RahXephon Fan Fiction ❯ Compensation ❯ Returns ( Chapter 8 )

Compensation

 

By: A-Z Mark II

 

Notes: Don't own. Rated NC-17/X (depending on your preference)

 

Chapter 8: Returns

-

Haruka grabbed the small bag from the passenger seat and climbed out of her car, heading up the steps to her house. It had been a week since she spoke to Sayoko, and she was just now getting around checking on some things. Hope Megu isn't home yet, she thought, opening the door and kicking off her shoes. “I'm home! Megu? Uncle?” she yelled. Not hearing any answer, she moved upstairs. “Megumi?” she called again, sliding her kid sister's door open. The younger sister was not in her room.

Haruka moved to the bathroom. Now is as good a time as any. she thought, pulling one of the items from her small bag out and flipping it over to read the instructions. Five seconds later, she was done. Simple enough. she thought, slipping out of her uniform skirt. Six minutes later, she thoughtfully wrapped the small testing wand in some toilet paper and buried it in the trash. “Might as well take a bath; since I'm already here and all.” she muttered, quickly stripping off her top and bra before starting the tub. While it filled, she tucked the small box with the remaining wands into the small drawer where the sisters kept their hygiene supplies.

Once the tub was full, she eased into it and tried to relax. Work lately had been easing up, since that Ensign Mishima had been doing more and more of the work. Other than the occasional attempt to grope her and the daily invites for her to `keep him company', Isshiki seemed to be completely absorbed in his mad little plan to shatter the barrier around Tokyo. It's almost like he doesn't understand the danger that this poses. thought the woman. If the Mulians have been building strength all this time, then we could really be in a lot of trouble! Her memories of her last visit to Tokyo Jupiter came back to her. “There were a lot more Dolem units floating up there, and their city was visible, too.” she muttered aloud. If they are building up for an attack, then breaking the barrier will be like kicking a hornet's nest. So, what is Isshiki thinking? Deep in thought, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

-

Ayato sat silent and motionless in the back of the car next to the strange blonde woman. In his lap, his hands were clasped tightly around Hiroko's diary, as they had been since he had found her lifeless body in their room. One week, he thought dully, one week was all that Hiro-chan and I got. Shutting his eyes, he tried to push the memory of her expression just before he entered RahXephon to destroy the Dolem that had doubtlessly been sent to capture or kill them both.

“Damn them.” he whispered. The blonde might have said something, but he wasn't paying her any attention; likewise the three men in suits with the strange emblem on them. I promised to protect her, and I ended up killing her! he cursed himself. That Dolem was her - well, sort of; I think. He frowned, trying to recall exactly what Maya and Shinobu had said about the Mulian `adapting' humans. Something about `tuning' them to the world of the Mu, wasn't it?

Ayato pursed his lips contemplatively. Now that I think about it, didn't Quon say something about teaching me my song? Or was it `tuning Olin'? Just what does she mean when she calls me that, anyway? Maya called me an Instrumentalist. His frown smoothed into a blank look. Shinobu called me the same thing. And the whole time I was there, there was this background noise; almost like a radio playing a song over and over and over. Once I focused on it, I was able to tune it out. So, does that mean…?

Ayato had no idea what that meant, exactly. He had been wrestling with the mechanics of the cause/effect that had cost Hiroko Asahina her life. And a gruesome death it was, too. he gritted his teeth. The lights that bore her last message were still crystal clear in her mind, and when he returned to their room, desperately trying to convince himself that he had not just killed her, he had found her sprawled out over her diary, pen in her hand, blue blood everywhere. The young man had managed to get her onto the bed, straightening the damage he had caused, before sinking to the floor at the side of the bed, her diary in his hands.

That diary was still in his grip. The final page was stained with blue blood, but the message was horrifyingly clear to him. She loved me. And I killed her. he thought, the truth reverberating in his mind. He had been staring at the final message when Futagami had kicked the door in. Ayato barely heard him, so wrapped up in guilt was he. Still, when the old man had grabbed his collar and shaken him hard, he had managed to gather his wits.

Futagami had seemed to know something about losing people. He had his and Asahina's watches that they had pawned for cash, and in an oddly touching gesture, he had situated Asahina's cold, lifeless hands so she was clutching their watches. Futagami had then grabbed his arm and told him that they had to leave immediately. Sensing Ayato's hesitation to leave her body, he had promised him that his men would take care of her body and make sure she was buried quietly and respectfully. He had only paused to wipe most the blue blood off his arms before they had made for the lobby.

And been ambushed by these people. he reflected, his eyes sliding slightly to his right. The blonde had short, neat hair, not unlike Shinobu, but her entire bearing was cold and aloof. Futagami obviously doesn't like these people. `Bahbem Foundation', I think he called them. Wonder where they fit into the scheme of things? he wondered. Unconsciously, he reached for RahXephon and felt the familiar presence of the artifact in his mind. Well, at least they can't steal RahXephon from me. he thought; it was a cold comfort, though. His fingers tightened on the diary.

A sudden thought occurred to him. Haru-chan could probably explain this all to me. he realized. She promised she would always be on my side, didn't she? The more he thought about it, the more he realized that that was most likely the only way to find the answers he needed. Besides, I can't stop thinking about her; not even when I was sleeping with Hiro-chan. That last admission brought a wry smile to his lips.

He and Hiro had fallen into a pattern, starting with the first night. They would fuck like rabbits in the morning, then, he would go work the labor job, come back to shower and get changed, then the two of them would go out to eat at whatever inexpensive restaurant they could find, come back to their room, watch some TV, fuck like weasels, take a shower together, go to bed - where they usually ended up at least cuddling and petting each other some - and repeat. Hiro-chan made Say-chan look frigid! he thought lasciviously. His happy thoughts were interrupted by the cold blonde at his side.

“What made you smile, Ayato?” she asked, her tone no warmer than her bearing. Ayato's eyes narrowed some.

“Just remembering a good joke.” he muttered.

“Oh, really?” sniffed the blonde. “Ever hear the one about the Mulian and the Dolem?” she taunted.

“Fuck you.” he said evenly. The woman sneered at him.

“How intelligent.” she jeered at him. “A Mulian with blue blood on his hands. She must have pissed you off.”

“Let's just say she was more human than you.” rejoined Ayato smoothly. The man on his other side elbowed him. Ayato jabbed his own elbow back into the man. Petty, but she's pissing me off with that attitude. he admitted to himself.

Seeing the interplay between the two, the blonde frowned. “Boys, if you can't play nice, I'll have to separate you.” she said, her tone much like that of a girl playing with dolls. The man on Ayato's other side immediately went still.

“Yes, miss Helena.” he said meekly. Ayato smirked.

“Whatever.” he said flatly. The blonde's eyes narrowed at Ayato's tone.

“You should be more respectful, Ayato.” she warned him.

“I respect those worthy of respect.” he said simply. Besides, no one can pilot RahXephon but me, and I suspect that these people know that. Otherwise, they would have just killed me. he reasoned. “And where is this sad little procession heading, Blondie?” he asked her. It was oddly satisfying to needle this bitch.

“You have a job to do, Ayato.” said the blonde. “We are taking you there to do it.” she said.

“Back to Nirai Kanai, then.” guessed Ayato. His lips twitched into a smile. That suits me just fine. he silently purred.

“Yes. We are heading for our ship, which has your artifact on it.” said the blonde. “We will arrive at Nirai Kanai in three days.” she said. Not getting a reaction from him, the blonde's lips tightened into a grimace.

You will obey me, Mulian! she vowed. I can promise you that!

-

Quon sat up in bed. “Ra ra?” she said aloud. Beside her, the other occupant of the bed stirred. “Olin.” said the mysterious woman, a warm smile on her lips. Rubbing his eyes, the man in bed with her managed to sit up.

“Olin? You mean Ayato?” asked Jin. “What about him?” he wondered. Quon turned her smiling face toward him.

“Olin. He is coming back.” she said simply. “Quon is glad.” she added happily. Jin Kunugi, former Commander of TERRA, pushed the cobwebs from his mind as Quon slipped out of bed and made her way toward the bathroom. “Soon, Olin will sing his song.” her voice drifted back to him before he heard the shower crank up.

“So, you're heading back?” muttered Jin. Yawning, he, too, got out of his bed. Snagging his boxers, he made his way to the kitchen and started boiling some water for his coffee and Quon's tea. Well, I can't say that this was what I had in mind when I asked her to play Michie's song. he thought to himself.

Jin - with time on his hands - had asked the mysterious sister of Itsuki to come to his place and play the song that his daughter had written for him. She had only played it once before, months ago, in the cemetery where the marker for his daughter was. It had been nearly overpowering then, but last night, hearing her play it in his den, he had found himself crying.

I thought I could handle the song, but she was right about it's effect on me. he mused. I should really have known that she would know what she was talking about; she and music understand each other, after all. Looking out the large windows overlooking the enclosed bay, he saw the first faint sliver of sun just cracking the horizon. Unwillingly, he smiled as he recalled last night.

Since he and his now-ex-wife had parted, he had not had any opportunities - or desire - for any kind of relationship, let alone sex. But last night, after the song, when Quon had carefully set her violin down and pulled his face to her chest, he found himself desperate for someone to ease the pain and loneliness in his heart. Quon seemed to understand that need. “Quon will help you, Jin, so you can finish your song.” she said. He smiled. I can't say that last night was planned, but this is as good as I have felt in…well, since Michie was born. he realized.

