The next morning, Steven and Yakumo woke up on the beach, with a towel over them, still wearing their clothes, from earlier. Steven said, "Man, what a night. It's all so great."

Yakumo blushed, "Are you okay, baby?"

Steven smiled, "I sure am. It almost feels like I am forgetting something. But hey, we have time, until then. What do you say we have fun, heading to the water."

"But… We escaped, without extra clothes!"

"Damn. Now what?"

"We could charter a boat."

"Now you're talking, babe!"

"Well… First, we have to wait for the others to find us. You care for your friends, more than me, but you choose to protect me, after Lyuze tried to get me."

Steven blushed and said, "Well… That's true. But, hey, we could try."

He spotted a huge boat and took Yakumo to the front. She sat down by the wheel, as Steven was in the back. He asked, "Uh, any reason why you wanted to drive?"

She said, "I know the ocean. Let's go. I know of a place, away from those evil fiends."

She turned the key started to drive off. The boat drove away, into the water, heading to a small island. But where were they headed?

Steven huffed, "Are we stealing a boat?"

Yakumo replied, "Yes."

XXXXX

Meanwhile, The Gang and The Sisters drove, all night, in The Gang's Tour Van. Mizuki was awake, as Peter and Farra were sleeping in the back. April and January were still awake, also.

"All night… Steven made us drive, all night," Mizuki groaned, "Where could they have gone?"

January said, "They didn't manage to escape through another city, right?"

Mizuki said, "We better hope so."

April said, "Try this stop."

The van headed to another city. The sign said "Targus City". It was where Rei Tachibana would strike next. Could this lead to doom? Yes. But let's tread on.

Chapter 14
Honeymoon in Honeydew Isle
(甘露ハネムーンの巻)
(or "Adjusting to New Life")

NOTE: This chapter sets-up the StevenCxYakumo Arc, and concludes The CURRENT Gang Arc, for now. Next chapter, we return to The ORIGINAL Gang.

Moments later, the boat that Yakumo was driving, headed for an island. It was huge, with some palms trees, melons, pineapples, straw huts, and even flora and fauna. Yakumo parked by the shore, as Steven C got up, looking around.

"Whoa… Where are we?" He asked.

Yakumo said, "This is a place where all melons grow and many breezes flow. It is said that it is a one-way trip to paradise, next to Miyagami Academy. This is Honeydew Island, a small uncharted island, located in the mid-Pacific Ocean, separated from Indochina… approximately 200 miles from civilization."

"Wow. I never heard of this new land."

"It's declared uncharted. I only know of it, but never discovered it to public…"

They went pass a sign, without noticing, saying "Weegee was here".

"I get it. You are still on the lam, from Lyuze."

"It's my usual secret place… whenever I find a boat. Of course… Lyuze never bothered looking there."

"I think it is very bad."

"How so?"

"No electricity."

"You're saying that, just because she's a gynoid."

"Steven Cooke knows it. I never hear her say that she needed to recharge."

"You really don't want to know how she recharges."

"I won't, then."

He added, "But still, why the hell are we far away, from our friends?"

He gasped, "You're not a savage, are you?"

She giggled, "Steven! Don't be ridiculous! It's fine… I'm only here, just because of the whole Yamo thing. Besides, isn't it your duty to protect me?"

He blushed and said, "Well… Yeah. And here I thought you'd put me in a stew. If so, Steven Cooke prefers the cuisine from North Dakota. If I wanna die in cannibalism, Steven Cooke needs the hometown flavor."

Yakumo nodded and grabbed huge leaves. She went behind the bush and started to chop up the leaves. She then threw her old clothes onto the ground, as Steven asked, "What are you doing?"

Yakumo said, "Now's the part of my activity, where I change into clothing attire. This fresh cantaloupe fern should do the trick. It's freshly based verdure, much like polyester."

She came out was wearing a green leaf top and panties. She blushed and said, "Of course, having two layers of leafage could be a problem."

Steven groaned, as he felt dizzy.

XXXXX

Minutes later, Steven and Yakumo were walking through the forest, as Steven was still wearing his clothes. He looked around and said, "Simply enough, this place knows how to prevent scurvy."

