Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Ataru's First Girlfriend! Arrive Windy-chan! ( Chapter 16 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Sendai...five years ago.

The forests outside the city are silent as two children walk between the trees hand-in-hand. The boy is a younger Ataru, dressed in casual civilians. Beside him is a cute girl the same age. With long curly blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, she is dressed in a sleeved pink jumpsuit with the Zephyrite national insignia and a red cape. Both look upset; tears flow down Ataru's cheeks while the girl seems neutral.

"Why, Windy-chan?!!" he pleads. "Why can't you stay?!"

"We can't be together anymore, Ataru-chan," she woefully looks away.

"You mean...we can't get married?!"

She nods, trying not to cry. "I can't marry you...though I'd wish otherwise."

"Windy-chan!" he takes her hands in his. "What's going on?! Why are you leaving me?!"

"You've no idea what I'm going through, Ataru-chan," she sniffs. "I can't say anything further! Please...don't ask!!"

The girl moves to leave. Ataru looks at her, then down. "Windy-chan...I love you."

She stops. "I love you, Ataru-chan...but we can never be together. I'm sorry!"

Before Ataru could react, the girl rises into the air, floating towards a hovering albatross-shaped starship. "Windy-chan!!!" he runs after her, vainly reaching for his love.

"Remember..." the girl raises a hand in farewell, "...we may never be together but our love will be as eternal as the Eternal Winds!"

He screams her name again, but it is to no avail. The ship disappears. Crying, he gasps her name as he sinks to his knees, burying his face in his hands. Finally, he stares to the heavens. "Windy-chan...I'll **never** love another girl like I love you..." he shakes his head. "I promise!!"

A hollow wind blows through the trees...

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year
Ataru's First Girlfriend! Arrive Windy-chan!!
by Fred Herriot
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With thanks to Steven P. Cornett for a plot suggestion
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edited by E.B. Kushnir
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Sixteenth of a series based on "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi
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WRITER'S NOTES:

1) This is the final part of the "Before the Phoenix, After the Phoenix" saga. While things will calm down somewhat...heh-heh...it doesn't mean that the fun hasn't stopped!

2) Yedris is based on the character created by Lew Burton for "Just a Dream." Thanks, Lew. Note that Rei's sister Sugoi (created by Fred Lee Cain) will not appear until "The Bodyguards' Denouement" (story #27).

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Tomobiki...today.

"Lum-chan, do you need any help?"

Lum is cleaning her room. "No thanks, Mrs. Moroboshi," she replies. "I'm okay." With that, she sweeps the rest of the dirt into the dustpan. Ten-chan is busy cleaning the windows. "How's it going, Ten-chan?"

"It's okay," he smiles. "Kinda nice that we get this room all to ourselves, huh?"

Lum stops, then looks down. "Un..."

She dumps the dirt into a garbage bag, then puts away the dustpan and hand broom. No, it wasn't nice! Ataru wasn't living with them, but 270 kilometres to the north, living in his own house with his daughter, sister and sister-in-law. A house that should also be hers if she was able to change her visa.

But Lum was in a bind. Ataru was trying to pull her away from Tomobiki while Lum was trying to get him to come back. The Spirit War ended a month ago, yet Ataru still acted as if everyone in Tomobiki were demons hell-bent on his destruction. Why couldn't he understand these were his friends?

Shaking her head, she proceeds back into the room. It was nice that she was able to sleep in a futon, but it would be nicer if Ataru slept with her. They had separated to get over the trauma of the Spirit War, but Lum had, with her usual elan, rebounded quickly. Ataru had taken longer. Understandable since the *saikoo jinseijitsu* was in his mind. But still, he should've considered coming back. He didn't belong in Oshika, Lum fervently believed. Ataru belonged in Tomobiki.

"Here's some stuff Ataru put in a shoe box," Ten-chan calls out from the closet.

"Let me see," Lum walks over to pull the shoe box out. "What the...?"

The box, caked in dust as if it had been buried for years in the closet's inner recesses, was meant for a pair of dress shoes. Blowing off the dust, Lum sneezes, then opens the box. She blinks on seeing a small gold heart locket, the katakana WI etched in the metal. "'Wi?!'" Lum wonders as she pulls out the locket. "What does that mean?!"

The locket opens, revealing a blonde, blue-eyed Zephyrite girl the same age as Lum when she trained under Nassur. Staring at the cherubic face, the Oni feels a chill run down her spine. She reads the small note written beside the face. "'My Ataru-chan...Our hearts forever together...Your Windy-chan.'"

Dazed, she allows the locket to fall away from her hand, bouncing harmlessly off the floor. Ten-chan stares concernedly at her. "Lum-chan, you okay? Lum-chan?!"

Silence responds...then two...then more. "D-darling..." Lum blinks, her voice failing as her imagination goes into overdrive...

Ataru and Windy playing in the forest...

They going through a shopping mall...

They meeting Ataru's parents, winning their approval for their relationship...

They embracing, their lips touching...

"NO!!!!" Lum screams as she leaps into the air, flying downstairs. "NO!!!!"

Kinshou appears before her. "Lum-chan, what's wrong?!" she gently seizes the Oni.

Betrayal and anger flash in Lum's eyes as she glares at her. "Who...is...Windy?!" she bites a word at a time.

"Windy...?!" Kinshou jolts, then shudders before screaming out, "***THAT COW!!!!***"

Another mooing fit occurs. A foregone conclusion later, Kinshou is buried under the Saturn Five!!!! "STOP MOOING, YOU HAG!!!!!!" Koosei's voice thunders from his living room.

Lum shudders. "Darling...how could you...how could you...?!" she snarls as she leaps out of the house for her scout.

"Uh-oh," Ten-chan hums from the bedroom. "Looks like there's gonna be a fight..."

* * *

Ataru sneezes. "Someone's talking about me," he rubs his nose as he stretches himself, then gets out of bed. "Hope it's Lum-chan having sexy thoughts about me. Maybe it'll finally persuade her to come up here and leave that loony bin behind once and for all!"

He heads to the kitchen to check the refrigerator. "Hmm," he wonders on seeing a dish of sakura mocha. "Did Lum make this?"

Pulling it out, he pulls off the cover, then hesitantly looks at the snacks. They seem normal. His mind flashes back to the time her cooking these very treats transformed him into a wolf. "Well, can't avoid her cooking forever," he sighs as he takes one of the treats, then bites into it. Blinking at the succulent taste, he takes the bowl into the living room. "Tastes okay! I guess she's improving."

Relaxing in the living room, he turns on the television. The morning news is on. A reporter smiles. "And we're happy to report that no weird events are occurring in Tomobiki this day..."

"That'll change the instant Lum moves here," Ataru snorts as he changes the channel. "They'll throw themselves on their swords. Good riddance to bad rubbish."

Laughing, he relaxes as he nibbles on the sakura mocha. Despite Lum's reticence in moving north, his basic game plan was going full steam ahead. With Mendou, the guards and Lan unable to spy on him, Ataru hadn't felt such freedom since the days before Lum's arrival. Of course, he hadn't taken advantage of their separation. Intimate liaisons between him and those women who visited over the last few weeks hadn't occurred. Sure, Sansura wanted to get her seductive powers back, Dakejinzou was looking for a shoulder to cry on when she learned she was a synthezoid and Yukio was preparing to separate from the other hybrids. That was no problem; Ataru would've helped them no matter what. He had no romantic interest in them. He already had his girl...and her name was Lum.

Retrojets are heard. "What's Lum doing here?" he stands. "I thought it was a school day." He walks to the door. "Hi, Lum-chan! What brings you up here...eh?!"

The OIQ...Oni in question...floats five feet away, her body aflame with her powers, an intense glare in her eyes. "DARLING!!!!!!" she howls. "KINDLY EXPLAIN!!!!!!"

*Uh-oh! She's in *this* mode!* Ataru blinks as his eye glances to where the *qu'f-piaqu'r* is slung on a peg beside the door. "Um...Lum, what's wrong?" he stares at her.

"What's wrong?!!" she snaps. "How dare you never tell me about her?!!"

Her hand leaps up to fire a blast...as he ducks, the musket in his hands. An explosion later knocks both on their backsides, the particle shot from his weapon disintegrating the lightning!! As both shake the cobwebs from their minds, a crowd quickly gathers from Nicole's palace. "What's going on here?!" Nokoko demands.

"That's what I'd like to know!" Ataru rises to his feet. "Would you mind explaining what's got into you?!" he glares at Lum.

She's surrounded by Nokoko, the Nendo-kata, Nicole, Mujanba, Jason and Muzainba, all questioningly staring at her. She then fixes her gaze on Ataru. "Who...is...Windy?!"

The affect is instantaneous: he blinks in disbelief as the name registers, then looks down. "Windy-chan..." escapes his lips as he turns away, staggering back to the house.

"I guess she was someone," Nokoko sighs.

* * *

Later, everyone relaxes in the living room. Ataru and Lum remain apart, he by the window and she beside Mal. The Nendo-kata sit between them. "So, who is Windy, anyway?" Nokoko wonders.

"My first girlfriend," Ataru admits. "In fact, you might say she was my first fiancee."

"Your first FIANCEE?!?!?!" Lum leaps up. "Darling, I'M your first fiancee!!!"

"Technically, you're not," Nicole amends.

"Stay out of this!!" Lum snaps. "Why did you never tell me about her, Darling?!!"

"Why not?!!" he snaps. "You would've done your 'you betrayed me from so long ago' routine, just like you did when Elle came!!"

"Oh?!!" she growls. "That's the problem here!! You always scream whenever something strange happened, yet you've never told me anything about Grandma or Uncle or...or THIS, for that matter!!!"

"What's there to tell?!" he demands. "It was over between Windy-chan and I years ago!!"

Lum jolts as if he slapped her. "'Windy-chan'...?!" she gasps. "You called her that?"

"We were only thirteen!" he snaps. "I've always thought of her as that! What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?!!" she growls. "Darling, you always put other women before me!! You've been doing that since the day we met!"

"What choice have I?!!" he roars. "You blasted into my life without so much as a by-you-leave, said I was your husband, wrecked my life and heaven knows how many others, then acted as if you did nothing wrong!!!"

"You ARE my husband, remember?!!"

"Says who?!!"

"***HOLD IT!!!!!!***"

They stare at Nokoko, who stands between them. "Everyone out," she sighs. "I want to talk to these two idiots alone!"

Confusion crosses the combatants' faces. "Of course, Beloved," Mal nods.

The others file out. Nokoko sighs, then finds herself at the receiving end of blazing stares from both Ataru and Lum. "What exactly are you up to?!" the former crosses his arms.

"It's what I'd like to know!" the latter snarls.

Nokoko remains calm. "I think it's time the truth came out of this mess you've made."

"Truth?!" Ataru snaps. "The only truth I know is that I'm being accused of two-timing a person I didn't meet until three years later!"

"What about me?!!" Lum demands. "Don't I get any sort of consideration?!"

"No, you don't...and never have," Nokoko cuts in. "Which doesn't matter since you've **never** loved him in the first place!"

Both are caught short. "What was that?!"

"You heard me," she glares. "**Neither** of you love the other...not before, not now!"

"How can you say that?!" Lum demands. "How **dare** you say that?!! I love Darling more than my life!!! I'll never allow anyone to hurt him!! I've saved him from trouble and humiliation time and time again!!"

"True. You do care for him. But that's not love...not the type of love which'll make a relationship successful. Why don't we sit down and talk about this?"

They reluctantly move to the sofa, Nokoko separating her brother from her sister-in-law. "I think it's high time this gets hashed out before you ruin the rest of your lives," she hums. "But let me tell you something. When I decided to come back, I didn't act without ensuring Mal-chan and the others were willing to come with me. If they had been hesitant, we'd've stayed in the Outland. I believe you care for each other...and you do. You are friends, which is a good start...for friends can become lovers, then mates. However, right now, neither of you love the other...nor, I suspect, have you EVER loved the other!"