Once Quon had told him she would help him, she had kissed him. It was the first time in years that he had felt such a surge of desire course through his body. Being around cute young women on a daily basis had given him plenty of wood, but never had he had the desire to accompany the erections. Last night, he found that he had the desire as well as the hard dick. Impatiently, he had pushed the beret off her long hair as he ran his fingers through it. The woman hadn't had any objections; or at least, she certainly didn't show any signs of objecting as she slid her tongue into his mouth.

For several minutes that seemed like hours, the two of them had kissed on his couch, but in fairly short order, Quon pulled back and smiled at him before titling her head toward his bedroom. Quick to take the hint, he had all but leapt from the couch and led her to his bedroom. As soon as they were at the foot of the bed, he felt Quon tug on his hand, which held her own. Turning to look at her, he heard her speak. “Undress me.” she directed him, holding her arms out to her sides. It occurred to him that that was a wonderful idea.

Swiftly determining how the fasteners on her `life module' worked, he unfastened it and Quon shrugged it off, the vest-like device slipping to the carpeted floor. Under it, she wore the same one-piece, thin, simple dress she usually wore. Kunugi didn't notice how his hands trembled as he tugged on the bow that held the dress up.

With the bow untied, the dress crumpled down, catching for a moment on Quon's breasts, which, Jin was surprised to discover, was larger than he had thought. Large, full and tipped with the most beautiful nipples I have ever seen. he recalled thinking at the time. His mouth immediately flooded with drool at the sight of them. Quon calmly tugged on the hem of the short skirt, the dress pooling around her ankles, leaving her naked save for a small pair of lace panties. The man who had headed up TERRA before Ayato decided to return to Tokyo with his artifact leaned forward, cupping Quon's breasts as his lips latched onto one of the semi-stiff tips.

While Kunugi paid greedy lip service to her breasts and nipples, the strange woman had begun to undress him. Being distracted as he was, it was something of a shock for him to find himself naked when Quon gently - but firmly - pushed him away from her chest. “The bed.” she suggested. Jin would have thought of that himself - had he been capable of rational thought. Picking her up, he set her on the bed before joining her there. Quon had let him take the lead.

Settling behind her, he had reached around her with his arms, on hand concentrating on her tits, the other one rubbing its way to her bare sex. Against her back, she could feel his hard member pulsing in time to his heartbeat. Easing her legs apart to allow him to explore her slick nest, she had begun to softly hum an aria. Reacting to her song, he had worked a finger into her, finding her to be slippery and getting wetter. Pumping his digit into her sex, he had soon added another, his thumb settling on her clit. Quon adjusted the pitch of her aria slightly.

Feeling his hand become soaked with her juice, Jin couldn't hold himself back any more. Twisting to lay her on her back, he had lifted her leg up and around himself so he was between her legs. With her now on her back, legs spread, he had taken his position and pushed into her in one shot, finding it surprisingly easy to enter her. Quon's aria gained a bit of volume as he began to pump into her desperately.

Far too soon, he felt his balls tighten, and a moment later, he blew his load into the woman's sex. Panting hard, he realized that he was still hard. Rolling over, he pulled Quon on top of him, the woman managing to keep him inside her passage as they switched places. Easily, Quon began to bounce on his dick, still humming. Jin managed to last longer this time, but it still felt like seconds before he came again. This time, he could feel his dick soften. Well, it's been a while since I got any, so I guess I shouldn't expect much. he rationalized to himself as Quon pulled herself off him.

To his surprise, Quon had seized his member and began to slowly, firmly, pump it with her hand, the mixed cum making her task both easy, and pleasurable. “I don't think I'll be…” he began, feeling oddly embarrassed, but trailed off as he felt signs of renewed hardness in his member. Quon paused her soft, steady humming.

“Quon disagrees.” she said simply, resuming her aria. Kunugi couldn't argue her point, since his dick was steadily recovering. Minutes passed. Jin rose to the challenge once more. Well, I think this will likely be the last for tonight, so I should go for broke. he reasoned, pulling her hand away from his dick.

Sitting back, Quon waited for him to indicate his desire. When his hands landed on her hips and guided them through a turn, she guessed what he wanted and settled on her hands and knees. Sure enough, Jin moved behind her and a moment later, he was buried in her passage again. Feeling another orgasm build inside herself, Quon increased the aria's depth and power. Jin should find himself after this. thought the woman, satisfied. Together, the two climaxed. Almost immediately afterward, Jin Kunugi fell asleep; a deep, restorative sleep. Beside him, Quon got comfortable and joined him in sleep.

“Jin?” came the woman's voice, interrupting his reverie. “How are you this morning?” she asked, toweling off her hair, still naked from the shower.

“Uh, fine, Quon.” he managed. Morning-after small talk is always so awkward! he mentally bemoaned. “How about you, Quon?” he asked her honestly.

“Quon is happy that Olin is returning to us.” said the woman easily. Jin felt an instant of jealously at her remark.

“I see.” he managed. Quon stepped to his side and hugged him.

“Don't be.” she said. “Jin does not need Quon any more. Does he?” she challenged him. Jin considered that.

“I…you're right, Quon.” he admitted. I mean, I loved it and it was great, but…maybe once was enough. he reflected. His dick twitched, but he knew that it was only idle interest and not lust; and most certainly not love. No, I know for a fact that last night was not about love. Maybe need, maybe closeness - but not love. “So…?” he started.

“Jin. Olin. Each have a purpose.” said the woman, turning toward the bedroom. “Dress me.” she requested. Closure is always difficult for humans. thought the woman, standing by the foot of the bed, where her clothes still lay from the night before.

“Yes, ma'am.” smiled Jin. For some reason, he felt unreasonably good right then.

-

The `ship' that the Bahbem people had was closer to a flat-top cruiser than a ship, reflected Ayato as he lay on the bunk in the quarters he was currently locked in. RahXephon was - once more - kneeling on the deck, chained down. I seem to spend a lot of time locked in small, steel rooms lately, he thought to himself, grinning mirthlessly to himself. First on the Litvyak, and now on this barge. That thought brought to mind Haruka. “Wish she was here.” he muttered aloud.

“Oh? And which `she' are you wishing for?” came a voice from the door. Turning his head slightly, he saw it was, as expected, the frigid blonde. “That Mulian girl you killed, maybe?” she suggested snidely.

“No.” said Ayato, disinterested. Hearing the door closed, he assumed the blonde had left. His assumption was proven wrong as he heard her shoes on the decking. Ayato turned his head fully to look at her. “You got a problem?” he asked her coldly.

“No, but you do.” she said, engaging the dogs on the door, effectively locking them in and everyone else out.

“Not from where I lay.” said the young man, his attention going back to the featureless ceiling.

“You're a Mulian agent, Kamina.” said the blonde, stopping next to his bed. “All it would take is for me to report that to the UN military, and you would be sent to an interrogation center.” she noted.

“They could try.” muttered Ayato. As long as RahXephon is there, I go only where I want to go. he thought truculently. And right now, I want to see Haru-chan and Megu-chan, which means Nirai Kanai.

Helena's jaw tightened. Arrogant Mulian cur! she silently snarled. “Maybe you were talking about the Shitow woman.” she suggested. Ayato's eyebrow twitched, giving the blonde a hint about her guess. “Haruka, wasn't it?” she continued innocently. “Yes, she tried to get you back when you first went back to Tokyo.”

Ayato's eyes slid to the woman's eyes. Helena smirked at him. “You didn't know that?” she mocked him. “She managed to get in, and back out, but she exceeded her orders, and the new commander suspended her.” Helena baited him. Ayato's eyes narrowed at that news. “You didn't know about that, either, then?” her tone reflected her disdain for him.

“No.” was all Ayato said.

“Well, she spent a month on suspension, but she's back on duty now, so you can see her when you are brought to the Commander for sentencing.” said the Bahbem woman. “Assuming of course, that she isn't entertaining the Commander.” suggested the woman. “That was part of her re-instatement, you know.”

Ayato felt a slow, burning rage building in him. Haru wouldn't! he told himself. Not her! She promised to be on my side…! A thought occurred to him. What if she felt that the best thing for her to do in order to help me was to get in the good graces of this new commander? Would she sleep with him to protect me? To his dismay, he found that he thought she might, given certain circumstances. Helena was good at reading people, and she liked what she saw on his face.

“Oh, she spends a lot of time in his office - he must have his way with her daily. Maybe even several times daily.” she noted. “Matter of fact, the rumors have gotten so wide-spread that everyone calls her `the Commander's whore' behind her back.” she shared. Ayato's lips tightened.

“How nice for her.” he managed. Haru-chan, don't let this be true! Please, Haru! he silently begged. “So, who is the new commander of TERRA, anyway?” he asked, diverting the topic.

“You've already met him, Ayato. Isshiki Mokoto took over when Kunugi was relieved of command in the wake of your defection; or was it merely a return to your home?” she insinuated, trialing her nails over his arm.

“Isshiki.” muttered Ayato darkly. He and the albino had issues, to say the least. The thought of him having Haruka made his blood boil. The nagging doubt in his heart about the truth of her claims prevented him from exploding though, much to Helena's frustration. “The White Snake.” he muttered, remembering something he had overheard Haruka call him. Would she sleep with someone she hates for me? he wondered. “Fuck him.” Ayato grated out softly.

“Oh, Haruka Shitow does, have no doubt.” purred the blonde. “He plans to hand you over to the UN, you know. As a Mulian agent, you'd be imprisoned, interrogated, and then, eventually, executed.” she noted. Ayato made no reply, being busy thinking of other matters. Not getting a reaction, she pressed her point. “Just because you pilot that artifact doesn't mean we need you, Ayato. We have developed new weapons that surpass the fighting ability of the Artifact. In fact, our first Vermillion squadron is nearly ready for deployment.” the woman explained.

