Thanks to all who reviewed! The following chapter starts off a little serious and then ends on a funnier note--at least I think. As for the way I write Domon and Rain being married, it's how I know a happily married couple can be with each other. And yes, I've celebrated Mardi Gras too many times to count. I hope that you enjoy this! Again, I can't thank you all enough for the reviews.

CHAPTER 1: LEAVING NEO-JAPAN FOR NEW ORLEANS

There wasn't a cloud in the sky the day Dr. Raizo Kasshu felt the need to give his fatherly advice to his son and daughter-in-law. That was something he now always did before the young couple left Neo-Japan to meet their gundam friends of the Shuffle Alliance. When he arrived at Domon and Rain's house for a surprise visit, he found that they all ready had visitors. However, the doctor didn't mind at all as he and Domon spoke to each other.

"Wait. Let me get this straight," Dr. Kasshu said to his son who was in the middle of putting Hoy back down on the floor after have giving him a piggyback ride around the living room. "When you and Rain go to Neo-America, you're going to New Orleans instead of New York?"

"That's right," the King of Hearts replied while Hoy begged to go outside.

Suddenly Rain walked into the living room with Ming happily following behind. "Son," Dr. Kasshu said. "Go ahead with Hoy. I'll talk to my daughter-in-law."

As Domon let himself be dragged outside by Hoy to the Japanese garden, Dr. Kasshu turned his attention to the pretty females who had entered the room.

"Oh…hello, Dr. Kasshu," Rain said surprised since she didn't know he was there.

"Hello, Dear," he said as he smiled at Ming and nodded a hello to her as well. "I just stopped by to tell you and Domon to be careful on your trip to New York but your husband has informed me that you are going to New Orleans."

"Yes," Rain said looking forward to it. "Chibodee said we should get together to only have a good time for once."

"So I'm assuming he means no talk of gundam fights?" Dr. Kasshu asked as if that was hard to believe.

"Yes," Rain said not knowing if that would be possible. "Being that they are the Shuffle Alliance, I'll have to see it to believe it."

"Well…I want you and Domon to take care of each other," the older doctor said since his son and daughter-in-law meant the world to him. "Be very, very careful."

"Dr. Kasshu," Ming said with a great big smile on her face as if the man was crazy to worry about the Neo-Japan team. "Domon is the gundam fight champion! He can take care of himself, and plus Rain takes good care of him."

"Yes. You're right," Dr. Kasshu said smiling down at the young girl.

After thinking of how much she loved her little fan, Ming, Rain asked, "Speaking of the gundam fight champion, where are he and Hoy?"

Moving to look out of the window by the back door, Dr. Kasshu said, "Hoy dragged your husband outside."

Walking to stand beside her father-in-law, Rain looked outside as well to see Hoy making circles around Domon who was just standing there acting like it didn't faze him. Then suddenly, Domon took off after Hoy making him laugh loudly. Seeing their fun, Ming ran out of the house as well to join in on the action. It was a funny scene to see the serious Domon Kasshu looking as if he was running a day care center because of the way he was chasing the children around.

Laughing, Rain watched as the tough gundam fighter grabbed both of the children into his arms and threatened to keep them trapped as they laughed back at him. Giggling as she covered her mouth, Rain then removed her hand and said, "I wish people could see your son now. They'd be shocked to see him acting as he is."

"I agree that this is a side of Domon that I'm sure most think doesn't exist…as is the side of him that I see with you, Rain," Dr. Kasshu said making her smile pleasingly because it was true. Domon could be so tender with her at times.

Grinning at the thought of some of those sweet memories with her husband, the pretty, blue-eyed female said, "Yes, I'm sure that Domon still seems a bit…insensitive to others, but this past year with him has really been so wonderful."

Turning to look at his daughter-in-law who was still watching her husband, Dr. Kasshu said with a smile, "Domon's very lucky to have you and you're very lucky to have him."

"Yes, I know," Rain said glad that someone else knew just how special Domon was; that there was so much more to the King of Hearts than just his popular gundam fight champion status.

