Disclaimer: I don't own Gurren Lagann or any of it's characters, they belong to Gainax. NO money has or will exchange hands and this was written for entertainment value only. Any original characters and storylines do belong to me.

Authors Note: This is back on the future timeline again, just a few months after chapter 2. Thank you to those of you who've been reviewing and letting me know what you think, I honestly have no idea how long this story will be but I'll write for as long as I have ideas, knowing what people who read it think about it really helps me continue.

Chapter 4

Yomi was sprawled across their bed, clearly unhappy to have been woken so early in the morning. Yoko was up, walking back and forth around the room with Kaira who she'd just been feeding.

"Yomi, come on now, you can sleep in the car." Yoko kept her voice low but her daughter could hear her none the less. "The sooner you get up and dressed the sooner we'll be on our way and you can see everyone at the party."

"Will Uncle Viral be there?" She asked, finally rolling onto her side.

"Yes." Kamina told her, popping his head around the door from their en suite. The smell of his shower gel drifted into the room and Yoko smiled, bouncing Kaira just a little as she finished winding her. She was three months old now and had already grown so much, Yoko remembered Yomi doing much the same and although she wished there was a way to make it last longer she was also looking forwards to getting a good nights sleep soon.

"Yomi, almost all of our friends from the city are going to be there and we're staying in Simon and Nia's city penthouse." Yoko added and her daughter must have decided to sit up and pay attention at the mention of that.

"I thought they'd moved to the countryside." Yomi managed to look just like her father at that moment and her mother laughed.

"They did but they kept the house for the times when Uncle Simon has to work in the city." That and the city officials had refused to give it to anyone else, It had 6 bedrooms and had enough space for the two families with room to spare. The council had seen it as a thank you to Simon for looking after the city, he hadn't the heart to tell them that leaving was reward enough. The City was always much better in the hands of someone who wanted to run it and Rossiu had been the perfect choice to replace Simon.

"Can I have my own room?" Yomi jumped onto the floor, stretching and finally starting to wake up properly.

"Yes."

Kamina strolled out of the bathroom, packing the last of the toiletries into his and Yoko's suitcase, Yomi had her own and it was ready and packed at the bottom of the stairs, her Gurren Lagann plushy sat on top ready and waiting.

"Do you want me to help you get ready?" He asked his by now very active daughter, she shook her head in response, red pigtails flying one way and the other. "Alright then, we'll see you down stairs in half an hour."

"Kay Dad." She hugged his legs, did the same to her mother then bounded off down the stairs.

When Kamina looked to his wife and youngest daughter in her arms she was chuckling to herself. He zipped everything away in their case having checked it was all there, not wanting to face an angry wife if he'd forgotten something. She'd walked over to him in the mean time and he pulled her and Kaira into his arms, Yoko rested her head against his shoulder and let their youngest daughter lean against her fathers chest.

"I know what you're going to say." He told her.

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"Fine I know what you're thinking, don't I Kaira?" Their daughter gurgled what Kamina chose to believe was laughter. "For the record, she did not look like me before."

"Kamina, she's your daughter - she always looks a little like you." Her breath was warm on his neck and he shivered at the tingling sensation that passed through him.

"You know what I mean."

In the distance they could hear the crashing of the waves on the cliffs and for a moment Kamina allowed himself to concentrate on it, absorbing the calm and the peace this steady Island life brought them. He didn't have to tell Yoko he wasn't looking forwards to the weekend and although he wanted to see his brother and family he'd be glad when it was all over. Because for all the happiness of seeing everyone again there was also the other side of it, the memories of all those that had been lost in their war for the surface and against the anti spirals. Of the innocent unknown messenger that had appeared in their sky and lead them to the depths of space.

She had aided their final battle only to disappear before it's close and they hadn't been able to find a name nor anyone who had known her. Kamina had no way to explain why it had affected him to the extent that it had, Yoko had mentioned his father but he didn't think it was that… he just wanted to know that someone had known her, that she hadn't spent her life alone only to die like that.

"Come on." Yoko whispered. "Kaira's asleep again, we should get her sorted in her seat and put her bag with the others."

"Yeah, it's time to go."

Yomi had stayed awake long enough to enjoy breakfast on the ferry before falling asleep once they were back in the car. Kaira was next to her in the baby seat and Yoko had chosen to stay in the front this time, Kamina had looked like he needed help with the directions.