“Sounds…colorful.” replied the distracted Ayato. Helena traced his arm with her fingers.

“It just so happens, Ayato, that I have some say in how you are handled.” she pointed out, her hand moving to his chest. “Be a good boy, and I can make sure you aren't turned over to the UN.” she suggested. Her fingers brushed over his groin. Ayato frowned.

“No, thanks.” he said. “I'll take my chances.” added the young man offhandedly. Helena bared her teeth at him.

“What? Can't get it up?” she spat at him. “Scared of a human woman?” she taunted. Ayato turned a contemptuous look on her.

“In your case, a crane couldn't get it up, Blondie!” he threw back at her. A resounding smack! sounded in the cabin as Helena's hand found his cheek.

“You little shit!” she snarled. “You better realize your situation before you find yourself at the end of a rope - one with a noose in it!” she threatened him, spinning on her heel and nearly stomping to the door.

“I'll think about it.” he called after her mockingly. Feeling an odd sensation through the stinging, he wiped the corner of his lip, finding that he was bleeding from where her slap had cut his lip against his teeth. All his previous thoughts were derailed by the sight of his blood on his finger; his red blood.

-

Souichi followed his lover out of the main passage of the command level of TERRA and onto the deserted balcony. Kim made sure to close the door behind them before turning to the young Major. “So, what did you want to talk about, Kim?” asked Souichi, smiling at her. Kim took a breath.

“This.” she said simply, holding out a small box. Souichi blinked.

“Is that…?” he started. Kim nodded.

“Yes.” she said evenly. Souichi sucked in a breath.

“Is that `yes' a `yes'?” he asked, his voice strained and heart beating like a trip hammer. Kim sighed.

“We'll come back to that in a minute.” she evaded answering. “There is another matter to discuss.” she said seriously. Souichi swallowed with some difficulty.

“And that is?” he asked her. She silently handed him a small item from her uniform pocket. It was enclosed in a thin, clear plastic cover, allowing one to see the item through the protective cover. For a few moments, Souichi blinked at the small wand, trying to figure out what it was and what it meant. When it hit him, he physically staggered; Kim even grabbed his arm to steady him, worried that he might fall over.

“You…this is….pregnant?!” he gasped. Kim nodded, trying to assess his reaction.

“Yeah.” she said. Well, his reaction so far is either really good, or really bad. she thought. Souichi was nearly hyperventilating, the hand that held the pregnancy test trembling. His other hand managed to find her hand on his arm and squeezed it.

“I…I'm gonna be a dad!” he exclaimed to her. Kim couldn't help but snort to herself.

“I kind of figured that part out before you did, Souichi.” she pointed out wryly. “But, hey, thanks for the news flash!” she added, trying for some humor. Major Yagumo was not really listening to her, though.

“How far along are you?!” he asked her eagerly, his hand absently touching her belly. “Can I feel anything yet?” he wondered. Kim sighed.

“I'm only a couple of months along, Souichi.” she explained patiently, seeing the expression on his face. “It will be a while before you can feel anything.” Although, I think I am beginning to feel things. she silently added. “Souichi, about what I was saying…” she tried to pull the conversation back to the small box. I really hate to tell him that he's not the father, since he seems so happy about being a father, but if I don't, it could cost all three of us down the road. she unhappily realized.

Her unhappy thoughts were sidetracked by the young Major tugging on her hand, turning her to face him. Fumbling around in his pocket, he managed to successfully retrieve the small box before he knelt in front of the startled operator. “Kim Hotal, will you honor me by becoming my wife?” he asked her, extending the ring.

“Souichi, I don't think you realize…” she tried again. He interrupted her gently.

“No, Kim, I think I do realize what I am saying. I want to marry you, Kim.” he said, his tone far more serious than she had ever heard. “If you'll have me, that is.” he added after a momentary pause. Hearing the worry in his tone, Kim mentally shrugged.

“Yes, Souichi.” she said, plucking the ring from the small box and sliding it on her left finger. “I will marry you.” Souichi let out a relieved breath.

“Thank you.” he breathed softly.

Kim giggled. “You're welcome.” she replied easily. Souichi rose from his knees and hugged her. With his lips next to her ear, he clarified his earlier thought.

“I meant, `thank you, Kami-sama!'” he whispered in her ear. Kim blinked before lightly slapping his side.

“That's not nice, Souichi!” she said reproachfully. “After all, it's not Kami-sama that's going to be your wife.” she purred, her hand suddenly groping his groin. At his flinch of surprise, she smiled before leaning into him for a kiss.

Behind the two, neither noticed the door slowly close. Megumi closed the door before running down the hall. Earlier, she had seen Souichi go on break, and since her own break was in mere minutes, she had impatiently waited them out before giving chase. She managed to find him just as he headed out of the bathroom. She had opened her mouth to call to him, but before she could speak, she heard Kim call him.

Not wanting to be found stalking him, she had swiftly ducked into the women's bathroom. Since I'm here, I might as well make sure I look good. she thought, stepping in front of the mirror. Straightening her skirt, smoothing her jacket and running her fingers through her casual hair style, she decreed herself ready. Peeking out, she found her prey gone. Frowning, she dashed down to the intersection of the passageway, looking both directions for her prey.

A flash of white caught her eye at the far end of the passage that lead to the smoker's balcony. Since no one on their shift smoked, it was sure to be deserted. Perfect! thought the teen, smiling as she swiftly, but silently, jogged down the hall. Ahead of her, she heard the door close, but before that, she thought that she heard Kim's voice. Frowning slightly, she wondered what the operator would be doing on the balcony with the Major. Slowly, she approached the door and put her ear against it.

Not hearing anything, she slowly eased the latch down and edged the door open. Fleetingly, she had this third-person view of herself sneaking a peek, dressed like Haru had been on her first mission to Tokyo. I guess I am like Haru, after all. she thought. When the door was open a crack, she listened, and when she didn't hear any voiced close to the door, she slowly edged it open wider, peeking around the edge as she tried to find the two.

When she did, she saw Souichi on his knees, holding out a ring to Kim. If her hand hadn't of been over her mouth, the gasp she made would have been heard by the two. Instead, she got to see and hear Kim accept his proposal. When the two kissed, she had seen enough. Easing the door closed, she sprinted for the bathroom once more. Slamming the door open, she lurched into a stall and closed the door, her hand instinctively locking it before she collapsed on the toilet, her face in her hands.

All this time…! Kim! Of all the girls around him, why Kim?! she silently railed, feeling tears in her eyes. As if losing to Haru isn't bad enough, now Kim is beating me out! she silently sobbed. What is wrong with me?! she castigated herself silently. Why do I always come in second to the other girls?! In silence, the young girl cried.

Her grief was interrupted by the sound of the main door to the bathroom opening. The sound of footsteps marked the progress of the arriving woman as she made her way to the stall next to Megu's recluse. A few moments passed, and Megu heard the stall door next to her own close and lock, followed by the soft rustle of a TERRA uniform.

With her crying jag forgotten for the moment, Megumi wondered who was next door. Silently wiping her tear-stained face, she tried to sniff back her remaining tears as quietly as she could. Apparently, it wasn't quiet enough. “Hello?” came the voice from the next stall. “Megu?” guessed the other woman.

“Um, yeah, Kim,” called back Megumi as steadily as she could, “it's me.” she covertly wiped her face with some tissue.

“You don't sound so good, Megu.” frowned Kim. “Are you feeling ok?” she asked, concerned.

How could she ask me that?! snarled Megu in silence. “Actually, I'm not feeling so good.” muttered Megu.

“Are you coming down with something?” asked Kim, the concern in her voice easily heard by Megumi; and just as obviously genuine. “Maybe we should go see the dispensary.” she suggested/ordered.

“I…I'm sure it's just something I had for breakfast not sitting right.” Megumi hastily assured her older friend.

“Are you sure? If you're coming down with something, it's best to catch it early.” she pointed out.

“Really, it's just some bad food.” Megumi repeated. “I'll be ok with a little rest.” she assured the other woman.

“Well, if you're sure, go ahead and head on home; I'll tell Major Yagumo and let him tell the White Snake so you don't have to deal with him at all. Ok?” she replied.

“Sure, Kim.” Megumi weakly replied. Of course you're going to tell Yagumo! You just agreed to marry him, tramp! she thought venomously. But for all her venom, she just didn't have the emotional energy to sustain her hate. Swiftly rising, she stepped out of her stall, flushing the toilet as she did so, and paused to wash her face in ice-cold water. Feeling better, she swiftly exited before Kim could finish up.

Riding the monorail home, she looked at her reflection. She hadn't even paused to change out of her uniform. Looking at herself in her TERRA uniform in the tempered safety glass of the rail car, she wondered what the other girls had that she didn't. Well, aside from height, hips and breasts, they are no better than me! she thought, a touch resentfully. Turning a little from side to side, she looked at herself more closely. Ok, I know I'm not flat - I have some chest, and you can even see it while I'm in uniform! And if you look close, you can see my waist and hips even when wearing this stupid uniform skirt! That thought brought a tangent thought. Who designed this skirt and jacket?! Whoever it was, it wasn't a woman! she sniffed disdainfully. She was sure that no woman would make a skirt and jacket that was so unflattering on a developing teenage girl.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a partial reflection in the glass. For just a split second, she saw Haruka in her TERRA uniform, instead of herself. Turning her eyes to look at it fully destroyed the déjà vu image. Unbidden, Kim's words from Christmas came back to her. She sees Haru's aura when she looks at me, huh? Well, Kim, maybe I just saw it. she thought thoughtfully. Maybe it isn't as bad as I thought it was, to have Haruka's shadow fall on me. she mused.