"Of course. This place is known to keep its melons at its firmest. But, luckily, after they are ripe, we eat them. I learned that, the hard way, after eating one of these. Here. I'll give you one."

She climbed up a tree, as Steven looked up, "That melon looked familiar."

He called out, "Give me two!"

She called back, "One's fine! These things are huge!"

She snuffed, "And that joke was sick…"

She grabbed a huge melon and pulled it off the tree. She threw it down to Steven, who tried to catch it. It ended up hitting his chest, knocking him down. He groaned, "Ouch. Whatever is in it, let's hope it's packed with nutrients… or something that the Yoshies love."

Yakumo climbed down and said, "Nice catch. This will last us a day. I don't tend to stay long."

Steven moaned, as she picked up the melon, "Hopefully… I wanna be with The Gang. They need me."

She blushed, "How about I make you some leaf clothes?"

He replied, "No. Thanks. Steven Cooke doesn't wanna be a laughingstock, wearing Adamwear."

She stated, "It's fine. You only have these clothes. This is all you need, for now."

Steven yelled, "I said NO! Besides, how do I know if it isn't poison oak?"

She blushed, "It's only a safe substitute to polyester."

He said, "Well… It's only for the moment. But if you tell anyone that I've gone native…"

"I won't."

"Fine. Gimme a leaf."

Moments later, Steven was wearing only a pair of shorts, made from the same leaves that Yakumo made. He smiled, "You've outdid yourself. I never knew you'd be a handyman. Er, sorry. Handywoman."

She giggled, "I have been learning how to sew. I'm pretty good, but not too good."

He said, "It's cool."

She stated, "Of course, I shall make you another, tomorrow, as soon as the leaves start to dry up. This is for one day… since leaves need to be fresh."

He replied, "Well, it is for a day. What about our old clothes?"

She said, "I'll wash them, today. Let's scout around this place and see what we can find. I think I saw a small village here."

He smiled, as he adjusted his leafy shorts, "Great! Let's go!"

They continued to walk down the path, heading for the straw huts.

XXXXX

They arrived at the small village, which was full of huge straw huts. It was desolate, since no one was around. They were confused.

"I thought you said it was uncharted," Steven said.

Yakumo replied, "I never heard of this area."

Steven called out, "HELLO! Anybody? Mosh-Tichi-pufu, or something! Hugga-wugga? Unga bunga? Uh… Free cake! Free cake!"

Yakumo sighed, "You can't speak their tongue, do you?"

"Cut me some slack! You don't know, either…"

"Right. Maybe…"

She then found a huge thin wooden instrument and picked it up. She then played it like a recorder. She started to play a couple notes, as Steven was stunned.

"Uh… Steven Cooke is confused on that mini-didgeridoo you're playing."

Yakumo said, as she stopped playing, "It's a small flute. Besides, I'm sure they'll respond to the tune."

From inside the huts, small yellow creatures appeared from inside. They were dressed in grassy shirts and shorts, and have yellow bear ears, with antennas sticking out.

They chanted, "Puuchu! Puuchu!"

Steven said, "Whoa. Déjà vu."

Yakumo blushed in a beet red face, "How cute…"

Steven sighed, "Native Puuchus… Just what we needed."

She asked, "You know them?"

"It was a routine mission, when we battled ACROSS. Kids were masqueraded by these little beasts, but we stopped them. Of course, we all were fighting the Big Boss, at the time."

"Wow. You must be super rad."

"Not really. Steven Cooke got his ass handed, but we won, anyway… No idea how."

One Puuchu called, "Puuchu! Puuchu!"

Yakumo translated, "I think he is saying why we come here again. I'll translate."

She responded in Puuchu language, "Puuchu. Pu… Puuchu. Chuu?"

A Puuchu replied, "Pu… Puuchu! Puuchu, Puuchu, Chu Chu Rocket!"

Steven gasped, "Did he just say "ChuChu Rocket?"

Yakumo bowed, "Chuu… Puuchu, Puuchu…"

He groaned, "And I have no idea what they said…"

The Puuchus cheered, "PUUCHU!"

