Dark Anty – Hey, guys! I checked my stats and quite a few people are digging my stories (Crystal Rose), which in this case I'm totally ecstatic about! I didn't think people would like it and now I know I'm wrong, though it would be nice to get reviews for this story as well. Well, like before, without further ado, let's begin.

Writing

"Speech"

"Letters"

'Phone calls'

-Intercom-

Thoughts

Dreams

-SFX-

Disclaimer: I don't own Outlaw Star. Rated M for mature viewers.

Chapter 3 – A Map For Love?

Two days has pasted since that fateful night when two crewmembers were finally able to open up to each other…in a way more different than the other. They try to keep their feelings in check, but they couldn't stop what they felt and thought of each other. Every now and then, they would pass glances, mostly a 'Stare-Then-Look-Away-Blushing-When-The-Other-Looks-Back' kind of glances and it was mostly Aisha who gave those glances. When they walk down the hall from each other, they would look into each others eyes and smile, Aisha blushing just enough for it to be visible, as if she had a high school crush on Gene.

More so, within those three days, Gene have become attentive to Aisha…more so than usual. He often helpedher and Melfina with the cooking, agreed to do kitchen duty with her, even listen to her short stories about her past and time in the Ctarl Ctarl Empire. More so, every time they're with each other, they grace each other with a genuine smile, a gentle talk, and not once has Gene bad-mouthed Aisha. Only Jim, Suzuka and Gilliam at the time noticed the great change, whereas Melfina thought that it was nice that Aisha and Gene could be friends. However, for some reason, their actions were saying more than just friends.

Having such a long three-day trip, they had to refuel before going any further, so they stopped at the nearest spaceport they could reach. Luckily, they found one. It was amazingly huge! It was shaped as a crescent moon, almost as if a thin cut planet for those who live on it. They went into position and sent out a signal of their coming.

-This is Pearl Moon. State your name and ship.-

"Gene Starwind, pilot of the Outlaw Star. I ask for permission to land."

-Permission granted. Fly down to Gem Harbor Port 32 for landing.-

"Roger that," Gene pushed full throttle to the port, get there as quickly as he could go.

They were in the elevator now, everyone had a duffel bag, a change of clothes and each looked nice in their attire. Gene dawned on a Black, Red trimmed, sleeveless shirt that cuff around the neck, his Red, White, and Black gauntlets, and Black pants with his regular shoes, a large rivet detailed belt and his over coat. Three leather belts wraps around his right thigh.

Suzuka worea Hot Pink kimono with cranes flying over a lake embroider on the bottom of the kimono with a white sash around her waist. Nothing else was different except her hair grew much longer over the years.

Jim wore a White tank top, a Brown leather jacket, Dark Blue jean with a belt and a large, hawk shaped belt buckle, and Tan steel-toe boots with Black fingerless gloves. His hair had grown longer and thicker of the years so his keeps it in a long ponytail that stops at the middle of his back.

Melfina wore her Pink, short, form-fitting, qipao dress with the white fingerless arm gloves and pink stockings with medium heel boots. She wears a Pink choker on her neck.

Aisha wore one of her brand new outfits. This one was a two-piece, wearing a short, Rose bikini halter-top with an extremely short, off shoulder Aqua shirt over the top that cuffs around her upper arms and covers loosely only on her very large breast area. For bottoms, she wore a Blue jean mini skirt with a gold chain around her waist with her tail stuck out, and Gladiator sandals to match. She still wore her thick collar with the large bell, but the collar was Rose colored. Her hair was comb down and she braided it as always with thick long bangs on each side of her face that stops right at her breasts.

To say she was beautiful would do her no justice whatsoever. Gene couldn't believe how gorgeous Aisha looked at that moment, but he did believe the blood rushing through his speeding heart and to his lower body. Gene shoke it off and tried to think of something else.

"Yoshii guys, where do you want to go?" Gene asked in a cheerful voice. No one answered him and they just looked at him. "…Uhhhhh, nani (what)???"

"Uhhhhh, Aniki (Elder Brother), we don't know where to go. This place is extremely new and I could barely find any info on this place so we don't have a clue as to where we should go." Jim sated sheepishly.