Her cell phone - tucked into her jacket pocket and set to vibrate instead of ring - buzzed, breaking her thoughts off. Pulling it out, she saw that it was Haruka calling. “Yeah, Haru?” she asked, connecting the call.

“Are you all right, Megu-chan?” came the immediate reply from Haruka. “Kim said you were feeling sick and went home early. Do you need me to come home, too? Or maybe bring you something for it?” she asked. Megumi was suddenly carried back through the years of her memories. Haru's always been there to take care of me when I needed her most. realized the younger sister, somewhat guiltily. We're only half-sisters, but she never treated me as anything other than a full sister. For some reason, that made her feel a lot better.

“I'll be ok.” she assured her older sister. “I just started to feel bad, that's all.”

“Maybe you should go by the doctor, just in case.” suggested Haruka.

“I'll be fine, Haru!” insisted the girl. Silence followed this outburst. Moments went by. “Haru? You there?” she wondered.

“Yeah, I'm here, Megu.” came the thoughtful voice of her sister. “We'll talk when I get home tonight, Megu.” she said. Over the phone, Megumi heard the PA page her sister to the Commander's office. “Look, I have to run, ok? See you tonight, Megu-chan.” said Haruka.

“I heard, Haru.” said Megumi. “Watch out for pale serpents.” she said obliquely.

“Always do, sis!” assured Haruka before she ended the call. Smiling, Megumi tucked her phone back into her blouse's pocket. By the time that she climbed the last flight of steps to her house, she was humming a tune.

-

Ayato hated to be interrupted, but it happened twice a day. Since he had boarded the ship, he had remained locked in his cabin, isolated, except for the twice-daily visits of Helena. She usually brought his food with her, as well as her attitude, but he found it useful in judging time. Today is the last day before Nirai Kanai. And that means, by tomorrow evening, I should be able to see them again. he thought.

His musing was cut short by the door opening and Helena entering. Glancing at her, he noticed that she wasn't carrying his tray of unidentifiable food-substitute. Not that it matters; my appetite is always ruined by her, anyway. he thought, his lips twisting briefly. Ignoring her, he resumed his attempt to warp steel by staring at it.

Helena wasn't ready to give up yet. Locking the door behind herself as always, she looked at Ayato, once more ignoring her. How dare he treat me like some low-class D like Itsuki or Isshiki! she seethed. All her life, she had known she was better than everyone else. And now, this Mulian dares to ignore me! Helena tried to ignore the memory of the Foundation chairman doting on the `new' Helena.

“Tomorrow, we reach Nirai Kanai.” said the short-haired blond. “Once we get there, I won't be able to help you, Ayato.”

“I seem to recall telling you to fuck off, Blondie.” replied Ayato. “Yes, I'm pretty sure it was this morning. And yesterday evening. And yesterday morning. And every time you have came in here.” he said mockingly. Helena bared her teeth.

“You will obey me, Mulian!” she snarled, striding over to his bunk and grabbing Ayato's shirt. Ayato ignored her as best he could as she pulled him up from his bunk by his shirt. Helena grabbed his head with one hand and turned his face to her own before roughly kissing him. As usual, he didn't bother to even attempt to respond to that. Sensing that he wasn't even going to react, Helena shoved him back onto his bunk.

“Too scared to get it up?” she taunted him, swiftly stripping off her blouse and skirt, revealing a strapless push-up bra, garter belted stockings and thong panties. Her hand landed on his crotch. “Or are you just an impotent Mulian bitch?” she purred suggestively.

“Hardly.” he said indifferently. “It's just that you do nothing for me.” Seeing the annoyance and anger in her eyes, he smiled inwardly. Yeah, you're about as arousing as Torigai in whipped cream! He shuddered at that image. Now, if you were Haru, Megu, Kim or Say-chan… he broke that thought off, realizing that thinking of them right now only reminded him that Hiro-chan was gone for good.

His mourning was interrupted by Helena roughly working on his pants. His eyes narrowed. Ok, bitch! Enough is enough!! he thought angrily. Lunging up, he grabbed her arm and twisted it around behind her as he pulled her onto his bunk. Ignoring her screech of surprise, he pushed his free hand down to her scantily-covered mound and began to rub as he hummed the first note of his aria.

“What are you….doing…?” gasped Helena, feeling a sudden, cripplingly-intense orgasm explode outward from her pussy. Ayato's eyes went from blue to red as he mercilessly increased the dynamic range of his aria even as he ripped her panties off and pushed a finger into her now-soaked sex. His own member was still soft and resting - after all, he had less than no interest in this bitchy blonde whore, other than teaching her a lesson about manners. He slipped another finger into her as she thrashed weakly, a second overpowering orgasm ripping through her.

“You shouldn't be such a bitch.” he muttered as he drew breath to continue his aria. “It makes people dislike you.” he whispered into her ear as his aria renewed itself, stronger and deeper than before. A third finger slipped into her as she trembled from her third orgasm in as many minutes. Her pale skin was slick with sweat, and drool ran from the corner of her slack mouth. The woman was panting as if she was trying to carry a mountain on her back.

Ayato worked three fingers in her, finding her to be less than tight. How loose is she? he wondered idly, adding a forth finger. I've never felt a woman this loose before! She must keep a beer can in there! He drew in another breath. “Helena? Still with me?” he asked her. She weakly rolled her head toward him, but her eyes were unfocused. “I see.” he murmured, resuming his aria as he pumped four fingers into her.

Feeling her near her fifth orgasm, he experimentally pushed his thumb against his fingers, forming a cone. Pushing against her entrance, he found that there was little resistance. Is she that loose?! he wondered, shocked, even as his aria gained a bit more strength. With less effort that he could believe, he pushed his entire hand into her dripping sex, generating a wet, sloppy squish as he did so. Helena nearly went into convulsions as a fifth orgasm choked her into unconsciousness.

Ayato's aria fell silent nearly a minute after Helena slumped - unconscious - against him. “Well, I certainly will never think any of the girls are loose ever again after this.” he muttered in awe, looking at his wrist sticking out of her pussy lips. “What the hell does she do?” he wondered. Up on deck, RahXephon's second set of eyes drifted closed again. Down below, in his cabin, Ayato grunted softly as he pulled his hand free of Helena's weak grip. Grimacing at the shiny coating of her cum on his hand and forearm, he fished around for her blouse. Finding it, he wiped his arm clean before tossing it back onto the floor.

“Now what?” he muttered aloud. With Helena out of it for the rest of the trip, he was left with peace. But the tension that had been building up in him since he met her was still there, and he felt an irrational need to get even with her. What can I do to pay her back for all that harassment? he wondered. Slowly, a smile spread across his face.

-

“Megu?” came Haruka's voice as the teen's bedroom door slid open. It was well past midnight, and Haruka was just now getting home from her duties at TERRA. Not that Megumi was asleep. She had eaten some dinner, watched some TV, gone for a walk along the edge of the narrow road at the top of the cliffs, then come home, soaked in the tub, and gotten ready for bed. The entire time, she had been thinking.

“Welcome home, Haru.” said the younger of the sisters. She was laying on top of her sheets on her bed, looking out her window at the stars. Naked save for her panties, she had her arms folded under her pillow, which was propping her head up comfortably. Haruka felt the cool night breeze from the open ocean flowing through the room, and was reminded of her own grimy condition. She had been working for more than eighteen hours in her uniform, and it was feeling pretty rank to her.

Unbuttoning her jacket, she tossed it through her doorway, starting on her blouse. “How are you feeling, Megu?” she asked her younger sister, wrinkling her nose as she pulled her blouse off. Leaning back into the hallway, she tossed it toward the hamper next to the bathroom. Definitely time for some fresh clothes, she thought, swiftly throwing the skirt after it. Reaching behind herself, she unhooked her bra, one-handing it in the direction of the dirty clothes hamper as she used her other hand to begin working her pantyhose off.

“I told you, I'm feeling ok.” said Megu softly, causing Haruka to flinch as the younger Shitow - having silently rolled off her bed and crossed the narrow space to her where her sister worked on getting her dirty uniform off - helped Haruka peel off her panty hose. Grabbing Megu's shoulder to steady herself, Haruka kicked the next-to-last bit of her clothes off, sending the probably torn pantyhose somewhere down the hall. Megumi held still and silent while Haruka steadied herself with her shoulder.

Now dressed identically as Megumi, Haruka sighed in contentment as the same cool, slightly damp night breeze washed over her skin. “Ah! That's better.” she murmured. Megumi nodded.

“Yeah. Good breeze tonight.” she said, turning back toward her bed. Haruka stepped back into her kid sister's room. Seeing Megumi crawl back onto her bed and resume her position, Haruka opted to sit on the side of Megu's bed.

“So, what was going on earlier today?” she asked her younger half-sister. Haruka never thought of her as a half-sister, though. To the older Shitow, Megumi was a full sister - and the last of her immediate blood relatives. Professor Rikudoh was an uncle by marriage only, though both the sisters cared for the old relative greatly. After all, he had welcomed them when they had no other place to go, and had treated them as if they were his own daughters, and not a step-niece and her half-sister.

“Kim's getting married.” said Megu, her tone listless. Haruka exhaled softly.

“I know.” said the older sister. And if Megu knows Kim's getting married, then she must have learned who to. she reasoned.