Both move to protest, but Nokoko's hand silences them. "Lum, when you came, you were recovering from breaking up with Rei, right?"

"Yes," the Oni nods.

"So when Ataru-chan tagged your horns and said 'now I can be married,' you saw it as the sign that you found the right man, correct?!"

"Yes," Lum nods. "It took me a while, but I realized Darling's the only one for me."

"Strange way of showing it, I must confess," Nokoko hums. "Soon as it happened, you declared he was your husband, you'd be living together, he was no longer free to date other girls, he would have to accept Ten-chan's presence, he could only participate in activities that **you** sanctioned...need I continue?!"

"A proper husband always stays loyal..."

"You idiot!!!" Nokoko snaps.

Lum bolts back. "That's NOT love, Lum!!" Nokoko jabs a finger at her. "That's called 'domination!!!' You trapped the man you SAID you love, then kept him trapped with the help of your friends for the last two years!!!"

"Th-that's n-not t-true..." Lum stammers.

"Oh?!" Nokoko snorts. "I wonder why the Spirit War came as such a shock, then! You found out you had NO control whatsoever over Ataru-chan!! And you hated it! You tried everything to change things back to the way they were, but you couldn't!! Ataru-chan wouldn't let you! And when it finally ended, you tried to keep control over him, but he flew the coup!! THAT'S the reason you've hesitated on here!! Someone who REALLY loved Ataru-chan would've come here without a second's hesitation!!!"

"I couldn't change my visa...!"

"That's an excuse!!! You didn't want to change your visa because you knew once you were here, your attempts at controlling Ataru-chan wouldn't work! You have no support base: no Ten-chan, no Mendou, no guards!!! People here gave Ataru-chan a chance, allowed him to live his life by HIS rules!! You saw that as a threat to you, hence you refused every time he insisted that you come live here!!!"

Lum looks flummoxed, unaccustomed to these accusations from someone who's supposed to be very close to her. "Well, I'm glad someone figured that out!" Ataru snaps.

"Darling...!!" Lum shudders.

"Don't you get it?!!" he growls, glaring at her. "I've stated it more times than I care to count: I DON'T love you!!!"

Lum jolts as if Ataru just punched her. "I've never loved you, Lum!" he bolts to his feet. "I've liked you, I've certainly cared for you and since Icarus, I've said I wanted to LEARN how to love you!! That's different than loving you off the bat!! I tried to be nice, I tried to show you sympathy...but you took advantage of me!!! I tried not to hate you for it! I believed you'd see the error of your ways, then back off and give me the chance to learn to like you, then love you!!"

"Sure!!" Nokoko's eyes roll. "Don't be so smug! You're just as guilty as Lum-chan!!"

"What?!!" he jolts.

"What do you think?!!" Nokoko stares at him. "You could've walked out on Tomobiki any time you wanted!! You could've got Grandma to get the U.N. to revoke Ten-chan's and Lan's visas with one phone call!! You could've got the Kuromoroboshi to sabotage Mendou and the guards! They wouldn't've known what hit them! You could've moved out on Mom and Dad; there was enough money in your account to support you without help from Grandma!! And that's not to mention saying to Lum, 'I don't like what you're doing to me!!' That would've forced her to correct her mistakes or make you realize she didn't love you! Hiding behind the *saikoo jinseijitsu* can't wash!! That thing didn't have subvert control of you ALL the time between the First Tag Race and the Spirit War!!"

He blinks. "The Spirit War hurt you," Nokoko continues. "I don't deny that! However, your reaction after was as hurtful to Lum-chan as what she did to you before the Spirit War!! You moved to a place she neither knew about nor felt safe in...then tried to drag her here against her will!! You tore after everyone in Tomobiki without pause...and even if they did deserve some of it, they didn't deserve ALL the shit you heaped on them!! You tried to destroy them so they couldn't support Lum-chan...and what you did was destroy any hopes of making Lum-chan understand why you were so angry! Ataru-chan, you weren't trying to learn how to love her!! You were doing the same damn thing to her as she did to you before the Spirit War!!!"

Silence falls as Nokoko stands. "Now, all I see is more sniping and manoeuvring in an attempt to get the upper hand!! That's no relationship! There never was a relationship here!! You're the most stubborn idiots I've ever met!!" She moves to leave. "Now, fix this mess to BOTH your benefit...or end it!"

She storms out. Silence follows her. Outside, Nokoko notices everyone waiting for her. "We heard you yelling from out here," Nicole muses. "You think they heard?"

"I can't say," Nokoko sighs. "Right now, I might've given them the chance to repair what's wrong between them...or I might've destroyed their relationship for all time."

Ataru and Lum sit facing away from the other, anger twisting their faces as they wait for the other to make the first move. He then looks over his shoulder. "What's this about you refusing to come live here?" he growls. "I didn't pay Buddha knows how much money to have this place built for nothing, you know!"

"How could you turn your back on what I wanted?!" she snaps. "How dare you, Darling?! I do everything for you and this is the way you pay me back?!"

"I wouldn't talk if I were you!! All you did for me was ensure that YOU felt secure and in control!!! You turned my parents against me, you turned my friends against me...Buddha, you turned EVERYONE against me!! Why do you think I never told you about Grandma or Uncle?! I didn't want you isolating me from my last hopes of getting my life back!!!"

She rises. "Is that all you thought?! You NEVER cared for me!! You were off chasing every girl in sight and ignoring me!!!"

"Was that a problem?!" he glares into her eyes. "You didn't need me! You had a whole TOWN fawning over you!! How did it feel when Grandma was ready to slap fifty million on your head?! How did it feel when Mie-chan showed she wasn't going to give a shit about what you thought?! You didn't like it...and I know your fan club were flummoxed, too!!!"

"What fan club?!!"

"Mendou, the guards, everyone I can think of!!! They're just as guilty as ruining my life as you!!" he points at her. "Why do you think I moved here?! I got sick and tired of being treated like shit by those clods because of you!! I wonder if you didn't get a kick from people treating you like you were some god!!! You never had to worry about doing all the work of keeping me in chains; you had all your servants down there ready to do the job for you!!"

"That's not true!!!" she screams, tears in her eyes. "I never wanted you to be hurt by them!! I wanted you to love me!!!"

"Oh, is that a fact?!!" he demands, tears in his eyes. "Well, how's this: I moved up here because I was scared!! I admit it!!! I was scared of those idiots!! The way I saw it, they never liked me!! They HATED me!!! They wanted me dead so they could have you for themselves!!! And I can't believe it took me two years to finally figure that out!! But I wanted to give you a chance because I believed you really cared for me...and now...and now I don't know what to believe anymore...!!"

She blinks. "You were scared...of them?"

"And you..." he nods. "Even you..."

Silence descends as Lum sits beside him. "I'm scared of you," she finally admits.

"Why?!" he stares at her.

"What you became," she tearfully shakes her head. "Nokoko-chan's right. I was trying to control you...but it wasn't because I wanted to dominate you! I wanted to ensure you stayed with me! I wanted to ensure I didn't lose you like I lost Rei...and I...and I...oh, Fates, what was I doing to you...?!"

"Lum..."

"And then you just changed..." she stammers, sobs wracking her body. "You flung off everything, rejected everything, then ran up here and shielded yourself from everyone so that you'd feel safe. I didn't understand...I didn't see it until it was too late..."

"And I turned around and tried to drag you up here," he sniffs. "I thought I was just trying to shield you from them..."

They look at each other. "I think," she sighs, "...we need to spend time alone...until we're really ready to be a couple..."

He nods. "Yeah...maybe that's the best. And if...if we don't get back together...we'll still be friends, won't we?"

She smiles, then flies out of the house, tears trailing her. Watching her go, he heads to his room, hand reaching to cover his eyes...

* * *

"WHAT?!?!?!" Megane screams.

It's the next morning. Ten-chan's in class relaying the news. Everyone stares at him in shocked disbelief. Megane leans up. "You mean...they really... broke up?"

"Uh-huh," Ten-chan sadly nods. "Lum-chan found out Ataru had some old girlfriend, some girl named Windy. She went up there to try to zap it out of him, he nearly kills her, then Nokoko-chan made 'em realize they never loved the other. That's when it happened."

Silence falls with the velocity of a guillotine blade. "They broke up..." Megane shudders. "They really broke up. Then...then why aren't we celebrating this?"

"Simple," Kakugari sighs. "We've known all along that the instant Ataru and Lum-chan break up, she goes back to Uru."

"Everything back to normal," Momoe adds.

"Nassur-kun never comes again," Shinobu moans.

"No Benten and Oyuki," Ryuunosuke sighs.

"No more Reiko-chan," Ten-chan moans.

"No more Ataru either," Kumiko shakes her head. "Now that he's no longer tied to Lum, he'll never come back to Tomobiki."

Mendou stares at Ten-chan. "Jariten, is Lum-san preparing to go home?"

"I dunno," he shakes his head. "She was dressing to come to school, so I think..."

"There she is," Chibi looks outside.

Lum walks onto school grounds, then wanly smiles as Mie runs up. "Lum-chan, there you are!"

"'Morning, Mie-chan," the Oni waves.

Mie stares at Lum's haunted look. "Boy, you really are in mourning, aren't you?"

"I guess," Lum nods.

"Ataru-chan told me everything."

"Darling?!" Lum jolts. "How is he?"

"He's...okay, I suppose," Mie shrugs. "He wishes it never happened."

"So do I. Did he tell you about Windy?"

"Yeah," Mie nods. "But he said it ended between them five years ago. After all, if he really did get engaged, he'd've ended up an ice cube for 87 years. That's the way Zephyrites are, remember?"

"Yeah, I forgot," Lum sighs. "I guess I really shot myself in the foot, didn't I?"

"You both did," Mie sympathetically pats her shoulder. "C'mon, let's get to class."

"*Tcha!*" Lum nods as they head inside...

* * *

...not realizing someone has watched them via a pair of binoculars, sitting comfortably in the cafeteria of Toranoseishin Finances. Pulling the binoculars away from her blazing brown eyes, the woman feels a vengeful growl escape her throat. "Still thinking you can get my grandson under your control again?!" Nagaiwakai snarls. "Don't bet on it!"

She snaps her fingers, reaching for a cellular telephone...

* * *

The next day is overcast and blustery. The student grapevine worked to expectation. Students head to school unsure as to what the immediate future may bring. Knowing Ataru will fight all attempts to drag him back...and since everyone knew that with the frightening resources at Ataru's command, such battles would be suicidal...no one considers going to Oshika. "What's going to happen now?" is the question on everyone's lips.

That doesn't affect a courier from the Intergalactic Mail Service as he descends from his ship on an airbike, heading to Tomobiki High. Staring at the address, he pulls up to the window of room 337. "Mail!" he tosses an envelope in, then drives off.

It lands on Mie's desk. "What's this?" she wonders as she stares at the envelope, embossed with the phoenix insignia of the Holy Republic of Zephyrus. "From Zephyrus?"

"Who's it for?" Shinobu wonders.

Mie opens the envelope, then pulls out a card. "To Class 3-4 of Tomobiki High School," she reads the cover, then opens it up: "'Her Grace, The Most Righteous Lady Nagaiwakai Moroboshi PRCZ, has the pleasure to announce the engagement between her beloved grandson Ataru and Captain Sunhair Windrider PRCZ. This notice warns all who attempt to interfere, they will be charged with heresy and excommunicated by the Holy Inquisition.'"

Silence falls. "So...she strikes at last," Shinobu concludes.

"What do we do?!" Natsuko wonders.

"We stop it, of course!" Megane snaps.

Mie smashes him into her desk, allowing him to drop to the floor. "I wouldn't recommend that," Lum shakes her head.

"What do you mean?" Momoe asks.

"You don't realize how powerful the Inquisition is," Lum sighs. "They're worse than Varanko-sama's Executioners. If you even *think* of trying to stop Darling from marrying Windy, they'll unleash tortures on you I can't conceive. Even Inquisitors don't like to talk about excommunications. That's how vile they are."