"Ittai (Really)?" That means that now they're lost and barely have a clue about the people or the port in general, or have a clue as to where they should find something to eat or stay for the night. Well this SUCKS ASS!"Ookii, now what are we going to do?"

"How about we ask around or look for a store for a map?" Melfina suggested.

"Great idea, Mel! Raito (Right), we'll do just that. We'll spilt up: the girls to the left, and Jim and I will head right. Use the communicators if you found a place and we'll come to you. We will do the same, so let's meet back in one hour." Gene commanded. They agreed and split ways.

Gene and Jim walked down the busy street, filled with many colorful people and creatures of different worlds. They barely saw this much life on Sentinel III. They roamed the streets, asking for a place that sold maps, but none could help them. They really had their job cut out for them and unless they found a place to eat and rest, it would prove to be most uneventful for the crew.

Melfina, Aisha, and Suzuka weren't having much luck as well. They asked and searched, but none could give them an answer, as a few group of people were new to the area as well. The girls continued to ask and search until Aisha lost her patience and jacked up a rude drunkard who decided to make a pass at her.

She held him high to the sky by his collar and demand as to where they could find maps in the area. He managed to tell her the name of the store before he passed out for lack of air and dizziness. The girls had to trek back six stores before they finally found the place. She picked up the communicator and called Gene.

"Gene! We found it! We found it!" Aisha shouted like a six-year-old child.

-Ookii (Okay)! What the name of the store?-

"Blue Inc. It looks just like a tourist store."

-Yoshii (Alright), we'll be there quickly. Look around for maps.-

"Sadaka (Sure)," They ended communication and the girls walked in the store with chimes ringing at their entry.

"Ahhhhhh! Bonjour, Manque (Hello, Ladies)! How may I help you?" The young midback-length brunet store clerk with a light French accent announced with a cheerful tone in his voice.

"Ummmm, we're here to find some maps." Melfina spoke.

"Ahhhhh, oui! We 'ave many maps for you. A map of the city or a map of different restaurants and entertainment. Maps that will take you to the stars and maybe to your Vrai Amour."

"Vrai Amour???" Suzuka and Melfina asked in unison, Aisha perking her ears to those familar words.

"Oui, Manque, Vrai Amour! True Love!" The French-accented brunet store clerk shouted. Aisha gasped in surprised of this.

"What do you mean? Is there such a map?" Melfina asked.

"Why of course, mon petite dame (my little lady)." The French-accented store clerk said as he went down behind the counter and came up with a thin wooden box with curving and floral designs. To the girls, it was really stunning, and when he opens the box like a book, they swear they heard the angels of heaven sing. Inside was a parchment that like fairly new, as if time hasn't touched it since. He unfolded it, showing its real large size, moved the box aside and laid out the map on the table.

"Here we are, mon dames: La Carte au Vrai Amour, or in your language—,"

"The Map to True Love." Aisha answered, surprising everyone in the store.

"Oui! Vous parlez la langue française aussi?" (Translation – Yes! You speak the French language as well?)

"C'est un de nos langues aisées intergalactiques. Je l'ai appris depuis le deuxième trimestre ou le troisième degré comme l'appel de Terrans il." (Translation - It's one of our intergalactic fluent languages. I learned it since the second trimester or the third grade as the Terrans call it.) This was too shocking for Suzuka and Melfina to handle. How can they not know this about Aisha? Not that they asked, but it would make for fruitful conversation between the three.

"Cela longtemps. Bien, je dois dire que les années d'érudition ont fait des prodiges à votre connaissance. Ne jamais avoir un a entendu une course différente utilise la langue française dans telle clarté." (Translation - That long. Well, I must say that the years of learning have done wonders to your knowledge. Never have a heard a different race use the French language in such clarity.) He spoke in a very sexy tone, making Aisha smile seductively and showing off her toothy smile, much to his surprise and liking. After much flirtaousness, the young women looked it over once more and saw the many planets on it. It toldthem where to go, what to get, how to get it, and a recipe titled Vrai Amour Brassage (True Love Brew), but it doesn't show the recipe. Aisha was entranced by it and would give anything just to have it, to see if this map can take her to her true love…Gene.

"How much does it cost?" Aisha asked. The clerk faced her and smiled.

"For you, mon belle chat-fille (my beautiful cat-girl), I will give this to you for free." The French-accented brunet store clerk said. Aisha was shocked to hear great generosity like this.

