now and was to receive more "too-short" e-mails/reviews, then I would have been even more pissed. Gomen nesai!
-----------------
Anyway, on with the story. Have fun.
-----------------
(In the last chapter...)
-----------------
As Melfina finished up her story, Retsuna burst into tears. By this time, Alice was awake and was also teary-eyed.
"You mean you're not allowed to wuv him?" she asked, bottom lip trembling.
Before Mel could answer, Retsuna stood and helped Alice down off the high bed.
"Alice, this is a big-people conversation, alright? Why don't you go watch TV?"
At this privileged command, Alice's face immediately lit up in a smile and she raced off.
Retsuna turned back to Melfina, cheeks glistening.
"Mel, I'm sorry dear, but I don't know what to say this time."
Melfina's spirits fell.
"But if you'll allow me, I do have a suggestion as to the whereabouts of someone who may know how to solve your problem."
-----------------
Gene sat impatiently at the table, rapidly tapping his fingers on the hard wood, the 'thud thud thud' echoing throughout the room.
He was confused. That was all that he could say. He had never been so confused in his life.
What had Melfina thought when she saw that message? He wondered if she was taking it any better than he was. It made him sick to think that his entire future had been pre-decided. That he had no choice as of who to love.
"I don't love her, Goddamnit," he whispered, the echoing stopping as his fingers stilled. "...I...don't..."
(WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? READ ON TO FIND OUT!)
----------------------
Prince Charming: Chapter 9
----------------------
Although you couldn't tell from looking at him, Gene was having a severe time dealing with his emotions.
Not only was he sufficiently confused, he was exhausted as well restless. How could Suzuka have just up and left and simply told him to stay put? How was he supposed to just WAIT? It wasn't as simple as that!
Sure, Suzuka could stay calm – she was a woman! But Gene was a temperamental man with patience problems! How was he supposed to HANDLE THIS?
He sighed and leaned back in the chair, twiddling his thumbs.
He'd been sitting in the same chair for over four hours, and Suzuka still wasn't back. When Jim or Aisha had offered him anything to eat or drink, he'd snapped at them.
Needless to say, they'd given up trying to make him feel better long ago.
Impatient, he went back to tapping his fingers on the table-top.
Thoughts were streaming through his head like the falling stars had been streaming through the sky so shortly ago. He couldn't sort out one single sentence, even though he felt like screaming everything he wanted...or thought he wanted...to say as loudly and as clearly as possible.
Everything was so confusing! He kept telling himself over and over that Suzuka would find Melfina and bring her back and that he should just go to bed already.
...But...
But something in the pit of his stomach told him to stay up – to wait. Something told him that he needed to wait. To stay.
To...be there when Melfina got back.
Gene shook his head thoroughly again, standing up quickly and knocking over the chair he'd been sitting in. What the hell was wrong with him?
He felt like he was going crazy! Never had his emotions run so out of whack! He didn't know how he felt or how he even SHOULD feel? Was he worried? Was he sad? Was he...in l-
NO!!! He wouldn't think it! HE WASN'T! It couldn't be!
...
It...couldn't....
...Could it?
Was he...in love with Melfina?
He sighed heavily. He pulled the chair back up and sat down in it once more. Things were just too complicated.
Even...even if he WAS in love with Melfina, could he ever admit it? It would only be that little extra bit to guarantee what Gwen Khan had said in the message!
Gene Starwind NEVER let destiny tell HIM what to do!
...
Until now.
Because even as he sat there at his table, contemplating everything as calmly and as normally as he could, his sensible side was telling him to pull himself together. Think things over.
Find out what he was really feeling.
Gene's eyes closed and he leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath.
"Uh, Gene?"
Gene's eyes shot open. "Jim? You're still awake?"
The younger boy nodded and pulled out the chair beside Gene's, sitting down.
"Gene, I need to ask you something. And I don't want you to yell at me for it."
Gene gave him a slightly suspicious look, but then nodded.
Jim sighed. "Is there something going on between you and Melfina? Something you aren't telling me and Aisha about?"
Gene's eyes widened. "Where the hell did you get that kind of idea?"
Jim's face scrunched up and he rolled his eyes.
"Well, I dunno! Maybe because suddenly Mel has gone missing and the only people that seem to have any idea of what's going on is you, Suzuka, and then Mel herself?"
