RahXephon Fan Fiction ❯ Compensation ❯ Financially Secure ( Chapter 10 )

Compensation

 

By: A-Z Mark II

 

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

 

Chapter 10: Financially Secure

-

Ayato slowly stroked Megumi's cheek with his thumb as the young girl slept peacefully next to him. He had felt her drift off after about a half hour of reading from Hiroko's diary. Once he was sure that she was asleep, Ayato had closed Hiroko's blood-stained diary, absently caressing the cover as he set it on her bedside table. Turning his attention to his newest lover, he had spent an indeterminate amount of time just watching her sleep, and occasionally caressing her face, shoulder, hip or back. Other than some soft sounds from her, she remained asleep.

That's not all that surprising, considering the day she's had. mused Ayato. His eyes rested on the bruising on her throat and on the wrist of the arm that was laying over his belly. She shouldn't have gotten mixed up in this mess. he thought. But, at least the one that did this isn't around to make trouble again. His eyes flitted back to the diary.

Re-reading the beginnings of the friendship between Asahina, Torigai and himself had shown him a lot of things that he had missed, but more than ever, after what he had done to Torigai, he wondered if maybe thing couldn't have turned out different in the end for them. “Survivor guilt, I guess.” he whispered aloud. Megumi's alarm clock chirped softly. Frowning, he noticed the time. “Haru should have been back by now.” he noted, easing himself away from Megumi.

The sleeping girl did not approve of that, instinctively clutching at him with her arm and shifting to keep her naked flesh against his own. Shaking his head, the smiling man eased a pillow between his body and her own, her arm trapping the pillow tightly as he managed to get out of her bed without waking her. Leaning over her, he kissed her cheek softly before slipping out of her room.

Moving to Haru's room, he found the door open and the bed empty. “So, she didn't slip past us.” he murmured softly, moving downstairs. Looking down from the porch, he saw that her car wasn't in its spot, so he suspected that she wasn't out of TERRA yet. Fishing around in his pocket, he found and withdrew his cell phone, hitting the auto-dial preset for Haru's phone. After several rings, she picked up.

“Ayato?” came her voice. From the background noise, he was sure she was in a bar, not TERRA. He also detected the ever-so-slight slur in her voice, as well.

“Yeah, Haru-chan.” he said softly, trying to keep from waking Megumi. “I was wondering when you were going to get back home.” he asked her.

“You want to ravish me all night?” giggled Haru. Before he could answer, she went on. “We'll be right up, Ayato!” she said happily. Just before the call was cut off, he heard a familiar voice, but couldn't quite place it. Frowning, he pocketed his phone.

“Well, it wasn't Kim or Say-chan. Maybe it was that girl she and Megu-chan mentioned? That ensign whoever?” He chuckled softly. “Sure as hell wasn't Quon.” he joked to himself. Looking up, he studied the clear, bright sky, dotted with stars. Should I wait here, or go back to Megu-chan? he debated. Ultimately, he sank down to sit on the porch, leaning casually against a post as he watched the sky. “Wonder how long it will take Haru-chan to get home?” he asked himself, grinning. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. Wait a minute! She's in a bar at this time of night, getting drunk, and she has duty tomorrow?! What the hell?!

Once more, he grabbed his cell phone, finger poised over the dial button. Second thoughts came, and his shifted his finger to select a different number. After a few rings, he heard a familiar voice pick up. “Operations.” came the answer.

“Yagumo?” he checked.

“Ayato?” asked the surprised Major. “Um, Megumi's off shift, and Haruka…”

“Yeah, I think she went drinking with someone. Something happen?” he asked, skipping the pleasantries. “She's on shift tomorrow, right?” he asked. Yagumo's sigh was all he needed to hear.

“Ayato,” said the major, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “Haruka was discharged from TERRA this afternoon. Apparently, she pissed off the Commander one time too many.” explained the Major. “Look, I have to go. We can talk about this later.” the line went dead. Ayato thoughtfully pocketed his phone again as soon as he had closed the call from his end. She got fired? Well, I guess that anything that pisses that smug fuck off is worth it. He thought about it a bit more, his smile growing. And with her being out of TERRA, she can catch up on her rest and we can spend more time together. he realized. His dick stirred in anticipation.

“But Megu is still in TERRA.” he breathed. He really didn't like having either of the girls near that albino freak show, but he wasn't about to try and tell Megu to quit after she had worked so hard to get in. Heh! Bet those four girls from the rainstorm wouldn't be so bitchy if they could see her now! he thought. Come to think of it, I have never really talked to her about her school life or friends, or anything. Maybe I should do that once she is feeling better. he decided. After all, it couldn't hurt to get to know her better, seeing as how they were now lovers.

With his mind pre-occupied, he was caught off guard by the headlights from Haru's car pulling into its parking spot. Rising, he stretched, glancing up at Megu's window. He realized that he couldn't tell if she had been awakened unless she turned on her light or stuck her head out her window to yell at her sister, but he checked her window anyway as he made his way down the steps to greet Haru. He was surprised when both the driver's door and passenger door was opened.

In the light of the moon, it took him a moment to realize who it was with Haru. “I see you brought Elvy over again, Haru-chan.” he smiled. Just like the last time, Elvy was lit, and Haru wasn't much better. Focusing on Ayato, Elvy leered at him.

“Well, how about those landing maneuvers, handsome?” she asked, her voice louder than necessary. Ayato sighed.

“How about we get you inside before you fall over, Elvy.” he suggested. “And Megu-chan's resting, so please keep it down, will you?” he asked her. Hearing her snicker, he glanced at Haru, who was moving past the nose of her car to help him with Elvy. She was in her uniform skirt and blouse, but her jacket was missing, and her blouse was unbuttoned about half way down. “You steady, Haru-chan?” he asked.

“I'm fine, Ayato.” she smiled at him, touching his cheek with her fingertips. Ayato smiled at her and touched his lips to her fingers.

“Help me with Elvy.” he said. Haruka nodded, taking the opposite side of the woman. Together, the two managed to get her up and into the house without mishap. Letting her slump to the floor of the living room, he and Haru took a break.

“Ayato,” said Haruka, looking at him in the faint light streaming in from outside, “I got thrown out of TERRA today.” she began. Ayato smiled back at her, touching her lips.

“I heard.” he said softly. “Are you ok with that?” he asked her intently. She nodded.

“I think I am.” she said, leaning toward him. “I can finally spend some time with you and Megu, and…” she trailed off as her lips met his. Ayato could taste the beer on her lips, but didn't mind, as the kiss was worth it. Slowly, her arms closed around his neck as she leaned into him. Bracing himself, he wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her back as he felt her nipples harden against his chest. As the two tongue wrestled, he ran his fingers through her short hair, catching her wide hair hand and pulling it off her. Dropping it to the floor, he rubbed her back as she pressed her chest to his.

Eventually, she broke the kiss to catch her breath. “Ayato, I love you.” she whispered to him. Ayato felt his heart race. I have never heard her say that like that. he realized. “I always have.” she added, kissing him again. The tender moment was disrupted by Elvy, who had managed to sit up.

“Can I get in on that action?” she asked drunkenly. The two turned to look at her. She was grinning at them suggestively as she struggled with her clothes. “I claim first fuck!” she declared. Ayato winced slightly at the volume. Hope that doesn't wake Megu-chan. he hoped.

“What should we do about party girl, here?” asked Ayato of his older lover. Haruka sighed.

“If it wasn't so late, I'd call one of her squadron members to come pick her up, but since she's already here, we should her to bed before she passes out.” decided the woman. Ayato nodded.

“Woo hoo! Three-some!” cheered Elvy, giggling madly. She succeeded in getting her shirt off and was now wrestling with her bra, which - like Haru's normal fare - was a strapless number. Ayato realized that the pilot was about the same size as Haru. Elvy managed to get the catch undone, and her bra snapped off her to land a few feet away from her. Without pause, the woman went to work on her jeans.

“You want to take her up on that offer?” asked Haru, smiling at Ayato. He considered it, but, remembering how serious the pilot was and her attitude toward what he was, he thought it best to pass.

“I have the one I want in my arms.” he told his lover. “And if I wanted a three-some, I rather have Megu, Kim or Say-chan as the other.” he admitted honestly. Haruka blinked back tears from hearing him say that the one he wanted was in his arms; because that is where she was.

“I'll see what I can arrange.” whispered the woman, more to herself than to him.

“What was that?” wondered Ayato, not having caught the words. Haruka shook her head.

“Let's get her in a bed.” she said, seeing Elvy triumphantly kick her jeans off and skin out of her panties.

“Ready when you are!” she said, grinning at them as she tried to stand.

“Huh. Didn't know she shaved herself.” mused Haruka, once more bracketing her with Ayato. “Your bed or mine?” she asked him, snickering at the unintentional double meaning. Ayato had another idea.

“How about we tuck her into Professor Rikudoh's bed?” he suggested. Haruka blinked.

“Shit! Is Uncle Rikudoh home?” she wondered. Ayato thought that it was a bit late to ask, but just shook his head.

“Left yesterday morning for a conference in Australia.” he said. “He's due back in three or four days.” His smile was wicked. “Wanna?” he asked again.

“Doing that would be wrong, Ayato.” said Haruka. “And evil, too.” she added. Slowly, her lips parted in a wicked grin. “Of course I want to!” she giggled softly. Together, the two of them worked her up the stairs and into her uncle's bed. “Might be funnier if he got home tonight and found a naked woman in his bed.” mused Haruka.

“But if he got home tonight, we would have to be quiet.” whispered Ayato in her ear, hugging her from behind. Haruka moaned.

“You have a point. My room?” she asked, guiding his hands to her breasts, her nipples still hard as diamonds. Ayato nodded.

“Sure. Just got to check on Megu-chan first.” he agreed. Haruka's memory was jogged by that.

“I should check on her as well. You said she was roughed up by that bastard?” she asked him softly, the two hearing Elvy begin to snore softly. Ayato led the older Shitow out of the professor's room by the hand, closing the door behind them silently.

“Yes. She has some bruising around her throat and her wrist, but she'll be fine.” he said softly, sliding the door to Megu's room open. With her room facing the west, Megumi was illuminated by the moonlight, the silver light accenting her naked form. It also showed the bruising in high contrast.

Seeing her sister's bruised throat, Haruka hissed angrily. “Bastard!” she snarled softly, crouching by Megu's side and lovingly touching her little sister's face and throat. Other than a slight twitch, Megumi was still, resting comfortably. “I hope his death hurt!” she grated out.

“It did.” agreed Ayato soberly. I made sure of that. he left unsaid. Haruka gently, softly, hugged her sister to herself.

“Megu shouldn't have been dragged into this.” she whispered. Ayato crouched beside her and hugged them both.

“I won't let anything happen to either of you. I promise you, Haru-chan, I'll take care of you two.” he promised the girl. “How about we let her rest for now?” he suggested, rubbing Haru's arms. Gradually, Haruka settled her sister's bare form back on her bed. Glancing down, she saw Megumi still had her panties on.

“Let's get you in bed, Haru-chan.” murmured Ayato, tugging on her arm. Haruka stood, but didn't step away from Megu's bed yet.

“Just a minute, Ayato.” she whispered back, carefully working Megu's panties off. “She hates sleeping in panties because they chafe.” said the older woman, stifling a laugh. “She and I are a lot alike.” she whispered to Ayato as the young man covered the sleeping girl in her top sheet. We even have the same taste in men. she thought to herself.

Holding hands, the two retired to Haruka's room. As soon as they had closed her door, Haruka felt Ayato's hands on her shoulder, turning her to face him. Letting him guide her, she faced him, feeling him working on her blouse, which soon dropped to the floor, followed by her bra, his hand moving to the waistband of her skirt. Finding the button and zipper, Ayato divested her of that garment, then used his fingertips to explore her body, determining what else might impede his access to her body. Feeling some hose on her, he worked at them for a bit before he simply tore them in half, earning him a hiss of arousal from Haruka.

With her hose gone, he rubbed her pussy through her panties, feeling the dampness of her arousal before tugging them down and off her. Once more, he explored every inch of her body with his fingertips, finding to be - finally - completely naked. “My turn.” whispered Haruka, turned on by his stripping her and her beer buzz.

Reaching out to him, she swiftly got his shirt off; an easy feat since it was unbuttoned already. Rubbing his chest with her palms, she worked her way down to his pants and unbuttoned them before kneeling in front of him. Bet he never had this done to him. she thought giddily as she leaned in and used her teeth to pull his zipper down. From the gasp of breath, she figured that she was right.

Once his pants were unzipped, she tugged them down, feeling his hard member bump into her face through his boxers. Licking her lips, Haruka seized his boxers with one hand, and his hard member in the other, swiftly ridding him of the impediment. With him now as naked as herself, she slowly jacked his length with her hand, while her lips kissed the wide, soft tip. “Haru-chan!” panted Ayato.

Humming an inarticulate response, Haru engulfed the thick tip in her mouth, sucking lightly on it as she ran her tongue in circles around it, occasionally playing with the slit in the very tip. Bringing her other hand around, she cupped his balls and delicately caressed them. When his hands settled on the sides of her head, his fingers intertwining in her hair, she smiled to herself. Beginning to bob her head, she gradually worked him into her mouth, each bob getting him deeper until she was fighting her gag reflex to get the last of him in her.