"Do you think he knows?" Shinobu wonders.

"Doubtful," Mie sighs. "Nagaiwakai-sama must be doing this as a surprise."

"Some surprise," Lan hums. "Darling'll wind up frozen for 83 years while he waits for Windy to turn a hundred."

"Is that what they do?" Paama wonders.

"Yep," the Seishin teen nods.

An aircycle engine is heard. "I'm afraid that is no longer the case," someone coughs.

Everyone sees Benten and Oyuki riding the former's cycle outside the window. "Benten, Oyuki-chan, what are you doing here?!" Lum flies over to her friends.

"Simple," Benten holds up a card like Mie's. "We got these, too. Can we talk?"

* * *

"Everyone's got them?!!" Lum exclaims.

"Yep," Benten nods. Everyone now gathers in the cafeteria. "Even Kurama and Elle, not to mention your parents."

"Zephyrite naval forces close to Earth have gone to DEFCON Four," Oyuki adds. "One false step and it's war."

"I don't think Darling'll go along with it," Lan cuts in. "He's not going to want to be frozen for 83 years just to marry his old girlfriend. He certainly never wanted it when we met Elle..."

"As I said before, Lan-chan, that is no longer the case," Oyuki interrupts. "The Cabal of Archbishops have amended the laws so that short-lived fiances of Zephyrites will be subject to age-enhancement treatments so they could live with their Zephyrite paramours for the period leading to the Age of Eligibility."

"Guess who got that passed?!" Benten sighs. "Moroboshi's old lady is really covering all her bases this time."

"Agreed," Oyuki nods. "With her power, Nagaiwakai-sama stands a very good chance of succeeding where Elle failed."

"So we can't fight back," Mendou sighs.

"Not necessarily," Benten slyly grins. "The official announcement hasn't been passed to the Galactic Religious Council."

"What does that mean?" Lum wonders.

"It means, Lum, that you can swoop in, grab Moroboshi, take him to a justice of the peace or a GRC-accredited priest and get married," the Fukunokami leans up to her. "Once that occurs, there's no way Moroboshi's old lady could move to stop either of you."

"Benten, you don't understand..."

"Hey, what's with the cold feet?!"

"Benten!!" Mie snaps. "Lum-chan and Ataru-chan just broke up."

They blink. "What?!" Oyuki gasps, then turns to Lum. "Is this true?"

"Un," Lum nods.

"Oh, shit!" Benten shakes her head. "So what do we do now?"

"We can do nothing," Oyuki sighs. "I wonder...does Ataru know of this?"

"Probably not yet," Mie stands. "And speaking of which, I better call and tell him the news. Excuse me."

She steps out of the cafeteria...

* * *

"Hey, little brother, don't be sad," Nokoko gently rubs Ataru's shoulders as they relax in the Tiger Cub Cafe. "You couldn't avoid admitting that forever, you know."

"I know," Ataru places a hand on his sister's. "But...I still wish there was a way to salvage something out of this mess. I mean...I still care a lot about Lum."

"So do I," Nokoko sits. "Besides, it's not the end of the world. All you need to do is figure out your priorities, then build a new relationship based on those priorities."

"You make it sound simple," Ataru admits. "I mean...if it was just Lum and I, there'd be no problem. But with Lum comes those dorks in Tomobiki and her friends from space. At least I don't mind Nassur, Benten and Oyuki. It's everyone else I've got problems with."

"You've been trying to persuade Lum of that since the Spirit War," Nokoko notes.

"Yeah," he nods. "But...I've always known that she has different perceptions than I do. Did I...ignore that?"

"You did," she nods. "There's no shame in admitting that, Ataru-chan. Happily ever after-type relationships only come in fairy tales. Then again, maybe you did go a little too ballistic over everyone down there."

He trembles. "And what they did to me was acceptable?!"

"No," she shakes her head. "But you've been hitting them so hard lately, the only way they could feel safe is join ranks and stick to their old patterns of behaviour. Worse, you've been taking your frustrations on the wrong person. You've been trying to force Lum to do what *you* want her to do just to get back at those dorks. And that's wrong."

He nods. "I want us to be happy. I want to feel safe around Lum. I don't feel safe around Lum when I'm in Tomobiki; that's why I moved here. Why couldn't she accept that?"

"Strange as it sounds for someone like her, it was too much of a change," she notes. "Has she even been out of Tomobiki?"

"We went to Nara and other places...but that was with everyone else," he muses. "Honestly, we've never been alone since she came to Earth."

"That's right," she nods. "She's used to having everyone around her. It's all she's known since she came. Your going off on your own must've scared her out of her mind, Ataru-chan. She just did what everyone else did: stick to what she believed was right."

Ataru absorbs that. "If Lum and I had a chance to talk...maybe we could get this whole thing hashed out, try to put it back together again. But...how could I make demands of her after what we just went through?"

"If they're reasonable demands, there's no problem," Nokoko assures him. "Let her stay in Tomobiki. Visit her; don't demand that she come up to Oshika all the time. Try to be friendly with everyone again. If they try to force things on you, then yes, you've got the right to defend yourself. Lum'll have to be a total fool not to acknowledge that."

"I hope so," Ataru looks to the counter. "Hot chocolate please, Tatsuko-chan!"

"Coming right up," Tatsuko calls out.

"Make that two," a voice calls out.

Ataru's eyes are then covered by slim hands. "Guess who?!"

He blinks as the hands fall away, then slowly turns to see the woman whose life so affected his five years before now staring at him. "Miss me, Ataru-chan," Windy giggles.

Nokoko hums. "Never rains but it pours."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"Windy...!" Ataru blinks.

The starship captain, now seventeen, has blossomed from the cute girl in his locket's picture into a voluptuous beauty which would have everyone in Tomobiki asking "Lum who?" Her hair now down to her waist, her cheek adorned with the tattoo acknowledging her entrance into a religious order, she now wears a dark blue and red jumpsuit marking her rank, place in society and church affiliation. Walking around to sit across from Ataru, she gently grasps his hands. "How are you, Ataru-chan? Been taking care of yourself?"

That voice! Pure silk. Ataru shakes his head, unsure that this is actually happening. "Windy-chan, where did you come from?"

"Magairu, of course. Don't you know?"

"Know what?"

"Well," she shudders. "We're engaged!"

Silence falls with a guillotine blade's speed as Ataru stares...and stares...and stares. "Ataru-chan?" Windy waves a hand in front of his face. "You okay?"

"Engaged...you...me...now?!" he squeaks.

"Yes!!!" Windy nods. "It's wonderful! The Cabal of Archbishops amended the marriage rules for short-lived fiances! Now you'll be able to live as long as I will!!"

"I...can...?"

"Of course!" Windy leans up. "We'll go to Jiyuu, submit you to lifespan-enhancement treatments, then we'll live here until we get married!! Oh, Dearest!" she leaps into his lap, tightly embracing him. "After five years, our wounded hearts are whole!! This is the most wonderful day of our lives!!"

Ataru just sits there. "I don't think he's ready to take all that in, Windy," Nokoko muses.

She finds her hands grasped by Windy. "And you must be Ataru-chan's sister!" she smiles. "I've always wanted to meet you ever since Komeru-san told me about you!! How are you?!"

The Nendo-kata observe from the counter. "It seems that despite the suddenness of this bonding, Unity does exist between Ataru-kun and Windy-chan," Ookako notes.

"But what of Lum-chan?" Mal wonders.

* * *

"Eh?!" Mie blinks. "You're kidding me?!" She nods. "Oh...not kidding, right? Thanks for telling me, Tatsuko-chan. Later."

She hangs up the phone, then turns to everyone else. "Well?!" Mendou wonders.

Mie sighs. "Windy's in Oshika...acting as if five years separation never happened."

Moans escape everyone's lips. "With her there, we're stuck!" Megane growls. "Shit, why can't things be easy for a change?!"

"It doesn't matter," Lum sighs.

"Lum..." Benten blinks.

"I'll always be the second woman," Lum shakes her head as she heads to class. "Who am I compared to Windy-chan?"

"You're giving up?!!" Lan demands.

"Can't fight the Inquisition, Lan."

Mie watches her go. "She's taking it better that I thought she would."

As she steps into room 337, Lum walks to her desk, then sits down. "Darling...engaged to that woman...marrying that woman..." she hoarsely gasps as she buries her face into her arms. "This is the worst day of my life!!!"

Images pass of Ataru and Windy on a shopping spree in the Tomobiki Ginza. "Darling going on dates with that girl..."

They play on the beach with Reiko. "That woman playing with Reiko-chan..."

Reiko grows up, raised by Windy. "Reiko-chan calling her mother instead of me..."

Ataru and Windy kissing. "Darling loving that girl instead of me..."

Ataru and Windy in bed making love. "Darling making love with that woman..."

The birth of their child. "Darling having children with her..."

With a wail, Lum drops her head into her arms. "I hate this!!" she screams. "Darling, how could you...how could you...?"

Soon, sleep takes over...

* * *

Lum's eyes open. "Eh?! Where am I?!!"

She finds herself nude in the clouds. Before her is a rock with a familiar notification. "The Dreamscape?!!" she looks around. "Noa?! Noa-chan?!! Where are you?!!"

No answer. "Oh, I wish Noa would've taught me how to access her dreamsite," she looks around. "Noa-chan, I need you!"

A holographic screen appears in front of her. MAY I HELP YOU?

"Ah!!" Lum looks relieved. "I need to find Noa-chan! Can you take me to her site?!"

ERROR! IDENTIFICATION NOT ACCEPTED.

"What?!! What do you mean?!! You should know who Noa-chan is!! She's my bond-mate, the one who found Darling for you people!!"

DAISHI'CHA SEQUENCE NUMBER REQUIRED. GETTING ANGRY AT ME WON'T HELP YOU. BLAME THE IDIOT PROGRAMMERS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND COMPUTER SERVICES FOR NOT MAKING ME MORE USER-FRIENDLY.

"Ah, sorry!!" Lum looks embarrassed.

S'AWRIGHT, the screen responds, then flashes ten symbols. HERE, a line appears. PRESS THE SYMBOL OF HER SEQUENTIAL TATTOO.

"Sequential tattoo...?!" the Oni looks confused. "Oh, the markings on her legs!" She presses an icon showing one dot, a symbol with four dots in a box divided by a slash, a symbol with two dots, a symbol with three dots in a reversed, upside-down L with a slash, then the two-dot symbol.

DAISHI'CHA #19282, RIGHT?

"That's her!!" Lum nods.

WELCOME TO THE DREAMSCAPE. NOTHING KINKIER THAN XXX DREAMS ALLOWED.

The scene fades...and Lum is belted by a volleyball! "Foul!!!" a voice screams.

The Oni, dressed in her bikini, drops face-first into the sand as a volleyball lands beside her. Someone runs up. "Hey, you!!" a Yehisrite-accented voice growls. "Announce yourself before you drop in, you dipstick!!! Catty'll have to serve again!!"

Lum looks up. "Lufy?!"

"Eh?!" Catty walks up. "Lum?!"

"Noa!!" Lufy turns to her right. "Your dream girl's here!"

"Lum?!!" Noa runs up. She, like her friends, is dressed in a one-piece swimsuit. "What are you doing here?!"

"I...I don't know!" the Oni shakes her head, standing. "I just got here!"

A small crowd of Sagussans join them. Lum is quick to recognize several women from previous Dreamscape visits. "Eh?!!" Lum looks surprised, then looks at Noa. "Are you trying to two-time me, Noa-chan?!"

"Two-time you?!" the Seishin-turned-Sagussan gasps. "Why would I do that?! You know I love you! They're just here to play some volleyball!! Stop being so jealous!!"

Lum blinks. A bespectacled Fukunokami with black hair in a ponytail walks up, neutrally eyeing the Oni. "So, this is the one who thinks she has the right to be our Ataru-sama's Other!!"