Yakumo said, "We only come in peace. The chief will examine you, in order to show your loyalty."

He said, "NOW you tell me?"

She apologized, "My apologies, Steven, but these Puuchus have seen me as a cute deity, every time I come here. You, however, you're new to this island. They said that I am always welcome here, but the leader of this tribe must see you and must prove yourself worthy."

"Wait… What kind of place is this, to be called Honeydew Island, and be surrounded by cute bears in green shorts? I thought they wore diapers."

One Puuchu gruffed, "We're not babies!"

Steven said, "Then, disregard…"

He ordered, "Weird creatures, lead the way!"

Yakumo told them to head to their kingdom, as they started marching off, waving paper fans and singing. Steven was completely in forlorn.

"And here I thought it was inhabited." He said.

Yakumo responded, "That's what I thought, too. But I never knew it would be like this."

Steven huffed, "Who knew we'd find an island, which is your secret spot, and reveal that it was home to former ACROSS allies? Not me. I think they retired and gone straight."

She said, "Could be a possibility. Let us hurry."

They continued to follow the Puuchus, marching along.

XXXXX

They arrived at a huge city, full of huts and wells. It even had a huge statue of a Puuchu, wearing a crown and holding a scepter. Steven admired it and said, "This must be how they would hold a monarchy. Or, that, plus having to worship somebody."

Yakumo said, "I'm glad we weren't prisoners…"

They approached a small stone castle, as the Puuchus chanted along, showing them the way.

She responded, "I believe they want us to meet their king. In there."

Steven said, "Sure. But I doubt we'll fit in there."

He was right. The small door way was about three feet tall. One Puuchu was confused, as he whispered to another. They both nodded and agreed. They started a ritual dance and started to surround their door to the throne room. They succeeded in their ritual, by opening the small doorway…
RUMBLE!
…as it grew into a huge doorway, twice as tall as the smaller one. Steven smiled, "That's better."

"Come." She said, as they stepped inside.

They entered a huge room, which is full of small paper fans. It also had a stone throne, in which a Puuchu, wearing a sliver crown, was sitting on, while smoking a pipe.

"I take it that he must be the tribe leader," Steven said.

Yakumo said, "He is. This is surprising. I cannot believe that we are honored to be in the presence of the Head Puuchu. I am so amazed… He's super-cute."

Steven then sighed, "This is ridiculous. You know that these are the same creatures that-!"

"PUUCHU!"
Translation: "SILENCE!"

Steven gasped and kneeled down, while Yakumo salaamed to the cute king. She responded, "Puuchu… Puuchu-Puuchu…"
Translation: "We mean you no harm."

The cute king said, "PU! Puuchu!"
Translation: "So… What the heck do you want?"

Yakumo saluted, "Puuchu… Puuchu… Chuu, chuu, Puuchu, Puuchu-chuu…"
Translation: "We understand that he is worthy of being a member of your tribe. In fact, your tribe has approved of him."

He beckoned Steven, as he sighed, "Please… Speak English…"

He examined him and smirked evilly. He closed his eyes and hummed, "Puu… Chu… Puu… Chu…"

He let out a smile and nodded.

"Nice to see me…" Steven grumbled.

NOTE: For the remainder of this chapter, the Puuchus will NOW speak in English, without the use of Translation notes… For those who are tired of their native tongue.

The Puuchu King said, "I see that you have such power and spirit. You are arrogant, egotistical, snobbish, stubborn, and desperate… but you have a powerful burden. You obtain some traits of friendship, bonding, reliability, power, and even independence. You are, indeed, worthy of the Puuchu Tribe."

Steven smiled, "Thank you, sir… I wish I knew what you meant."

Yakumo said, "He means that you are worthy."

The leader said, "But! In order to earn our trust, all you have to do is become one with the tribe, by destroying our enemy."

Yakumo responded, "What do you mean?"

The leader then showed a picture he drew of a huge black Puuchu with fangs and wings. The cute king stated, "This monster has been terrorizing Honeydew Isle for months now. I'd say years, but it feels like years. Anyway, the grueling monster, known as the Dark Puuchu, has appeared, every night, during a calm, crisp breeze. That means whenever the night sky is clear and the stars shine. Tonight is that night, again."