A low, sensuous moan came from Ayato as Haru's nose buried itself in his pubic hair, her lips wrapped around the very base of his erection. He had had deep throat blowjobs before - Say-chan was especially good at them, and seemed to love giving them - but with it being Haru kneeling before him with every last bit of his dick in her throat, it was very different this time. When her tongue began to swirl around his shaft and her throat rubbed his sensitive head, he lost it. “Haru-chan!” he grunted, firing off his load.

“Mmm!” managed Haruka, relaxing her throat so his spurts went right down to her stomach. Five large shots painted her throat before he was done. Feeling his member soften slightly, she pulled back enough to get her tongue around his tip. Urgently, she worked on getting him hard again. Damn it, I need him in my pussy! she thought lustfully. As usual, he responded well to her efforts, his dick beginning to harden again. With one hand, she reached under herself and rubbed her pussy, finding it to be leaking fluid. Looks like we're ready! she thought happily, letting his dick slide free of her mouth with a wet slurp!

Ayato felt Haruka get to her feet unsteadily and turn toward her bed. Instead of getting in bed, though, she just bent over it, presenting him with her ass. Ayato knew exactly what she wanted, and gave it to gleefully, stepping behind her and settling his tip at her soaked entrance before slamming into her in one shot. A sexy moan from her urged him on, and he quickly built a good pace in her, holding her hips firmly with his hands as the motion from his thrusts made her nipples rub against her sheets, further stimulating the woman. “Haru-chan!” hummed Ayato, feeling his second orgasm approaching.

When she heard him call her that in that tone, Haruka came hard, her pussy going wild on his dick. She couldn't form words, but her gasps and muffled shrieks told him what he needed to know; that being that she was loving every moment of it. Catching her by surprise, one of his hands snaked down and began to work on her clit directly as he frantically hammered her. Before she could even come down from the huge orgasm brought on by his calling her name, she felt another large one consume her.

Ayato was humming an aria softly as he felt himself teeter on the edge of another orgasm. It was, in fact, the same one he had hummed when he claimed Megu's virginity in the beach shack. Now, it was deeper and stronger, but just as gentle as it had been with the younger Shitow. Before him, Haruka was shuddering like a junkie as endless waves of orgasmic bliss slowly drowned all consciousness from her. “Ah!” gasped Ayato as he buried himself and flooded his lover with his cum. His aria peaked with his release, slowly going silent as the last of his second load filled Haru's womb and pussy to the very brim.

With hardly enough energy left to hold himself upright, Ayato struggled valiantly to tug Haruka's unconscious body onto her bed before collapsing beside her, unknowingly spooning with her. As the house slept, the effects of his aria were felt by them all, Megumi's dreams turning decidedly erotic, and Elvy's beer-sodden dreams becoming happy, easy dreams. All four of them had some of the best nights they had imagined possible.

-

A ringing awoke Ayato. The young man blinked as he struggled to sit up, hampered by the warm mass of Haruka tight against his chest. Managing to sit up, he tried to locate the ringing. Eventually, he realized that it was coming from his pants, discarded on the floor of Haru's room. It took some effort, but he managed to ease out of Haru's embrace without waking her.

Fishing his phone out of his pant's pocket, he glanced at the screen before connecting the call. “Hello, Kim-chan. Something wrong?” he asked, stifling a yawn. The Korean girl got right to the point.

“Ayato, is Haru awake?” she asked him directly. He glanced at Haruka, soundly sleeping in her bed, a soft smile on her face.

“No, she isn't.” said Ayato. “And unless it's a Dolem attack, I don't want to wake her.” he said softly, stepping out of her room and easing Megu's door open slightly. Megumi Shitow was still sound asleep, a nearly identical smile on her face as she slept. Frowning, he looked closer at her throat. The bruising was still there, but it was less noticeable. Shrugging, he stepped into the bathroom to drain his lizard. Kim had been silent since he told her that Haru was still asleep, so he reminded her that he was still waiting. “Kim-chan, what is wrong?” he asked her again.

“I don't know that anything is wrong, exactly.” hedged Kim. “But can you please have Haru get in touch with me - away from TERRA - when she wakes up?” she asked him. Ayato finished up his morning piss.

“Sure.” he said, suddenly remembering something. “Hey, Kim-chan?” he asked, making sure she hadn't hung up on him.

“Yeah?” came the immediate reply from the Operator.

“Megu-chan's throat was bruised, so tell the others that she won't be in today.” he said. Kim giggled unexpectedly.

“I think I can get that taken care of.” agreed the woman. Her happy tone faded. “Is…Megu ok?” asked the Korean girl. Ayato considered that for a brief instance.

“I think she is.” he decided. “Her physical wounds are minimal, and since she didn't really know him, it isn't much different from watching a fight between me and a Dolem.” he reasoned.

“Do me a favor?” asked Kim softly.

“Sure.” he agreed easily. The short-haired girl was close to his heart, after all; and they shared a detailed personal history, as well.

“Be there for them both, ok, Ayato?” said the tech softly.

“I will.” said the young man instantly. Over the phone, he thought he heard someone else. “Um, were you in the middle of something, Kim-chan?” he asked her curiously. His hearing caught the sharp intake from her.

“I…have company this morning.” said Kim softly. Sudden understanding came to Ayato.

“I see.” he said softly. “Tell Yagumo about Megu, ok? And Kim-chan? I hope it works out like you want it to.” he said, ending the call. Yawning, he eyed the shower. “Might as well, since I'm here and all.” he muttered, setting his phone aside before starting the shower. Once it was to his liking, he stepped in, letting the warm water flow over him for a few minutes, his mind busy.

Kim-chan seems to be pretty serious about Yagumo. And in spite of what she said about that having nothing to do with us, I probably shouldn't keep seeing her. He realized how that sounded, even to himself. Ok, I shouldn't sleep with her any more. At least, while she's involved with Yagumo, he decided. Besides, while it was nice and all, she's not who I want most. That thought brought to mind another in the same boat as the Korean girl. What was Say-chan saying when I talked to her that time? Something about moving; at least I think so. His lips twitched into a leering smile. I was pretty distracted, though, so maybe I should talk to her and ask her to go over that bit again.

Reaching for the soap, he began to briskly scrub himself clean. Mentally, he planned his day. Not that he had much in mind but spending some time with the Shitow sisters and maybe dropping by Say-chan's place to check on her. Oh, yeah, he recalled, I was supposed to talk to Kunugi today, too. He grimaced. His dislike of the man was no less now that Isshiki was the Commander, but given a choice, he would rather talk to Kunugi than Isshiki. Wonder what he wants to talk about? mused Ayato.

Finishing up, he snagged a towel and started to dry off before a faint scent caught his attention. Sniffing the towel closer, he recognized the faint scent of Megumi. He shook his head, smiling, as he finished drying off. “I'll get her a fresh one, since I used hers by mistake.” he muttered, wrapping her towel around his waist as he stepped down to his door. “Coffee smells good.” he observed to no one in particular.

It wasn't until he was reaching for his pants that it occurred to him that three of the four occupants were accounted for, and logically, the fourth should still be out cold. Must be Elvy, though, since Haru and Megu are down, and I'm getting dressed. Shrugging the matter away, he swiftly stepped into fresh pants, snagged a shirt and moved toward the stairs. It failed to catch his notice that his markings - Quon's so-called `key' - had spread to cover more of his belly and lower chest.

With a glance at each of the sleeping sisters, he swiftly jogged down the stairs, being as quiet as he could be. “That coffee smells good, Elvy.” he said as he turned the corner to the kitchen.

“Thank you, Ayato, though I doubt that I am as cute at that woman in my bed.” came the voice of Professor Rikudoh. Ayato nearly tripped and fell.

“Ah…morning, Professor.” he managed weakly. The old man smiled at him, waving the coffee pot in his direction.

“Good morning, Ayato.” he responded. “How do you like your coffee?” he asked the younger man.

“Um, I'll just have it plain, thanks.” he said, watching the older man pour him a cup of the dark grind. “So, when did you get back?” he asked the aging professor.

“I'd say…about the time that you and Haru were just finishing up.” the man answered innocently. Ayato carefully bit his lip.

“Um…yeah. Sorry about that.” he rejoined, not sure what to say. Damn! Busted by their uncle! This is worse than being caught by Mo…Maya that time with Hiro-chan! “We…well, that is….” he shook he head once. “Sorry.” he repeated lamely before sipping his coffee.

“Nothing to be sorry about, Ayato.” assured the old man. “You two sounded as if you were really enjoying yourselves.” he noted casually. Ayato could feel his face heat up. “You know, I have never seen Haru as happy as she has been since you came to live here, Ayato.” confided the old man.

“Really?” asked Ayato, surprised. A nod confirmed his statement's veracity.

“Indeed.” agreed the older man. “And Megu has really come of age as well, since you joined us here.” Ayato tried his damnedest to avoid thinking of Megu-chan `coming of age' with him, but the memories came up anyway. Liking what he was thinking, his dick stirred, though it didn't seem overly eager at the moment. “It's been just what they needed, you coming to be here with them at last.” murmured the old man. Ayato frowned at that.

“Coming here at last? What are you talking about, Professor?” he wondered. Rikudoh shook his head.

“Just an old man's pointless musing.” he waved off the question. “Do you plan to stay with them?” he asked. Before he could even think about it, Ayato was nodding.

“Yes.” he said.

“That's good.” sighed Rikudoh, as if Ayato's answer took a load off his mind. Ayato was getting curious about the odd behavior of the old professor.

“So, you really don't mind…with me and Haru?” he asked indirectly. Unexpectedly, the old man laughed.

“Of course not!” he assured Ayato. “They are adults - even Megu, though she is still a teen - and I do remember what it was like to be your age, you know.” he joked. “Besides, if you weren't here, what do you suppose the odds of a naked girl ending up in my bed would be?” he asked, chuckling.

“Speaking of that naked woman,” began Ayato delicately, “where is she right now?” he wondered. The old man gave him an inscrutable smile.

“She is…resting.” he answered suggestively. “I think she will need to…recover from our activities last night.” Ayato tried hard to not think about the possible meaning behind those words. “Energetic girl.” continued the old professor calmly. “If I were a younger man, I would likely still be in bed with her.” Ayato was torn between banging his head on the table, running upstairs to see if Elvy was really still there, and asking the old man for details.

-

Ayato slowly walked away from Jin's house, deep in thought. He had just finished a short, but tense visit with the man, who had somehow ended up with Buchi in his house. While he would not claim to be friends with the former commander, he could certainly relate to him more now. We both know what it is to lose someone precious to us. he thought, remembering the song playing in the background and Hiro-chan.

He had gone to see the former commander after his morning coffee, telling the professor that he needed to tell Haru to call him as soon as she was up and awake. The older man had agreed to pass on the message, and told him that he would be there when the sisters awoke, so he should take this time to make his rounds. Almost like he knew I was going to see Jin. thought the young man. “Olin's visit was known.” came a soft, amused voice from beside him.

Blinking, Ayato turned to see Quon walking beside him, smiling that strange smile of hers. “Quon.” said Ayato intelligently. “When did you…?”

“Quon has been with Olin since he got here.” she said simply. “This way, Olin.” she directed, turning off the street Jin lived on and moving off down a narrow road. Automatically, Ayato fell into step with her. After several minutes of walking, he spoke to her again.

“Where are we going, Quon?” he asked her idly. Not that I really care or anything, but Haru and Megu will be up soon. he thought.

“Quon is going to unlock your song, Olin.” said the woman. “Olin can now sing his song without broken notes.” Quon sounded damn near ecstatic about that.

“My…song?” he asked her. Quon said nothing more as the road began to narrow more, going from asphalt to gravel. Ahead, he could see that it went to dirt, and from there, to nothing but a small footpath. Quon walked lightly, and with that same strange balance that she had shown him on the beam aboard the Litvyak - what seemed a lifetime ago to him now.

“Steady me, please.” requested the woman, folding her umbrella as the greenery got too close in on her to leave it open. Ayato automatically took her arm in hand, gently steadying her. “Closer, please.” she requested. Quirking an eyebrow at her, he slipped under her arm, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Better.” smiled Quon. Ahead of them, he saw the path disappear into shadows.

-

Kim shut off the shower and slicked her hands over her body to rid her skin of excess water before stepping out of the shower and reaching for her towel. Souichi had left for TERRA two hours ago, and she was due for duty in another hour and a half, which gave her time for a good meal and another attempt to get in touch with Haru. Drying herself off, she reflected on the night before. “Sex with Souichi is good, but he's certainly no Ayato.” she murmured thoughtfully. Maybe I need to take the lead more often, she considered. After all, even though he is older, he is certainly less experienced than me in this area, so maybe it would be best if I directed our…activities.