"Are you sure?"

"Oui, mademoiselle. Someone who knows the Language of Love is most capable to finding what is wanted for them. This is from one amant to the other." She smiled and nodded.

"Merci beaucoup," He folded the map, placed it in the box and handed it to her where she took it under her arm. "Before we leave, can you give us a map of the space port?"

"Well, not a whole map in its entirety, but I do have something that will give you a bird's eye view." He walked away from the counter and headed to the back of the store with the young women in tow. They followed him to a large warehouse area with shelves upon shelves of maps, scrolls, parchments and books and followed him down with the confines and stop at a shelf with the sign saying 'Row 44 D – Electrical Maps'. He sawhis stepladder and made his way up to the fifteenth shelf, large enough for him to walk on. He walked through and found another box: small, wooden and squared. He picked it up and looked over it, hearing a small rumble from within it.

Hmmmmm. Maybe fate will be on your side once more, mon petit ami. He thought as he gaze upon the box once more. He walked back, climbed the ladder and slid down to the bottom to greet the trio. He jumps off and hands them the box of similar design and quality.

"'Ere you are, Manquer, a map of the space port."

"Merci, Monsieur?"

"Jonathan. Jon will do fine."

"Bien, Jon. How much does this cost?" Aisha kindly asked.

"Now see this is a very valuable artifact, nearly priceless. I would never in years sale such a precious gem, but for you, I'll give it to you for 90 Wong, no more, no less."

"That sounds fair, but are you sure you want to sale something that holds such great value?" Jon walked up to Aisha and held her hand as he looked into her eyes.

"Positive," He smiled as did she.

"Merci,"

"De rien (You're welcome). Now let us return to the front. Venir, venir (Come, come)," They went up front and saw Gene and Jim standing by the counter.

"Oi, Jim! Gene!" Aisha happily shouted. They looked her way and smiled.

"What took y'all so long?"

"Ah! Forgive me. I was the one who brought the lovely ladies to the back with me to search for the map that you will need during your time here."

"That's fine. Anna, did you get the map?" asked Jim.

"Hai, we did," Melfina replied. Aisha placed the wooden box on the counter and opened it to see a small metal sphere as its contents. Aisha pulled it out and observed the brass sphere with much intrigue.

"This is pretty…are you sure this is a map?" asked Aisha

"Oui, Mademoiselle. It's a rarity of its kind, fully equipped to give you the sight of the place you are looking for, and it projects a 'olographic view so you can see the person, place or thing that you wish to look for."

"Yoi, but how do I turn it on?" Aisha aksed as she tried to find an opening. Though simple in its design, trying to open the damn thing proved to be quite bothersome.

"Oh, just pushed those three buttons at the same time on the side of the sphere and it will bring a 'ologram to you. Shout out what you are looking for and it'll show you where and how to get there."

Aisha looked to the side and found the three said buttons. She pushed them and up popped a hologram with an introducer appearing in front of her.

-Hi! I'm Kazuko. Where do you want to go?- The cute tiny animatronic hologram with the appearance of a young busty female with tan skin, big amber eyes and long thick midnight blue hair in two long odangos that touched down to her ankles. What she wore was a gorgeous four-piece Gothic Wa Lolita Sapphire Chrysanthemum Kimono, the outfit made up of a kimono blouse made of dark blue satin with golden embroidery, wide open collar, and wide long cuffs, a dark blue skirt with wide purple trimmings in the edges and black satin tiered back patch on the long train of the skirt, a black satin mini skirt that's mid-thigh length with tiered frilly trimmings, a black wide obi with detachable bowknot, and Wa Lolita Japanese Kimono/Yukata Geta with black satin thong. Her accessories and jewelry were Wa Lolita Dark Blue/Purple Embossing Earrings with matching pendant, two purple maiko kanashi with silver bells, one for each bun, and dark blue knee-high tabi socks.

"Kawaii!!! She's too cute!" Aisha shouted in all her giddiness, enthralled by how Kazuko, as it was called, was so cute that she couldn't help but love the little darling.

-Dome Arigato, Aisha Clanclan-san of the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire.- Aisha was shocked, as was everyone else.

"How did she know?" Aisah asked as she turned to Jon.