"Oh, Mikan, you're just as bad as Megane!!" Lum looks away, crossing her arms. "Why you, Kiiwii, Badoka and Zakuro formed 'Ataru's bodyguards' is something beyond me!"

"Oh, just because you're bonded to Ataru-sama doesn't give you the right to dictate things to the rest of us! Besides, we don't see you doing anything to those fools on Earth who fawn over you all the time!!"

"Hey, that's enough!" Noa intercedes. "You got something against Lum, you come through me first!"

"We'll see about that!" Mikan straightens, then faces Kiiwii (a diminutive purple-haired Tritonian), Badoka (a slim red-haired Terran) and Zakuro (a stocky, well-endowed brown-haired Ellsian). "Ladies, I think we have a job to do!!"

"Hai!!!" the three girls call out.

"INSPECTION TIME!!!!"

Lum is grabbed, tapped, prodded, yanked and physically inspected from head-to-toe! "Eyes check!" Kiiwii waves her fingers before Lum's eyes to check pupil dilation.

"Ears check!!" Zakuro sticks in an ear probe.

"Bikini check!!" Badoka snaps the straps of Lum's top.

"Reflexes check!!" Kiiwii taps her knees.

"Arms look okay!" Zakuro twists the Oni's arms.

"Powers okay!" Badoka taps her fingertip to test her lightning.

Finally, after Lum is nearly turned into a pretzel, Mikan barks, "THAT'S ENOUGH!!!!!!"

The guards are blown over. "Well?!" Noa demands, facing Mikan.

The leader of Ataru's guards slips off her glasses, calmly wiping them with a tissue. "Ladies," she then smiles. "We have **wife** making material here!!"

Congratulation balloons burst! A stunned Lum is showered by confetti as she gets a banzai cheer. "Wait, wait, wait!!!" she waves to get their attention. "You don't understand!!! Darling's being forced to marry another woman!!!"

An explosion occurs!! "***WHAT?!?!?!***" a white-hot Noa screams, grabbing Lum by her bikini straps and yanking her face-to-face...

* * *

"Guys, we can't allow this to happen!"

"Agreed, but how the hell do we fight the Inquisition, Benten?!" Mendou demands. "Much less Moroboshi's grandmother?! She'll hire that robot Shogai to hunt us down...!"

The Fukunokami holds up a finger. "I personally got a feeling that Moroboshi will actually go along with this if he's given the chance! Here's what we'll do."

Everyone huddles around Benten save Mie. "They're just hurting themselves," the Kyushu native shakes her head, then walks away.

"Hold it, you!!!" Benten grabs Mie. "You're in on this, remember?!"

"Says who?!!" Mie sends Benten flying into a wall! "Count me out!!"

The others shudder as Mie storms out...

* * *

Lum sits with Noa and her friends on the beach. "Ataru's engaged to marry another woman?!!" Noa gasps. "Is it Elle?!"

"No," Lum shakes her head.

"That hybrid girl, then," Honey asks.

"No."

"Who is it?!!" Mikan demands.

"Sunhair Windrider," the Oni reports.

The Sagussans consider the name. "Sunhair...Windrider...?" a 17 year old brown-haired Terran Lum recognizes as Hikaru, one of Noa's co-workers, muses, then turns to her bond-mate, a raven-haired Fukunokami of nineteen. "Madoka-chan, isn't that...?!"

"A Zephyrite name," Madoka replies.

There is an H-bomb blast!!!! "**ATARU-SAMA'S ENGAGED TO ONE OF *THEM?!?!?!***" everyone screams.

Lum now wonders if she may have just handed her Darling to Windy. Noa leans at Lum. "Is this true?!!" she demands. "Ataru's supposed to marry one of those religious fanatic half-lives?!!"

"Uh-huh!" the Oni sighs, then explains.

The Sagussans look disgusted. "I don't believe this!!" Mikan snarls. "Ataru-sama isn't bonded to some half-life's descendant!! We shall not stand for this!!!"

Lum looks pleased. "Don't worry, Lum-chan," Noa kisses her. "We'll handle this!! In the meantime, you have some thinking of your own to do before reuniting with Ataru!"

"Eh?!" Lum hums. "Thinking of my...?"

* * *

"...own?!"

Her eyes open as she finds herself on the bridge of her scout, now rocketing from Earth alongside a space-taxi. "What's going on?!!" she demands, glaring at the woman at the controls. "Benten?!!"

"Relax!" the Fukunokami howls in delight. "We're just helping you finally get hitched to Moroboshi!! Sit back and enjoy the ride!"

"WHAT?!?! Benten, are you crazy?!! Do you have any idea what you're doing?!!"

"You mean this Windy character?!" Benten snorts. "Forget her!! We snatched Moroboshi just after she took off for Jiyuu! By the time she can get a priest to do the engagement ceremony, you'll be Mrs. Ataru Moroboshi...and this time, there'll be nothing Moroboshi's old lady can do or say to stop it!!"

Lum falls back in her chair, then shakes her head, wishing things finally made sense. "Lyna! Kidnapping, forced engagement, forced marriage, defiance of a direct engagement order by the Cabal of Archbishops...and that's JUST what the Inquisition'll charge me with!! Who knows what Grandma'll do when she gets her hands on me!"

"Look on the bright side!" Benten snaps.

Sighing, Lum walks back to the lounge, where Ataru sits, arms crossed, quite displeased. Reiko sits by him, doing her best to ignore Ten-chan. Ataru's parents sit nearby, Muchi reading the paper and Kinshou maniacally laughing at beating Nagaiwakai at her game. "Hi, Darling," she meekly waves.

"Are you responsible for this?"

"No!" she shakes her head, sitting beside him. "Benten cooked up this plan for you to marry me before the Zephyrite authorities could get you engaged to Windy-chan."

"I can hear the Excommunication March now," Ataru rolls his eyes. "Wonderful!"

"So why don't you go up there and beat the snot out of that creep?!" Reiko wonders, staring at her father. "No one gave that chain lady the right to interfere in your life, just like no one gave those jerks in Tomobiki the right to interfere!!"

Ataru stares at Lum. "You mind?"

"Be my guest," she shrugs.

Ataru walks out of the lounge. Kinshou turns to Lum. "Lum, why aren't you stopping him?!" she bolts to her feet. "If he goes along with what that cow planned, you'll never be happy...!!"

"Oh, shut up!!!" Lum snaps.

Ataru's mother drops into her chair as Benten's shocked screams echo from the bridge. "Hey, what are you...oh, no!!! Lay off, Moroboshi...AAAAAAHHH!!!!"

The ship shudders as it slows down. Lum flies to the bridge, finding Benten tied up in her own chains and Ataru relaxing in the pilot's chair. "She wasn't difficult," he admits as the taxi draws ahead of the scout. "Lum, what weapons do you have on this thing?"

"Particle guns and photon torpedoes," the Oni crosses her arms. "Why?"

"Found them!!" he flicks some controls, then stares as a targeting icon appears on the viewscreen. "Obviously, the Spirit War didn't teach them enough about leaving me alone! Time for them to get the second lesson!!"

"Go ahead. I never agreed to this!"

"Thanks," he smiles, then concentrates.

"Lum, are you crazy?!!" Benten demands. "Oyuki's on that tub!! What're you doing?!!"

"Stopping a war, you idiot!" Lum snarls.

She jolts. First Ataru, now Lum. This wasn't good. At that moment, the targeting icon locks on the taxi. "Good-bye," Ataru chuckles as he thumbs the firing trigger.

Particle guns thunder as their lethal projectiles crash into the taxi's shields! In the passenger compartment, everyone screams as they see who IS firing on them. "Moroboshi's trying to kill us!!!" Mendou screams, then turns to Oyuki. "Get us out of here!!!"

"Hurry, driver!" the Tritonian turns to the taxi driver. "Who knows what state of mind Ataru is presently in!"

"Yes, ma'am!!" the egg-shaped being turns the taxi away from the oncoming scout...

* * *

"My!!" a voice laughs as the image of the taxi evading Lum's scout appears on the main viewscreen of the "Rose Emperor." "It seems Honey's decided to eliminate those cretins!"

"Shall we stop him?" the captain hums.

Elle sighs. "Well, much that I wouldn't mind giving Honey his chance at having some fun, we might as well..."

* * *

Lum watches Ataru hound the taxi. Strange. A while ago, she would've been perturbed on seeing him lash out at her friends. But now, with no real emotional ties outside the mysterious bond which made the Sagussans call her the "Other," she found herself seeing everything in a new light. Ataru really HATED those people across the way. And because of that, he fervently believed their presence in their lives was a threat. Why hadn't she seen this before? Did they actually have to break up to understand what was going on between them? "Darling, wait a minute."

"What is it?" he looks at her.

"Let me beam Oyuki and the driver over here," she turns to the teleporter controls. "They're not as bad."

He stares at her. "You want to know how long I've waited for you to realize that?"

She smiles as her hands dance on the controls. Oyuki and the driver appear beside her. "Oh!!" the Tritonian blinks, then stares at Lum. "Lum, what are you doing?!"

Lum turns to Ataru. "Call the taxi."

Ataru opens a channel. An image of the taxi's cabin appears, everyone huddling at the aft end. "You can see me, can't you?" Lum walks over to stand beside Ataru.

"Lum-san!!!" Megane gasps. "Zap the idiot and let's get going!! Who knows when that bastard's grandmother'll catch up!!!"

"Darling," Lum turns to Ataru.

Ataru sends a torpedo to explode off the taxi's bow. Everyone screams as they're flung against a bulkhead! "That'll teach you to shut up!!" the Oni snarls. "Now, we're all going back to Earth, we're going to deposit you in Tomobiki and Darling's going off to Jiyuu to be with Windy-chan. Any questions?"

Silence responds, then everyone starts to scream all at once. "Darling?" Lum turns to Ataru.

A torpedo sends the taxi's passengers careening into the aft bulkhead!! "I don't recall giving you the right to debate this," Lum evenly notes. "Are there any questions?"

Everyone in the taxi stares at the image of Ataru and Lum. Fear crosses their faces as they realize the days of the complacent Lum are autumn leaves. "Lum-chan...wh-why?" Lan fearfully stammers.

"Personally, I really don't care what happens to any of you," Lum crosses her arms. "After all, this was done against MY will as much as Darling's. Besides, you're about to plunge Uru into a war it can't win, especially if Grandma's serious about Darling's marrying Windy-chan. As far as I'm concerned, that more than justifies what I'm doing now..."

A tractor beam seizes both ships, lifting them into the hangar bay of an Ellsian patrol monitor! Seeing who is now interfering, Ataru shakes his head. "Why do things like this happen to us?!"

* * *

"They kidnapped Ataru-chan and Lum?!!"

Windy is now in Tomobiki High talking to Mie and Koosei, left behind when everyone took off. "That's right," Mie sighs. "As far as they're concerned, if they get Ataru-chan and Lum-chan hitched before the Zephyrite government made the official announcement, they could get away with it."

"I never realized these morons had a death-wish," a gasp explodes Windy's lips. "The Cabal of Archbishops has already passed it on to the G.R.C. Lum's trapped."

"Strange as this sounds, I don't think Lum's going along with this," Koosei hums. "Something tells me she just wanted the chance to put her life back into perspective. Unfortunately, Ataru's grandmother had other ideas."

"True," Windy nods, then jolts as her communicator sounds off. "Windrider," she presses a control on her left arm bracelet.

Her first officer responds. "Captain, the scout bearing your fiance and the taxi with those heretics from Tomobiki has just been captured by the Ellsian patrol monitor 'Rose Emperor.' They're now signalling the Galactic Religious Council to have a bishop come marry your fiance to Queen Elle."

"Elle?!!" Koosei blinks. "Brother, this is going to turn into a cosmic scramble!!"

"Unfortunately," Windy sighs, then turns to her communicator. "Braveye, set pursuit course. Stand by to beam me aboard."