The city was busy and bustling, just waking up on what looked to be a beautiful, hot mid summers day. At the moment though the air was still fresh and the sky clear and they were headed straight for Simon's apartment building.

"Take a right then head left at the Plaza shopping centre." She told him, the route memorised off by heart. The people all around them were either headed to work or out to enjoy the day with friends and family. They seemed happy, almost everyone old enough to remember at least one of their battles… even if every effort had been made to keep their identities secret the second time around.

It was a rich, vibrant and happy place - at least for the most part but it still didn't appeal to her. It was true she enjoyed being here more than her husband did, most of her family still lived in the city and although Kiyoh and Dayakka had visited them with Anne on more than one occasion it was still nice to have the chance to see them whenever they could.

"Follow the line of tree's down as far as they go then turn left, the entrance to the car park is right there."

She was sure that as soon as Simon greeted them at the door or he saw Nia and Mark that Kamina would settle in a little more, it was after all going to be a private party with only those from the Gurren Brigade, friends and family invited. They made sure to advertise it as a family reunion rather than anything else and so far no one had questioned it, even if they had it would have been dismissed and ignored.

The party was held in one of the grand halls at the centre of the city, the whole place surrounded by beautiful gardens and flowers from all over the world. Nia, having chosen most of them herself still took great pride in being able to show anyone around who asked. The location was perfect, food, dining and dancing in the main hall and a large expanse of greenery for people who didn't want to be seen to escape and explore.

So far though Kamina had resisted doing so, Yomi was determined that they find Uncle Viral, a choice of friend her father chose not to question. He seemed oddly capable with children, which was why, he supposed, they found him sat in the shade of a tree just outside the hall with Anne and a couple of the other children Kamina couldn't remember the names of.

"Can I dad?" Yomi asked, holding his hand and looking straight at him. He took another look at their blonde beast man and smiled, as much as he enjoyed being this man's rival it was clear his daughter wanted to be his friend. "As long as you remember who's the better Gurren Lagann Pilot then yes."

Yomi laughed. "I know it was you daddy, but then you had other things to do and Uncle Viral had to help Uncle Simon instead." Her tone was a little too dismissive for a five year old but Kamina let it go, she hadn't had a normal childhood after all so some changes were to be expected.

"Hey Viral?" He called out casually, smirking when the beast man saw him.

"Kamina, long time no see." He replied and the children at his feet look somewhat confused, the older boy and girl who are a year or so older than Yomi waved at her and Kamina let go of her hand. Anne, who was crawling around and recognised Yomi, came to sit in her lap.

"Yeah… think I can leave Yomi with you for an hour or so?"

Viral smiled, wanting to say something to spark up their old rivalry but Kamina's expression made him hold back, for whatever reason it was Kamina chose to accept his oldest daughter wanting to be Viral's friend and he wasn't about to complain. Yomi took after her mother in some respects and their welcome and accepting attitudes over the last few years had made things easier for him. Just as Simon's close friendship had done, Kamina still remained distant and Viral supposed he should be grateful he'd chosen to hold his silence.

"Sure, don't see why not, I was just telling them about our my latest adventures in space."

"Thank's Dad." Yomi told him, clearly comfortable and looking forwards to whatever he had to tell them, she let Anne play with her dress and let the toddler hold her hand.

"No problem." and he turned to leave, Yoko, Nia and his brother had set up on a table and would most likely be waiting for him.

"Hey Kamina?" Viral called out again and he turned, not quite sure what he wanted.

"We're near the end of this story anyway, why don't you stay and help me tell the tale of the first time we met?" There was a challenge there and also an olive branch, Kamina laughed out loud and heartily. Maybe after all this time they would finally get to know each other.

"You sure? Even the part where I stole your beloved helmet?" But his comment didn't seem to impress Viral, or at least he pretended it didn't, it was hard to tell when he smirked like that.

"Sit down." It sounded a little too much like an order but Kamina decided not to push it, not with the children around. So he sat cross legged on the other side of Viral to where the children were sitting and waited for his turn in telling the story the correct way.

"So Simon's thinking of asking if we can all visit for the Island fireworks and stay for a few days afterwards, I think having Mark has made him even more determined to make sure we all spend as much time together as a family as we can." Mark was sat in his mothers lap with a teething ring in his mouth. His dark blue hair was brushed but still defied order and his eyes, so much likes his mothers sparkled happily and he seemed content to watch Kaira watch him from Yoko's arms.