Exiting her bathroom, she paused to drape her towel over its rack before stepping to her mirror. As was her habit of late, she critically examined her belly, which was steadily expanding. Running her fingers over the bulge forming there, she glanced at the calendar by her bed. Just over four months, she noted. As I get farther along, will Souichi become reluctant to have sex with me because he doesn't want to risk harming my baby? she wondered. “Maybe I should get a book about pregnancy or something.” she made a mental note.

Sighing, she turned to her dresser and plucked a pair of clean panties from her drawer, stepping into them before reaching for her slip and uniform skirt. As she zipped up her skirt, her cell phone rang. The young operator picked it up and glanced at the screen. “Finally!” she breathed, connecting the call. “Haru, where have you been?” she hissed.

“I've been sleeping. Why?” wondered Haru, sounding distracted. Kim felt a prickle of jealously for the woman, knowing that she meant `sleeping with Ayato'.

“Didn't Ayato tell you to call me?” she asked her friend.

“No. I haven't seen him this morning. He's not over at your place is he?” she asked. Kim blinked.

“Uh, no, he's not. You mean you didn't wake up with him?” she asked/teased. Haruka snickered.

“If he hadn't been so…ardent last night, I might have had the energy to wake up while he was still holding me.” she purred evilly.

“Bitch.” said Kim sweetly. “Did Megu join you for that three-some?” she asked innocently. Haru, though, came right back at her.

“Not last night; she wasn't feeling up to it after nearly being strangled by that god damn Mulian shit.” spat the older sister, her protective instincts for her kid sister shining through. “But, I think I can talk her into it sometime soon.” she returned to her initial exchange. “Oh, did you want to get in on the action, Kim-chan?” she asked artfully.

“Would you let me if I said `yes'?” challenged the Korean girl. Haruka was silent for a split second.

“If you want to, and Ayato wants to, yeah.” she said softly. Kim felt both uncomfortable and aroused by that admission.

“Well, I'm not feeling up to it at the moment, but I'll keep that offer in mind.” evaded the Operator. “For now, I think you need to meet me at the bookstore at the corner near that place we had lunch last week.” said the Korean girl, glancing at the clock. “Say, about a half hour?” she asked.

“Is it important?” asked Haruka, her tone curious.

“What do you think?” asked Kim, ending the call. Setting her phone aside, she wiggled into a bra, finding that it was feeling a bit small in the cup, and reached for her blouse. She had barely gotten it settled when she heard someone knock on her door. Ayato, maybe? she hoped, moving to the door. Glancing through the peep hole, she frowned as she slowly opened the door.

“Hello, Kim.” said Sayoko, smiling slightly.

“Nanamori.” said the other girl uncertainly. “What brings you here?” she asked.

“I was doing some…cleaning, and came across something that I need you to give to Haruka for me.” said the other woman. Kim tossed her head.

“Come in.” said the Operator, stepping aside so Sayoko could enter her apartment. Closing the door behind the research assistant, she turned to see Sayoko looking around her apartment.

“This is a nice place you have here.” said Sayoko.

“Thanks.” said Kim. “Look, about giving Haru something for you, I can't.” she said simply. Sayoko frowned.

“You can't? Why not?” wondered the other woman. Kim sighed.

“She got burnt, and the White Snake discharged her from TERRA.” said Kim. “We're not supposed to associate with her, and frankly, I think she has come to detest TERRA as much - or more so - than Ayato ever did.” said the girl. Sayoko sighed.

“Well, I guess that I'll have to go to her place, then. I had hoped to avoid that, but if you can't, then you can't.” said the woman. Kim's interest was caught by the admission that the woman didn't want to go to Haru's house.

“Why don't you want to go to her house?” wondered the younger woman.

“That steep hill makes me tense when I drive up there, and those steps are murder on my feet.” smiled the other woman. Kim noticed something she hadn't before. Is she putting on weight? wondered the younger woman. Well, she has been mostly sitting on her ass these last several weeks. she dismissed the thought.

“Tell you what, Sayoko,” she decided, “give me what you wanted her to get, and I'll give it to her if I see her.” said the Operator. Sayoko hesitated for a moment, then reached into her purse and pulled out a medium-sized journal.

“Give her this, and tell her that that is all there is.” said the woman. Kim glanced at the cover, seeing nothing special.

“Ok.” agreed Kim, tucking the book under her jacket. Sayoko exhaled.

“Well, I'll be going then.” said the assistant, turning for the door. Kim remembered something she should ask the other woman, since she was there.

“Hey, Sayoko, have you seen Ayato today?” she asked the older woman.

-

“These are the ruins we followed Mishima to.” realized Ayato as Quon stopped before an old, worn-down stone structure. Directly ahead of the two, he saw the double stone doors that led to the tunnel that connected this place with Tokyo Jupiter. Currently, they were closed.

“Olin is correct.” smiled Quon, turning in his partial embrace to face him. “Here is where the song begins and ends.” she said, her tone serious. “Is Olin ready?” asked Quon. Ayato slowly nodded.

“Yes.” he said simply. Quon smiled at him warmly.

“Quon is pleased.” she whispered, reaching up and unfastening her life module. Letting it drop, she immediately untied her dress and let it fall, once more wearing nothing under it but a pair of scant panties. The sketchy underwear swiftly landed on the grass with her dress and life module. “Olin needs to be free as well.” she said, reaching for his shirt. Ayato was staring at her `key'.

“Quon, your key; it's changed!” he breathed. Quon nodded as she pushed his shirt off him and set to work on his pants.

“Olin's key has changed as well. We are tuned now. And Tuned, you can tune the world.” said the woman, swiftly and surely stripping Ayato naked. Ayato's attention was on Quon's markings, his fingers absently tracing them. At his touch, Quon felt herself tingle. In response, she traced his key with her delicate fingertips, a soft - yet powerful - aria coming from her throat.

Hearing her aria, Ayato's entire body erupted in electrical thrills. Her touch was resonating through his key, even as his own touch resonated through her. His dick sprang to life like a switchblade. Quon was similarly aroused, her pussy flooding like a faucet. Instinct took over for them both, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. Wrapping his arms around her lithe body, he hugged her to him, feeling her breasts press against his chest, her hard nipples nearly scratching him.

Slowly, he guided her down to the thick, soft grass growing around the stone shrine, never breaking the kiss. Had either of them noticed, they would have perhaps wondered why all the small sounds went mute, and why there was absolute dead silence save for their arias. Ayato gradually moved from Quon's lips to her cheek, then down her neck and to her breasts, which he showered with attention, his lips busy with one while his hand mirrored the attention on the other mound of delicate flesh. Under his skilled assault, Quon was finding it hard to concentrate, but she managed to hold on to her aria.

Ayato eventually moved down her belly, over her key - which he traced repeatedly with his tongue and fingertips - and to her nest, which by now had managed to soak her legs to her knees. Dragging his nose through her pubic hairs, he inhaled her scent, intoxicated by the heady perfume. Extending his tongue, he swirled it around her erect clit, causing her to moan. Licking his lips, he tasted her juice and wanted more.

Diving in to her nest, he licked and probed and sucked, oblivious to her spreading her legs wide to give him as much access as he desired. Wrapping his fingers around her hips from underneath, he carefully spread her lips to expose her slick, pink entrance, and promptly assaulted it with his tongue. Quon writhed and shuddered as she felt an orgasm roll through her. “Olin!” she wheezed, fighting to maintain control.

Lifting his face from her soaked sex, he looked at her flushed, lustful face. The look in her eyes made his dick throb. Moving up her body, he paused to worship her nipples briefly before positioning his pre-cum-drooling tool at her entrance. With a single, hard thrust, he sheathed himself in her passage, gasping as he felt her tight, hot grip on his dick. Sealing his lips to her own, he began to pump into her vigorously, breaking the kiss as he pulled her up, so she was sitting in his lap, bouncing on his hard length.

Neither could be sure how long it went on, but it was both an instant and an eternity before he felt himself fill her with his release. Even after he came, he kept pounding into her, laying back so she was on top, straddling his hips as she used her leg muscles to ride his erection. Panting, soaked in sweat, the two swiftly reached another shared release.

As one, the two rolled over, Quon lowering her head to her forearms as Ayato claimed her from behind, his aria intermingling with her own as he strove for one more joined release. Furiously, he drove into her slick, furnace-like channel, unmindful of the mixed cum being sprayed from her tight sex with each thrust, and equally unaware of the flooded state of her womb. As their arias peaked, the pair harmonized into one aria as Ayato fired his last volley of the battle into Quon before the two collapsed, holding each other tightly, to the grass. Beyond them, the stone gates were open, and a dark passage was lit with light.

-

Kim casually browsed the books in the maternity section of the bookstore, ignoring the occasional disapproving look from older women who happened past her. She could imagine what the housewives were thinking; after all, she was obviously young, but more to the point, she was in her TERRA uniform. Stupid bitches should mind their own business! she found herself thinking irritably.

“I think you'll find this one useful.” came a soft, familiar voice as a hand pulled a book from the shelf. Kim glanced at the thick, sturdy book. Seeing the cover, she couldn't help but snort.

“Funny, Haru, but I had somehow thought that you would get me one titled more like `Birth for Dummies'.” she said, taking the book and flipping through it.

“If you were anyone else, maybe.” said Haru softly. Kim glanced back to make sure that it was Haru she was talking to, as well as to make sure that Megu was not with her big sister. The former Captain was dressed in short, ragged cut-offs, a tight, short tee shirt and sandals. From her shoulder hung a purse, and her sunglasses were pushed up to sit on top of her wide, soft headband that kept her hair out of her face.

“You're looking good, Haru.” she said softly, her eyes back on the book. Hmm. This is separated into weeks and has quick notes in addition to more detailed information. She flipped some more pages. Suggestions for diet and exercise, as well as some useful items…I think Haru is right; this is the book I need! “So, how did you know about this book, Haru? Personal experience?” she asked the older woman, smirking.

“I thought you would have guessed by now, but Megumi's not my kid sister; she's my daughter.” replied Haru off-handedly. Kim choked on thin air at that. Coughing once, she turned to look at Haruka, who - predictably - was smirking at her reaction to her counter-attack.

“Haru, you are a bitch!” she growled at her older friend. Haruka shrugged.

“So they say.” she dismissed the dig. Glancing around, she plucked a book from the section next to the maternity books and flipped it open. Looking down at it, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “What did you need to see me about, Kim?” she asked.

“I don't know if you know, but the serpent has moved the invasion timetable up. We are going in three days.” murmured the Operator.

“Three days?!” hissed Haru. “That's a full two days before the UN's launch date!”

“I don't know why, but suddenly, the snake just up and announced that he was moving the timetable up. When Souichi asked about the UN, he said that he had gotten clearance to move it up, but we never got confirmation of that.” Kim elaborated.

“You think he's gone rogue?” pressed Haru, her mind busy. Kim flicked a shoulder.

“Haven't a clue, Haru.” she whispered. “With you gone, the only one `in the loop' with his plans is Ensign Mishima, and she's not talking.” said the tech. A thought occurred to her, and she frowned. “Come to think about it, no one has seen Mishima since you got fired.” she noted. Haruka sighed softly.

“Just as well.” she muttered. “Kim, don't go on the command ship when this operation goes down.” she said, her tone dead certain. Kim frowned.

“Why not?” she asked. Souichi is going, so I should too!

“Because when the barrier falls, the fleet will most likely be wiped out.” said Haru quietly. “Be sick, go on maternity leave or just refuse to go, Kim.” she repeated. I don't want Ayato to lose anyone else he cares for. she left unsaid.

“What makes you so certain, Haru?” challenged Kim. “And what about Megu?” she asked.

Haruka's lips tightened into a thin line. “Megu is not going. In fact, I'm going to ask her to resign from TERRA.” A pause, then she went on. “I think she will, too.” added the older Shitow sister. “As for how I know, well, Ayato and I have talked a lot about what he saw and learned when he was in Tokyo this last time, and I…had a very realistic dream a couple of nights ago.” Not hearing Kim scoff at her dream comment, she moved ahead. “Besides, I know my aunt won't just sit there.” she breathed.

Kim's head snapped around to stare at Haru. “Your aunt?!” she gritted out. “Who are you talking about, Haru?” she demanded softly. Haruka glanced around once more before whispering the answer to Kim.

-

Helena fought the urge to tap her foot in impatience. He's late! she silently snarled. He demands that I be here to meet him, and then can't even arrive on time! Covertly, she glanced at her watch. “Half hour late already.” she grumbled.

“Ma'am?” asked one of the two agents with her. Helena's lips compressed.

“Nothing.” she replied, clipped and tight. Fucking jerk! she left unsaid. It had not amused her to awaken in the cabin where the Mulian had been held, stark naked, her dried juices covering her from pussy to ankles, and without a stitch of clothes to be found. It still made her face crimson to remember having to sneak around the ship, looking for her clothes. She had ended up having to go back to her cabin, giving several of the crewmembers a free show - as well as a lot of TERRA dock personnel. Damn that Mulian! cursed the woman silently.

And now, she was supposed to meet the chairman of the Bahbem Foundation at the docks, and he was late. It had severely undermined her authority to be seen sneaking around naked like some common slut, and she had swiftly heard the first of the rumors and jokes about her circulating through TERRA and even the Bahbem people. And that bastard Isshiki even threw it in my face when we last spoke. How dare that D disrespect me like that?!