"Right," the first officer responds.

"Windy," Mie cuts in.

The Zephyrite stares at the Sagussan. "Lum-chan's not evil," Mie sighs. "She's okay if she's given a chance to prove herself."

"I hope so," Windy nods. "Beam me up!"

* * *

"Honey!! It's so good to see you again!"

Ataru shoves Elle away. "Feeling's not mutual!! Don't get that personal!"

She falls on her back, staring in shock at Ataru. "Honey, why are you so angry?!" she gasps. "Aren't you happy to see me?!"

"No," he walks to the back of the cell where everyone is now situated. "Is there a reason I should be happy? Get real!!"

Elle angrily spins on Lum. "What did you do to him, you witch?!!"

"Hey, I at least am trying to learn how to respect Darling's wishes!!" the Oni snarls. "At least that puts me one up on you!! Why don't you drop into a black hole?!!"

The Rose Queen snorts. "It doesn't matter! I caught you trying to drag Honey against his will to some marriage hall! Don't you know that kidnapping another's lover is a capital crime on my world?!"

"Your kidnapping a man engaged to marry a Zephyrite warrants an excommunication," Lum retaliates. "When she shows up with the Inquisition, I hope they kill you!"

"They won't get the chance!" Elle laughs. "I've already contacted the Galactic Religious Council!! Even the High Church Council has to respect their wishes on matters of marriage! First come, first served!! Now that my petition to marry Honey is in, there's nothing Windrider or Honey's grandmother can do!!"

"Wanna bet?!" Lum laughs. "Darling's grandma is smarter than people give her credit! I bet that when she put out those notices to all of us, it was **after** she had Darling's engagement to Windy-chan registered! What're you going to do about that?!"

"We'll see!!" Elle snarls. "I've already got the response! They're sending someone now!! If they knew of Honey's engagement to Windrider, they would've refused me!"

Lum gasps. Elle walks to Ataru. "Honey, why do you always put up to these fools?!" she indicates everyone from Tomobiki, now subdued by a platoon of Freemasons, their pitchfork-like weapons at their throats. "For all this time, you've continuously bowed to their will, let your whole life be destroyed because they're enslaved themselves to Lum! Why can't you see how much they're hurt you?!"

Ataru sighs. "Fine!! I'll marry you!"

Silence falls. "What did you say?" Elle gasps, hope shining in her eyes.

"I said I'll marry you. You deaf?"

"Why?!!" Shinobu demands, eyes wide.

"At least in the Refrigerator, I'll know something called 'peace and quiet!!!'" he angrily spins on her. "Also there, I'll never have to worry about putting up to any of you again; I'll lay good odds that Elle'll have you all executed after we've wed!! At least THAT way, I'll be rid of you forever!!!"

Everyone gapes, realizing that this time, Ataru isn't going to show mercy. Ataru stares at Elle. "I want you to guarantee the safety of Lum, Jariten and Reiko-chan. After we've wed, they're to be transported back to Earth. I've no care about the others; you can do with them what you want!!"

The Rose Queen shudders, then looks away. "I've waited twelve years to be happy, Honey. I don't like letting the one thing which has stopped me time and time again to escape."

"Lum and I broke up, Elle," Ataru evenly intones. "There never was a relationship. We've come to realize that. I believe strongly that as long as those morons are fawning over her, she'll never be able to love me...or anyone else for that matter! Eliminating them'll do the job...and at the same time, you'll be freeing Earth from any other weirdness which could come at it because of Lum or anyone else. You'll be doing my people a favour."

Elle considers the matter. The people from Tomobiki stare at Lum, hoping that she'd influence Ataru into giving them a reprieve. The Oni turns to Elle. "Elle?"

The Rose Queen stares at her. "I know you...have problems. I know that you deep down believe that Darling is the solution. If that's so...I hope that you will care for him and love him. Please...I ask you, don't treat him like the other Cute Boys."

Elle blinks, then nods, smiling. "Very well. After we've wed, I'll send you and your cousin home. Reiko-chan will stay here."

"Hey!!" Ataru barks.

Elle kneels by the Noukiite. "She deserves to be with her father."

"Hey, no problem," Reiko shrugs. "Just as long as I don't have to put up to this idiot anymore," she glares at Ten-chan.

"Reiko-chan..." the young Oni sniffs.

Ataru blinks, then sighs, nodding. Elle turns to the Freemasons and Babara. "Have Honey and Reiko escorted to guest quarters."

"Of course, Elle-sama," the nanny nods.

Ataru and Reiko are led out of the cell. Neither stare at anyone as they go. Elle turns to everyone else. "Much that it is against my better judgement, I'll be lenient. Lum and Jariten will be sent home; that should keep Invader happy. Oyuki and Benten will be released; I don't care to start a war with Triton and I don't think Nassur and his half-breeds will cause me any more trouble if Benten returns to Home Base, *especially* since Honey made his decision without my forcing him. I know how little he thinks of bullies! As for the rest of you, you'll be cryofrozen to ensure you never cause trouble to anyone again!" A smile crosses her face. "Matter of fact, I'll have you presented to Honey after the wedding as trophies of his triumph over you and the pain you've caused him!"

Laughing, she walks out of the cell, the Freemasons following her. Everyone watches her go, defeat and doom haunting their eyes. "She's serious!!" Shinobu shudders.

"HE'S serious!!!" Sakura gulps fearfully. "We may've driven him over the edge!! There's no telling what he'll do now!"

"You did it to yourselves," Lum sits at one corner. "You wouldn't leave him alone."

"And what about you?!" Megane demands, staring at Lum. "I can't believe you're willing to give him up like that!"

"What do you care?!!" Lum screams.

Everyone jolts, falling back as they see tears in Lum's eyes. "I should've left you idiots when I had the chance!! I should've listened to Koosei and Noa-chan!! They were right; you idiots ARE worse than the Niphentaxians!!! I'll be glad Elle'll cryofreeze you so that you'll be out of Darling's hair!! In fact, I'll tell her not to give you to Darling; I doubt he'll be interested in looking at all your faces after this!! I'll recommend that she dump you in the Outland, where you'll drift for all eternity...or until the acid fields melt you into protoplasm!!!"

She looks away. Deafening silence falls over the cell...

* * *

"Well?!" Ataru stares at Reiko.

Both are now in the Royal Suite aboard the "Rose Emperor," beside Elle's quarters. While Reiko has a power-dampening armband which cuts out her telekinetic powers, it doesn't affect her other abilities. "She's on the level," she nods. "Just as long as Lum doesn't do anything stupid, that is. If she does, Elle'll have her killed on the spot."

"Hopefully, Lum'll keep herself under control," Ataru sighs, relaxing beside his daughter. "What about what Donna sensed? Is there...someone trying to affect Elle?"

"Uh-huh," Reiko nods. "Whoever he is, he's really slick. I can't possibly trace who it is or where he's from. Maybe after a bit, I could...but will Elle give us the chance?"

"I hope she does," Ataru steeples his hands under his chin, laying back. "I just hope Grandma won't go ballistic over this. If Elle's really in need of help, *that* should be our first priority, not making those old fogies in New Tere'na City happy."

"What about Lum?" Reiko wonders.

"She'll be safe," Ataru sighs. "That's all that matters now."

"You're lying," she smiles knowingly. "You'll miss her, Daddy."

"Yeah," he nods, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "But she'll be alive and free to choose her own destiny. I would've wanted that for her if I was permanently separated from her. If the Fates are kind, we'll meet again. If they aren't, I'll accept that. This isn't a kind universe, Reiko-chan."

"Yeah," she sighs...

* * *

"You of course see the problem at hand."

Nagaiwakai and Windy now meet with representatives of the Galactic Religious Council light-years behind the "Rose Emperor." Beside the G.R.C. ship is Windy's cruiser "Windrider Dreams." "Yes, we do," an archbishop adjusts his spectacles. "You are his legal guardian and Queen Elle didn't obtain your blessing to the engagement. Since Miss Windrider does possess that, we've no choice but to support the Protestant Reformist Church of Zephyrus in this matter."

Windy breathes out. "Thank you," Nagaiwakai claps her hands in delight. "We're so sorry to be such a bother. I'm sure the Council has more important things to do than succumb to a mad queen's desire."

"This is simple," a bishop laughs. "You care to know how many times a Yaminokuni girl name Carla tried to petition us to help her get married to their crown prince, Rupa?"

Everyone laughs. "Nagaiwakai-sama, what about Elle?" Windy stares at her. "If she's refused, a lot of lives will be in danger, including Ataru-chan and Reiko-chan."

"True," Nagaiwakai muses. "We'll just have to see to it that Elle won't be in a position to hurt anyone. I've already made the arrangements. Now, Your Eminences," she pulls out a cheque from her kimono, handing it to the archbishop. "I'm sure this money will benefit your Noukiios famine relief fund."

The archbishop stares at the amount. "A hundred million uniCredits?!" he gasps, then bows. "The blessings of the gods to you, Lady Nagaiwakai! We bid you and your future granddaughter-in-law a good day."

"Thank you," Nagaiwakai dazzles them with a smile as she and Windy walk out.

They watch them. "A part-Vosian living on an under-developed world like Earth...and she's a Righteous Gentile?!" the bishop exclaims. "Now, doesn't that beat all?"

"Indeed," the archbishop nods.

* * *

The "Windrider Dreams" pulls away from the Council ship. On the bridge, Nagaiwakai ties up her long brown hair into a ponytail, exposing her elegantly tapered ears. "We have the ship prepared to board Elle's flagship, ma'am," the first officer reports to Windy. "No sign of Urusian or other vessels in pursuit."

"Excellent," Nagaiwakai slips off the kimono, revealing a kunoichi's gi emblazoned with her personal tiger-and-chrysanthemum insignia, then picks up a brown robe. "It's been a while since I've seen my poor boy. Guess we'll just have to pay him a visit."

"Ma'am, you don't have to come with me," Windy frets. "We could easily call Dakejinzou or Nassur. After all, his fiancee is one of Elle's prisoners."

"No," Nagaiwakai sighs. "I despise that wretch Benten for being so buddy-buddy with Lum and helping her out when that despicable creature tried to enslave Ataru-chan! And unfortunately, Elle now knows about my hiring Dakejinzou to be Ataru-chan's bodyguard. No sense in getting her hurt. Besides, I haven't had any exercise in the last while."

"Ever since the incident with the other shinobi clans, right?" Windy wonders as she slips on her own robe over her uniform.

A haunted look crosses Nagaiwakai's face. "Exactly," she slips on her robe. "I've lost so much over the last forty years. Ataru-chan is all I have left. I will not lose him to anyone I personally don't know or trust...and Lum is atop that list!!"

Windy watches her, then sighs...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"Welcome aboard the 'Rose Emperor.'"

Windy and Nagaiwakai, cloaked in hooded robes hiding their uniforms and faces, return the bow. "The Supreme Being's blessings on you, Lady Babara," the Zephyrite intones. "We pray that this time, Her Majesty may find the happiness she has long sought."

"Thank you," Babara leads the "clerics" off the hangar deck. "Further, we are pleased to note that Mr. Groom is happy to wed Her Majesty. They are being prepared now."

"I...see," Windy hums, then psi-links to Nagaiwakai. <<Looks like Ataru-chan's in a worse state than we suspected.>>

<<Or they're holding Reiko-chan hostage to make him better amiable to that witch's demands,>> she growls. <<Let's get this over with! I'm in the mood to crack skulls!>>

<<Right,>> Windy nods, then turns to Babara. "We shall prepare ourselves for the ceremony. When shall it begin?"

"An hour," Babara nods. "Will this do?"

They see standard enlisted personnel's quarters. "These will be fine," Nagaiwakai nods. "Thank you, Lady Babara."

The two step inside, then once the door is closed, Windy pulls out an ECM jammer, placing it at the table. "There," she pulls off her hood, then draws a Lawgiver. "No one can see or hear us."