"You're always welcome, I don't know how much room there will be for you all but you're welcome to the guest room." Yoko offered, smoothing out the fabric of Kaira's dress. The light pink outfit with lilac flowers and detailing had been a present from Nia and one of Yoko's favourites. She had never been a fan of big dresses… even her wedding dress wasn't anything grand or Princessy but it suited Kaira and Yoko found herself more than happy to indulge her.

"It's alright, we'll stay in the Hotel… I just wanted to make sure." Nia fell silent after that, looking unsure of something and Yoko noticed a worried expression she hadn't seen in her friend for over two years. It creased around her eyes and strained her shoulders, it didn't suit her, not with her long flowing hair and the flowers she had woven into it, not with her knee length white dress that almost matched Yoko's in style if not colour.

So setting Kaira back in her baby carrier for an afternoon nap she ruffled Marks hair, leaning over to place a hand on her friends shoulder at the same time.

"Nia?"

"It's nothing." But even her voice, clear as a bell couldn't hide the lie.

"Come on, There's a balcony upstairs that looks over the Gardens, it's quiet and we can talk there." She told her friend, lifting Kaira's carrier and taking hold of her friends hand.

She nodded and hummed her agreement, holding Mark to her and gathering her things together. It was better to follow her friends advice than to argue further, Yoko rarely took no for an answer - especially when she was right about something.

"Simon!"

"Kiyoh." He turned around, almost spinning on the spot before he steadied himself.

"Dayakka was looking for you, apparently there's something you should see outside."

"Oh?" his blonde friend just laughed in response.

"He's taken Anne and the Video recorder so that he can take it down on record… I'm not sure what's going on but I figured you'd want to know."

"I'll go take a look." He told her, he'd spent so much time running around talking to everyone that wanted to see him that those he'd most wanted to see had escaped him or he hadn't been able to find them yet.

In all honesty he was more looking forwards to the following day with his brother and his family, some of their closer friends had been invited along with them, which reminded him - he needed to tell Kamina he'd invited Viral along, that would be an interesting conversation.

Nia was probably with Yoko and she'd seen Kamina heading to the Garden with Yomi an hour or so before… which may have had something to do with what Kiyoh had just mentioned… Dayakka was probably right to bring the Camera.

He suddenly hoped that whatever was going on outside wasn't his close friend and brother at each others throats, not when they'd been doing so well recently...

"I just thought it would have been easier than it is." Nia's voice rang out across the quiet balcony, not travelling any further given the noise coming from downstairs but still clear. Yoko had her suspicions as to the cause but chosen to stay silent until now in order to hear what her friend had to say.

"These things don't happen over night you know, not always." She reassured her looking to both Mark and Kaira and knowing that there were several times in her life when this future, this outcome was jeopardised and thanked higher powers everyday for their children and their life together.

"I know but we've been trying since Kaira was born… and I know that's only three months but…" Nia trailed off.

"That's how long it took us for Kaira, Yomi was a little longer than that." Yoko ran her fingers through her hair, left long for the day with a small platt running down the front right hand side. It gave her something to do at times like this when words didn't really help and nothing she could really do would make it any better.

"I just… there's no real reason why…" Nia's hands were in her lap, her eyes focussed there as she twirled her wedding ring around her finger. "Simon's not at all worried, he said that sometimes these things take time and there are so many other options and I look at Mark and I feel guilty for wanting more but…"

"You're only Human Nia, Princess though you may be, you're Human and we worry about the things we can't control but honestly, when has that ever stopped us?" Yoko asked her, her tone soft but still serious.

"It hasn't but I wonder if I'm being greedy, wanting more than my fair share." She sighed, rocking Mark's carrier to settle him. "He is everything I've ever wanted, him and Simon and together we're happy but I want Mark to have a brother or a sister… I grew up with sisters around me and I want Mark to have siblings too."

"Nia, there's nothing to say he won't." Yoko told her with a slightly firmer tone in her voice. "It's really only been 3 months, I promise that's almost no time at all." She didn't really know what else to say, but knew it was one of those things that wouldn't be resolved with a conversation.

Nia tried to smile, she really did but it just seemed to bring tears closer to the surface.

"Yomi was born a year and a half after we were married." Yoko told her, they had married two and a half years after the battle for Teppelin city. "We started trying a month or so after our wedding."

"You've never mentioned it." Nia waited for Yoko to explain why.