“Ma'am.” said one of the agents, pointing. Breaking free of her thoughts, she saw the yacht the Chairman was using approaching the moorings. A modest one hundred footer, it was nearly defiantly low-key for such a prominent man to use. It's about time he got here! sniffed Helena disdainfully. She truly and deeply despised the man, where she had once loved him to the point of worshipping him. Ever since he replaced me with his `new' Helena, I've meant nothing to him! she thought resentfully.

As the boat made fast to the cleats and the gangway was locked in position, Helena saw the white-haired Chairman emerge. And right beside him was the wheat-blonde head of the `new' Helena. Like a doting grandfather, the Chairman held her hand as she stepped onto the gangplank. The older Helena had to fight an urge to sneer at the younger one as she smiled and giggled as the old man followed her down the gangplank, still holding her hand.

Approaching the trio of dark-clothed agents, the Chairman stopped in front of Helena, still holding the hand of the new Helena. “Report.” he said simply. Beside him, the face of the young Helena went cold and stiff as she eyed the older version of herself. Neither of them liked each other at all, but the Chairman either didn't notice, or didn't care.

“Sir,” began Helena, “the plan is proceeding. We can take custody of the Olin and Quon whenever we desire. The RahXephon unit is currently resting in its hanger and Isshiki has taken command of TERRA, thus removing any interference to our plan.” she reported.

“And the Instrumentalists are still un-tuned?” he pressed.

“Yes, sir.” she assured him. “We have managed to eliminate all loose ends, sir.” she said. Maybe he'll congratulate me for a job well done, hoped the woman.

“It's about time.” said the man. “I read your reports, and I had feared that you couldn't manage it, seeing as how one Instrumentalist managed to make a fool of you not once, but twice.” noted the man, absently stroking the blonde tresses of the younger Helena. The older one said nothing, but inside, she seethed with hatred.

“What has Itsuki been doing lately, Helena?” asked the old man. The older one had to actually think about that for a moment.

“He's been staying in his lab with Quon. Lately, he and Isshiki have been avoiding each other.” noted the older blonde.

“And you, it would appear.” came the soft, but already arrogant, voice of the younger Helena. The older Helena's hands closed into fists.

“It doesn't matter as long as we gain the keys to RahXephon.” said the man. “Until the time is right, we will wait patiently.” he directed.

“Very well.” acquiesced the older Helena. “I have your quarters ready, if you would please follow me.”

“Helena doesn't want to stay in common rooms, so I decided that we will stay aboard until the time comes.” interrupted the Chairman. Beside him, the younger Helena turned to beam a smile up at him.

“As you wish, sir.” managed the older blonde. I'll kill that bitch! she silently snarled, seeing the younger her turn toward her with a superior smirk on her lips before she and the old Chairman turned back toward the boat, where his crew was just finishing up the utilities tie-ins. As the old man and the young Helena returned to their boat, the older Helena spun on her heel and marked off. “We're done here!” she snapped at her two subordinates.

-

Ayato finished tying Quon's dress and picked up her life module, the woman holding her arms out as he slipped it on her. The two had awoken to the soft sounds of birds and bugs, a small circle of sunlight having made it's way through the canopy of leaves to illuminate them. Quon had stretched, and Ayato had felt his dick stir.

Seeing the signs of life in his dick, Quon had smiled at him before leaning down and engulfing his semi-hard member in her mouth. Nearly instantly, he had gone hard, and in very short order, the two were once more joined, though this time, it was a slow, easy pace, rather than the frantic, driven coupling that they had enjoyed before. Neither was in a rush, and Quon took the top position, stretching out the union. Eventually, though, he and Quon had shared a strong, deep climax, with Ayato once more flooding her with his cum.

When she had climbed off him, she had given him a leisurely, loving deep kiss before once more wrapping her lips around his dick and licking him clean. Ayato had kind of hoped that that was a signal that Quon was up for another round, but instead, she had slurped his dick clean and stood. “Dress me, please.” she had asked. Ayato had found himself chuckling as he rose and did as she asked.

As he helped her into her panties, he saw traces of their mixed cum seeping from her swollen lips. Quon had seemed to know what he was thinking, since she told him that she liked having his seed in her, and was clenching her muscles to keep it inside. Taking her word for it, he situated her panties before reaching for her dress.

Being with Quon had been very different from being with any of the other girls. Much as I hate to say it, it felt more intense with her than with any of them but Haru and Megu, thought the young man. Although, in all honesty, I would take Haru or Megu over any of the other girls; it's just different with them, somehow. he mused, working Quon's dress into place and reaching for the ties that held it on. Before he knew it, he was fastening her life module in place.

“Thank you, Olin.” smiled Quon when she was dressed again. Ayato found himself smiling back.

“You're very welcome, Quon.” he said honestly. Strange that I used to think that Quon was either nuts or a freak, he mused. Instinctively, he leaned into her and kissed her lips. Quon responded eagerly before he broke the kiss and reached for his boxers. As he dressed, Quon took a seat on one of the time-worn rocks.

“Does Olin find me more to his liking than my sister?” asked the girl, a small, teasing smile on her lips. Ayato froze frowning.

“You have a sister, Quon?” he wondered. No one had ever said anything about a sister for the woman. And apparently, I slept with her sister, so who could she mean? wondered the young man.

“Yes. Quon has a sister. And Olin has already joined with her.” smiled the woman mischievously. “Olin has known Quon's sister longer than he has known Quon.” baited the woman playfully.

“I have?” wondered Ayato, stepping into his pants. Quon hummed an affirmative reply. “Who is your sister, Quon?” he asked her directly.

“Maya is Quon's twin sister.” said the strange woman. For a few seconds, Ayato missed the obvious, but abruptly, it all fell into place.

“M…Maya?! You mean, Maya Kamina? My `mom'?!” he gasped stupidly. Quon nodded, a smile on her lips.

“Yes. Maya is Quon's older twin. Together, we fell from paradise. Together, we sought to make right the mistakes of the past. We are twins, yet we did not agree on the means to do so. Once we fell, Maya sought the path of power, and Quon sought the path of reason.” said the woman, no longer smiling. “Both need Olin, but only one path can be chosen.” she said, her tone steeped in seriousness. “Together, we have Tuned you, Olin. Only Olin and RahXephon can now choose the path.” said the woman, rising and crossing to Ayato. Bending over, she picked up his shirt and gently helped him into it.

Ayato was in shock to some degree, although, now that she had told him, it did make a lot of sense to him. Maya and Quon are sisters! And what did she mean by them `falling from paradise'? How can I choose a path? And what does RahXephon have to do with all this? “Quon, I need to know some things.” he said intently, catching Quon's hands in his own. The woman smiled at him, though there seemed to be a hint of sadness in her smile.

“Quon cannot tell you that which you most want to know, Ayato, because Quon does not have the answers.” she said. “But, Quon will tell you what she can tell you.” offered the woman, pulling Ayato's arm back around her waist. “Quon will begin at the beginning.” said the woman, subtly leading him away from the ruins, and back to Nirai. Behind the two, the doors to the heart of the shrine were open, the passage unblocked and still faintly glowing.

-

“I'm home!” called Ayato. It was nearly sunset, and he had left at mid-morning. Not getting an immediate reply, he kicked off his shoes and moved into the kitchen. On the table was the remains of a single dinner. Frowning, Ayato moved upstairs. “Haru? Megu?” he called. Pausing by Haru's door, he slid it open, finding her bed empty.

Stepping back into the shallow hall, he slid the door to Megu's room open, but it, too, was empty. He was beginning to feel a little concerned as he saw that the bathroom door was open. From habit, he glanced into his room, but as he had expected, it was empty as well. Moving back downstairs, he circled the house, looking for the sisters.

It wasn't until he thought to look for Haru's car that he realized that it was missing. Whew! They had me worried there for a minute. he thought, relieved. Pulling his cell phone out, he blinked when he saw that he had several unanswered calls. He had gotten five from Haru over a period of about three hours, two from Kim-chan, three from Say-chan, one from TERRA headquarters and one from Itsuki. “Guess I'm popular.” he muttered, sitting down on the porch and sorting through the messages. Most of the girls had left text messages, though Say-chan and Haru-chan had left voice messages.

Starting at the top, he scanned through them all in order. Haru was - understandably - concerned about his vanishing trick. He felt guilty about that, since he had pulled that trick on her twice now. I need to apologize to her for that. he thought grimly. All this time, and I didn't know about her. I can't believe she is so devoted to me, especially after all this time. Pushing that to the side for the moment, he continued working his way through the list. Kim had first called to see if he had told Haru, then, about an hour later, she had texted him that she needed to see him at her place tomorrow evening. Say-chan had twice tried to call him, telling him each time that she would try back later. The third time, she had said she needed to talk to him at her place as soon as possible. To his surprise, the one from TERRA was from Megu-chan, telling him that she had replaced her cell phone because her old one got kicked over the cliff by Torigai, and that she was on late shift that evening.

“Which leaves Itsuki to deal with.” muttered Ayato, selecting it from the list. The message asked if he had any idea where Quon might be. Chuckling, he debated how to answer that. “Well, Itsuki, I'm glad you asked! You see, Quon and I went up to the ruins and fucked like weasels for most of today, then, she told me all about you!' Yeah, that'd go over well!” he snickered to himself. “Maybe less is more.” he said, still chuckling, as he sent a call to Itsuki's number.

“Itsuki speaking.” came the doctor's voice on the third ring.

“This is Ayato. You asked me where Quon was. She and I had a talk, but she should be back home by now.” said the young man.

“Yes, she just arrived back a few minutes ago.” confirmed Itsuki.

“Well, good.” replied Ayato. “Guess I'll talk to you later, then.” he said, moving his thumb up to end the call.

“Ayato! Wait!” called Itsuki.

“Yeah, what?” came back the young man. For a moment, he didn't hear anything, then, Itsuki spoke.

“I want to ask you a favor, Ayato.” said the man. Ayato frowned.

“Such as?” he wondered.

“I was wondering if you could ask Haru to stop by sometime.” asked the doctor. Ayato felt a spike of distrustful jealousy shoot through him. He knew about their past, and his instincts told him that Itsuki wasn't done trying to rekindle that relationship with Haruka. To his surprise, he found himself about to tell Itsuki to keep his hands off his Haru-chan. I need to trust her, though. he reasoned. After all, she has held on to me for more than a decade.

“Ok, I'll mention it when I see her again.” promised Ayato. But it will be her choice if she wants to see you or not. he left unsaid. “Is Quon resting?” he asked the doctor.

“She is currently taking a bath. Did you need to speak with her?” wondered the doctor. Ayato smiled.

“No. She just had a strenuous day, and I thought she would likely be tired.” he evaded. “I'll talk to you later, Itsuki.” he said, ending the call.

Thoughtfully, Ayato dialed Haru's phone, but got her voice mail. He told her that he was safe and had unexpectedly ended up talking with Quon for most of the day, but that he would see her that night. Ending the call, he stretched and looked at the fading sun. Hearing his stomach rumble, he smiled.

“Guess I should go see what Say-chan wants.” he reasoned, tucking his phone back in his pocket. He paused, reconsidering, before ducking back into the house and writing a brief note, placing it on Haru's pillow. With that done, he jogged down the steps and to the road, humming as he went.

In record time, he ended up at Say-chan's place. Knocking, he heard some movement, then the door opened, revealing Say-chan in loose shorts, a tight top and sporting a bandanna tied over her head. “Ayato!” she squealed, glomming onto him enthusiastically. With her chest crushed against his, he realized that she wasn't wearing a bra. He could also feel her nipples snap to attention.

“You wanted to see me, Say-chan?” he asked her, easing back from her close embrace. Sayoko Nanamori smiled at him, darting her lips in to kiss him quickly before she tugged him into her house.

“I was just taking a dinner break, Ayato. Care to join me?” she asked eagerly. Ayato chuckled.

“I am pretty hungry, Say-chan.” he admitted. Her hands seized his, and she led him to her kitchen, where a sizable spread was laid out. Sitting down in the indicated chair, he saw Say-chan settle beside him and begin to push food in front of him. Smiling, he ate.

About a half hour later, he was full. Say-chan had obviously had some before he got there, but she had put away almost as much as he had. He wondered at her sudden hunger. Letting his eyes rove over her body, he thought she might be a little heavier than he recalled around her waist. Still, she looks as good as ever, he had to admit to himself.

“Thanks for dinner, Say-chan.” he said warmly. The older woman beamed back a smile.

“It was my pleasure, Ayato.” she assured him. Ayato stood.

“I'm gonna borrow your bathroom for a minute, ok, Say-chan?” he asked politely. She nodded.

“You know where it is.” she agreed, swiftly clearing the table of the wreckage of their meal. Ayato moved through her house toward the bathroom, but froze, seeing lots of boxes sealed and stacked in the living room, guest room, bedroom and hallway. Frowning, he stepped into the bathroom and relieved himself before finishing up and moving back toward Say-chan.

He found her wiping the table down with a dish rag. “Hey, Say-chan, what's with the boxes?” he wondered. Sayoko froze for a moment.