"Good," Nagaiwakai removes her robes, then begins to place weapons where she can readily access them. "What do you think Ataru-chan's condition is?"

"Probably tired, confused and wondering why his life's being turned upside down," Windy re-holsters her weapon, then relaxes in a chair. "Ma'am, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, child?"

"Why are you doing this?" Windy stares at her. "Why do you hate Lum? From what I've heard, she does care a lot for Ataru-chan."

"Does she?" Nagaiwakai considers the point, then shakes her head. "Then after all this time, why don't I believe that?"

"You can't let past fears guide you," Windy shakes her head. "I'm not even sure if I can make myself love Ataru-chan after what I did. I like him, I care for him, but after all the changes he's undergone, especially in the last few months...I'm forced to wonder if he's the same man I loved five years ago?"

"Well, that's why the Zephyrites give you several years to work out differences before allowing you the tie the knot. What are the divorce rates in the Republic these days?"

"Very little," Windy admits.

"That's right," Nagaiwakai kneels in front of her. "Windy, if it doesn't work out between you and Ataru-chan, now's the time to figure it out. Annulments are possible, especially for irreconcilable differences. If it comes to that...I pray it doesn't...I'll accept that. But don't you think you should give yourself and Ataru-chan a chance?"

"Of course," Windy nods.

"Windy," Nagaiwakai draws her into an embrace. "You did a very brave thing five years ago, not reporting what Ataru-chan did. Something very few people could have done, especially when his saving your life guaranteed you a husband. You gave Ataru-chan his life, gave him the chance to determine his own future. Then someone came along and stole it from him, stole two years of his life away all on the flimsiest of excuses.

"And what of my guilt? What of my allowing Ataru-chan to suffer like that? 'Give Lum a chance,' Darklight and Chie told me all the time. Well, I gave Lum chances. I gave her *too many* chances, to be honest. And after all I've lost, all who have suffered around me, I will be damned if I will not make sure that my grandson, the one thing I care for more than anything else in this existence, has a life he can cherish, he can like and he can control."

"Some would say you're taking control of his life," Windy notes.

"Perhaps," Nagaiwakai nods. "Then again, could I really be wrong? C'mon...let's get ready. We've got a wedding to crash."

* * *

"Here we go again," Mendou sighs as he finds himself standing in the hangar deck of the "Rose Emperor" alongside his classmates. The hangar deck, now arranged for a wedding, is filling with off-duty crew, not to mention a company's worth of Freemasons, many of whom now guard Lum and her companions.

Absent is Benten and Oyuki. "Elle's sure making sure they won't get in her way, huh, Lum-chan?" Ten-chan floats beside her, a ball and chain keeping him secure to the deck.

"I guess," Lum sighs. "Then again, with them out of the way, there's no chance of Nassur-chan or Daddy coming in. With that, no war. At least Darling'll happy about this."

"I can't believe you," Lan stares at her. "How can you say that after all the shit we've gone through trying to get you hitched?!"

Lum icily stares at Lan. "There're times I've wished you never came to Earth, Lan! At least you won't be a pain in Darling's back anymore! Elle'll make sure of that!!"

"Hey, he's my friend, too!!" Lan cries.

"Liar," the Oni growls.

The Seishin teen jolts, falling back. "Now, you don't care."

"Why should I?" Lum crosses her arms.

Seven Bake Rose comes up. "Hey, Lum, she giving you a rough time?" she glares at Lan.

"She always has," Lum's eyes roll.

"Don't worry," Rose cackles. "After this is done, you won't have to put up to her again. Thinking of going after that pig she loves so much once she's out of the way?"

Lan jolts in shock. "No thanks," Lum snorts. "My standards have really gone up thanks to Darling. I've someone else in mind."

"Good for you," Rose nods. "Hey, no hard feelings about before, I hope. I was just doing what others hired me to do."

"It's no problem," Lum wanly smiles. "I wish I had your impartiality. It might've saved me a load of trouble with these idiots," she thumbs her classmates behind her.

"Don't blame you, especially after I heard about the shit they're capable of doing," Rose laughs. "Later."

She walks off. The "clerics" arrive. Both proceed to the altar, Windy taking her place behind the pulpit. "May those who are to be joined this day come forth to take their vows," she announces.

The Wedding March begins. Reiko and Babara escort Ataru and Elle to the altar. To everyone's surprise, Ataru willingly escorts the Rose Queen. "I guess he really does hate us," Ryuunosuke quips.

"It'll never be the same after this," Shinobu tearfully turns away.

Ataru purposefully turns his head away as he passes everyone from Tomobiki, then turns to stare at Lum. The Oni blinks as he reaches over to gently grasp her hand. <<At least you'll be safe and sound,>> he psi-links. <<That's all that matters now.>>

<<Same with you. You'll always be in my heart, Darling.>>

<<And you in mine.>>

They let go, then Ataru escorts Elle to the altar. "I think this is the place where we're supposed to be," he comments.

"Naturally," the Rose Queen smiles, not believing that this type of luck has finally shone in her direction.

Windy watches this. She's quick to sense Ataru's purpose. *Always there for the damsel in distress, eh, Ataru-chan?* she sighs, sympathetic tears in her eyes. *Sorry to disappoint you, but you've got a grandmother who won't take 'no' for an answer...and this time, she's determined to see you safe from anyone, even the one you truly care for. I guess it'll never happen between us.*

"Get on with it," Nagaiwakai hisses.

Windy clears her throat, then claps her hands. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the bonding of this man and woman in holy matrimony..."

Suddenly, the "Rose Emperor" is rocked by multiple explosions which send everyone to the deck. "NOW WHAT?!?!?!" Elle screams.

Klaxons sound off as an officer's voice echoes over the intercom. "***ATTENTION, ATTENTION!!!! THIS SHIP IS AT RED ALERT!!!! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK BY THE HOLY REPUBLIC OF ZEPHYRUS!!!! QUEEN ELLE TO THE BRIDGE!!!! I REPEAT, WE'RE NOW UNDER ATTACK...!!!!***"

Teleport beams send in several companies of Inquisitors, Lawgivers drawn! "BY COMMAND OF THE HOLY FATHER, CEASE THIS HERESY THIS INSTANT!!!!" their bishop demands as weapons are levelled at Elle.

"What are you doing?!!" Elle spins around, fire in her eyes. "How dare you intrude like this?!! Honey is MY fiance!!!"

"Oh, brother," Ataru moans. "Why do these things happen to me?"

Windy hums. "Actually, he's MY fiance!!"

"Windy?!" Ataru blinks in surprise.

Windy throws off her cloak, then draws her Lawgiver and aims at Elle. "I suggest you call your lap hounds off now, Elle, if you don't want to lose your head!!"

Elle spins to stare at Windy. Everyone else is understandably surprised at seeing her. "Is that Windy?!" Shinobu gasps.

"Shit, now I know where Ataru got his taste in girls from!" Ryuunosuke whistles.

Mendou leaps up to seize Windy by the hand. "Miss, you must reject Moroboshi!" he intones, gazing fervently into her eyes. "If you marry him, you'll have idiot children...!"

"Ballistic!" Windy intones.

Her Lawgiver barks, sending Mendou into the back of the pews with a nice-sized hole in his chest! "And you put up to them for all this time, Ataru-chan?" she stares at Ataru.

"Frightening thought, huh?" he quips.

"That's enough!!!" Elle tightly hugs Ataru, yanking him away from Windy. "Honey is MY fiance, Windrider!!! If you think your high-and-mighty Inquisition can stop me, think again!!!"

Nagaiwakai disappears, reappearing behind Elle. "Sorry, fool! I've decided otherwise!"

Nagaiwakai kicks her into the deckhead, then throws off her cloak. "Let's party!!!" she sends shurikens flying in every direction.

"Take them!!!" the inquisitor-bishop barks, firing his weapon.

The pews turn into a free-fire zone as the Inquisition pours it on. Ataru dodges left, grabs Lum, then leaps into the air to ensure she doesn't get hit. Reiko telekinetically snaps Ten-chan's binds, then both reach for the air as everyone is deluged in particle fire. Windy gets airborne, shooting Rose and Babara before they could call in reinforcements. The crowd on the deck panic as they scatter for the doors in hopes of escaping. "About time you showed up, Windy-chan!" Ataru lands on a balcony, then places Lum down.

"Happy to help," Windy laughs as she flies back into the fray.

Ataru snaps Lum's bonds, allowing her powers to come back. "Watch yourself," he smiles, then leaps back into the fight.

"You, too!" Lum nods, then leaps off to start zapping people.

Everyone else has scrambled into a safe zone. "Why is it that every time a rescue comes, no one tells us?!" Shinobu growls.

"I guess not even Ataru knew about this!" Ryuunosuke punches out several guards.

Now on the deck several metres away from the brawl, Elle shakes her head, then stares as Ataru takes on a pack of Freemasons. "So, he tricked me...!" she mutters, yanking out a small pistol. Her eyes lock on Lum as she joins in. "SHE tricked me! Die, Lum!!"

She takes aim at the Oni as Windy notices what is happening. "Nice try!!" she aims her Lawgiver. "Homing ballistic!!"

The weapon barks as the bolt of energy slams into Elle's pistol, detonating the magazine and sending her against a bulkhead!! Elle drops to the deck. Lum spins around, eyes wide with disbelief. "She saved my life!" she gasps, then ducks several stun shots, waving at Windy in thanks.

The Zephyrite nods, then intercepts a troop of Freemasons. Meanwhile, Nagaiwakai finds herself surrounded by another troop of Yehisrite warriors. "Well, come, come, gentlemen," she devilishly smiles. "Who wants a quick trip into the Afterworld today?"

"At least have the courtesy of announcing yourself, witch!!" Dureko moves towards her, his weapon rising to aim on target.

"I'm Ataru-chan's grandmother."

The Yehisrites freeze, surprised that even with her tapered ears, THIS could be the woman who influenced so many. "Is that a fact?!" Dureko cackles. "Then once you're dead, there'll be nothing standing in the way of Her Majesty marrying the one she loves!"

The Freemasons are run over as Mendou, the guards and Lan lunge at Nagaiwakai! "Kill the witch!!!" Megane howls. "Once she's out of the way, Lum-san's happiness is assured!!!"

Nagaiwakai disappears, leaping into the balcony without difficulty, allowing everyone from Tomobiki to smash into a pile on the deck. "Your Grace, may I please borrow these?" she turns to the bishop, pointing at a bag slung against his weapons belt.

"By all means, my lady," the bishop smiles, handing her the bag.

Nagaiwakai tosses it at her grandson. "Heads up, Ataru-chan!!!"

Ataru grabs the bag, then gets airborne thanks to Lum. "Is that your grandmother, Darling?!" the Oni wonders.

"Yeah!!" he laughs. "Crazy, huh?!!"

Lum laughs as she lets Ataru go, allowing him to drop beside Mendou. "So!" he growls, glaring at his former classmates. "You'd attack me, you'd attack my daughter, you'd attack my friends and now you're attacking my grandmother?!! If you think I'm going to let you get away with that, you're very mistaken!"

Kinshou leaps into his path. "Ataru, don't!!" she cries. "If you keep milking into that cow's plans, you'll never be happy!!!"

"***GET...OUT...OF...MY...WAY!!!!!!***" he screams loud enough to shake the "Rose Emperor" from stem to stern!

Everyone stops fighting, staring at Ataru. Gazing at this stranger answering to her son's name, Kinshou backs off. He reaches into the bag, pulling out devices the size of a dollar coin. Kneeling down beside his dazed classmates, he places the devices on each of their foreheads, pressing the red button on their surface. "This should teach you if nothing else will!" he mutters as he tosses the bag at the bishop. "Thanks!!"

"My pleasure," he nods.

Everyone turns to the unmoving forms on the floor. Paralyzed looks are frozen on their faces, eyes wide with unholy terror as their minds are bombarded with the images of their worst nightmare. "What did he do to them?!!" Shinobu gasps, eyes wide.