"We didn't see the point, we figured it would happen when it happened and if it didn't… well we had each other." She explained quietly, thinking back to those months. "Needless to say we were surprised when Kaira came around so quickly, as hopeful as we were we thought it would take longer." She ran her finger gently across her daughters hair, Kaira was sleeping soundly in the shade of the table above her.

"I was pregnant with Mark within the first month of us trying." Nia admitted, managing to look Yoko in the eye as she said it. "That's why, I think, it must be that… I just thought it would be the same… I never really know how to talk about this with Simon, he just smiles as says it will all be fine."

"Probably because he thinks it will be."

Nia smiled, more to accept her friends words than because she completely agreed with it…. there was no harm in giving it a few more months before doing anything about it. She decided to come to a truce with herself and try to calm down, if it had taken Kamina and Yoko 8 months or so to conceive the first time around then maybe that's how long she should give her and Simon this time. In the meantime there was Mark and he had enough love in him and around him to calm and focus her.

A loud burst of laughter from down below caught their attention then and Yoko stood to peer over the balcony.

"Nia, You have to come and see this." It was a welcome change to the mood so Nia stood and followed her friends line of sight.

Simon stopped at the door, not by choice but by the sheer number of people that were blocking his view. He gave up trying to see over peoples shoulders and in stead ran in the opposite direction, he knew the view would be better from the balconies anyway.

Nia's clear laughter lead his path and he smiled as he neared them, out of breath and more than a little curious as to what was happening down stairs.

"Nia? Yoko?" called their names as he neared but both women simply motioned with their hands that he should get to the edge of the balcony. He noticed Mark and Kaira were asleep at either side of the two mothers resting on the balcony rail.

"We stood facing the anti spiral leader, taller than the galaxies, almost as tall as the universe it's self!" Kamina exclaimed, trying to gesture with his hands exactly how tall they were.

"We knew what we had to do, each with our own core drills and called forth strength we didn't know we had." Viral continued the tale, making all the motions and everything, eventually standing with a black mask on his face to represent the anti spiral and Kamina with a child's Gurren Lagann helmet balanced on his head ready and positioned to fight.

"What are they doing?" Simon asked, squeezing in between the two women.

"Acting out the greatest story of our time." Nia told him with a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"They flipped a coin about 5 minutes ago to see who was going to be anti spiral." Yoko informed him, relieved to see Yomi listening with a smile on her face, the memories didn't seem to be a problem anymore, the other children had been a little in awe of her when they found out she had been on board. Both her and Anne had earned hero status for it…. she even had her own replica jacket of Yoko's but it had been too hot this afternoon to wear it.

"They're doing this without me?" Simon asked and both women smiled with a hint of nervousness at his comment, he looked a little annoyed.

"Kamina only joined in to get one over Viral, now they just seem to be enjoying it more than anything…. and of course pretending it's a serious competition." Yoko explained, clearly enjoying it.

"They do look like the might need a narrator." Nia smirked at the sour expression Simon suddenly had on his face, it wasn't that he was seriously disgruntled or anything, he just wanted to join in the fun and whilst he had been doing the rounds and catching up with people the other two main fighters from the Gurren Brigade were not so busy messing around under the guise of children's entertainment.

He backed up on the balcony, judging the run and if he'd be able to make the jump, he nodded satisfied but Boota, who up until that point had been happily sleeping in his pocket made his daring escape to Mark's baby carrier.

"Simon, what are you doing?" Yoko asked, turning to see him stretching his legs in warm up.

"As Nia said they need a narrator." He smiled at his wife who simply nodded and he ran, bounded over the balcony and landed… not quite where he expected.

"My Drill is the Drill that creates the HEAVENS! LAGANN IMPACT!"

Kamina was delivering the final dramatic blow when from no where, at least from his perspective, Simon landed on top of Viral, Pushing him into the ground and landing across his stomach. The beast man groaned, mask falling off and looking in semi disbelief to see Simon sprawled across him instead of Kamina.

"If this is how it must be, protect the universe at all costs." Viral uttered before sinking back into the ground.

"Of Course we will." Simon exclaimed after a moment to compose himself and figure out exactly how this had happened, then rose unsteadily on his feat to his brother who looked not unhappy exactly but very surprised.

Before either could say anything the crowd started to applaud, Yomi ran to her father and let him lift her for a hug. Simon helped pull Viral up from the ground and together they took their bows. The audience clearly entertained from the applause… there were also several people recording it… something Simon would deal with afterwards.