“It's one of the things that I wanted to talk to you about.” she said softly. dropping the damp rag into her sink, she rinsed her hands off, dried them on her dish towel and moved over to him, carefully taking his hands in her own and leading him to her couch.

Sitting down, he used her hands to guide her down tight against his side, his arms cradling her against him as she settled. He wasn't sure what she was going to tell him, but he instinctively felt that she would feel better if he was holding her close. “So, what did you want to tell me?” he asked her softy.

Sayoko's head settled against his shoulder. “I'm moving away from Nirai Kanai, Ayato.” she said softly. “Two days from now.” added the tech.

“You're moving?” gaped Ayato. “It wasn't…because of me, was it?” he asked her, worried that he might have somehow forced her to move. Her soft snort of laughter reassured him.

“No! Well, yes and no, but not like you mean.” she clarified. Ayato caressed her bare skin between her shorts and her top with one hand, the other being clasped by Sayoko, who pulled it to her chest, holding it over her heart. “It's odd, Ayato, but the reason I'm moving is that you came into my life.” She forestalled any words from him by pressing her fingertip to his lips, holding his hand in place with her free hand. “It's not like that, Ayato! I promise you, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” she assured him earnestly. “It's just, once you and I got involved, I began to see myself and those around me in a different light.” She paused, snuggling closer to him. “I…didn't like what I saw in myself and those around me.” she whispered.

“Say-chan.” murmured Ayato reassuringly, hugging her closer to him.

“I've lived my life in the shadow of my mistakes, Ayato.” said the woman softly. “But since you came into the picture, I have come to realize that if I don't come to terms with those mistakes, and change myself so I don't repeat them, I will spend the rest of my life in a place I don't want to be. So, I'm doing just that. And part of those changes mean cleaning up the remains of my mistakes that have kept me from moving forward with my life.” she said.

“It's kind of funny, but since I decided that this was what needed to be done, I have been happier than I can ever recall being. I quit my job, I'm moving to a place I have never been, with no means of supporting myself, and I have never been this happy or so anticipated the change. Isn't that strange?” she asked, giggling softly.

“Sounds like what happened to me.” murmured Ayato. Kim and her ring, and now Say-chan. They are drifting farther from me, but Haru and Megu are drifting closer. he mused. It's best this way; after all, Haru and Megu are the ones I love most. he realized. “Say-chan, is there anything I can do to help you?” he asked her, genuinely concerned about her. “I don't know what I can do, but I'll do what I can. Promise.” he assured her.

In his arms, Sayoko's eyes widened. “You mean it.” she breathed, stunned. He really wants to help me! she thought, her groin growing wet. I used him, but here he is, wanting me to succeed. Amazing. she thought in wonder. Tilting her head back, she pushed herself up to kiss him again, her tongue slipping into his mouth. Ayato calmly returned her kiss, his hand moving from her chest to her side as he did so.

Twisting in his arms, Sayoko threw a leg over his lap and twisted around so she was sitting on his lap with her legs on each side of his own, her hands burying themselves in his hair as she passionately kissed him. With her shift in position, Ayato was free to clasp her waist with his hands, just above the crests of her hips. Between them, his dick came alive. I thought that I had gotten enough with Quon, but guess not! he thought gleefully.

Say-chan was perhaps the most orally-skilled of the girls, and she was certainly putting her heart into now. For several minutes, the couple made out on her couch. Eventually, Ayato's hands made their way to Sayoko's shirt, sliding it slowly up and off her, forcing her to break her kiss, though she seemed perfectly fine with the direction that things were going. As he had suspected, she was naked beneath her thin shirt, her large, full breasts jutting forward eagerly, topped with her warm, pink nipples.

Dipping his head, he eased her back some so he could take her nipples in his mouth, biting, sucking and licking them reverently. Gasps and moans were Say-chan's approving response to his actions. Moving one hand up to her hair, he tugged the bandanna off her hair, releasing her hair to fall loosely over her back. Dropping the bandanna, he could feel his dick throb with the need to be buried in her slick opening.

Ayato got a good grip on her ass and managed to stand with her held to him. Sayoko understood his intention immediately, and hugged herself to him, wrapping her legs around his hips, which ground her wet pussy against his hard dick. Both of them panted as Ayato made his way to her bedroom. Easing her down on her bed, he grinned at her lazy smile. Easing back, he attacked her shorts, finding that they weren't buttoned, just zipped up. Tugging them down, he found that she was wearing a pair of low-riding panties, barely big enough to cover her soaked mound.

Tugging them off, he traced her bare mons with a fingertip, feeling her shiver in anticipation. With evidence of her exceeding readiness covering her smooth lips, he swiftly stripped off his shirt and pants, having some minor issues with his boxers before they, too, were removed, allowing his hard length to stand forth. Seeing it, Say-chan licked her lips.

Turning back to face Sayoko, Ayato found her situating herself better, one hand holding her puffy lips open while the other one toyed with a nipple. “Ayato.” breathed the woman heavily. Seeing the look of unadulterated lust in her eyes, Ayato knelt between her legs and leaned forward over her, feeing her hand - soaked with her juice - stroke his member once before settling his tip against her entrance.

Pushing forward, he steadily drove himself into her welcoming passage in one stroke. When his tip met her cervix, he settled down and kissed her before he began to work on her in earnest. Sayoko locked her legs around his hips, knowing that she would cum for the first time within a half dozen strokes. As she had known she would, her first orgasm rolled through her nearly instantly. Sayoko also knew that she would get a lot more orgasms before it was said and done.

Ayato sighed in contentment as he worked on Sayoko. Her slick, warm passage was the first he had ever experienced, and he liked it a lot; if less than he liked the Shitow sister's sheathes. As was his habit, he pushed any thoughts of other women but Say-chan from his head, concentrating on her. As the two continued, he switched positions, taking her from behind as orgasm after orgasm racked her body. For all of that, though, Ayato was finding himself stalling just short of his own orgasm.

Even with her mind mostly turned to jelly from the repeated orgasms, Say-chan thought that Ayato was finding it hard to reach his own orgasm. Weakly, she managed to gather enough strength to push back on his hips until he pulled completely out of her drooling pussy. “Here.” panted the woman, exhausting her ability to speak. With words failing her, she took his slippery dick and positioned it where she wanted it.

Looking at where she held his hard length, Ayato blinked. “Are you sure, Say-chan?” he asked her, feeling his dick pulse in her hand. A simple tug was all she could manage for an answer. Feeling a smile cross his lips, Ayato grabbed her hips and pushed forward slowly. Gradually, his tip slipped past her tight ring of muscle and into her ass. “Ah!” he gasped. Beneath him, Say-chan's lips twitched into a small smile when she heard the tone of his voice.

Before he knew it, he was hammering into her ass, one hand tucked under her to mercilessly tease her erect clit and occupy her dripping sex as the other one assaulted her hard nipple. Sayoko was long gone in euphoric passion by the time that Ayato fired his load into her ass. Panting, he slowly pulled out of her tight back door, laying beside her as he caught his breath.

Looking at Sayoko, he found her pass out, a smile on her face. Fondly, he brushed some hair from her face and kissed her cheek. After a half hour of rest, he got up made his way to her bathroom again, quickly showing himself clean. Emerging from the bathroom, he re-dressed and surveyed Sayoko once more. Shaking his head, he worked her under her sheets, kissing her once more before quietly exiting her house. Before he left, he wrote a note for her and left it on her kitchen table.

As much as he cared for Sayoko, he wanted to be back with the Shitow sisters before he slept. Oddly enough, he was tired, but far, far less so than he should have been, given the way he had spent his day. Thinking of Haru and Megu, he actually jogged up the hill, seeing Haru's car in its spot and lights on in Megu's room. Grinning, he took the steps three at a time and all but jumped through the door. “I'm home!” he called out.

“Welcome home, Ayato!” came Haru's voice from upstairs.

“Ayato! Where have you been?!” demanded Megu. Chuckling, Ayato moved up stairs to see the two sisters.

-

“Kim-chan, I want you to stay behind when we ship out tomorrow.” said Souichi, holding the Korean girl close as they lay in her bed. The operator had been expecting this talk for a while now; actually, since Haru had broached the subject with her.

“Why, Souichi?” she asked. “I'm an Operator, and this will be the biggest offense against the Mu we have ever made! I should be there.” she argued. The young major sighed.

“Because I don't want my fiancée to be in any more danger than she has to be in.” he said. “And our child certainly doesn't need to be there when the Mu counter-attack.” he added. Kim grimaced.

“You've been talking to Haru behind my back.” she accused him angrily. Souichi sighed.

“Kim, you make it sound like Haruka and I were having an affair!” he protested. Kim's hard expression didn't waver.

“Some things are more important than sex.” said the younger woman. Souichi nodded.

“Like, protecting those you love? Or maybe protecting the woman who is carrying your child?” he asked innocently. Kim opened her mouth to tell him that her child wasn't his, but didn't get a chance. “I didn't want to say anything before we were done with the Mulian War, but…well, due to some medical issues, I was told that I would find it impossible to father any children. I had resigned myself to that, but then, well…here we are!” he said giddily, his hand moving to rest on the modest bulge low on her belly. Kim bit back her words.

“Yeah, here we are.” she agreed. It would just make things more complicated. she decided, once more letting it go. “But that doesn't address my initial protest.” she stubbornly returned to the issue at hand. “My presence could mean the difference between a successful mission and a failed mission.” she insisted. Souichi slowly exhaled.

“Kim, look, there are other things going on.” he said softly. Kim's eyebrows drew down. “Haru and I came up with a plan; well, sort of a plan.” he said. “In the event that things play out as we suspect they will, Nirai Kanai will be targeted for a massive counter-attack. Before the Mu can get here, we need to evacuate the city - just in case the Vermillion teams and Ayato can't stop them. That kind of job will require fast, accurate planning and decision making. It is, frankly, a job you are well suited to.” he said.

“And what is Haru going to be doing?” asked Kim grudgingly. “I doubt that she will just sit on her ass while this is going on.” she challenged.

“Haru will do what she can, but her first concern will be Ayato and RahXephon.” said Souichi. “You should understand that my telling you this is breaking a promise I made to Haru when she laid this out to me. I am trusting you with everything, Kim.” he said. Kim quirked an eyebrow.

“Everything but going with you.” she snorted delicately. Her eyes are on Ayato, as always. mused Kim. She remembered something. “What was that note that Megu gave you after her shift yesterday?” she asked. Souichi didn't immediately answer. “What, more secrets with Haru?” she sharply. Souichi shook his head.

“It is her letter of resignation from TERRA.” said Souichi softly. That got a gasp from Kim.

“She's quitting TERRA?!” she gaped. “But, she worked so hard to get in!” protested the Korean.

“'Things change, sir' were her exact words.” shrugged Souichi. “I took her resignation, but I haven't accepted it yet. I will see where we stand after the raid.” He gave a short chuckle. “Want to bet that what changed is Ayato?” he asked her. Kim giggled.

“No bet.” she replied easily. “But Haru has also changed, you know.”

“Yes, I noticed.” he said. “Her entire attitude and mannerisms have changed since Ayato came here.” he noted. Kim gave him a strange look.

“You know, Souichi, I could easily be forgiven for thinking that you and Haru were carrying on behind my back.” she pointed out. Against her thigh, she felt his dick jerk at her words. “And why does you dick twitch when I mention you and Haruka having an affair?!” she demanded. His dick hardened some more. Kim twisted her hand down to grab his member.

“Kim, it isn't like that!” he tried to assure her. Kim slowly jacked his dick, bringing it to full hardness.

“It isn't?” she challenged him. “All those long, private meetings in your office make more sense now!” she accused, stroking faster. “And she always wears her skirt so short, too. You certainly liked the show she gave you that time!” she went on, pumping faster. “You know, you shouldn't run around behind my back, Souichi.” she warned him. “After all, I want in on the action, too!” she whispered in his ear hotly before she rolled on top of him, her hand guiding him into her wet sex.

-

Ayato sighed. Say-chan had left two days ago, and the attack fleet had sailed yesterday. Kim was busy as hell, and Haru had been doing some kind of work that kept her pretty busy ever since she read that journal that Kim had given her. Still, he wasn't complaining. Megumi had told him the morning that the assault group sailed that she had resigned from TERRA.

While he had been surprised, he hadn't minded, really, since it kept her off the roster for the hare-brained scheme of that albino freak. It also gave the two of them plenty of time together. He had become accustomed to sleeping in either Megu's bed or Haru's - depending on which sister got to him first.

The duality of the situation was bothering him some, as he didn't want them to stress about the other taking up his time and attention, though there was little indication that they were worried about that. Still, I want to get them together so it won't fester in their hearts. he thought. Well, ok, that and because I would love to try a three-some with them. he honestly admitted. That morning, he had been with Megumi, and when he got up, she had three loads of his cum in her, and was smiling like a cat in a cream factory.

After a shower, he had made his way into town to see Kim, who had asked him to look her up. He had made sure that he had his phone and that both Haru and Megu had their phones as well. With that precaution taken, he felt relatively comfortable leaving them alone for a while.