Gene sighed.
"Jim...I...you see, the thing is."
"Yeah?"
Gene sighed again. "Here, lemme show you something."
--
Jim stared, mouth agape at the computer screen.
Gene had, obviously, shown him the message. And he didn't seem to be...erm...taking...it all that well.
"How the hell could the Pirates do something like that to Mel?"
Gene stomped his foot.
"MEL? What about me? I don't like the position we're both stuck in too much, either, ya know, JIM!"
Jim growled, surprising him.
"Gene Starwind, do you ever think about anyone but yourself?"
"NOT WHEN I'M TRYING TO BE IN DEN-"
Gene was taken aback by his own words.
"Whaddya mean, in denial, Gene?"
Gene laughed nervously. "Nothing, nothing – just a little slip of tongue, Jim m'boy!"
Jim quieted down and gave his friend a surprised look, mouth open slightly.
"You DO love Mel, don't you?"
Gene shook his head and then nodded and then shrugged.
"I dunno! How am I supposed to answer a question like that, Jim?"
Jim sighed and punched him in the arm. "Think about it for a sec, Gene. How do you feel around Mel? What do you think every time you look at her? Think about these things and then say what you feel."
So Gene thought.
Whenever he was with Melfina, he felt at peace – as though there wasn't anything in the world that could get to him. When he looked at her...oh gods, when he looked at her...
"I..."
Jim leaned forward, marveling at his friend's calm face and smiling eyes.
"I...I love Melfina, Jim."
----------------------
AND HE ADMITS IT! FINALLY!
Okay, I decided to make this chapter mostly about Gene because I feel that I don't give him much time in the actual dialogue at all – and he's the leading male! *feels guilty*
Anyway, I hope all you Melfina fans don't get mad at me for leaving her out. Oh, and I had one more thing to say in this Note. I was so shocked that no one was surprised about the whole "fitting-Suzuka-into-the-story" thing. No one said anything about her growing role or (sadly) Aisha's diminishing one.
I was so sad. I thought that I had done a pretty good job of explaining everything. Right now I'm going to make a few points of where Suzuka has already played an important part:
Suzuka noticed how strangely Melfina was acting in Chapter Two, remember? She was the only one to see Mel's purposeful self-separation from Gene. She sat next to Jim and Aisha so she wouldn't have to be near him Suzuka was the one watching along with Melfina the first time she saw the tape from Gwen Khan. I'm pretty sure that you all figured that out quite easily after I said the whole thing about Suzuka making Gene stay behind in Chapter 8. Suzuka was the one to stop Gene. She was the one who made him watch the message before he ran off and did something severely irrational. (OBVIOUSLY.) Suzuka has left to find Melfina. (Which we know after reading this chapter as well as chapter 10.)
And so, you see, Suzuka has already helped out more than I ever expected her to in the beginning. I remember getting an e-mail from a reviewer (which one I can't exactly remember; whoever you are...GOMEN NESAI!!!) that asked me to make Suzuka a bigger part of the story, and I knew it was meant to be.
So please continue to read and don't forget Suzuka.
One last note: Please try to forgive me for being so touchy about...you know what, but it greatly distressed me and kinda ruined my day. Other than that, everything is alright in my world and I hope that everyone's lives are going well! Anyway, till Chapter 10...
Oh wait, one last thing – the reason it took me so long to UPDATE is because I went on vacation and forgot to tell you guys! Please forgive me!!!
Disclaimer: Okey-dokey. I've made it through eight chapters without any sign of people suing me. The only reason I even continue writing these thingies is this: If one of ya'll gets angry with me for a cliffhanger, you might resort to a lawsuit, and I'm not leaving myself open anywhere. So, once again:
I DO NOT OWN OUTLAW STAR.
-----------------
Author's Notes: Okay, I'm only gonna say this once and then I'll shut up. I've had a lot of people complain to me about the length of the chapters. Just so you know...it doesn't make me very happy.
If you want to complain, then spit it in the right, cuz my attention has left. I am not trying to be mean, but do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under to get all these chapters out in enough of a rush so that people won't stop reading? It's very difficult to keep all of my readers happy, and if you aren't happy, you don't have to yell at me – kindly ask for slightly longer chapters or just don't read anymore. It's not exactly easy to come up with a huge continuing story like this and not run out of ideas. I'm saying it right now. If I get more than 3 more people telling me I'm not writing enough, I'll show them what not writing enough is: I'll discontinue this fic.