"She's a 'ighly intelligent A.I. With the simple touch of your hands and fingerprints, she can identify you, or any known creature and store the info in her memory bank. You can ask her to set it up so that only you, or you and your friends, may use her. I don't have the instruction book, sorry to say, but she is easy to use. If you ask her questions, she will give them to you."

"Wau! She can do anything!" Jim exclaimed.

-Except windows. I don't do those. -Giggle-- She was too cute!

"A smart-alecky, huh? Man, now we got three of them and two of them female!" Gene said with a grin as he look towards Aisha.

"I am not!"

"Oyaaa, yes you are."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Am NOT!"

"Hai, you are." He chuckled as he saw Aisha fume a bit, growling in agitation. "Yoshii, yoshii, calm down. I just kidding."

"Hmph," She pressed the three buttons again and Joko disappeared into the ball. Aisha came up to the counter and pulled out her money. "Now you said 90 Wong?"

"Oui, Mademoiselle," She gave her the exact price and a tip. She gathered the maps in a large bag and smiled towards Jon. "Merci beaucoup, Jon. Pouvoir nous rencontrons encore un jour." (Translation – Thank you so much, Jon. May we meet again sometime.) Aisha said with a sweet smile.

"J'aimerais cela. Au revoir," (Translation – I would love that. Good-bye.) Jon replied.

"Au revoir," That said, she turned to see Gene and Jim's shocked faces. "Hmhmhmhm, c'mon, let's get something to eat." She took Gene and Jim's arms and walked out the door with Suzuka and Melfina hot on their heels.

"How…When…Where did you…Huh…?" Gene was in real shock! This was too funny for Aisha. She never seen him so tweaked. Aisha pushed closer to Gene so that only he could hear her.

"Hmhmhmhmhm, ano Gene, to make a long story short, I learned how to speak French, as well as several other languages, when I was a kitten. I loved the French language because it's known as the Language of Love. I can speak, read, and write French along with Spanish and Russian, and the reason why you never knew this is because you never asked, or took the time to know that about me." That was made clear for sure. Gene never took the time to really know Aisha, which means that he would have to start, and that meant RIGHT now.

"That will change…I promise." He placed his hand over hers on his arm and smiled at her. She smiled at him as well, blushing just a little, but he still saw it. She was really cute when she blushed.

"Anna, have you guys found a place to eat while on your search?" She turned towards Jim who was unaware of the conversation beforehand.

"We sure did! It's a really nice sushi bar and grill. The food there smells wonderful!" Jim announced

"Then let's go!" Aisha ran to their destination, pulling poor Jim along the way.

"OOI! WAIT UP!!!" Gene shouted as he, Melfina and Suzuka tried to catch up with the speed demon of a cat.

"WAU! So good! Bring me another! Bring me another!" Aisha shouted in her usual eating frenzy. Jim and Gene were still amazed at how much food she could put away on account of her small frame. They shook their impolite stares on her and quickly ate theirs before she made a mad grab for them. They pretty much had a buffet on the table, thanks to their client, and Aisha was having a time of her life. Jim was right! This place is awesome! She reached for the Teriyaki squid and bumped hands with Gene.

"Ara, sumanai (sorry), Gene. You can have it."

"Ina (No), you have it. If I'm not mistaken, I owe you for the dinner we had on Sentinel." (Read Chapter 1). Aisha smiled and took half of the squid and gives the rest to Gene. "It's ok, you don't have to." Gene said as he rose his hands up to show that he didn't want it.

"C'mon, Gene, I may act rude, but I'm that inconsiderate to stand against what good people want. Have some, it's really good." She smiled brightly as she handed the plate to him. He took the plate and said thanks before eating, a grin placed on his face.

"This is so weird." Jim spoke to himself in a low whisper.

"I think so too," Suzuka spoke beside him, her voice a low whisper.

"So you agree?"

"How can I not? It's obvious that something is stirring between the two and it may become stronger with the pasting time we have." Jim continued to look at them as they interact with each other. Not one snide remark was pasted between them the entire time. It was so out of character for them.

"Do you really think so?"

"Not sure, but time will surely tell." That said, everyone continued eating and getting their fills.

Night came and everyone, while walking down the street, had a stuff belly and sated aura about them.