Making his way to Kim's apartment, he had knocked once, hearing her tell him to enter. When he did so, she greeted him warmly, sitting on her couch in her panties, a legal pad on her lap, and several emergency manuals set out on her coffee table. “Hey, good morning, Ayato!” called the girl cheerfully as Ayato moved to sit beside her. As he sat, she leaned over and kissed him.

“Morning, Kim-chan.” he said. “What's all this?” he wondered, indicating the manuals and the legal pad. Kim waved it off.

“Just some homework while the assault is being staged.” she said. “But, that's not what I wanted to see you about, anyway.” she said, tossing the note-laden legal pad to the coffee table and leaning back, much to the approval of little Ayato, his pants getting tight as he looked at her bare tits, capped with warm brown nipples, which were crinkling up even as he watched. Kim smiled to herself as she noted his attention. Like what you see, Ayato? she thought to herself happily.

“So, what did you want to see me about?” he asked her. Kim focused on her reason for asking him to come see her.

“It's about Haruka.” she said simply. Ayato instantly focused all his attention on her.

“What about Haru-chan?” he asked intently. Kim studied him.

“Ayato, there is more to your relationship with her than you realize.” began Kim. “Did you know that you and she were once sweethearts?” she asked him. Unexpectedly, he smiled fondly.

“Yes, but not until recently.” he said. Seeing her interest, he touched her cheek with his fingers. “Remember the trip to the beach? When I said that Itsuki thought that my real memories would eventually return?” he asked her. Seeing her nod, he went on. “Well, they returned. All of them.” he said, smiling a bit more. “I remember her, Kim. Finally, I remember my Haru-chan.” he said happily. Kim softly shook her head.

“And I was going to make you happy by telling you that she kept holding on to you all this time.” she said. “So, what about Megu and you?” asked the Korean girl. Ayato shrugged.

“I honestly don't know, Kim-chan.” he said. “I do love her as well, you know.” he pointed out. “Even back when she was just a kid, she and I got along well together. Haru used to joke with me about competing with her sister for my affection.” He shook his head. “The more things change…” he began.

“…the more they stay the same.” finished Kim, laughing softly. She and Ayato shared a brief, warm silence. “Do you have any plans for them?” asked the Korean girl softly. Ayato could feel some color rise on his cheeks, recalling his interest in a threesome with the two.

“Not exactly.” he lied. “I want us to be together.” he muttered. Kim smirked at him.

“Ever thought that they might want to be together as well?” she suggested. Ayato blinked at her. “Tell you what, Ayato,” smiled Kim. “let me tell you about the Shitow sisters, and in exchange, you can tell me what you really want to do with them.” she purred suggestively.

-

“Megu? You up yet?” asked Haru as she entered her younger sister's room. Seeing a lump on the bed, she crossed to it and pulled the sheet back, finding her younger sister curled up with a pillow, naked. She knew that Ayato had been with her last night, and while she wished that Ayato had been giving it to her instead, she didn't begrudge her kid sister anything for having had Ayato in her bed that night.

“Megu, wake up.” said Haru, gently shaking Megumi's shoulder. Gradually, her younger sister awoke. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and blinked before focusing on Haru. Yawning, she covered her mouth before answering.

“Haru?” she wondered. “What's up?” she asked. Haruka was wearing panties, but nothing else, having gotten up a bit before and having detoured to check on Megumi before taking her shower.

“I have some things I need to do today, and I wanted you to run an errand for me, Megu.” said the older sister. “Besides, you could use a shower.” she said, smiling at Megumi. Stretching her arms, Megumi all but thrust her chest out toward Haru.

“Where's uncle at?” she asked, eyeing Haru's scanty outfit. Haruka shrugged.

“Off to some meeting or other. There was a note on my door this morning.” she said, eyeing her sister's modest but shapely chest. Megumi could feel her sister's eyes on her chest, and peeked at her big sister's chest.

Taller than her, Haruka had larger breasts, but not overly large for her build. Megumi realized for the first time that she and her sister both shared the same shade of dusky brown nipples, and the areola were nearly identical as well. I don't know why I felt so inferior to her for all this time. mused Megumi. Yeah, she's gorgeous, but I'm not that different from her! For some reason, realizing this made her feel incredibly sexy.

Haruka was considering her kid sister, wondering if she could really ask Megumi what she had been thinking about for a while now. Unconsciously, Haru reached out and stroked Megumi's neck, where the last of the bruising was just barely visible. Megumi sighed softly as Haruka traced the healed bruises around her throat. Time and circumstances had led the two sisters to be closer than most, and with the recent shift in their relationship brought about by Ayato's presence, they were in a grey area of new possibilities.

Can I really ask her? wondered Haru, absently tracing Megumi's collarbone. Maybe all this time apart from Ayato has made me into a deviant. Or maybe I'm just a slut; after all, I cheated on Ayato. Her fingertips moved back up to Megu's face, brushing an errant lock of hair off her cheek.

Megumi had similar thoughts. If I really do ask her, what would she say? And if she's game, would Ayato end up liking her more than me? God, I really am a pervert! she thought. For all of that, though, his cum feels really good in me! she thought, a smile tugging at her lip. Reaching out, she gently squeezed Haru's shoulder.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained! thought both sisters in perfect synch.

“Haru,”

“Megu,”

Both sisters froze, hearing each other speak simultaneously, before sharing a laugh. “Go ahead, Haru.” said Megumi, the tension broken. Haruka took a breath, steeled her nerves, and looked her kid sister in the eyes.

“Megumi, I…want to do something special for Ayato, but I need your help.” she said. Not too bad a beginning. she thought. “It would mean…doing some things that we haven't.” she continued awkwardly. How do you tell your kid sister that you want her to join you and your mutual boyfriend for a threesome? she wondered. She peeked at Megumi's expression.

Megumi's eyes were wide open, and her jaw was slack as well. Is Haru…?! Does she mean that she wants…what I was going to ask?! wondered the shocked younger Shitow. Her mind managed to break free of her temporary paralysis. If she means what it sounds like, then I can let her take the lead! she realized, feeling an intense wave of relief pass through her. Suddenly, another thought occurred to her. Can I do it? Can I really…be with them both at the same time?

“Megu?” asked Haru, concerned that Megumi hadn't made the slightest reply to her veiled proposal. “Megu? You ok?” she asked, a touch of concern in her voice. She took her kid sister's shoulders in her hands and gently shook her.

“I…I'm fine, Haru.” managed Megumi, putting her other hand on Haru's shoulder. “Just what do you mean, though?” she asked. I better make sure before I ask her about a threesome. thought the younger girl. Haruka maintained steady eye contact with her younger sister.

“I want to give Ayato something special, Megu. I want to give him both of us - together.” she said. “Can…you help me?” she whispered, nearly choking on her fear that Megu would say no. I guess if she doesn't want to, I can talk to Kim-chan and see if I can get her to agree to help me. I need to make Itsuki up to Ayato. she thought guiltily. Strange, but I am less nervous asking Megu, my sister, than I would be asking Kim. How weird is that?

“I can try.” whispered Megumi, offering her older sister a weak smile. “Truthfully, I was going to ask you the same thing.” she admitted, getting a surprised blink from her older sister. “Oh, come on! What did you think I was going to ask, Haru?” she asked. “But now that it's in the open, I'm not sure I can do it.” she admitted, looking away from her sister's eyes. “I…I'm kind of scared that I might…not be able to do it.” she tried to explain. Haru slowly nodded.

“Truthfully, Megu, I'm not entirely sure I can do it.” she admitted. Megumi gaped at her sister.

“Since when can't you do something for him, sis?!” demanded the younger one. “Besides, you're supposed to be the one I reply on!” she pointed out. Haruka blinked at her sister's tone. “If you can't do it, then how am I supposed to do it?” asked Megumi, her voice subdued. Haruka realized that their relationship had changed less than she thought it had.

“Megu, I've never done this before.” admitted the older sister.

“And I have?” challenged Megumi immediately. Haruka shook her head.

“I didn't say that, Megu.” explained the older one. “I was trying to say, since we don't know if we can do this, is that we should see if we can; before we try this with Ayato.”

“Right now?” whispered Megumi, her heart rate doubling instantly. Slowly, Haru nodded. Licking her lips, Megumi returned her nod. “O…ok.” she agreed. Neither sister wanted to make the first move, but after several quick breaths, Haru leaned into Megumi, hesitating only an instant before sealing her lips to Megumi's lips.

It was not the first time that the two had shared a kiss. It was, however, the first time that the two had shared a kiss that was of a sexual nature, rather than of a comforting nature. The electrical thrill that shot through them both caught them off guard, but didn't make them break their experimental kiss. In fact, when Haru's tongue slithered out to assault Megu's mouth, it was met halfway by Megu's tongue.

As they explored each other's mouths, the two had slowly begun to move their hands from each other's shoulders, Haruka's hand sliding to Megumi's waist as Megu moved her hands up Haru's neck and into her short hair. Engrossed in their kiss, the two almost lost their balance, but caught themselves just short of falling back into Megu's bed. Haruka resituated herself so she was kneeling over Megumi's hips, Megumi laying back in her bed, still holding Haru's lips to her own.

With the change in position and the continued kiss, Haru's breasts rubbed against Megu's, causing them to break the kiss with a gasp of surprised pleasure as their hard nipples rubbed each other. Wide-eyed, they looked at each other. Slowly, Haruka lowered her chest until she was nearly laying on Megumi, their breasts pressed together. Both sisters hissed in surprised pleasure, Megumi moving her arms to hug Haru to herself. Haruka took the opportunity to kiss Megu again, liking how she tasted.

As they kissed, Megumi's hands began to rub Haru's back. Her skin is so soft! thought Megu, moving her hands lower. When her fingertips brushed over Haru's panties, she groaned in dissatisfaction. Here I am naked, and she's wearing panties! thought Megumi, pushing her fingers under the waistband and working them off her sister.

Haru felt Megumi begin to work her panties off, and raised her hips to help Megumi remove them. Her pussy was tingling and wet from the kissing and skin-to-skin contact, and she was glad to be rid of her panties. Of course, getting them off required her to shift off of Megu, since she couldn't remove them when straddling her sister's hips. Rolling off Megu, she kicked them off before turning back to her sister, laying beside her this time. Slowly, Haru reached out and cupped one of Megumi's breasts in her hand.

Reciprocating the action, Megu took one of Haru's breasts in her hands, and gently massaged it, exploring it as her own was explored. They're bigger than mine, but on her, they don't look any bigger than mine look on me! she realized, running her finger over Haru's hard nipple. We really are alike. she thought happily, shifting so she could cup Haru's other breast in her free hand.

As Megumi explored her breasts, Haruka slowly leaned over Megu's chest and tentatively licked her little sister's nipple. Feeling Megumi shiver beneath her, she closed her lips over Megumi's hard crown and began to tease the nub with her tongue and teeth. Beside and beneath her, Megumi writhed in pleasure. She seems to be ok with this so far. thought Haruka, feeling her pussy begin to drool. Let's push a bit farther. she decided, slowly running her free hand down Megu's chest, across her belly, to pause at the modest patch of pubic hair just above Megumi's nest.

Megumi whined when she felt Haru's hand stop just above her small patch of hair. “Haru!” she squeaked, feeling her pussy catch fire with lust. Moving her own hand off Haru's breast, she slid it down to Haru's groin, pausing on briefly to feel her older sister's trimmed patch of dense pubic hair before cupping Haruka's sex and rubbing. Wow! Haru must like this, because she's soaked down there! marveled Megumi.

With her sister rubbing her pussy, Haru moved to copy her attention, finding Megumi's sex to be soaked. I guess that that is to be expected, since Ayato spent the night with her. realized Haruka. After a few moments of rubbing her sister's outer lips, she eased a finger between her lips, then hooked it to gently penetrate Megumi's pussy. Feeling a lot of hot, thick liquid, she realized that Megumi was still full of Ayato's cum. Easing another finger into her, she collected some of the mixed cum and brought it up to her mouth, her tongue darting out to sample the mixture.

When Haruka pushed a finger into her, Megumi felt a tiny orgasm roll through her. Deciding that fair play was in order, she eased Haru's lower lips apart and wiggled a finger into her sister's own wet sex. Wow! I didn't think she'd be this wet! Or this tight! thought a surprised Megumi. I wonder if I can get two fingers in there? she wondered, not realizing that if Ayato could get his dick in Haru, two fingers wouldn't be an issue. Working on getting a second finger into Haru, Megumi didn't realize that her sister had removed her fingers until she felt Haruka's arm between them, and her pussy empty of fingers.

Looking at her sister, she saw her licking two of her fingers. A closer look showed her that they were coated with some thick fluid. Blinking, she realized that that had to be hers and Ayato's mixed cum. Seeing her older sister tasting her mixed juice reminded her of another thing she had heard was common to threesomes. I better see how Haru tastes, since I will probably be tasting her when we do this for Ayato. With that thought, she eased her fingers back out of her big sister and moved them up to gingerly touch them with her tongue.