“You knew?” challenged Megumi, as if she had expected Haruka to know. “Of course you knew; you're Haru.” she accused, stressing the last word. “Miss perfect Captain Shitow.” she muttered. Haruka swallowed nervously.

“Megumi, I'm not perfect.” she said softly. “And I have never claimed to be.” she reminded her younger sister. If I were perfect, Ayato and I would be married and probably have kids by now. she thought morosely. Megu interrupted her introspective moment.

“Your perfect enough to get men.” whispered Megumi. Caught off guard, Haruka blinked.

“What are you talking about, Megu?” she asked, confused. “Is this about Kim and Souichi?” she wondered. Megumi rolled over to face her.

“No! Well, yes, but not just them!” she snapped. “Why is it that you and Kim can get the men you want, but no one wants me?” she asked tightly. “I know I'm short! And I have smaller tits than you! And I don't have your hips! But does that mean that I can't win against you?!” she railed. Haruka listened to Megumi vent.

“I know you had a crush on Yagumo, Megu, but one man hardly makes it a trend, you know, sis?” she said, putting her hand on Megumi's bare shoulder. Megumi snorted.

“Easy for you to say!” she shot back. “You got the man you wanted!” Haruka frowned.

“What are you talking about, Megu?” she asked again. “If you're saying I have any interest in the White Snake, I'll tan your ass!” Megumi blinked at her tone and words both.

“Eww! Not that freak, Haru!” she exclaimed. “I'm talking about Itsuki! You know, the guy from University? The one that still pines for you?” she hinted. Haruka was silent. “Haru? Hello?” prompted Megumi several heartbeats later.

“Itsuki was a mistake, Megu.” said Haruka softly. “And just so you know, I didn't get the man I wanted.” she admitted. It was the first time that she had admitted that to her sister. Megumi went from upset to confused in one sentence.

“What do you mean, he was a mistake? And who was it you wanted?” she wondered, sitting up beside Haru.

“When I was your age, I had a boy I really, really liked.” said Haru softly. “Something happened. I was separated from that boy. Time passed, and I ran into Itsuki in college. I didn't love him; or rather, I didn't love him like I loved the boy from my youth.” Pausing, Haruka steeled herself before continuing. “Even though I hadn't seen the other boy in nearly a decade, and I knew I might never get back to him, he was still my boyfriend. I loved him, Megu. But in spite of that love, I ended up sleeping with Itsuki.” Megumi listened, shocked. “I knew, deep down, that it was just sex. But still, I gave him something that I should have given to A…to man I love. Now, Itsuki thinks that there is a relationship to revive, while I have to look my mistake in the face every time I see him.” said the older sister. “Still think I'm so perfect?” she asked rhetorically.

Megumi was frowning. “I…think I kind of recall a guy you went to school with; sort of, anyway. I think he…might have liked me.” Haruka slowly nodded.

“You were really young, Megumi, but you did meet him a few times. And you are right: he did think you were a nice, cute kid sister.” she gave a rough laugh. “Guess he didn't know you too well, hmm?” she tried for a joke. Megumi was going off on a tangent, though.

“So, you really wouldn't sleep with the freak.” she murmured to herself. For some reason, the confirmation of her sister's claim that she hadn't slept her way back into her position reassured her. Haruka gaped at her younger sister's unintentional admittance.

“You didn't believe me?” she asked, her tone shocked. Megumi shrugged.

“Yeah, I believed you, Haru, but still…all those rumors, the fast re-instatement, your constantly being called to his office for long, secluded briefings…it's just so suspicious.” she explained. Haruka bristled slightly.

“So of course I'm letting that arrogant asshole bend me over his desk!” she finished sarcastically. “Ensign Mishimia is there, too! Is he doing her as well?!” she griped. Megumi shrugged.

“Don't know. The rumors are only about you, sis. Besides, Mishima is not my sister, now is she?” she pointed out. Haruka had to smile at that backhanded admittance of Megumi's fondness for her big sister.

“No, she's not.” said Haruka, squeezing Megumi's shoulder fondly. “She's not that lucky.” she added warmly. Megumi gave a snort of laughter.

“So, how did you get over your lost love?” she asked her sister. Haruka stilled at that question.

“I…didn't.” she said softly, sighing. “I still love him, Megu.” she admitted. “Always have - always will.” she whispered. Megumi blinked at her tone and words before slowly, cautiously hugging her sister. It was an odd reversal of the roles they had become comfortable with. Haruka slowly hugged her sister to herself, glad for the warmth, contact and closeness. Maybe I did a better job with Megumi than I had thought. she dared to hope. Of course, anything short of total failure could reasonably be considered `good'. she admitted.

In silence, the two sisters gradually lay back on Megumi's bed, still holding each other firmly. Nearly an hour passed before either spoke. When the silence was broken, it was by Haruka. “I went ahead and made arrangements for us to have tomorrow off.” she said softly. “Just in case you really were sick or something.” she explained.

“I'm not, but thanks, sis.” said Megumi softly. It feels good to lay here like this. she thought idly. How long has it been since Haru and I slept together? Five years? she wondered. “Oh, I meant to ask you, who's the lucky guy you still love after all this time?” she asked here nearly-asleep sister.

“Hmm?” Haruka inarticulately replied, her mind mostly asleep. “Oh, it's Ayato.” she slurred. Megumi quirked an eyebrow.

“What a coincidence that he has the same name as Kamina.” she said, yawning.

“Same guy.” breathed Haruka through her sympathetic yawn. “Time lag.” she finished, falling asleep, clutching her sister. Megumi's eyes widened in shock.

Ayato?!

-

Ayato Kamina felt the ship slow, and about an hour later, he could hear it mooring to a dock. Rising from his bunk, he stretched his arm, glancing at Helena, still unconscious on the floor of the cabin. “Maybe I over did it.” he muttered, seeing her feebly stir when he nudged her with his shoe. “Oh well.” he dismissed the woman from his mind. Soon, I'll see Haru and Megu and Kim and Say-chan. he thought happily. Ayato really wanted to talk to Haru about what had happened with Hiro-chan and see if she could help him sort out what might have caused the change in his and her blood.

Hearing the latches on the other side of the door disengage, he stepped in front of it and waited. Sure enough, two of the suited men with the strange emblem of the Bahbem Foundation opened the door. Seeing a naked Helena laying on the floor of the cabin, they opened their mouths, but then seemed to reconsider it. “Kamina, you are to come with us.” said one man.

“Sure.” said the young man, a slight smile on his face.

“What about Helena?” whispered the second man to the first.

“Oh, she's just…tired.” replied Ayato helpfully. “She really exerted herself last night.” he hinted crudely, winking at the two men as he flashed a thumbs-up. The two men traded looks, but didn't comment. Ayato followed them, leaving the naked woman in the cabin, reeking of sex and without a stitch of clothes to be found.

Moving topside, he saw RahXephon being prepared to be winched off the deck of the ship. “You know, I could fly that off for you.” he suggested loudly to the men working on the rigging. He was pointedly ignored, which made him feel the delicious sensation of malicious glee. “Geez, I don't feel very appreciated around here.” he said to the two men bracketing him, his tone friendly and innocent.

“Keep quiet and keep moving, Mulian.” grunted the lead agent.

“Mulian? Where?” he challenged, a faint sneer in his tone and on his lips. Neither man reacted beyond an additional stiffness to their posture. It occurred to Ayato just then that he was acting a lot like Asahina used to act. His sneer turned to a small, fond smile. I guess this would be a case of `gone, but not forgotten'. he mused to himself.

Looking beyond the ship's railing, he saw TERRA headquarters rising majestically into the sky. He unconsciously quickened his step. The two men lead him to the gangplank, at the foot of which stood four TERRA guards. As they descended the access way, two of the guards stepped forward, blocking the agent's progress. “We'll take the prisoner from here.” said the guard.

“You will not. We have custody of him.” said the agent. The other two guards turned toward the two agents, backing up their first two buddies.

“Commander's orders.” said the guard tightly. The lead agent pulled a cell phone from his pocket, hitting a speed dial number. After a moment, he obviously reached the party he needed, as he whispered into the phone for a few moments, then handed the phone to the guard.

“You have new orders now, soldier.” said the agent. The guard hesitantly took the phone and put it to his ear. No sooner had he ventured a `hello?' than he snapped to attention and started with the `yes, sir!' routine. Barely a minute later, he handed the phone back to the agent, who slipped it back into his pocket. The guard saluted the agent.

“Go right ahead, sir. Sorry to inconvenience you.” he said. The agent moved past him.

“I'm sure you are.” said the man coldly. Ayato followed the man, wondering who could pull the Commander's chain like that. These Bahbem guys must own a few UN high officials or officers, it would seem. he decided. Still more to talk to Haru about. he made the mental note. Beyond the dock, there was a sedan waiting, and before Ayato knew it, he was riding the elevator to the command deck of TERRA.

When the elevator doors opened, he found himself looking at the bridge operators. Catching Kim looking at him, he gave her a warm, reassuring smile and wink. The two men at the other stations were gaping at him. Glancing at the command station, he saw that Major Yagumo was there instead of that Isshiki guy. “Yagumo. Long time, no see!” he said warmly to the Major.

The look on the other man's face nearly made him laugh. In fact, the only reason that he didn't laugh was because he was busy looking for the two women he most wanted to see. I don't see Megu or Haru. Are they just off, or did that Isshiki fuck transfer them somewhere? he wondered, feeling a stab of worry in his heart.