So proud, Dr. Kasshu said, "I know I'll never have to worry about your marriage. I know it's strong."

Touched, Rain looked at the doctor and said, "Thank you for having such faith in us. It means a lot."

"No need to thank me, Dear. You two have been through enough and have overcome it all," Dr. Kasshu said as he and Rain turned their heads to see Domon running around yet again with Hoy and Ming. "I remember you and Domon running around like that when you were young children. In fact, I don't remember a time when he didn't want to play with you."

Rain fondly remembered those precious memories just like she had often done while Domon was gone training with Master Asia.

Suddenly wanting to tell his daughter-in-law what he had been thinking the past year upon seeing his tough son married, Dr. Kasshu said, "You of all people know that my son's not one to open his heart up to just anyone or to many for that matter."

"Yes I do feel blessed that he opens up to me," Rain said knowing how honest he was when he did.

Now turning back to Rain and seeing the glow of love in her eyes as she continued to watch the man with the red bandanna, her father-in-law said, "I know that you all ready know this, but because of the type of man Domon is, strong, honest and loyal, he will forever love you and you alone. His only worry is on how you perceive him, not on how others do because you are his only need."

Because of Dr. Kasshu's words, Rain looked at him feeling tears coming to her eyes. It was very moving for her to know that her father-in-law knew that his son was truly in love with her.

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Outside of an office that Karato had made for himself in a warehouse where the Burning Gundam was kept, Domon was leaning against the wall beside the closed office door.

Seeing that her husband looked to be in deep thought with his arms folded, Rain walked up and said, "Domon?"

Turning his head to the very familiar, soft voice, Domon reached out and pulled his wife by her hand over to him. "You've got to hear this," he said as he looked at the door of the office.

"Domon," Rain whispered realizing what he was doing. "You shouldn't be listening to what's being said in Commissioner Karato's office. It's private"

Defending his reason for doing it, Domon grunted before saying, "What if I told you that the conversation in there is about you and me?"

With that, Rain found herself listening as well, which caused Domon to grin.

Inside of the office, Karato was talking to one of the Japanese officials below him. "Can you believe that Domon and Rain Kasshu are going away again!" Karato said clearly aggravated. "Every month it seems they go to other nations to spend time."

"Sir. They are only gone for very few days when they leave and it's every other month," the official said thinking that Karato should lay off on the Neo-Japan team. "You should remember that they did win the last gundam fight and saved the world just over a little more than a year ago."

"That was then, this is now. They should be concentrating only on the 14th Gundam fight!" Karato exclaimed like a two year old throwing a tantrum.

"Calm down, Commissioner Karato," the official said trying to hide that he found Karato's behavior to be very amusing and totally unnecessary. "Domon has been training hard and Rain's got the Burning Finger working better than ever. Besides, Domon Kasshu is part of the Shuffle Alliance. Therefore, he needs to keep in touch with them."

"Keep in touch with them?" Karato asked as he stiffened up his arms and made tight fist facing towards the ground. "Do you call keeping in touch celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans!"

"Mardi Gras!" the official said with excitement in his voice, "I've always wanted to celebrate the Mardi Gras!"

Becoming even more enraged, Karato exclaimed, "Oh, you're of no use! I need to find someone else to complain to!"

"Well…you better not tell Domon Kasshu of your feelings cause knowing him, he'll tell you what you can do with the 14th Gundam fight."

"Damn it!" the commissioner exclaimed frustrated. "You're right. No matter what, I won't complain to him. We need him as Neo-Japan's gundam fighter. He's the best."

Looking at his wife, Domon said, "He's lucky he ended it on that note."

"Domon," the sweet female whispered. "I think he's about to come out of the office."

"Good, I have an idea," the Neo-Japan fighter said as his eyebrows moved up and down at his beautiful blue-eyed wife.

"Oh no. What are you up to?" Rain asked as Domon pulled her away from the door so that it would appear that they hadn't heard anything that had been said in Karato's office.