I'm not kidding. I'm not usually one to blow up like this, but after a while, even MY patience grows thin. So please, I beg of you – do not make me discontinue this fanfiction, as I enjoy writing it.
Anyway, to those people that haven't gotten pissed off at me for going "KABOOM!!!" back there (all of whom I'm sure have exited), please enjoy this chapter. I made it EXTRA long. *hint hint* *nudge nudge* *wink wink* *cough cough* *poke poke*
-----------------
Sorry, no review responses for this chapter. I might say mean things that I would regret. *sighs* Sorry. I really am. But if I hadn't warned you right now and was to receive more "too-short" e-mails/reviews, then I would have been even more pissed. Gomen nesai!
-----------------
Anyway, on with the story. Have fun.
-----------------
(In the last chapter...)
-----------------
As Melfina finished up her story, Retsuna burst into tears. By this time, Alice was awake and was also teary-eyed.
"You mean you're not allowed to wuv him?" she asked, bottom lip trembling.
Before Mel could answer, Retsuna stood and helped Alice down off the high bed.
"Alice, this is a big-people conversation, alright? Why don't you go watch TV?"
At this privileged command, Alice's face immediately lit up in a smile and she raced off.
Retsuna turned back to Melfina, cheeks glistening.
"Mel, I'm sorry dear, but I don't know what to say this time."
Melfina's spirits fell.
"But if you'll allow me, I do have a suggestion as to the whereabouts of someone who may know how to solve your problem."
-----------------
Gene sat impatiently at the table, rapidly tapping his fingers on the hard wood, the 'thud thud thud' echoing throughout the room.
He was confused. That was all that he could say. He had never been so confused in his life.
What had Melfina thought when she saw that message? He wondered if she was taking it any better than he was. It made him sick to think that his entire future had been pre-decided. That he had no choice as of who to love.
"I don't love her, Goddamnit," he whispered, the echoing stopping as his fingers stilled. "...I...don't..."
(WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? READ ON TO FIND OUT!)
----------------------
Prince Charming: Chapter 9
----------------------
Although you couldn't tell from looking at him, Gene was having a severe time dealing with his emotions.
Not only was he sufficiently confused, he was exhausted as well restless. How could Suzuka have just up and left and simply told him to stay put? How was he supposed to just WAIT? It wasn't as simple as that!
Sure, Suzuka could stay calm – she was a woman! But Gene was a temperamental man with patience problems! How was he supposed to HANDLE THIS?
He sighed and leaned back in the chair, twiddling his thumbs.
He'd been sitting in the same chair for over four hours, and Suzuka still wasn't back. When Jim or Aisha had offered him anything to eat or drink, he'd snapped at them.
Needless to say, they'd given up trying to make him feel better long ago.
Impatient, he went back to tapping his fingers on the table-top.
Thoughts were streaming through his head like the falling stars had been streaming through the sky so shortly ago. He couldn't sort out one single sentence, even though he felt like screaming everything he wanted...or thought he wanted...to say as loudly and as clearly as possible.
Everything was so confusing! He kept telling himself over and over that Suzuka would find Melfina and bring her back and that he should just go to bed already.
...But...
But something in the pit of his stomach told him to stay up – to wait. Something told him that he needed to wait. To stay.
To...be there when Melfina got back.
Gene shook his head thoroughly again, standing up quickly and knocking over the chair he'd been sitting in. What the hell was wrong with him?
He felt like he was going crazy! Never had his emotions run so out of whack! He didn't know how he felt or how he even SHOULD feel? Was he worried? Was he sad? Was he...in l-
NO!!! He wouldn't think it! HE WASN'T! It couldn't be!
...
It...couldn't....
...Could it?
Was he...in love with Melfina?
He sighed heavily. He pulled the chair back up and sat down in it once more. Things were just too complicated.
Even...even if he WAS in love with Melfina, could he ever admit it? It would only be that little extra bit to guarantee what Gwen Khan had said in the message!
Gene Starwind NEVER let destiny tell HIM what to do!
...
Until now.