Steven said, "What time?"

"When the night sky is clear, in a dark midnight blue." Yakumo said, "That is around 11PM or Midnight, depending on the sky."

The cute king said, "Perhaps we may need a hero, young…"

Steven protested, "Now, hold on! Are you saying Steven Cooke is going to fight a monster, just to save your island from danger?"

The king said, "Young Steven, I know you do not want to do it, but lately, the monster has invaded our wondrous village, snacking on young Puuchus."

Steven gasped, "NOT THE KIDS!"

He yelled, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Yakumo said, "How horrible of that beast, eating young baby Puuchus, like baby back ribs."

"I know. And he has been eating four babies a day. It's no wonder our race is on the Extinction Radar."

"Well, be that, as it may, Steven Cooke will save the day!"

The king bowed, "Yes, you will. But you must be well-armed."

He pulled the cord, and opened a huge panel from the stone wall, showing him a huge assortment of weapons. Few of them, included a long line of explosives, guns, blades, and a microphone.

"Holy Tarentino…" He gasped.

Steven tried to take what he can, but the King stopped him.

"NO!" He beseeched, "You may take our weapons, but the prophecy says that you must carry five of your choice… and no more than that."

Steven sighed, "You know…"

The King said, "Hey, I didn't make up this prophecy!"

Yakumo said, "Please, Steven… You must. Otherwise, we might not make it home."

Steven explained, "Okay. I will take about five of these. But I want to know… Will they be enough to slay the beast?"

The Puuchu King bowed, "No. It is said that only one weapon can destroy the beast. However, with these hundreds of weapons, the chances of success are one in a thousand. But I'm going to be laughing my ass off, if you fail, like all the rest."

Steven gasped in fear, "The rest?"

Yakumo said, "Even I tried to face the beast, but it was of no use… Of course, he never laid his hand on me."

He snuffed, "Yes, I can tell. Perv."

The Puuchu King bowed, "Choose wisely, or unwisely, by hook, crook, or by the book."

Steven griped, "Yeah, yeah. Wham, bam… fuck you, man… Big deal. If it means protecting the kids…"

He then stated in a brave voice, "I know I am doing this, under Steven Cooke's will, but I will save your village! Not just for me, for Yakumo, or for you – It's for the kids!"

He smiled, "For this, I mean your kids, you cute and dumpiness."

He grabbed five items and headed out of the field. Yakumo sighed, "He cannot do it, now."

The King said, "It'll never work. He plans ahead, and thinks ahead. Reminds us of someone we know."

He thought of Excel and shook in anger, "Hell."

"Huh?" Yakumo asked.

XXXXX

Steven Cooke was out on the field, that night, holding up a huge sword, with a mallet by his legs. He waited for the monster, as he was completely nervous.

Yakumo asked, "You look nervous, are you?"

Steven tittered, "No. Only on my legs. I fear what this Puuchu beast looks like… Possibly a twisted version of those cute beasts."

Yakumo whispered, "If you succeed, I'll go out with you. I will accept a hero, and not just for evading me from Lyuze."

Steven C smiled, "Relax, kid. Steven Cooke doesn't know the true meaning of fear."

ROAR!

"Unless… You count that!"

He shrieked in a high-pitched voice, "Puuchu Rocket!"

A giant Black Puuchu, with fangs and a red diaper, appeared, calling to the skies. He stomped forward, as Steven was trembling. Yakumo ran off to hide, as he prepared to attack. He then gulped, "Well… Here goes nothing…"

He yelled, as he charged at the beast, using a sword in his hand. He swiped the sword at his chest, but it was no good. He pierced into his skin, but it showed no effect. He roared at him, trying to swat him to the ground. Steven then resorted to weapon #2, a huge mallet. He smashed its right foot, as it let out a scream.

"YEOW!" It boomed, "THAT'S A-HURT-ED MY FOOT!"

Steven griped, "It can talk?"

Yakumo said, "It doesn't…"

He said, "Never mind."