“Mister Kamina.” managed Yagumo. “The commander is waiting for you.” he said, his tone professionally tight. “If you will come this way?” he suggested, motioning to the side door to the Commander's office. The two agents started to follow him. “That's ok, but I will take it from here.” said the Major.

“We have orders, sir.” said the man. Ayato turned to look at them.

“Order from who? Blondie?” he suggested. “Don't you think you should do something about her…condition, rather than stand around here all day? She strikes me as the humorless kind.” he hinted heavily. The two men paled at his words.

“Blondie?” wondered Yagumo, pursing his lips. “You mean miss Helena?” he asked Ayato. Ayato nodded.

“Yes. We took a cruise together.” he said, his smile brittle and hard. “She was sleeping it off last I saw.” he said, eyes narrowed to slits. Yagumo swallowed hard as he turned to the two agents.

“You should go check on her, gentlemen. Miss Helena is not the sort you want mad at you. I will take Kamina to see the Commander.” he assured them. The two swiftly turned for the exit.

“Give Blondie my regards, will you guys?” Ayato called after them. They didn't respond. Once the elevator was closed behind them, he turned back to Yagumo. “So, where…?” he began.

“This way, mister Kamina.” said the Major forcefully, interrupting Ayato. Ayato slowly nodded.

“Sure.” he said, following the shorter man to the second door. Once the two were in the passageway leading to the commander's office, Yagumo turned to Ayato and leaned close to him.

“Ayato, you're in serious trouble, you know that?” he whispered urgently to the younger man. Ayato shook his head.

“No, actually not, Yagumo.” he said. “Where's Haru? And Megu, too?” he asked the man. Yagumo glanced around.

“On personal leave; for today, anyway.” he said. “Megumi apparently ate something that didn't agree with her yesterday, and Haruka took the day off for them both. Listen, Isshiki is…” he began urgently.

“I heard about it on the way here.” said the young man. Sensing that Ayato was done with that topic, Yagumo gave him a long, steady look.

“You've changed, Ayato.” he said quietly. “Did going back…help?” he asked, pausing as he tried to find the right words. Ayato considered that question.

“Yes and no.” he said, reaching under his shirt and pulling out the blue-blood stained diary of Hiroko. Thoughtfully rubbing the cover, he considered the results of his return to Tokyo Jupiter. Yagumo saw the bloodstains. “It gave me a new perspective, if nothing else.” murmured the young man, hiding the diary again.

“I can see that.” breathed the Major. Ayato tossed his head.

“The office was this way, wasn't it?” he suggested, heading toward the office. Yagumo fell into step with him. When the two entered the office, they found the White Snake sitting behind the Commander's desk, his dark glasses on, and a smirk on his face. Beside him was a familiar woman. Ayato froze. That's…! he thought, unable to speak.

“Mister Kamina.” sneered the new commander. “How was your trip home, traitor?” he asked spitefully. “You realize, you can be executed for being a Mulian spy.” he noted. Maybe I can use him to leverage the Shitow woman into my bed. mused the commander.

“Sir, Kamina is the only one who can pilot the RahXephon.” pointed out Yagumo. The other man glared at the young Major.

“We have no need of RahXephon, Major. The Vermillion fighters are far more capable than that Mulian artifact.” he said before glancing at the woman. “Isn't that right, Ensign Mishima?”

“So it would seem.” said the woman calmly. “I am Haruka Mishima. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ayato Kamina.” she said, smiling at him.

“Likewise.” replied Ayato woodenly. Haruka Mishima? But, she's… he was finding it hard to think right then.

“So, what should we do with you, then?” wondered the White Snake.

“I do not believe that it is necessary to do anything with him, sir.” said the Ensign. “He is no threat to you, and the current plan requires your firm guidance.” The commander nodded as the young woman in the TERRA uniform spoke. “You should just dismiss him from piloting duty and concentrate on the project, sir.” said the woman.

“An excellent idea, Haruka.” agreed the albino. “Have the artifact placed in its housing area and have this Mulian agent removed from TERRA's piloting roster.” he directed. The young woman answered immediately.

“Already done, sir.” she said. “I will show have the latest timetable brought to you for review, sir.” said the woman. “Major, please have Ayato escorted out of headquarters.” she said. He saluted smartly.

“Yes, sir.” he said, facing the commander. Turning, he tugged Ayato with him, the ensign following them. Outside the office, Yagumo turned to the ensign. “Thanks for your help, Mishima.” he said softly. She turned to look at him, her face a mask.

“I am only fulfilling my purpose.” she said before moving off. Once she was gone, Ayato felt his mind clear. Turning to look at the shorter Major, he opened his mouth to speak, but Yagumo beat him to it.

“I'll have Kim show you out, Ayato.” said the officer. “I'm sure you want to go check on Haruka and Megumi, right?” he hinted. Ayato nodded.

“Yes. And thanks, Yagumo.” he said. The Major smiled at him.

“Glad to have you back, Ayato.” he said quietly, lightly slapping Ayato's back.

-

Haruka stirred, opening her eyes as the sunlight fell on them. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, finding herself tangled up with someone else. A moment later, she remembered that she had fallen asleep with Megu in her bed. Stretching, she glanced at Megumi's clock. It was way past her normal wake-up time, but she was glad for the extra sleep. Turning to look at her kid sister, she smiled when she saw the way that Megumi was clinging to her.

Brushing some hair from Megumi's face, she took a few minutes to just watch her younger sister sleep. She's so pretty. thought the older Shitow. And unlike me, she isn't soiled by past mistakes. she thought, recalling her talk the night before with Megumi. Ayato would be happier with her, and he did say he wished I were a virgin. she reflected guiltily. Not for the first time, she thought about her half-formed plan. “Maybe if Megu liked him…” she muttered. Megumi shifted in her sleep, releasing her hold on Haruka's waist and sprawling out on her back, still asleep. Haruka studied her naked body from where the sheets stopped just below her bellybutton to the top of her head. She's pretty, and Ayato always did like her, so maybe… she pushed the thoughts away and carefully got out of bed.

Moving to the bathroom, she relieved herself before starting a shower. For some reason, she felt a lot better this morning than she had since Ayato took off to go back to Tokyo Jupiter in search of answers. Humming to herself, she quickly washed her hair and began to lather herself clean. As she rinsed off the body wash, she became aware that she was feeling horny. Thinking of Ayato really gets me going. she thought wryly as her hand drifted to her groin. Slowly, she rubbed her clit, feeling it spring erect and peek out from under it's protective hood. Small arcs of electrical pleasure radiated away from the sensitive nub.

Stifling a soft moan, she languidly took her nipple in her other hand, feeling how hard and aroused they were. Unconsciously, she slipped a finger into her wet pussy, surprised at how wet she already was. “Ayato, if you were here…!” she murmured, rubbing her clit a bit faster. Slowly, the nagging voice in her head that said that Megu was likely to wake any time now and come to the bathroom for her morning pit stop fell silent. Letting herself go, Haruka eased a finger into her slick passage as her other hand worked her nipples with practiced ease. Over her soft moans, sighs and groans, one word was heard again and again: “Ayato.”

In the bedroom, Megumi was having a good dream. In the dream, she was dating Ayato, and they were just finishing up a fantastic date. Under the bright stars, she and her boyfriend were walking along the narrow white sand beach on the leeward side of Nirai. She was wearing a short skirt and midriff, sleeveless blouse with her sandals, while Ayato was in his normal button-down shirt and slacks.

Pausing to watch the stars, Ayato had slowly leaned over and down to her, turning her head with his fingertips to meet her in a soft, relaxed kiss. Turning into him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her tongue slithering into his mouth as she responded to his kiss. Time passed unnoticed as the two lovers lost themselves in each other. Before she knew it, they were laying on the sand, Ayato on top of her, his hand on her breast under her blouse, her skirt pushed up around her hips.

“Megu-chan, I want you.” husked Ayato, reaching with his free hand for her panties. Megumi smiled at her boyfriend.

“So take me, Ayato.” she husked at him lustfully. She shivered as his fingertips brushed across her bellybutton before moving over her bunched skirt to pause at the small strip of skin above her panty's waistband. Groaning needfully, the teen twitched her hips, urging him to keep moving toward her hot, wet center. Smiling, Ayato did as she wished, his hand cupping her sex gently.

“Ahh!” gasped Megumi, jerking upright in her bed. She was flushed and covered in a light sheen of sweat, her nipples hard as rocks and her panties soaked. “What the fuck?!” she muttered, shocked at both the dream and her sudden return to reality. Damn! It was just about to get good, too! she silently groused. Her thought were sidetracked by the sensation of movement at her hot, tingly sex. Looking down, she guilty removed her hand from inside her panties. “No wonder they're soaked.” muttered the girl, blushing heavily.

While this would not the be first time that she touched herself for pleasure, it was hardly a common occurrence for her. Gingerly sliding out of her bed, she tugged her soiled panties off and tossed them into the hamper before grabbing her towel and heading for the bathroom. Probably a good thing that Ayato-kun isn't here; I must reek of sex! she thought, her lips twitching into a small smile as she thought that. Another thought occurred to her as she opened the door to the bathroom. “Maybe I should ask him when he gets back.” she muttered, dropping her towel over the rack next to the shower.

“Ask him what, Megu?” came Haruka's voice, sounding a bit breathless. Blinking, Megumi looked up, surprised to find her sister in the shower. Haruka was scrubbing herself clean with some body wash.

“Haru!” gaped Megumi. “Um, good morning, sis.” she managed lamely.