"Man, that was so good, I couldn't eat another bite." Aisha said as she patted her slightly large stomach.

"I'm glad you're appeased with my offering." He looked at her with a smug grin when he said that. It was how they first met and Aisha remember that time easily with a small smile of her own. "Now, how about we find a place to rest and relax. Aisha, use the map to find a hotel."

"Sadaka (Sure)," She reached into the box under her arm and pulled out the sphere map. Aisha handed the box the Gene as she pushed the three buttons. With a bright light, Kazuko appeared once more with a smile on her face.

-Bonsowa-ru (Good evening), Aisha-san. How may I help you?-

"Search for nearby hotels that are cheap but nicely built and furnished."

-Searching…- After a few minutes or so, a bing was heard. Soon only three hotels appeared in the hologram. Aisha looked them over to see what would be a better stay for the night.

"How about this one? The Pearling Inn. It's 60 Wong for a one-bed room and 70 for a two-bed room. That's only for one night." Aisha announced

"Sounds reasonable. How far is it?" Gene asked. Aisha looked down for the location and slightly grimaced, which Gene quickly noticed before it faded. "What's wrong?"

"…It's close to six blocks away."

"Nani?!?" Jim shouted.

"Are the other two any closer?" Gene asked. Aisha looked at the other two hotels and her face twisted to a pure grimace, much to Gene's dismay.

"The other two are either ten to eleven blocks away, and they are in the other direction."

"Chikusho (Damn), so we don't have a choice."

"Uh-uh,"

With that said, Gene sighed. "Ano, at least we'll get the exercise. Let's go." Thus, they treaded off to the hotel under the stars and pale moon the port was built beside. They walked in silence, and they were enjoying the peace between them as well as enjoying the port and people around them. The streets were still busy with the many colorful races that roamed here and it was nice to see so many races living in a peaceful manner. However, Gene has always been known as rough and rowdy, so this scenery wouldn't do him much fun.

As they walked, Gene looked to his left side to where Aisha stood and looked at the peaceful look she had, the moon intensifying it to a point of pure peace and wistfulness. How could Gene resist such a tempting beauty by his side, his whole mind filled with images of the cat-goddess in all her bare glory and gorgeousness, curved in all the right places and sexy to a 'T'. His eyes wandered to her back and he couldn't help but take a glimpse of her ass: so round, big, tone, and full. Kami, what I would give to get behind that. Give it a few love taps as well.

Gene grinned lecherously as he images himself squeezing the hips of a sweaty, lustful, moaning Aisha, screaming his name as he thrusts his shaft even harder and deeper than before, making her scream in pure bliss as he smacks her ass from the back and squeeze her breast. His nose began to bleed as he drooled and he had a major hard-on from his preverted daydream.

He never thought of Aisha that way. Hell, he could barely image Melfina that why, not saying he didn't try. He was on Cloud Nine with those images and now he can't get them out of his head. He tried to calm himself down, but the effects didn't wear off. Bless his heart. Aisha noticed the fidgeting Gene, seeing his discomfort.

"Gene, are you alright?" Gene sweat dropped on the side of his head, not sure how to answer.

"Uhhhhhh, un (yeah). Just restless, that's all." He laughed nervously, hoping his lie would be enough.

"Yoshii (Alright)," Aisha bought it, but not much. Gene was happy that she didn't ask more and they continued to walk down the road.

"Konnichiha, and welcome to The Pearling Inn." A clerk of the inn announced. They made it to the inn, and from the inside out, it was very nice. Red marble covered the ground with gold outlining and red silk draping the curtains. The area was cool and comforting with a fireplace in the sitting area of the lobby.

"Arigato. We need two double bedrooms." Gene requested. The clerk typed in to see any available rooms.

"I'm sorry, sir, but all the two-bed rooms have been filled for the night and following week. We only have a few of the single bedrooms available right now."

"Are you serious?" Gene asked with a slight shout and slightly upset.

"Hai, ashikarazu (Yes, I'm sorry),"

"-Sigh- That's fine," Gene rubbed his temple as he leaned on the counter, unsure on how to resolve the situation. "-Sigh -Yoshii," He turned towards the other for their attention. "We'll buy three rooms and one person will have a room to his or her self. Now we can be civilized and act like rational adults, or we draw straws to see who gets the room by theirself." Everyone looked among themselves and back at Gene.