Because even as he sat there at his table, contemplating everything as calmly and as normally as he could, his sensible side was telling him to pull himself together. Think things over.
Find out what he was really feeling.
Gene's eyes closed and he leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath.
"Uh, Gene?"
Gene's eyes shot open. "Jim? You're still awake?"
The younger boy nodded and pulled out the chair beside Gene's, sitting down.
"Gene, I need to ask you something. And I don't want you to yell at me for it."
Gene gave him a slightly suspicious look, but then nodded.
Jim sighed. "Is there something going on between you and Melfina? Something you aren't telling me and Aisha about?"
Gene's eyes widened. "Where the hell did you get that kind of idea?"
Jim's face scrunched up and he rolled his eyes.
"Well, I dunno! Maybe because suddenly Mel has gone missing and the only people that seem to have any idea of what's going on is you, Suzuka, and then Mel herself?"
Gene sighed.
"Jim...I...you see, the thing is."
"Yeah?"
Gene sighed again. "Here, lemme show you something."
--
Jim stared, mouth agape at the computer screen.
Gene had, obviously, shown him the message. And he didn't seem to be...erm...taking...it all that well.
"How the hell could the Pirates do something like that to Mel?"
Gene stomped his foot.
"MEL? What about me? I don't like the position we're both stuck in too much, either, ya know, JIM!"
Jim growled, surprising him.
"Gene Starwind, do you ever think about anyone but yourself?"
"NOT WHEN I'M TRYING TO BE IN DEN-"
Gene was taken aback by his own words.
"Whaddya mean, in denial, Gene?"
Gene laughed nervously. "Nothing, nothing – just a little slip of tongue, Jim m'boy!"
Jim quieted down and gave his friend a surprised look, mouth open slightly.
"You DO love Mel, don't you?"
Gene shook his head and then nodded and then shrugged.
"I dunno! How am I supposed to answer a question like that, Jim?"
Jim sighed and punched him in the arm. "Think about it for a sec, Gene. How do you feel around Mel? What do you think every time you look at her? Think about these things and then say what you feel."
So Gene thought.
Whenever he was with Melfina, he felt at peace – as though there wasn't anything in the world that could get to him. When he looked at her...oh gods, when he looked at her...
"I..."
Jim leaned forward, marveling at his friend's calm face and smiling eyes.
"I...I love Melfina, Jim."
----------------------
AND HE ADMITS IT! FINALLY!
Okay, I decided to make this chapter mostly about Gene because I feel that I don't give him much time in the actual dialogue at all – and he's the leading male! *feels guilty*
Anyway, I hope all you Melfina fans don't get mad at me for leaving her out. Oh, and I had one more thing to say in this Note. I was so shocked that no one was surprised about the whole "fitting-Suzuka-into-the-story" thing. No one said anything about her growing role or (sadly) Aisha's diminishing one.
I was so sad. I thought that I had done a pretty good job of explaining everything. Right now I'm going to make a few points of where Suzuka has already played an important part:
Suzuka noticed how strangely Melfina was acting in Chapter Two, remember? She was the only one to see Mel's purposeful self-separation from Gene. She sat next to Jim and Aisha so she wouldn't have to be near him Suzuka was the one watching along with Melfina the first time she saw the tape from Gwen Khan. I'm pretty sure that you all figured that out quite easily after I said the whole thing about Suzuka making Gene stay behind in Chapter 8. Suzuka was the one to stop Gene. She was the one who made him watch the message before he ran off and did something severely irrational. (OBVIOUSLY.) Suzuka has left to find Melfina. (Which we know after reading this chapter as well as chapter 10.)
And so, you see, Suzuka has already helped out more than I ever expected her to in the beginning. I remember getting an e-mail from a reviewer (which one I can't exactly remember; whoever you are...GOMEN NESAI!!!) that asked me to make Suzuka a bigger part of the story, and I knew it was meant to be.
So please continue to read and don't forget Suzuka.
One last note: Please try to forgive me for being so touchy about...you know what, but it greatly distressed me and kinda ruined my day. Other than that, everything is alright in my world and I hope that everyone's lives are going well! Anyway, till Chapter 10...
Oh wait, one last thing – the reason it took me so long to UPDATE is because I went on vacation and forgot to tell you guys! Please forgive me!!!