"Excommunication torture devices," Windy lands beside her. "They're subjecting those heretics to their worst nightmare...again and again...until they can't take anymore...and die, their minds shattered, their essences scattered to all points in Creation."

Shinobu gags, then leaps over to yank the device off Mendou's forehead...then screams when an electric shock sends her sprawling! Sakura and Cherry stand helplessly by as Ryuunosuke leaps in front of Ataru. "Ataru, in mercy's name, let them go!" she pleads. "Even if they are a bunch of jerks, they don't deserve **that!!**"

"No," he icily intones.

Ryuunosuke shudders as she finds herself falling back. With that, he walks away. "C'mon. Let's get out of here."

Windy and Lum fly down to join him, then notice the other's presence. "Excuse me," Nagaiwakai calls down. "I only approved of *Windy* being Ataru-chan's fiancee...not that Oni beside her!" With that, the matriarch walks away. She stops on seeing Cherry. "You understand, don't you, Hayao?"

Cherry grimly nods. Windy and Lum stare at each other, then the Oni reaches over to gently grasp the Zephyrite's hand, placing it inside Ataru's. Sniffing back tears, Lum manages a smile. "G-good...luck," she intones, then turns away. "S-sayonara...!"

Wailing, Lum flies away. "Lum..." Windy sighs, then falls into Ataru's embrace...

* * *

The "Kashin" and the "Renegade" arrive. By then, the Zephyrite ships have broken away from the "Rose Emperor," taking Windy, Ataru, Reiko and Nagaiwakai to Jiyuu. With Elle in sick bay, Babara and Dureko allow the others to head to Invader's ship unharmed. The Yehisrite warlord even expressed awe at the scale of Ataru's "vengeance" on those who tortured him for so long.

Mendou, the guards and Lan lie senseless in the "Kashin's" sick bay as doctors try to remove the excommunication badges. However, despite the advancement of Urusian technology, it's still light years behind the technology Zephyrites use to kill those who've committed heresy against the cosmic order. Standing nearby, everyone watches, the level of shock on their faces matching the dark days before the Spirit War. "Ataru did *this* to them?" Oyuki turns to Ryuunosuke.

"Yeah," she nods. "The most heartless, ruthless thing I'd ever imagine him doing."

"Still, they did attack his grandmother," Nassur comments. "If that was my grandmother, I would've killed them."

"Why is it his frail old lady came with Windy to come rescue him?" Benten wonders.

Hoarse, wry laughter burst from the lungs of those who saw Nagaiwakai in person. "She's a lot of things, Benten...but *old* isn't one of them," Shinobu sighs.

Naosu walks up. "Sorry, Nassur," he shakes his head. "There's nothing we can do for them...except provide them comfort...and hope that Sempai might show a little mercy."

"Is there any way to remove those things?" Sakura wonders.

"The only person who can take them off is the one who put them on," Nassur quips. "Good luck in getting Ataru to do that."

Moans escape everyone else as they realize how impossible that'll be. The crowd makes its way to the observation gallery. Sitting there is Lum, who calmly watches the stars pass by. Her face is damp, yet she isn't breaking down and losing all sense of decorum. "Lum," Shinobu stares at the Oni.

"I'm going home," she announces.

* * *

Shortly after the "Kashin" returns to Earth, Lum packs, then with Ten-chan, returns to her father's ship for Uru. Crowds watch as the "Kashin" disappears, realizing the day they have dreaded for so long is at hand. Lan's scout is salvaged, returning the comatose Seishin teen and her belongings to her native world.

The shock of Lum's departure is soon added by the revelation of what Ataru did. The district's female high school population (save Shinobu, Mie and Ryuunosuke) plunge into howling mourning as they learn what befell Mendou, who lies in his home on life support and cared for twenty-four hours a day. The fear that Ataru could punish all of them in the same manner, not to mention his being on another world (and with no means possible of their pursuing him), adds to the gloom Tomobiki's high school women feel.

No one mourns the guards save their relatives.

As the days wear on, time slows to a centipede's crawl as students lethargically move from class to class. The boys in class 3-4 place a bouquet on Lum's empty desk, holding a wake for their departed classmate. The girls do the same to Mendou's desk later. At lunchtime, Shinobu and Ryuunosuke sit under a cherry tree. "I can't believe it could end so easily," the former sighs.

"It ended sometime ago, when Ataru moved north," the tomboy sighs. "You know, I actually thought he was getting better."

"I hoped the same thing," Shinobu admits. "I was hoping the I could soon hold some sort of decent conversation with him."

"Doubt that'll happen," Ryuunosuke sighs.

Mie walks up, envelope in hand. "Hi."

"Hi, Mie," Shinobu blinks. "What's that?"

"It's from Ataru-chan," Mie sits down.

"He wrote you?!" Ryuunosuke gasps.

"Of course. I am his friend, remember?"

"Don't remind us," Shinobu moans.

A crowd gathers around Mie. "What?!!" Momoe demands. "That slime dares write you after all he's gone and done?!"

"You got a problem?" Mie glares at Momoe.

Momoe shudders. "Hey, why don't you read it?" Ryuunosuke urges.

"Okay," Mie then turns to the letter. "'Dear Mie-chan...I'm in the second day of treatment with Brother Sunfire's home abbey on Jiyuu. I've got a day left to go, then I'll be heading back to Oshika with Windy-chan. She's a reservist in the Zephyrite Navy and her superiors have granted her a sabbatical until Reiko-chan graduates high school. The monks're treating me well, happy I'm free of those morons in Tomobiki. I won't repeat what they said; it's more foul than what Grandma said in her letter to the school board after I left. I feel sympathy for you; you STILL have to tolerate those morons day-in and day-out until you graduate.

"'You must be curious as to how I met Windy-chan. It was five years ago, when I spent a summer in Sendai. Relations between my family were...civil. I won't elaborate; you know how they snipe at each other. Grandma was making deals with some colonies. One representative was an magistrate-archdeacon named Fireye Windrider, from Magairu. Windy, Sunhair is her real name, is his only child. We got along nicely. For the first time, I never felt the urge to look on other women. Sakura herself could have marched nude past me and I wouldn't've made comment...'"

"Is such a thing possible?" Shinobu hums.

"Quiet!" Ryuunosuke shushes her.

Mie continues. "'She and I were touring Rishiri-tou...that's where Grandma's Hokkaido farm is...when she slipped over a cliff. Windy-chan didn't have control over her air-manipulative powers at the time and if I didn't grab her, she would've died. That, other than straightforward falling in love, is how Zephyrites acknowledge an engagement. I was happy; I loved Windy-chan and she loved me. We stayed together for two months. Grandma was ecstatic. Komeru-oji-chan didn't mind. My idiot ex-mother, on the other hand, spat every insult in the book at Windy-chan; she was 'the girl that cow found!' Gods, I'm so glad I'll never have to worry about her or that good-for-nothing husband of hers again!

"'However, all good things have to come to an end. Windy-chan revealed if we were engaged, I'd have to spend 87 years in cryofreeze. I didn't understand what being frozen would be like...this was long before I met Elle...but it didn't sound good. Grandma did understand, as did Windy-chan's dad, so they agreed to stay silent about what I did for her. We...parted and I returned to Tomobiki. Shortly afterward, Shinobu and I started to date on a regular basis...'"

"He never told me..." Shinobu sighs.

"'I never told anyone about Windy-chan partially because I never had cause to think about her and because Lum and Shinobu would've gone on a tear about my 'two-timing' them. None the less, we're spending time together as if Lum, Shinobu or the rest of those clods never existed. It's not to say I'm callous; I know how much my reuniting with Windy-chan hurt Lum. However, as far as I'm concerned, if Lum is free of Tomobiki, that's okay.

"'I hope she'll understand and accept what's happened, realize that regardless of my feelings for her, our relationship (if we could call it that) was ruled by the dreams of those in Tomobiki. Look at what happened near the end of the Second Tag Race? Everyone was crying over losing their memories of Lum and demanding **I** be the one who, as always, bend myself backwards to appease Lum. Even after the Spirit War, they still demand that **I** be the one to sacrifice myself for Lum's sake. C'mon, Mie-chan...I can tolerate a lot, but **that's** going way too far!!

"'I don't blame Lum; I blame those idiots in Tomobiki. And even if something happens which separates me from Windy-chan, I will never, ever allow those morons to force me to bend for **anyone** again!! After all, if Lum and I do reunite, I'll see to it she'll *never* be influenced by morons like Mendou, Megane, Lan or anyone else!

"'I hope this letter finds you well. Until we meet again...'"

Silence falls as everyone takes that in. "So, maybe he'll show a little more mercy when he comes back," Ryuunosuke muses.

"It won't be something they'll soon forget," Shinobu sadly notes.

"Do you think even what he did to them'll make them learn?" Mie snorts. "Doubtful!"

"Mie, what about their parents?!" Shinobu demands. "What about their families?! Don't they get a say in this?!!"

"What about them?!" Mie growls. "Where the hell were they when those idiots went out of control?! Where the hell was the control parents are supposed to exercise when their children do something wrong?! Hell, if I did half the shit you idiots did to Ataru-chan and my parents found out about it, I'd wish I wasn't within ten kilometres of them!"

"So?!!" Shinobu bolts up. "Just because they hazed him, does that give Ataru-kun the right to turn around and try to kill them?!!"

"And you say that what Supersnob did, what Lan did, what the Four Tweedledees did, all that was *right?!*"

"Hold it!!!" Ryuunosuke leaps up to keep the two physically separated. "Snapping like this isn't going to solve anything!!"

Shinobu and Mie try to calm down. "I want him to be normal," the former grits her teeth. "I want him here. I want him to like us again, to be friendly with us again!"

"Oh, you're such a idiot, Miyaki!!" Mie snaps. "I can't believe you people haven't understood what's really going on!!"

"Then what is going on?!" Kumiko demands.

"He's growing up!" Mie snaps.

Everyone stares at her. "He's outgrown the need to have you around him," Mie crosses her arms. "He's outgrown the need to get attention from you. He's finally realized the attention he got from you isn't the type of attention he needs! As far as he's concerned, he has all he wants in Oshika: family, *real* friends and a safe home! And none of YOU," she points at each of her classmates, "...can take that because you don't feel the least bit safe unless you've got Ataru-chan around to pick on and blame your problems on! And with him gone and Lum-chan gone...not to mention her finally realizing what jerks you people are...all the things you needed to keep your own little worlds intact are gone, too!!"

"So what does that have to do with what he did to Mendou-san?!!" Momoe snaps.

"He was attacked and abused for the last two years; his grandmother was attacked when she came to defend him from that bitch Elle; his daughter was attacked, nearly sold back into slavery, when he tried to offer her a home...and you bastards expect Ataru-chan WOULDN'T defend himself and those he cares for?!" Mie looks incredulous. "Brother, you jerks are unreal!! If Ataru-chan molested any of you, what would you have done?!"

"We'd punish him," Kumiko nods.

"That's right. And you were justified! He hasn't ONCE said anything about that! But what happened when all of you went ga-ga over Supersnob, then realized if Ataru-chan and Lum-chan broke up, you might lose that moron to Lum-chan...what did you do?!"

Silence answers. "You went and forced Ataru-chan to stay with Lum-chan when he still wasn't sure if he cared for her," Mie answers. "You've constantly done that, ran with Lum-chan's assumptions, saw to it Ataru-chan had NO ONE to turn to when he felt overwhelmed, when he really needed a friend! That's why you idiots came after me...because you were all afraid that if I did become his friend, then he would no longer be under your control. And you hated it! You all hated it!!"

Mie then turns on the boys. "And what about you clowns?! Ever since Lum-chan came to Earth, you've been on Ataru-chan's case about her wanting to be with him. And spare me the bullshit about you wanting to protect Lum-chan's innocence. What you were really doing was trying to make him look like a moron so that she'd drop him and hopefully come after one of you! Once he moved to Oshika, you realized that if he persuaded Lum-chan to move north with him, you'd have nothing left! And you hated that just as much!!"