“Good morning back at you.” smiled Haruka. “Well? In or out?” she asked indicating the shower curtain that Megumi was holding open, her leg lifted to step into the shower basin. Megumi blinked at the question.

“In, I guess.” muttered Megumi stepping into the shower. “Hand me that, will you, Haru?” she asked, vaguely pointing to the shampoo. Haruka set the sponge aside and grabbed the shampoo. But instead of handing it to her younger, shorter sister, Haruka gently pulled Megumi under the spray, soaking her hair in preparation for shampooing. “What are you doing, Haru?” wondered Megumi between blowing water away from her nose and mouth.

“It's be a while since we took a bath together, and I thought I'd do something special for you after your rough day yesterday.” said Haruka absently, guiding Megumi's head out from under the spray so she could work the shampoo into Megumi's head. Megumi had several different opinions, but didn't voice any of them as Haruka tended to her. In her mind, she kept seeing Ayato and her on a date.

“Haru?” she said softly as her big sister began to scrub her back with the body wash. A hummed reply indicated that Haruka was listening. “He's coming back, right? Ayato, I mean.” she clarified. Haruka paused for a moment, then went back to work on her skin.

“Yes. Yes, he is, Megu.” she said, her tone so certain that Megumi wondered if Haruka knew something she didn't once more. “And we'll be waiting for him.” she added in a whisper. Megumi wondered what to say to that. Silence fell for a spell before Haruka spoke once more. “Megu, do you…like Ayato?” she asked softly.

-

Ayato managed to break the kiss long enough to grab a breath of air. “I'm glad to see you, too, Kim-chan, but isn't this…?” he panted. The nineteen-year-old Korean girl impatiently sealed his lips again, her tongue slipping back into his mouth. As promised, Yagumo had asked Kim to show Ayato out of TERRA headquarters, and she had done so. She had also grabbed his hand and swiftly pulled him around the corner from the main entrance, past a convenience store/snack bar, and into the small public restroom just past the store; the women's side, no less.

Pulling him into the stall, she had slammed the door, locked it and immediately pinned him to the wall with her kiss. Ayato had kind of expected her to be happy to see him back, but this was way beyond what he thought he would get on his return. It had been a challenge to keep his balance, hold her and keep from making too much noise. Strange, but I never really thought I'd be doing this in a public bathroom. mused a tiny part of his brain before his libido clubbed that small portion senseless. As `welcome back' greetings go, this is pretty damn good! the young man admitted, pulling the slim, trim woman closer.

Feeling her hard nipples even through the jacket and blouse she wore, he began to work on getting her breasts free of their unjust imprisonment. Kim was not very helpful, as his efforts hampered her attempts to strangle him with her tongue and necessitated that she part from him slightly. Moaning in frustrated annoyance, she impatiently tried to hug herself back snugly to his chest. With her interference, it took Ayato nearly twenty seconds to get her jacket unbuttoned, her blouse unbuttoned, and her bra unsnapped.

Thank god for front-hook bras! was all the thought Ayato gave before Kim managed to press her now-bare chest to his own, her mouth back on his. Pulling her blouse out of her skirt, Ayato wrapped his arms around her bare waist, loving the feeling of her hard nipples pressing into his chest atop the small, firm breasts. Moving his hands down her toned ass, he grabbed a cheek in each hand and pulled her hips to his own, feeling his hard member grind against her covered pussy.

“Ayato,” breathed the woman between pants, her hand moving down to grab his hard length through his pants. Ayato touched her lips with a fingertip before moving his hand back to her skirt, which he grabbed and began to pull up around her waist. Smiling mischievously, Kim began to struggle with his zipper, swiftly finding it and nearly tearing it off in her haste to free his hard dick. Once the zipper was cleared, she snaked her hand inside to work on getting his boxers out of the way.

While she worked on getting his member free, Ayato managed to get her skirt up around her waist, revealing her lace and cotton panties. Touching her sex from behind, he found her to be aroused enough to have soaked her small panties. Feeling her hand on his dick as she carefully pulled him out of his pants, he realized that he was running short on time. Grabbing her panties, he jerked sharply, tearing them off her, earning him an aroused gasp from the girl.

“Ooh, yes!” she hissed softly, feeling a small orgasm spark in her pussy. God damn, that's getting to me! she thought deliriously. I can't believe I'm going to get fucked in a public restroom by the father of my child after accepting a marriage proposal from my commanding officer! she thought happily. Kim saw no issues with this behavior, since she had already admitted to herself that she couldn't resist sleeping with Ayato. And while she did love Souichi, and he was excellent husband material, what she felt when with Ayato was entirely out of this world. Besides, I'm going to be having his kid. she rationalized.

Lifting her leg, she hooked it behind Ayato's rear, giving him unimpeded access to her hungry sex. Ayato dipped his hips, bringing his tip to her entrance. Feeling him pause, Kim leaned close to his ear. “Welcome home, Ayato.” she breathed. Ayato, unable to resist her wet, warm invitation any longer, buried himself in her in one stroke, feeling her copious lubricant squirt out around his dick as he bottomed out in her passage. His grunt of pleasure was silenced by the woman's hungry kiss.

As Ayato began to pump into her, wet, squishy sounds filled the bathroom. With his building pleasure, Ayato began to hum, causing the woman to begin to tremble. Before five minutes has passed, she had come and was rapidly approaching another. Kim was on her third when Ayato slammed deep into her and fired off his load. As the two drifted back to reality, they heard movement from the stall one removed from their own. Trading guilty looks, they wondered if they had been too noisy. As quietly as they could, the two began to make themselves presentable.

No sooner had Kim unlocked the door than a voice, old and slyly amused, came from the stall. “Hope you kids had fun.” Both of them bolted from the bathroom as wickedly gleeful laughter chased them. The two paused once they were half a block away. Kim carefully smoothed her clothes, smiling happily as she did so.

A flash of light from her hand caught Ayato's attention. “Kim? What's that on your finger?” he asked. Kim delicately snorted.

“It's a ring, of course.” she replied, grinning at him. Ayato blinked.

“I knew it was a ring, Kim-chan,” he began, only to be interrupted by the woman.

“If you knew, why did you ask?” she teased him gently. Ayato inclined his head in acquiesce to her point.

“Point for you.” he acknowledged. “But, that looks like an engagement ring.” he pointed out. Kim glanced at it.

“It is.” she said simply, giving him a steady look. “Souichi asked me to marry him.” she said. A pause preceded her next remark. “I said yes.” she explained. A frown crossed Ayato's face at this revelation.

“Um, Kim-chan, if you're engaged…” he began slowly. Kim shook her head.

“Look, Ayato,” she said calmly, “if I could explain this to you, I would. But, I can't.” she said earnestly. “This,” she pointed to her engagement ring, “had nothing to do with this.” she made a finger motion indicating them. “I don't know how to make it any simpler, Ayato, so there it is.” she said. Slowly the young man nodded.

“Fair enough.” he agreed. Fuck if I understand what she is thinking, but it's her engagement, so I'll follow her lead on this. he decided. His thoughts were interrupted by her touching his hand. “Sorry. Wool gathering.” he apologized to her.

“Actually, that's my line.” she smiled. “I have to get back to the bridge, and you have someone you really want to see, don't you? Or rather, someones?” she suggested slyly. At her words, his mind conjured up images of the Shitow sisters.

“Yeah, actually, I do.” he agreed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “And Kim-chan?” he said just as she started to turn away from him. When she turned her head to face him, he gave a smile and a wink. “It's really good to be home.” he said quietly. Kim nodded silently as they went their separate ways.

-

“Ayato?” came a familiar voice from behind him. Ayato turned to look at the door to the monorail car, and the familiar woman there. “My god! It is you!” squealed Sayoko Nanamori as she leapt at him, dropping her small bag of food items as she glommed onto him like a fan girl.

“Say-chan!” groaned Ayato as she tried to crush him with her hug. “Good to see you, too.” he managed as she eased off on the pressure. He didn't get any further because she sealed his mouth with her own, her tongue infiltrating his mouth before he knew what she was doing.

Well, a kiss is a kiss, reasoned the young man, sliding his arms around her waist, and Say-chan is the second-best kisser I know! Behind the two, Sayoko's bag of groceries was about to be crushed by the closing door. Neither of them noticed, but when a pointed cough came from behind Sayoko, the two broke off their kiss, recalling - belatedly - that they were in a monorail train. Turning to look behind herself, Sayoko saw a woman with whitening hair holding out her bag of groceries.

“You dropped this, miss.” said the woman, mirth in her voice. Sayoko felt a sensation that she hadn't felt in a long time: she blushed.

“Uh, thank you, ma'am.” she said softly, taking the bag of groceries. Behind her, Ayato frowned. That voice sounds familiar. Could it be…? Nah! No way! he dismissed the absurd thought. The older woman smiled at Sayoko.

“Still, I can remember being your age. I couldn't keep my hands off my boyfriend, either.” she shared as the monorail began to move. “Lately, it seems like a lot of couples are fooling around in public. Why, just today, some kids were going at in the women's bathroom…” she hid a laugh with her hand. “Ah, to be young again.” she said, mostly to herself. Sayoko smiled politely at the older woman.

“Yes. Well, thank you for help and the story.” said the assistant. Turning back to Ayato, she was surprised to see a trace of color on his cheeks as well. I guess such a blatant public display would get to someone his age. she dismissed the blush. Stepping beside him, she managed to press herself full-length to him, her groceries held in her impatient grip. Two stops till my place. she thought. Ayato was likewise silent, though he could feel the amused gaze of the older woman on him and Say-chan the whole time.