As soon as Karato exited out of his office, he saw his Neo-Japan team standing, facing each other. 'Keep yourself under control,' Karato told himself. 'I need Domon and Rain to remain as the Neo-Japan team.'

Pretending not to see or hear Karato, Domon said to his wife, "Rain, you know the last few times that we left to meet with the other Shuffles, we only met for very few days. This time when we go to Neo-America, let's stay for a month."

The commissioner's eyes widened hoping that he had heard wrong. A month was definitely too long for the Kasshu team to be away from Neo-Japan.

Hoping that the commissioner wouldn't have a heart attack because of what Domon had said, the sweet female said, "Whatever you want to do, Domon. After all, our anniversary is around the corner."

"Excuse me," Karato said walking over to them as he forced the nicest voice out that he could. "Did you say that you're going to stay in Neo-America for a month?"

'I've really got him where I want him,' Domon thought just before replying, "No, not a month."

Relieved, the commissioner only let out a deep breath.

Smiling wickedly, Domon then said, "I meant to say that Rain and I may be away for two months."

Karato didn't reply but his eyes appeared to nearly pop out of his head before the Neo-Japan team left him standing there speechless.

Forcing herself not to laugh as her husband pulled her away, Rain whispered, "Domon! You should be ashamed of yourself. Did you see the look on the commissioner's face?"

"Yeah," Domon said grinning with satisfaction. "He deserved that."

"I know. You're right. Karato should calm down. He's lucky you agreed to remain Neo-Japan's gundam fighter, and this time you don't need any pressure."

"My thoughts exactly, Rain. I knew I married you for a good reason," the King of Hearts joked as they made their way to their corelander.

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Later that night Domon was still wearing his regular clothes, except for the tan jacket and red cloak, when Rain found him in their living room. He appeared to be very comfortable lying on the traditional, flat Japanese Tatami mat as he watched the television before him.

"Hum," his wife muttered making her presence known since he apparently wasn't watching anything because of his continuous flipping through the stations with the remote. "I just got off the phone with Nastasha who had just spoken to Chibodee."

Turning his head to look at his wife, Domon thought of the many times that Chibodee seemed to get on the Neo-Russian woman's nerves. "I bet their conversation was interesting."

"Let's just be glad that he didn't wake her up in the middle of the night," Rain said letting out a light laugh.

"Yeah, Nastasha would have told Chibodee off from A to Z," Domon said agreeing.

"Definitely," Rain said sounding tired.

Upon hearing the sleepiness in his wife's voice, Domon lifted his hand to her and whispered in a voice that he only used with her, "Come here."

More than willingly, Rain made her way over to him and then laid down on her side close to him. Rolling onto his side to pull her even closer against his chest, Domon put his arm around her and whispered into her hair, "So what did old Chib have to say to Nastasha?"

Getting very comfortable in her husband's warmth, Rain said, "Remember when I told you that the weather is very unpredictable this time of the year in New Orleans?"

"Yes."

"Good news…Chibodee told Nastasha that this year the weather is perfect for Mardi Gras. No rain is expected and it's not going to be too hot or too cold."

"Anything else?"

"One more thing," Rain said lifting her face so that she'd be able to see her husband's expression, "On Mardi Gras Day, people dress up."

Making a strange face, Domon asked, "What do you mean?"

Not being able to stop herself from smiling, she said, "People wear costumes on Mardi Gras Day."

"What? Wear costumes?" Domon asked as if it was the stupidest thing he had ever heard. "I'm not playing dress up."

"I don't think they call it dress up," Rain said giggling.

"I'm sorry, but Chibodee's lucky that everyone agreed to meet him there in the first place. That city sounds like it's…insane."

"Domon. It's not Mardi Gras year round in New Orleans, and New Orleans isn't the only place where Mardi Gras is celebrated…though it does sound pretty wild in the Big Easy."

"Wild? The Big Easy? I can't believe that my wife is speaking this way and that she's willing to go to some wild city."