Tasting her sister, Megumi made a slight face. Well, I wasn't expecting ice cream. she thought, forcing herself to take another taste. It's not too bad, I guess. she allowed, her tongue gathering another sample. I can live with this. she decided, sucking her fingers clean before glancing at Haruka, noticing that her older sister was likewise sucking her fingers clean.

For some reason, the sight of them both licking their fingers clean set the sisters off on a laughing fit. Clinging together, they laughed for a good fifteen minutes before gradually gaining control of themselves. When they finally wound down, Haru fondly stroked Megumi's hair, as Megumi rested against her big sister's chest. “So?” asked Haru.

“So?” wondered Megumi, eyes closed as she enjoyed her sister's warmth, scent and sense of security that she got when snuggled up with her.

“So, do you think we can do this with Ayato?” asked Haruka, already knowing the answer. Megumi gave a short bark of laughter.

“Oh, most definitely!” she agreed, hugging Haru. Haruka returned the hug, feeling a massive burst of love and affection for her kid sister. From her room, she heard her watch chirp.

“Come on, Megu,” she said, rising, “we have things to do, and we both need a shower.” she smiled at her younger sister. Megumi stood up with her, stretching. Glancing down, Haru saw that the mixed cum flooding Megumi's passage was beginning to seep down her thighs.

“Can I join you in the shower?” asked Megumi, grinning at her big sister. Haruka smiled back.

“Of course you can, Megu.” she said, dropping her arm over her kid sister's shoulders as they made their way to the bathroom. As the shower was getting warmed up, Megumi remembered an earlier statement.

“Oh, you said you needed me to run an errand for you, Haru-neechan?” she asked her big sister. Haruka nodded, stepping into the shower and holding out her hand for Megu.

“Yes. I need you to take some things to Kim, and after that, I need you to grab some things from town. Can you do that?” she asked. Megumi nodded.

“Sure. But more importantly, when are we going to give Ayato our gift?” she asked her big sister, feeling decidedly lecherous.

-

Haru sat back in the comfortable chair, looking out over the bay through the huge bay window in Itsuki's main hall. When she had come to talk to him, she hadn't really expected anything different, but oddly enough, instead of his normal attempts to rekindle their old affair, he had seemed oddly introspective. Quon herself was acting oddly, as she was playing the piano - which was not odd in and of itself - but not her normal fare of self-composed music. Rather, she was playing from sheet music.

“Drink?” asked Itsuki, offering Haru a glass. Hesitating a moment, she accepted the drink.

“Don't worry, Haru.” smiled Itsuki. “I'm not trying to get you drunk.” he assured her. “That's cranberry vodka; with half the vodka.” he explained. Haru sipped her drink. “I'm glad you came by, Haru.” he said softly.

“You did ask, after all.” demurred Haruka. “And I have some things to discuss with you as well.” she said. Itsuki sat in the chair facing her chair. Unlike her normal outfit of tight pants, a strapless top and jacket, Haru was decked out in a pair of baggy tan cargo pants, a tight green tee shirt and sneakers. As usual, her wide headband kept her hair out of her face and her sunglasses rested on top of that headband.

“Would you like to go first, then?” asked Itsuki. Haruka shook her head.

“No. You start.” she said simply. Itsuki nodded.

“Very well.” he said, sipping from his own glass. “Haruka, is there the slightest chance that you might reconsider and give me a second chance to make our relationship work?” he asked her. Haruka slowly shook her head.

“No, Itsuki.” she said softly. The man sighed.

“Truthfully, I suspected that.” he admitted. A sigh, then he had another question. “Can you at least tell me if you ever felt something for me?” he asked. Haru sipped from her glass.

“If I didn't feel something for you, I wouldn't have slept with you.” she said slowly. At least, I keep telling myself that. she left unsaid. “But, for me, it's always been Ayato.” she said quietly. “Even through all the years, I just couldn't forget him, you know?” she tried to explain. Itsuki's lips twitched into a kind of grimace.

“I'm learning.” he replied wryly.

“Sorry, Itsuki.” said Haru quietly, Quon's piano music nearly drowning out the reply. For maybe fifteen minutes, nothing was said, the piano flowing over them steadily as Quon worked the instrument with consummate skill. Once, Haru glanced at the strange woman, only to find her playing with her eyes closed, her lips parted slightly, as if she were singing, but Haru didn't hear anything from her. Dismissing it, she turned her attention back to Itsuki and her drink, more than half remaining in her glass.

“Well, why don't you ask me what you came to ask me?” he suggested eventually. Haruka looked up from her glass.

“Itsuki, I want to know about the Bahbem Foundation.” she said, her gaze intense. Itsuki blinked at her.

“The Foundation? Why would you…?” he began.

“I read Sayoko's father's journal, and Elvy figured out what the Vermillion units really are.” she interrupted him aggressively. “Ayato was brought back here by Bahbem people, and I know that you are connected to them and Isshiki. I'm not entirely sure where Quon fits in, but I'm not as worried about her right now as I am about this group you work for.” pressed Haruka.

Itsuki opened his mouth to play off her accusation, but suddenly, he felt eyes on him. Turning his head slightly, he looked at Quon. The woman was looking directly at him, her eyes warm and somehow reassuring as her lips remained slightly parted. Itsuki suddenly understood that Quon was hiding her aria in plain sight, the song of the woman sunk into the flowing notes of the piano music. Her gaze brought back to his mind the cryptic warning she had given him days ago.

“What did you want to know, Haruka?” he asked softly. Release the past so my future can have a voice; well, let's see if I understand you, Quon. he thought to himself. Looking back to Haru, he was surprised at the intensity in her eyes.

-

Haruka parked her car and thoughtfully climbed the steps to her house, mulling over what she had learned from Itsuki, fitting it in together with what she had learned from Sayoko and the journal of Sayoko's father. As it interlocked, she plugged it into her overview of Ayato's discoveries. The more she pieced it together, the more certain she was that it was all about to come to a head.

Hearing her phone chirp, she pulled it free of her pocket and looked at the screen. On it was a simple message from Souichi. “Tomorrow at nine?” she muttered aloud. That was another twenty four hours before the UN timetable allowed. “Time's getting short all of the sudden.” she said.

“That's the nature of time, Haru.” came her uncle's voice. “Never enough.” he said. The old professor stood on the porch, next to the main door to the house, a suitcase by his side.

“Uncle,” breathed Haru, “sorry; I was lost in thought.” she offered. The professor smiled at her.

“Don't worry about it, Haru.” he said warmly. Haruka looked at the suitcase by his side.

“Are you going on another speaking tour?” asked Haru of her last relative. The smile he gave her was somehow strange to her eyes.

“In a manner of speaking.” said the old man. “Tell me, Haru, are you and Megu happy with your lives?” he asked her. Haruka frowned at that.

“What do you mean, are we happy, Uncle?” she wondered.

“Being with Ayato. Does that make you and Megu happy?” he asked her. Haruka's cheeks colored in a blush. He knows about us both sleeping with him! I didn't necessarily think he didn't know, but to have him put it so bluntly…!

“Yes. Very happy.” she answered while her mind was still frozen in embarrassment. Her lips curved into a smugly satisfied smile. Seeing this, the old man smiled.

“Good for you!” he said warmly, surprising Haru by pulling her into a warm embrace. “Good for you, indeed!” he murmured, giving her one more squeeze before easing back from her. He studied her face for a long moment. “You and Megu are very different from when you first appeared on my doorstep, you know.” he said. Haruka smiled at him.

“That was a long time ago, Uncle.” she said softly. “We're sorry if we have caused you any trouble.” she added sincerely. The old man chuckled at that.

“Beautiful nieces who don't cause trouble are to be feared, Haru.” he laughed. “You and Megu have been a blessing to me.” he assured her. Glancing at the sun, he picked up his suitcase. “Well, I must be off now. I'll see you all later.” he said, stepping past her.

“OK, uncle.” said Haru, reflecting on his words. “Be safe.” she added impulsively. The old man waved at her, but didn't turn to look.

“You and Megumi, as well, Haruka.” he called back. Haruka was two steps into the climb to her room before she realized what her Uncle's departure meant. Smiling broadly, she snatched her phone and dialed Megumi's number.

-

Ayato arrived home about an hour before sunset. He had had an enlightening chat with Kim, and from her place, he had gone to talk to Kunugi again, and from there, he had gone back to Kim's place at Kunugi's request. For being used as a go-between, I guess I don't really mind. he thought. Kim never did bother to get dressed, either; always a plus! He chuckled as he jogged up the steps. I think she might be putting on weight, though. he though, before shrugging the thought away.

“Haru-chan! Megu-chan! I'm home!” he called out, kicking off his shoes.

“Welcome home, Ayato!” came Haru's voice from up in her room.

“Come up here!” came Megu's voice. Ayato took the steps two at a time and slid the door to Haru's room open. Inside, Megumi and Haruka sat on her bed, dressed casually in their house clothes. Haruka sported a button-up shirt with the middle three buttons fastened, and Megu was - as always - in her loose tube top and shorts.

Megumi rose from the bed and stepped over to him, pulling him into a kiss. Ayato returned the kiss, slightly stiff due to Haruka watching the two, but nevertheless appreciating the contact with Megu. When she broke the kiss, she glanced at Haru before stepping past Ayato. “I'm gonna grab us some drinks.” she said.

“Ok.” agreed Haruka, standing as Megumi exited and taking Ayato's hand in her own. Guiding him to her bed, she urged him down next to her. “Ayato,” said Haruka, her cheeks coloring a little, “Megu and I have something we want to give you.” she said. Ayato blinked at her.

“Well, ok, but what is it?” he asked her. Haruka bit her lip before replying.

“Just…let us give it to you, ok?” she asked. Ayato blinked at her again.

“Sure.” he agreed. Haru smiled.

“Good!” she purred, reaching for the buttons on her shirt. Before he could even blink, the shirt dropped to the floor of her room, leaving her naked save for her panties. His dick - already half-hard from the kiss with Megu - sprang to full stand when he saw her shirt drop. Smiling happily at him, she knelt between his legs and unbuttoned and unzipped his pants before reverently engulfing the tip of his dick in her mouth.

As her mouth worked on his dick, her hands worked his pants and boxers off him, then attacked his shirt. Once he was naked, she used one hand to stroke his shaft and the other to caress his balls. Groaning in bliss, he spread his legs wider to give her better access and ran his finger through her hair.

Haruka slowly worked him deeper and deeper into her mouth, until she managed to get him all the way in, his tip in her throat, and her lips tight to his base. Using both hands, she massaged his balls as she held her breath and worked her tongue along his shaft. When her air supply ran out, she pulled back enough to suck in another lungful. Ayato had his eyes closed, his hand resting on the sides of her head. Haruka bobbed her head in shorter strokes as she glanced at the door, where Megu was watching.

Pulling her lips off his hard member, Haruka moved back on her knees, urging him up. Standing, he saw Megumi standing in the doorway, her cheeks flushed. Haru's mouth on his dick, though, pulled his attention back to her. Leaning forward to make the angle better for Haru, he moaned happily. Behind him, Haru waved her sister forward.

Trusting Haru, Megumi moved forward, kneeling behind Ayato. Breathing fast, she swallowed hard, then, with Haru's reassuring squeeze, she moved forward, titling her head back as she did so, her shorter stature putting her at just the right height to do what she and Haru had discussed. With a final touch from Haru, she leaned up and gently sucked one of Ayato's balls into her mouth, treating it like a delicate piece of candy.

When he felt Megumi's hot, wet mouth engulf his right testicle, Ayato gasped. “Megu-chan!” he managed, reaching back with one hand to hold the back of her head in place. Not that Megumi had any plans to let go. Hearing his tone, she found the amount of control she had and the pleasure Ayato derived from her actions to be intoxicating. Sucking in a breath, she smelled soap and Ayato, and her mouth, which had been feeling dry, was suddenly flooded with drool.

For minutes, the only sound was the panting of the three and the wet slurping sounds from Megu and Haru as they treated Ayato's dick and balls like candy. Both women were very aroused themselves, and getting more so every second that they worked on him. Eventually, Haruka let his hard length slip free of her mouth, moving her head down to where Megu was still sucking on his balls, and met Megumi's lips from the other side, trapping Ayato's balls - one in each mouth. For maybe twenty seconds, they worked together as Ayato's dick smeared pre-cum all over Haru's cheek.

Getting an idea, Megumi let Ayato's soaked ball slip past her lips, straightening her neck as she grabbed Ayato's hips to steady herself. Extending her tongue, she tickled the very base of Ayato's nut sack before trailing her tongue back to run over his anus. “Oh, god!” croaked Ayato, a small spurt of pre-cum jetting from the tip of his dick. Haruka immediately fastened her lips to the tip and licked up every drop she could.

Megumi, meanwhile, circled his puckered anus with her tongue. I never thought I would be doing this, but he tastes like…soap. Guess he took a shower somewhere along the way. thought the younger Shitow, experimentally poking at his clenched back door with the tip of her tongue. The sounds he made when she did that were music to her ears.

Haruka's hands cupped Megumi's breasts and firmly pushed the younger girl back on her back. Once she was laying flat on the floor, Haruka pushed Ayato back so that he was kneeling over Megumi's head, his dick pulsing right above her face. Licking her lips, Megumi tilted her head back and sucked the tip of his dick into her mouth, wrapping her arms around his knees from the outside, urging them wider apart so she could get more of him into her mouth.