Steven snapped, as he held up Weapon #3, "Well, I got him grounded!"

His third weapon was a pickaxe. He lunged at the Puuchu and stabbed at his belly. However, the stab had no effect.

"SHIT! The mallet was okay, but I think he has a lead belly!"

He then said, "Fine, then… He thinks he's so tough…"
He pulled out a blowtorch and shouted, "Let's see if I can pierce through his fat pudgy body!"

He dove up and ignited the torch. He pulled down his visor and started to mark on its belly. He finished, leaving an imprint saying "Steven Cooke was here". The monster cried and tried to rub it off, but Steven was ready. He jumped up with a mallet in his hand and smashed his head, in a trippingly step and a grippingly blow.

"HERE YOU GO, DONKEY KONG!"

BAM!

"OUCH! SO PAINFULLY MOVING!" It boomed.

Steven smiled and saluted, "GAME OVER!"

He cheered, as Yakumo laughed for him. She was about to approach him, but the monster roared and grabbed Yakumo. He roared, "YOU SHITHEAD!"

"STEVEN! HELP!" She cried, as she was carried off, by the monster.

Steven groaned, "Aw, man! I used four weapons! I didn't even finish him off!"

He rushed to the village and said, "He's going to the village! I'll head him off and rescue her."

At the village, the monster appeared, stomping around the fields. The Puuchus were frightened, as they threw their spears and paper fans at it. They were easily squished by its feet.

One Puuchu gruffed, as it was dying, "AAH! What a bug-off!"

The Puuchus fled to their shelter. One cried out, "HURRY! THE MONSTER IS COMING!"

They all fled inside, as Yakumo screamed, "HELP ME!"

One Puuchu yelled, "SIRE! THE MONSTER HAS GOT THE CUTE AND GORGEOUS ONE!"

The King bowed his head in shame, "It seemed that the champion had failed. I guess I was wrong about him."

The monster roared, "BRING ME YOUR PUUCHU BABIES! I WANT TO FEAST! DO SO, OR THE GIRL DIES!"

Yakumo sobbed, "You wouldn't like me. I'm not tested."

The monster sniffed her and snarled, "YOU! YOUR SEXUAL CHARM WON'T WORK ON ME, ANYMORE, YOU PITIFUL MORTAL!"

The King shouted, "WE BESEECH YOU! DON'T HURT ANOTHER SOUL, INCLUDING HER!"

Yakumo called out, "Yes, including me!"

The monster was about to stomp on the shelter, as the Puuchus were frightened. Until…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

Steven Cooke rushed in, screaming with all his might, holding up his sword and pickaxe. He threw at the monster, aiming directly at his arms.

"WHAT TH-?"

"HEY! Freak show!" He yelled, "HEADS UP!"

STAB! STAB!

The blades stuck into his right arm, where Yakumo was. He lost his grip, as Yakumo began to plummet.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

Steven ran to her, "YAKUMO!"

He dove toward her and caught her in his arms. They both fell, completely in pain.

"Steven… You… You saved me…" she smiled.

Steven said, "Hey, do I ever intend to be a jerk, towards anybody?"

"Often."

"Don't rub it in."

He turned to the monster and was completely angry. "Now, it's your turn!"

She got up and pleaded, "NO! You tried, and you failed! You used up all your weapons!"

Steven winked, as he held up Weapon #5 – a microphone. "Not ALL of them."

"A microphone?" She asked.

He said, "Just watch. If there's one thing Steven Cooke is good at, it's music!"

He threw a cord to the monster, as it caught it. He laughed heartily, "What good does it to me now? HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!"

Steven then said to Yakumo, "You better cover your ears."

She closed her ears, as does the villagers and the king. He then held the microphone up and said, "TESTING!"

The voice from the mic reverbed into the cord, shaking and vibrating the cord in his hand. The monster heard his loud, high-pitched sound, and was blasted in the head, having a migraine.

"AAH! TOO LOUD! UP TO 11!"

Steven then laughed, "HEY! It worked!"