"I honestly cannot believe Nia let you do that!" Kamina exclaimed over drinks at Simon and Nia's city apartment. They'd all settled down for the evening, the children were in bed and the brothers were joined by Nia, Yoko and Viral who had been commandeered into reading Yomi a bedtime story.

"I knew he'd be fine, the children weren't going to get hurt and there were plenty of people around to catch him" She explained, blowing on her cup of tea to cool it down.

"I didn't quite expect to be landed on like that." Viral commented, clearly still a little bitter about the whole thing.

"You're immortal, not like it was going to do too much damage." Kamina told him and Viral growled in annoyance.

"I thought you delivered your final line very well, Yomi hasn't stopped talking about it, she thinks you planned it." Yoko points out, casting Kamina a wary look. If you're this close to peace don't blow it. Said the glare she pointed in his direction.

The beast man seemed to perk up with that. "Yeah." He nodded happy with himself before stretching. "I should turn in though, what time are things starting in the morning Simon?"

The other man shrugged and scratched at the back of his head. "Eleven? We're not doing anything too fancy but by then everyone should be awake and ready."

"Alright, good night everyone." And with that he was off to his room, yawning all the way.

"You invited Viral?" Kamina asked, not sounded as aggravated as he would normally have done.

"He's a close friend Kamina and he hardly ever has leave or time to spend with us." His brother pointed out. "and you're getting along better."

Kamina shrugged. " I guess." Yoko chuckled and shifted along the sofa, rubbing his arm affectionately.

"He's really not so bad."

"Yeah, I know it's just…"

Simon laughed. "You really miss the rivalry don't you?"

"Well yeah, now if we have to get along it doesn't seem as much fun anymore." He seemed grumpy for the sake of being grumpy.

"Come on, lets get to bed, you can find some way to get your rivalry back tomorrow if you really want to." Yoko soothed, sliding her hand down his arm and taking his hand. "Night guys." She looked to Simon and Nia who smiled said their good nights and let them leave.

Nia and Simon had stayed in the large sitting room overlooking the city longer than their friends, both tired but neither wanting to move. The view was beautiful of the city below with all it's bright lights and rolling landscape continuing off into the distance. They could even see the stars littering the sky at this time of night, most lights lit down towards the city instead of the sky and it was enough to loose yourself in thought for a while.

"Yoko told me not to worry." Nia said finally, wanting to say something to her husband about it, wanting to let him know she was at least a little better.

He smiled, though she couldn't see it lay against him so instead he squeezed her arm with the one he had around her.

"I think I've been a little impatient and maybe a little greedy." she confessed although she didn't sound upset, more thoughtful.

"Things happen when they happen and when they don't we fight for them." Simon told her, whispering into her ear. Nia hummed in agreement and took hold of his hand. "We should probably head for bed." He told her, they had both already changed and gotten ready along with everyone else, they were all at a stage where they were comfortable enough to do that. Even with Viral here Kamina hadn't minded, it wasn't anything they hadn't all seen on their journey anyway.

"Are the blankets still behind this sofa?" She asked.

Simon turned around, Nia moving as he did and opening the storage chest, he pulled out two pillows and a large purple blanket. He wordlessly folded back the sofa until it clicked into place above the chest and laid out the pillows. Nia kicked off her shoes and chuckled, remembering doing this when they were much younger and it was their first week in the large appartment. Simon slipped out of his jacket and pants and sorted out the pillows, taking a quick glance at the baby monitor to check everything was alright before sliding down beneath the blanket and waiting for Nia to follow.

She chuckled and smiled, bending down to kiss him before joining him and continuing to giggle as he threw the covers around her.

"Any particular reason you want to stay here?" He asked her. Kissing her head and nuzzling into her hair.

"No, not really." She admitted, snuggling closer and allowing herself to drift off. "It's just it might be nice to watch the sun come up, we haven't done that in a while." She whispered close to sleep.

"I was thinking, we're in no hurry to head home, we could stay here a little longer than planned, spend some time with our friends here, introduce Mark to the city life and your beautiful gardens." As beautiful as their country home was he didn't want it to become suffocating, some time in a different place would help them both.

"Sounds lovely." She breathed and Simon wasn't sure she was listening, didn't matter, she was tired and deserved her sleep. He yawned, kissing her hair again and waved at the light to switch off the electrics.

"Good night Nia." And he feel asleep warm against his wife and watching the city below.

Reviews and constructive criticism welcome.