Complying with her wishes, he eased his knees wider, driving his tip deeper into Megumi's small mouth. A slight gurgle was her only reply asides from her tongue and lips working his shaft with inexperienced - but enthusiastic - intensity. Ayato found his current position to be most pleasurable, but also unbalanced. Seeking to find a way to keep his balance, he put his hands on Megumi's chest, finding that doing so both balanced him, and let him thrust his hips to push his dick deeper into Megumi's mouth. Panting, he began to do just that.

Haruka was not to be left out, and from her position between Megumi's legs, she slipped her hands under her kid sister's butt and lifted it up, unzipping her shorts and tugging them off, followed by her panties. Moving her legs up, she used her knees, thighs and chest to brace Megumi's now-bare hips between herself and Ayato, like a shared dinner. Catching Ayato's eyes, she smiled at him invitingly before dipping her head to run her tongue along Megumi's wet slit, pausing to drive her tongue into Megumi's pussy briefly, tongue fucking her with short, light, teasing strokes.

Almost growling with lust, Ayato stretched forward enough to wrap his lips around Megumi's hard clit, assaulting it with his tongue as his lips manipulated it. Beneath him, he could feel her shriek of pleasure even though he was still humping her full blast. Grinning at Haru, the two of them set to work on her in earnest, often sharing a kiss as they met each other's lips or tongues. Beneath them, Megumi began to shake like a palsy victim.

Haruka moved her hand to Megumi's wet sex, delicately spreading her open before teasingly working one finger into her, steadily driving it deeper until it was completely buried, then pulling it back to add a second, working them both in as far as they could go. She could feel her fingertips touch Megumi's cervix as she pushed her fingers down into her younger sister. Wrapping her other arm around Megumi's inverted lower abdomen to steady her, she began to wiggle her fingers inside Megumi's spasming sex.

Megumi felt like she was going to die from pleasure, but her orgasm was being hampered by Ayato's dick cutting off her air supply. For a while, she had thought that her gag reflex would kill her, but repeated thrusting, coupled with her lust, had overcome that reflexive tendency. Still, she was short on air, so she moved her arms and pushed Ayato's hips up enough to get his dick out of her mouth, coughing on the accumulated drool and pre-cum before gasping in a deep breath.

Ayato felt Megumi free him from her mouth, the sudden shift causing his dick to drag it's tip along her throat before settling between her breasts. With the sudden shift in balance, he had to move his hands to the sides of her short ribs, but her top caught on his fingers, which had been bracing him against her soft breasts. With a short tearing sound, her top was dragged down to rest around her waist, leaving her breasts free, his hard length cupped between them. Ayato instinctively kept humping, loving the feeling of her silky skin against his slick length. Shuddering in orgasm, Megumi managed to press her breasts together, encasing his throbbing dick in her soft flesh.

Haru knew that Megumi was close, and wiggled her fingers even faster, moving them in and out as she did so. Ayato rubbed her clit with his fingertip, even as he felt his balls tighten from the feeling of Megumi's breasts. Gritting his teeth, he vowed to last until Megu came. Haruka decided to cheat, and moved her head back from Megumi's lava-like slit, to circle her ass. She and Megumi had taken a bath together as they planned this, and although anal play was never mentioned, she figured that it would work in her favor. When Megumi nearly broke her fingers when she ran her tongue over her clenched back entrance, she knew she was right. Pressing her mouth down onto her exposed anus, Haru jabbed at her ring with the tip of her tongue, triggering the most intense orgasm the young Shitow had ever had.

When Ayato felt Megu's hot fluid splash his face, he couldn't hold it any longer, and jerked his hips back, firing his load as he did so, soaking the girl's tits, throat and face with his cum. Panting, all three of them eased back and caught their breath. After several minutes, Haruka moved over to Megumi, who was sitting up now, and kissed her sister. “You ok?” she asked softly. Grinning, Megumi simply nodded.

Smiling back at her sister, Haruka began to lick the cum from her face, working her way to Megu's throat, then her breasts. Ayato, watching them do this, felt his dick harden once more. By the time that Megumi drew her top off and threw it aside, he was ready to go again. Seeing this, the two sisters exchanged smiles. Getting up, Haru led Megumi to her bed. Laying down face up, Haruka guided Megumi down on top of her, also face up. Spreading their legs wide, the two interlocked their calves.

Seeing this, it was more than Ayato could stand. Swiftly joining them on the bed, he knelt between their legs and lined his dick up with Haru's wet hole, driving into her to the hilt in one thrust. Pumping into her for several strokes, he pulled out and buried himself in Megu's sex, pumping feverishly for several strokes, then pulling out and burying himself into Haru again.

Time lost meaning for the three as they satiated their lusts together. Ayato couldn't tell how many times he came before he fell asleep, nor could the two girls. But from the copious amounts of cum dripping from their pussies as they slept, it was certainly a lot. Together, the three of them slept peacefully all through the night and into the next day.

-

Haruka hummed to herself as she wiped up the crumbs from breakfast. A year later, and she still wasn't sure how to explain how things worked out. “We just fit together, I guess.” she murmured, recalling Kim's words from the aftermath of the war. She, Megumi and Ayato had been awakened by a call from commander Kunugi. That in and of itself was a surprise, but he quickly sketched in the events of that morning.

While the three of them had been recovering from their little `gift', the invasion had gone down. As she suspected, breaking the barrier had been the same as kicking a hornet's nest - while locked in a tool shed with it. The floating cities of the Mu had started to appear over all the major cities, and Dolems by the thousands had boiled out, decimating the massed fleet of the UN. Yagumo had taken command from Isshiki, who was under arrest for acting without UN approval.

Oddly enough, he had been shouting for Haru. When Yagumo had informed him that he had fired her days ago, he had claimed that some Ensign named Haru Mishima had told him that he had UN sanction. No one could recall anyone named that ever working for TERRA, and a review of the security records showed that the only ones that had been present when the operation was being planned was Haruka Shitow, who he had summarily fired without cause.

Of course, all that meant nothing at the time, since the Dolems were ripping the fleet apart like wet paper. The Vermillion teams, headed up by Elvy's Alpha Squadron, had given it all that had, but there were too few of them, and most of the pilots were too inexperienced in the way that the Vermillion units worked to make a difference. With losses beyond all projections, Yagumo had ordered an immediate retreat to Nirai Kanai, where he hoped that RahXephon would be waiting to take the fight forward.

The command ship had been damn near blown in two from an energy burst from a Dolem, and only Elvy swooping in and tearing the roof off the command deck had allowed Yagumo to escape death. She and her three squadron mates had turned tail and run full speed back to Nirai Kanai.

While this was happening, Haruka had gotten a call from Itsuki. Listening to his message, Haru had leapt out of bed, taken a fast shower, pulled on the clothes closest to hand and dashed off. Even as they heard her car shed tires on the road, Megumi had gotten a priority message telling her to report to TERRA headquarters immediately. Torn between that and Ayato, she had looked at Ayato, only to find him smiling at her. “It'll be fine, Megu-chan.” he had promised her.

Megumi had taken a fast shower, grabbed her uniform and dashed off. Being the last one up, Ayato had taken a far more relaxed shower. Once he was done, he had stepped out, only to see Reika Mishima standing in front of him.

Haruka had arrived at the ruins on Nirai just in time to greet the head of the Bahbem Foundation, Helena, a small girl that looked just like Helena, two goons in dark suits, and Quon, who was obviously being kidnapped by the old man. Pulling out her gun, she had commanded them to stop. It was as if the old man couldn't hear her, but his two goons pulled out guns, so she shot them both. Swinging her sights around, she centered the old man in her sights and told him to stop once more. He had started to spout some nonsense about gods and eternity and inherent rights, but the girl at his side - the one that looked like Helena - had pulled out a knife and lunged toward Quon.

Haruka had dropped the girl dead with a single shot before she could even think about it. Seeing this, the old man had been shaken from his self-absorbed monolog, crying out and dropping to his knees, clutching the girl and sobbing for his `sweet Helena'. Before Haru could make much sense of that, Helena had pulled a small, dark automatic from under her jacket and shot the old man five times in the head, screaming curses at him the entire time. When she turned the gun on Quon, Haruka had put a bullet in her head as well.

The entire time that this had been going on, Quon hadn't said a word or moved a muscle. Slowly approaching the clearing, she had called Quon's name twice before the other woman turned to look at her. Haruka gasped when she saw the blue markings on her face. “Thank you, Haruka.” said Quon. “Quon is returning, now, so please, look after Olin for Quon.” said the woman, her simple dress fading away to be replaced by some short, thin robes.

“What are you talking about, Quon?” asked Haruka as the other woman walked toward the glowing passage in the shrine. Looking into the passage - the same one, she noticed, that Ayato and Quon had once disappeared into - she gasped. Standing there was her Aunt Maya, her face bearing similar blue markings as Quon's face bore. Both of them were wearing robes that were identical, and showed their `keys', as Ayato called them. “Aunt Maya?!” breathed.

“Time will tell, Haruka. Time will tell.” said Maya, the two vanishing into the passage, the light fading as the doors closed. Slowly tucking her gun back into her holster, she approached the doors, slowly muscling them open, only to find the passage blocked by ancient rock. Just as I thought it would be. she reflected. Her cell phone had interrupted her thoughts, and before she knew it, she was running for her car to report to Commander Kunugi.

By the time that Yagumo had arrived back with Alpha Squadron, the evacuation plans that Kim had put together were in full swing, even as Elvy reported that a large contingent of Dolems and a floating fortress were heading straight for Nirai Kanai. Kunugi had asked where Ayato was, but Itsuki said that he and RahXephon had suddenly vanished. Both Megumi and Haruka had nearly gone into hysterics.

Itsuki had told them that Quon was missing as well, and Haru had told him that Quon had vanished into the passage in the ruins. She also reported that Maya, the Mulian supreme leader, had been there to greet Quon. Itsuki had slowly nodded. Commander Kunugi had ordered the rest of TERRA to evacuate, stating that he would be overseeing the final defense of Kanai.

Arguing had not made a difference, and before they knew it, the bridge staff was on the last ship out, bound for a UN base in the Solomon Islands. They had been under weigh for barely four hours when they saw the floating fortress arrive over Kanai. Patched into the TERRA communication frequency, they had listened, shocked to find that General Kuki, the one that ordered the initial attack on the Mu twelve years before, was commanding the attack on Kanai.

It was more of shock to the crew to learn that Kunugi had been his field commander and launched the attack, killing his own child in the process. Kuki had dumped all the blame on him and vanished, and now, here he was, working for the Mu. Haruka suddenly understood why Kunugi had had such a burning hatred for the Mu. When the barrier sprang up over Kanai, trapping the fortress within it, she knew what would happen next. She was the only one not surprised when the whole place imploded.

Out of the implosion, not one, but two RahXephons had risen, apparently locked in a fierce fight. One was Ayato's, and the other was a shadow copy of it, a dark RahXephon. As they fought, the world melted away.

The next clear memory she had was holding Megumi, while Ayato held her. They were on the ship, and news was just coming in that all the Mulian cities and Dolems had simply vanished - much like they had appeared years before. They were simply…gone. Ayato hadn't said anything, just holding her and Megu.

In the following weeks, the aftermath of the war was slowly cleared away. TERRA was dissolved, Kim and Souichi were married, Itsuki went to look for someone, and Ayato, Megu and Haru found themselves living in a modest house in Okinawa. Just down the block, Elvy and her three old squadron mates shared a house.

“Life's good.” murmured Haruka, rubbing her belly. “Three months now, and I can already feel her!” she breathed to herself.

-

Sayoko opened the door to her apartment and blinked, seeing Itsuki standing there. “Itsuki.” she breathed. In her arms, her son slept peacefully. “What are you doing here?” she asked him.

“I thought I would see how you are doing, Sayoko.” he said. “May I come in?” he asked her. Tossing her head, she indicated that he could. Moving inside, he closed the door behind him.

“So, you had a boy?” he asked, watching her put the infant down. Straightening, Sayoko turned to him, a smile on her lips.

“Yes. His name is Ayato Nanamori.” she said, maintaining eye contact. Itsuki nodded slowly.

“A good name. After his father, of course.” he murmured. Sayoko nodded.

“His father's first name, my family name.” she confirmed unnecessarily. “So, as you can see, I'm doing well enough.” she said.

“I have given some thought to what you said that night.” said the man. Sayoko listened to him patiently. “You were right.” he admitted. Sayoko was silent. “I was wondering if you could give me a second chance.” he finished.

For several long, tense seconds, Sayoko didn't say anything. Finally, she spoke. “I'm not Haruka, and never will be.” she warned him. Itsuki nodded.

“It's not her that I want.” he said softly. “You were right about that, as well.” he noted. Sayoko felt a smile tug at her lips.

“I can't promise anything, but I'm willing to give you a chance, Itsuki.” said the tech. The doctor smiled.

“That's all I ask, Say-chan.” he said. All I need is a future of my own making.

 

END