He thought, "Hmm… Maybe…"

Steven leaped up the monster's head, as he was holding up the microphone. He stood on his head and grabbed its antennae.

"HELLO, HONEYDEW ISLAND!" He shouted, as he glowed in a white aura, "ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?"

The King gasped, "He's mad!"

Yakumo covered her eyes and ears, "I can't watch!"

Steven shouted, "And now, my rendition of…"

BOOM!
Music began to play, as he started singing incoherent and loudly. The monster shook in pain, as it tried to remove Steven from atop its head. But Steven pulled a miracle strike.

"AAAH! GOOD NIGHT!" It roared.

The cute king gasped, "LOOK!"

Steven then shouted, as the music stopped, "Here it is! That was Steven Cooke's Miracle Smash Hit – SHOCKWAVE MIC CHECK! 1! 2! 3! YEAAAAAA~AAAAAAH!"

With a powerful chord into his head, the monster started to tip over, in pain, as Steven flew down, in a Tarzan yell. He landed on his feet, as he held his index finger up.

"One beast – slain!" He cheered, as the villagers cheered on.

The Puuchu King laughed, as he hailed, "Despite some of our race being killed, you saved our village!"

The Puuchus cheered on, "Puuchu! Puuchu!"

Steven smiled, "Anything for the kids, homey. Give them my regards."

He thought, as he was happy, "You know, I think I like that phrase."

Yakumo grabbed him and kissed him, "I'm proud of you!"

Steven blushed, "Ah, weren't a thing."

He then said, "But if we learn one thing, Steven Cooke knew about one method – music can, if any, soothe the savage beast!"

The monster leaked blood from out of its ears. It was killed, after the huge amplitude of Steven Cooke's weapon.

He added, "Of course… in this case…"

XXXXX

That night, the Puuchus celebrated in a party, as Steven was being treated with royalty. He was being praised by his work, as the Puuchus offered him thanks. The Puuchu King smiled and gave him a necklace of beads. He smiled and said, "You, Steven Cooke, are a wonderful singer, even if you have high noise. And you're welcome to visit our village, anytime you please."

Steven said, "Then, if you don't mind… Once we finish our mission, after Yakumo is fully safe, I was wondering if-."

Yakumo blushed, "You mean…"

Steven said, "If Steven Cooke is treated with royalty, I need a queen to be at my side."

Yakumo smiled, "Uh… I know, but…"

The Puuchu King exclaimed, "For Yakumo, anything."

He held up a ring that he made, "Yakumo Tsukamoto, I know we are still busy with saving the alternate worlds, but once we finish our mission, and once I saved you from Lyuze and Casshern, say that you will be my bride."

Yakumo blushed fully and said, "We'll see. I cannot say yet, but…"

The Puuchu King cheered, "We shall do as you ask. Anytime, you return here, we'll grant you your wish."

Yakumo put the ring on and said, "Of course, I will marry you, but it's not official, yet. You did so much for me… I think I may have fallen in love with you."

Steven hugged her and said, "So, what do you say?"

Yakumo replied, "No."

She walked away, as Steven followed her, "WAIT!"

The Puuchu King said, "Too bad. He got dumped."

XXXXX

Yakumo was by the shore, as Steven went to her. He said, "Yakumo. You never said yes. Is there something you are hiding?"

She replied, "No… But…"

He said, "You said no, but you cannot say, for the present."

She gulped and said, "I wanna go with you. I want to find your friends and stay with you, after all the things you've done for me. It's the least I can do. I said it before, but…"

She blushed, "Plus… Once you have your problems out of the way, we can get married… here in Honeydew Island. Of course, buy a real ring."

Steven said, "True… But what will I say to The Gang, if I leave them?"

Yakumo held him and said, "It's fine. Whatever you choose, is okay by me. I love you."

He said, "Then… I don't mind waiting…"

They shared a kiss together, as the sun began to rise up. It was morning.

A happy ending for Steven Cooke… but not much going on. We look forward to Yakumo and Steven tying the knot.
Way to go, Steven!

Moving on, we'll see them, later. Until then, stay pinned and pressed for the NEXT chapter of…

The Gang
-(Now IN-COLOR)-