"Only cause I'll be with you," she said making eyes at him not about to tell him how many tourist from all over went there to celebrate. Domon wasn't one for crowds and it was definitely going to be crowded during Mardi Gras.

Releasing her, Domon rolled onto his back as if the whole situation was a bit too insane for him as he put his hands over his face.

"Oh…we're going to have fun, Domon," Rain said wanting him to look forward to it.

After grunting, Domon removed his hands from his face and said, "Maybe Karato is right and we should just be focusing on the gundam fight."

"Oh, Domon," Rain said sounding disappointed as she began to push herself up so that she could stand. "You're being such a…a…party pooper."

With a pouty look on his face, Domon whispered, "Wait. Stay here, baby." Not wanting her to leave him, he reached for her hand and pulled her to lay on him, and then he wrapped his strong arms around her lower back. "Now…I can't believe that you just called me a…party pooper."

With her hands on his chest, Rain smiled down into her husband's dark eyes and said, "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to call you that."

"Rain. It's just that after being forced to be a gundam fighter for the 13th Tournament, and then going through all that we have gone through, it's hard to imagine us doing this dress up thing," he admitted as he let his hands began to slowly roam over her backside.

Rain knew that at times he still found it hard to let go because of all the serious things that had happened to them. "We sure have been through a lot," she said recalling the people they had lost, the friends they had made, and how they had fallen in love through it all.

Because he looked so very serious, it shocked her when he said, "However, I guess it's time for us to have some…insane Mardi Gras moments together."

So glad that her husband wasn't going to argue over going to New Orleans, and because his hands felt so good as they continued to caress her, she moved her face close to his ear and whispered, "I know what I'd like to do at this moment."

Letting out a seductive growl, Domon's hands pressed her body into his own as their lips inched closer and closer together so that they could let the passion begin once again.

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It was a Saturday afternoon when Domon and Rain arrived at the airport in Metairie, Louisiana, which was just outside of New Orleans. "There's a lot of people in this airport," Domon said with a serious face as his eyes scanned over the happy people who were greeting each other.

"I'm sure Chibodee's around here somewhere," Rain said wondering where he was while Domon continued to listen to the happy people around them.

When the King of Hearts heard some people calling each other darling, he leaned and told his wife, "The first person who calls me darling is getting their face smashed in."

"Are you sure about that…darling?" she asked raising an eyebrow at him.

Grunting first, he then said, "Okay. Not you."

"Japan and Japanette!" a voice yelled as it approached closer.

As the Kasshu couple looked at each other, they both said, "Chibodee."

"How ya doing?" Chibodee exclaimed appearing before them. Slapping his hand on Domon's back, the boxer then pulled Rain into his arms and exclaimed, "Rain. You're as gorgeous as ever!"

When the boxer caught Domon's glare, he released Rain saying, "Chill out, Japan."

"Well…hello, Chibodee," Rain said straightening out her dress upon being released from the Neo-American fighter's hold.

"Domon. Don't let me catch you looking at your crest one time while we're here, cause I don't even want to know if it's glowing," Chibodee said wide-eyed. "I only want to have a good time the next few days."

The King of Hearts shook his head at his partying friend because normally Chibodee was the first one to jump in on the action when help was needed.

"Has everyone else arrived?" Rain asked as they picked up their luggage and started to head out.

"Yes. The others are already at the hotel," Chibodee said clearly excited. "Man, wait till you see it. It's right on Bourbon St."

"Bourbon St?" Domon asked not having a clue of how wild that street was.

"You'll see," Chibodee said smiling. "Just have yourself a Hurricane and take in the sights."

"There's a hurricane coming!" Rain said becoming worried.

"No, no, no," the boxer said laughing. "It's a drink."

"A drink called a Hurricane?" Domon asked looking disturbed.

"Let's just get to the hotel," Chibodee said before laughing again. "Domon and Rain Kasshu in the Big Easy…I love it!"