"Draw straws!" They all said in unison, making Gene sweat drop from behind his head.

"Yoshii, bakkin, (Alright, fine) we'll draw straws." Gene turned toward the clerk and asked for a broom. Once one was given to him, he plucked five straws and cut them down a bit, cutting one in half to make it the short straw. He mixed them together and clasped them in his hand as he held the straws in front of them. They pulled and Melfina, Suzuka, Jim, and Gene had a long straw. Aisha had the short one.

"Cool, I get a room to myself!"

"Then it's settled, unless you want to share the room with me?" Gene asked with a lecherous smile and tone. Aisha blushed and was wide-eyed whereas Jim was quite upset.

"Gene! How rude!" Jim stomped on Gene's foot, causing Gene to shout out and hold his foot as he hopped behind Aisha.

"Yoshii, yoshii! I was kidding! You know I was kidding, right Aisha?"

"Ummmm, un,"

"See!" He pointed out to Jim.

"It sure in hell didn't sound like it."

"Look, I'm just trying to be a friend to her like you said, and I was playing a little joke. You know me better than that to know that I would never do something like that to her. She's my friend, nothing more." Aisha expression turned to a hurt look. She thought they were getting closer than before, but it turns out that the night they shared in the kitchen of the ship was simply a moment of uncontrolled passion; nothing more. She honestly believed that moment would bring them closer together, bringing their love for each other out in the open, but after hearing Gene's words just now, it hurt her to know that she could only be a friend to him. A heart-breaking dilemma.

"Only a friend, Gene?" Aisha asked in a disappointed whisper that could barely be heard.

"What was that, Aisha?" Gene asked.

"Hmm? Oya kaimu (Oh nothing). C'mon, let's get the rooms." She smiled at Gene with sad eyes that he couldn't help but see, but he didn't delved in it any longer.

"Yoi," They purchased the rooms and a few more items, and headed, on the elevator, to the fourth floor.

They went to the separate rooms and prepare for the night in. Aisha went through her usual preps before bed: 300 sit-ups, 400 crunches, 200 squats, 300 chin-ups on the bathroom doorframe, 300 push-ups (150 for each one-hand push-ups), and 200 squat thrusts. Working up a fairly good sweat and stretching her tighten muscles, she headed to the shower, turning the hot water with a little cold water on through the showerhead.

She grabbed her strawberry shampoo and conditioner and stepped under the invitingly warm water, caressing her toned, hard body with little to no effort, hitting every ridge and curve that protruded from her dark, rich skin. The water ran swimmingly through her Ivory hair, ridding the sweat and dirt that cling so heavy to it. She grabbed the shampoo, pouring a large amount, and scrubbed away on her scalp and root to detangle the dirt that clings there as well.

Washing the tips finally, she steps under the water and cleans away the shampoo, her hair feeling lighter than it did before. She grabbed the conditioner and scrubbed it through her hair, from root to tip. Having to leave it in for ten minutes, she begins washing her body, captivated by the warm scent of the Vanilla Sugar body wash she purchased at the gift store. After her cleansing scrub, getting behind her ears and in between her toes, she stood under the slightly hot water, once again washing away all her impurities from her head to her toes.

She turned off the shower and grabbed her towel, drying off her body and most of her hair, combing through it to rid herself of tangles and such. She heard a knock on her door and quickly dawned on her bikini panties and a large t-shirt that fell from her shoulders. She headed toward the door, opened it, and gasped to see the last person that would stand in her doorway.

"…Gene,"

To be continued…

Dark Anty – Hey, sorry for the cliffhanger. Didn't want the story to drawl on so much so I made a short cut to the story, but no worries, more to come. I hope you like it, AND GIVE ME SOME REVIEWS PEOPLE, OR FEEL A WOMAN'S WRATH FALL UPON YOU ALL!!!! –Evil Laugh–

Aisha, Gene, Jim, Melfina, Suzuka – … ' : \

Gene – And she called us awkward.

Aisha – Psycho child.

Jim – Weird.

Dark Anty – Uhhhhh, sorry guys. I had too much sugar this morning.

Melfina – Oh, okay. Please send reviews!

Suzuka – Or face both our wraths and my sword.