When Sayoko's stop came up, she nudged Ayato off the train, the young man complying because he was very uncomfortable under the gaze of the other passengers. Fortunately, none of them wore TERRA uniforms, so he figured that it wouldn't cause too much trouble for him. “Man, I'm glad to be out of there!” sighed Say-chan in relief.

“Yeah, no kidding!” seconded Ayato. Twice I got caught, and both times it was with a different girl, but by the same lady! he thought, still disbelieving his luck. An arm draping itself across his chest distracted him from his thoughts. Glancing at Sayoko, he saw her warm, brown eyes were shimmering with desire.

“Would you like to come to my place?” she asked him hopefully. “It's just over there, you know, and you just got back.” she tried for artful nonchalance, but was coming up short of the mark. “I'd love to hear about where you went and what you did.” she said softly, her hand accidentally caressing his chest.

“Sure, why not?” he replied honestly. But, after I talk to her some, I've got to get home to Haru and Megu. he promised himself. It's nice to know that they missed me, but… he pushed that thought aside. Sayoko had been his first lover, and he held her in special regard for that, though he would honestly have preferred to be with Haru right then. Together the two walked to her small home.

No sooner had they entered her home, than she was kissing him again. Ayato carefully worked them into the kitchen, then suggested that she put up her groceries before they spoiled. Reluctantly, she did as he suggested, swiftly putting up her things. As she did so, he asked her what had been happening while he was away. Sayoko stilled for a moment at that question. “Um, same stuff as always.” she said, resuming her task, hoping her lie wouldn't arouse her lover's suspicions. “Since that bastard Isshiki took over, I haven't had much to do, honestly.” she said. Other than be his fuck toy! she snarled to herself. But now that you're back, I won't be his little plaything any more! Her groin damped at the thought of Ayato reclaiming her as his. I can't wait to get Isshiki's stench off me! she thought happily.

“I get the impression that the albino fuck isn't popular with the staff.” mused Ayato, unsure why his remarks earned an insane cackle from Say-chan. “Something funny, Say-chan?” he wondered. She gained control of herself by sheer will.

“Nothing, Ayato!” she promised him. “Interesting mental image; nothing more!” she disclaimed. You have no idea how unpopular fucking with the White Snake is! she left unsaid. “Would you like something to eat?” she changed the topic. Ayato felt his stomach rumble in agreement.

“Sure.” he said easily. “What do you have?” he wondered. Sayoko quickly scanned her stores.

“I could whip up some sandwiches, or we could split the left-over chow mien, or I could call out for some take-out.” she offered eagerly. Ayato considered his choices briefly before answering.

“Let's split the chow.” he said. Sayoko grabbed the small container and went for the sonic oven. As the box warmed the food, Sayoko swiftly grabbed the eating utensils and some napkins. Hearing the machine beep, she grabbed the container and nearly ran to where Ayato was just rising from her small couch. Pushing him back into the seat, she straddled his lap, holding the container of food between them.

“Well, dig in.” she purred happily, her double meaning deliberate. Ayato found himself grinning at her.

“Don't mind if I do.” he said. I think it's clear what Say-chan wants. he added silently. The two swiftly polished off the remaining food. Once it was gone, Sayoko swiftly set the empty container and the utensils on the floor by the couch and leaned into Ayato, kissing him passionately. Kissing her back, he set to work on her blouse, Sayoko helping him out enthusiastically.

With Nanamori all but tearing her clothes off and throwing them aside, she was swiftly naked and working on his clothes. Ayato helped her out, sensing her impatience, but the woman wasn't willing to wait for her gratification. Once his belt and pants were unbuttoned and his zipped pulled down, she shoved his boxers down, freeing his dick. His hard length didn't even get to bob once before she was licking it like a snow cone on an August day. “Say-chan!” moaned Ayato, reveling in her technique. A low, soft purr was her only verbal reply, her entire attention on his dick.

Lapping around the underside of his tip, she tasted an unfamiliar flavor. She instinctively knew that it meant that he had been with another woman before she ran into him, but she couldn't care less. As long as I get me some Ayato, I can share! she thought happily. Sayoko wouldn't have cared if he had banged a regiment of women, since she was the one that had her lips wrapped around his dick after more than a month without his member.

In the back of her lust-crazed mind, a small part of her worried that Ayato might somehow discover that she had been with Isshiki while he was away. She always took extreme measures to erase any trace of their `visits' as soon as she left him, but still she worried. Deep-throating him, she hopes that no trace of Isshiki would betray her dirty secret. If he left me…if he didn't want me any more, I don't think I could go on. she thought. Her head bobbed up and down on his shaft faster. I need him, so let's make this good! she decided.

Ayato groaned as he felt his balls tighten. She's just too damned good! he bemoaned as he grabbed her head. “Say-chan!” he warned her. The woman kneeling between his legs locked gazes with him as she held his tip in her lips, running her tongue along the slit in the crown. Ayato exploded in her mouth. Each spurt was nosily - and eagerly - swallowed by the woman even as she sucked and licked for every last drop. Stroking her soft, clean hair, Ayato felt his dick soften for a moment before beginning to harden again.

Having satisfied herself that she had gotten every last drop of his cum, she pulled her lips off his dick, maintaining her suction as she did so until the seal of her lips was finally broken with a wet, soft pop! Licking her lips, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Ayato.” she said softly, feeling him cup her chin in his hand. Ayato smiled as he urged her up. The large-breasted woman stood, shivering in anticipation of what would come next.

With Say-chan standing in front of him, he leisurely trailed a hand to her groin and found it predictably soaked. Rubbing her for a moment, he felt her clit nearly leap from under it's protective cover. Playfully, he rubbed and tapped her clit, causing an orgasm to roll through her like a wrecking ball. Unexpectedly, her legs buckled, Ayato having to catch her swiftly. “Oops!” he smiled at her. “Maybe we should take this to the bedroom.” he suggested. Sayoko leered at him.

“Too far.” she panted, letting herself sprawl forward over the couch. “Take me right here!” she demanded, spreading her legs. Looking at her shapely ass and glistening slit, he couldn't think of a reason not to and slammed into her in one stroke. “Ugh!” she grunted happily. “More.” she begged, feeling his hands settle on the crease of her hips in preparation to hammer her wet hole.

“Your wish is my command, Say-chan!” growled Ayato. He loved doing her doggie style, as she had such a perfect ass for it; full, firm, but not hard or muscular. It makes a nice bumper when I slam into her. he lovingly remembered. With his handhold secure, he balanced himself on the balls of his feet and leaned forward to kiss her neck, sweeping her long hair aside first. At her shiver, he began a hard, fast pace in her sex, wet sounds of flesh-on-flesh, moans and the occasional creak of the couch marking their build to release.

Closing in on his second orgasm, Ayato began to unconsciously hum an aria. Sayoko's sheath grew warmer, wetter and tighter as he hummed, the naked skin of the woman shining with a sheen of sweat as her panting grew rough and ragged as she was savaged by orgasms. Between her wide-spread legs, a puddle began to form as Ayato furiously pumped into her. When he came, Say-chan had just enough left to croak out a single, soft “Ayato,” before she passed out from pleasure.

Ayato himself was out of breath, bathed in the post-orgasm heat, his member throbbing in her over-flowing pussy. Feeling the woman begin to collapse, he caught her just in time, the sudden action causing his semi-erect dick to slip from her entrance, releasing a significant amount of mixed cum to fall to the puddle already there. Clumsily gathering her up, he managed to carry her to her bedroom and put her in her bed. Seeing the smile on her face, he gently stroked her forehead and cheeks. “Glad you liked it, Say-chan.” he said softly before stretching out beside her for a nap.

Three hours later, it was nearly sunset, and Ayato stirred. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he stretched his arms, turning to find Sayoko cuddled up to his warmth. “Say-chan?” he asked her softly, touching her shoulder. There was no response from the woman. Feeling her pulse, he realized that she must still be asleep. She's really very pretty when she sleeps. he thought, absently brushing some stray hair from her neck. Almost as beautiful as Haru…! “Haru!” he gasped softly, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

Fifteen minutes later, he had finished a shower and was pulling on his shirt. Pausing, he tucked Sayoko under her covers and kissed her lips before exiting her house. Hate to fuck and run, but I've wasted enough time already. Haru and Megu are waiting for me. he thought apologetically. Jogging to the monorail, he rode the intermediary stops in a trance. At the right stop, he exited and quickly walked toward the only place that had honestly felt like home. Nearing the top, he found himself jogging on the steepest part because he could see Haru's car in it's spot.

Reaching the door, he slid it open. “Haru-chan? Megu-chan? You home?” he called eagerly. For a moment, dead silence greeted him, only to be shattered by a rumbling from upstairs and the sound of two pairs of feet pounding the stairs. The barest hint of movement was all the warning that he got before Haruka and Megu threw themselves into his arms. The young man barely caught them before they knocked him over and off the porch.

“Ayato!” cried Haruka, desperately kissing him. “Oh, god, you're back!” she managed, her voice breaking as she finished, her face buried against his neck. Turning to look at Megu, who was hugging him as closely as Haru, he was shocked to find her lips on his.

“Megu-chan?” he managed when she finally broke the kiss. Wiping her tears on his shirt, Megumi looked up at him.

“Jerk! Loser! Ayato no baka!” she yelled at him, her hold tightening. “Don't you ever leave us again!” she roared at him before kissing him again. After this kiss, she mirrored Haruka's position on his other side. Wrapping his arms around them both, he felt himself smile.

“I'm home.” he said softly.