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Once to the hotel, Domon and Rain were quite surprised at just how beautiful and elegant it was as they walked through the very huge, bright white lobby. Seeing that they were impressed, Chibodee said, "You two just don't know how lucky you are to get a room here this time of year. Rooms usually have to be booked a year in advance, but I've got connections being that I'm the Neo-American gundam fighter. I was even able to get a room with a balcony."

Domon and Rain only looked at each other, both wondering what was so great about a room with a balcony.

Suddenly an off balance, staggering, young man with an accent that gave away that he was from some part of Europe, walked up and said to Rain, "Sweetheart…open up the top of your dress and show me what you've got and I'll give you a bead."

Too shocked to do or say anything, Rain just looked at the man as if he was crazy as he grinned back at her.

Domon however said more curse words in once sentence than he had ever said before as he felt himself becoming livid that someone could request such a thing from his wife. The staggering man who obviously had too much to drink had all ready drawn the lobby guard's attention. So while it took everything in Chibodee to hold Domon back from letting the man from Europe have it, the guard began to pull the staggering man to the door of the hotel. "Did you hear what that piece of scum said to my wife!" Domon roared.

Upon seeing that the very popular, Neo-Japan gundam team was not familiar with the stranger things of Mardi Gras, a brunette haired woman of a high position at the hotel approached Rain. "Oh, Mrs. Kasshu…I'm so sorry that man upset you and your husband. That usually doesn't happen in this sophisticated hotel but rather on Bourbon St."

"What!" Domon exclaimed pulling out of Chibodee's grasp. "What kind of a city is this!"

The very friendly, down to earth woman, began to explain. "Only during Mardi Gras time that sought of things happens. If a woman exposes her…chest when asked, she will receive a bead."

"Man, I love this city," Chibodee said all ready having a pile of beads waiting for him up in his hotel room to wave in front of women. However, his smile left his face when Domon gave him the look of death.

The nice woman continued speaking to Rain. "Darling. I've lived here my whole life and I've never and will never do that for a bead. Even women I know who love to have fun would never do that. The beads are not valuable and can simply be caught at parades." As the woman looked at Domon, she said, "I'm sure your wife respects herself too much to expose herself."

"Damn right!" the King of Hearts exclaimed still upset.

'Shoot,' old Chib thought disappointed.

Wanting to calm her husband down, Rain laid her hand over his chest and said, "Baby. I'm all right. He didn't touch me or anything like that."

"No kidding!" Domon spit out as his anger continued. "Cause his head would have been ripped off by me already!"

Moving closer to her husband, Rain took his face in both of her hands and forced him to look into her eyes so that she could whisper something to him. "Domon. You know you're the only man I'll ever…expose myself to," she whispered with a wink.

Finally calming down because of his wife's devotion to him, Domon let out a deep breath as he pulled her into his arms to hold her. Looking over her shoulder, he said to Chibodee, "You could have at least warned me about the bead thing."

Shaking his head as if Domon was right, Chibodee admitted, "Especially after what Nastasha did to some guy when he wanted to give her a bead."

As Rain moved out of Domon's arms, their eyes became wide as they both said in unison, "What did Nastasha do?"

"First she told the guy she had never been so offended in her life, and then she kicked him so hard that he's probably still seeing stars," the boxer said as he and Domon winced at how painful that had to have been for the man.

After telling the brunette haired woman from the hotel staff a very pleasant good-bye, Chibodee began to lead the Kasshu couple to the rest of their friends.

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DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to own the drink, the Hurricane. It is owned by Pat O'Briens.

As for drinking, I am not suggesting to anyone that they should do it or have to do it to have fun. You must be of age and whatever you do, DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. You could literally mess up the rest of your life or someone else's, or both. You have the power to use your brain and not take that drink. (I feel better now that I've gotten that out.)

On a lighter note, thanks for reading this chapter. I hope that you enjoyed it and that I didn't say too much in it.

I can't wait to see how Domon and the Shuffles handle New Orleans!

As always, I love hearing what you think! Jen