She walks away, then stops. "Now he's destroyed everything you tried to build around yourselves. He's torn down all the walls you erected to protect your dreams! Cherry was right: Ataru-chan did destroy Tomobiki...Tomobiki's *dreams*!! So welcome to Reality, boys and girls!! It ain't fun but it's all you've got left!!!"

She storms off. Everyone watches her...

* * *

"Well, Ataru-chan and Windy-chan should be home tomorrow and once they've settled down, things can finally be right," Nagaiwakai sips her tea, then stares at her guest. "Oh, come, come, Hayao. Don't give me that look!"

"I'm...concerned, Nagaiwakai," Cherry sighs as the two relax in the matriarch's reading room. "Don't you think Ataru went overboard when it came to everyone else?"

"They've been asking for it," Nagaiwakai snorts. "After all the tortures, beatings and deceptions they've pulled on him, it was time they got their just desserts."

"But submitting them to a Zephyrite excommunication?" the monk shudders. "Every time I hear that word, I cringe."

"Yes, I suppose it is cruel," she muses. "But this is a cruel life. It's made more cruel because people intentionally made it so for other people. If evil was eliminated from this existence, then it would be so much better. But such is wishful thinking..."

A butler then walks in, bowing. "Forgive me, Lady Nagaiwakai, but there are several people who wish to speak with you."

"Who are they?"

"The friends and relatives of those the Young Master punished," the butler reports.

Nagaiwakai's eyes roll. "Pleading for clemency. Oh, very well. Send them in. I suppose I could tolerate the amusement."

He departs. A moment later, a small stream of people step into the room. Shinobu, Momoe, Kumiko, Natsuko and Ryuunosuke are part of the group, as is Rei and Ryooko Mendou. Leading them is a beautiful twentysomething green-haired Oni woman dressed in a formal tiger-striped robe, very much resembling Rei. "And who might all of you be?" Nagaiwakai wonders. "I recognize the people from Tomobiki High School, but not the others."

Ryooko walks forward. "Forgive us, Lady Nagaiwakai. I am Ryooko Mendou, a friend of your grandson's and Shutaro's sister."

"Ah, yes!" Nagaiwakai smiles. "The young lady who caught Reigi-chan's interest." As Ryooko blushes, Nagaiwakai stares at Rei, now enjoying sweet potatoes. "And you are?"

"This is Lan's boyfriend, Rei," Shinobu waves to the Oni pilot. "And this is Rei's mother, Lady Yedris Seq," she waves to the beautiful Oni woman beside Rei.

"And why would you be here, young lady?" Nagaiwakai wonders.

Yedris jolts. "I hardly would call me 'young' if I were you!"

"I may not look it, but I'm eighty years old," Nagaiwakai counters. "Hayao here can attest to that," she waves at Cherry.

"It's true," Cherry sips his tea.

Everyone blinks. "Now, what brings you all here...or need I guess?" the matriarch relaxes, steeping her hands under her chin.

"You needn't," Yedris sits. "Your grandson did an awful thing to several of his friends. We wish it redressed."

"I see," Nagaiwakai hums. "First of all, you're making an assumption. Those cretins are *not* Ataru-chan's friends...nor were they *ever* his friends. Secondly, what would you do if I refused? Please note I've no power when it comes to those devices. Ataru-chan is the only one who can remove them...and I doubt that after all the things they've done, he'll be willing to restore them to a position where they may again do him harm."

"Then I will have your grandson arrested and charge him with assault," Yedris counters, fixing Nagaiwakai with a stare.

Nagaiwakai grins. "My dear, you have no power over this world. Such was eliminated when Resolution 442 went into effect. Even if you did arrest him...kidnap him, not to mince words...and charge him under your planet's laws, Uru'd be forced to surrender Ataru-chan to the High Court of Star Chamber on Jiyuu. There is where the case will be tried."

"Lan is a citizen of Uru!" Yedris snaps.

"Ataru-chan is now a Zephyrite citizen," Nagaiwakai counters. "Such went into effect the instant he was engaged to Windy."

Yedris blinks. "You see how easy it is?" Nagaiwakai smiles. "Even if something happens and the engagement between Ataru-chan and Windy-chan doesn't go through, he's STILL under the protection of the Holy Republic. You could arrange an 'accident'...and the Inquisition would sniff you out. I guarantee that. I've seen it done before, as has Dakejinzou and your friend Nassur. Now," she relaxes, "...what could you give me to assure me that Ataru-chan will no longer be molested by any of them...or any of YOU for that matter...in the future should he release them from those devices?"

"You seem to believe everything everyone does or plans to do to your grandson will do him harm," Yedris shakes her head.

Nagaiwakai snaps her fingers. A servant walks out with six large rolls of parchment. She takes one, tosses it to Yedris, then passes another to Ryooko and the remaining four to Shinobu. "I suggest you read those."

Yedris breaks the seal, then allows the parchment to roll out, nearly flowing out the door. "What's this?!" she demands.

"They're intelligence reports on what your would-be daughter-in-law has done since she came to Earth," Nagaiwakai smiles.

Yedris reads. "'Conspired to suck his youth in vengeance over Lum's dating Rei prior to the First Tag Race, using remote-control dolls filled with explosives and other dangerous materials in attempts to commit murder, assault and other crimes...use of military-class weapons in a residential zone...illegal import of alien lifeforms in an attempt to make money...bringing a dangerous and uncontrollable person to harass other people'...HEY, THAT'S MY SON YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!!"

"Right," Nagaiwakai drawls, then turns to the others. "Go on. Open them. I'm sure you'll find them very revealing."

"There's no need," Ryooko smiles. "We already know this."

"You tolerate it?" Nagaiwakai wonders.

"We always have," Ryuunosuke notes.

"Oh?" her voice drops to sub-zero. "So while you tolerate it, my grandson suffers."

"He tolerated it before!" Shinobu snaps.

"He doesn't NOW!!!!" Nagaiwakai bolts to her feet, heat exploding from her. "You dare walk into this house, accuse my grandson of things he's doing in LEGITIMATE self-defence while at the same time not taking into account all the crimes those cretins did against my grandson AND ALL OF YOU, then expect me to show mercy to them?!!"

Everyone backs away from the incensed matriarch. Yedris blinks, then sees an old black-and-white photograph hanging on the wall, barely noticeable amid the stacks of books and other pictures. It shows Nagaiwakai with a group of eight children, including two babies which could be Komeru and Muchi. The names of six of those children are written in red. Quickly interpreting what that means, she stands. "Wait!"

Nagaiwakai glares at her. Yedris turns to everyone else. "Go outside. I'd like to talk with Nagaiwakai alone."

Everyone blinks, then walk out. Yedris sighs, then turns to Nagaiwakai...

* * *

Hundreds of light years away on Zephyrus, seven people meet in a secluded chamber in a large abbey located in the centre of the capital, New Tere'na City. Dressed in very fine robes denoting their place as the highest ranked officials in the Holy Republic, they relax as they have tea. "It's very nice that Lady Nagaiwakai is able to marry her grandson to a Zephyrite," the head of the Protestant Reformist Church smiles as she stares at the Holy Father. "Maybe now, some peace and quiet will exist in that sector of space and we can concentrate on containing the Dominion from making other advances along our borders."

"Perhaps," Thundereye Stormwalker, former archbishop of the Scripturalist Order, smiles.

"Excuse me!!!" a voice barks out.

They see Noa standing there. Their jaws drop as they recognize who she is. "A Holy Mother of the Ancient Homeworld!!" the Holy Father gasps. "What are you doing here?!"

"Simple," Noa growls. "Ataru Moroboshi is OUR *daimon'cha* and we don't approve of his being bonded to one of YOUR people!! Now, correct that state of affairs...or else!!!"

With that, the Sagussan disappears in a transporter beam. The Cabal of Archbishops blink as they stare at each other...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"So what do you want?" Nagaiwakai hums.

Yedris walks to the picture showing Nagaiwakai with her children. "Yours, I assume," the Oni gazes at the matriarch.

"If you're expecting mercy from me because of that, think again."

"No," Yedris smiles. "But...I understand you now. You must feel that Ataru is the last thing you have left, correct?"

"It might be said."

Yedris sits. "Nagaiwakai, a long time ago, before I married Rei's father, I was in love with a beautiful man named Mamoko..."

"Lan's father, I assume."

"Yes," Yedris nods. "It was my first relationship. I lost Mamoko to Lan's mother Chena later. But even after Mamoko's death and Chena's disappearance, I still cared for his child, even more so when she showed interest in my son. I...realize the amount of pain and misery Lan's brought to your grandson's life. In fact, I applaud your willingness to protect him. And...if you or Ataru do release her, I assure you I will do everything to keep Lan under control. But...please try to understand that Lan herself was abused by her mother prior when she was very young."

"Abused?"

"Yes. Beaten on the flimsiest excuse, mostly for things Lum instigated. I hear the reason Ataru disowned his parents was because of their psychological abuse and ignorance of him. Ataru had it quite easy in comparison to Lan. I realize that despite her pain, she still has no excuse to hurt innocents..."

"She came here on the excuse of torturing my grandson to get revenge on Lum," Nagaiwakai cuts in. "That, of course, is one of many reasons I want Lum out of Ataru-chan's life. Unlike he, I know what this galaxy of ours is capable of doing. Two years of my grandson's life were stolen from him, not just by Lum but by all those who supported her. And in her own way, Lan is but one of those who support Lum. Who pays Ataru-chan back for the pain, distress and misery he's suffered?!"

"Perhaps you've extracted enough..."

"NO!!!!" Nagaiwakai bolts to her feet, causing Yedris to cower. "No, madame!!! I will NOT permit Lum to get off this time!!! And I will NOT permit those who flock over her like a school of remora feeding off a shark's scraps to hurt my grandson in her name...!!!"

The spacephone rings. Nagaiwakai marches over, yanking the receiver out of the cradle. "WHAT?!?! What do you want?!!"

Surprise then crosses her face. "Eh?! Oh, Your Holiness, it's you!! I'm sorry," Nagaiwakai giggles. "No, you called in the middle of an argument between myself and some fool trying to get her child off the hook for hurting Ataru-chan...eh?!" she blinks.

She listens to the speaker's words, eyes widening. "A-annulled?!" she stammers, falling back in her chair. "Whatever for?! Why was it annulled?!!" Pause as she listens to the reply, then she bolts to her feet. "You can't tell me?! Your Holiness, what of my grandson?!!" Pause as she listens to the reply, then she blinks. "'Don't worry?! His destiny is secure?!' What does that mean?!" Pause, then, "You can't tell me? It's vital to keep this secret for Ataru-chan's safety?!"

Yedris walks over as Nagaiwakai hears the end. "Eh?! Anyone who tries to hurt Ataru-chan'll be excommunicated?! Without trial?!" Pause, then, "Oh, they've already been tried in absentia, eh?! Sentences suspended unless they pull something, eh?! No problem!" she nods. "I like this part. Does Ataru-chan know about this?" Pause, then, "He's been told! Oh, dear, I hope he's alright!" She nods. "Thank you, Your Holiness. Well, things happen," she shrugs. "Thank you again for calling. The Supreme Being's blessings on you. Good-bye," she hangs up the phone.

"What happened?!" Yedris wonders.

Nagaiwakai stops as the information sinks in. "I wanted it to happen to them," she tearfully sighs. "Windy-chan didn't come with all those strings attached. Not like Lum at all. Ataru-chan never would have to worry about being hurt again if he was married to Windy-chan and living on Jiyuu or Magairu."

"But they never told you why."

"Yes, that's true," the matriarch sighs, then smiles. "Ah, well! At least he'll be safe." Reaching into her sleeve, she pulls out a device the size of a ballpoint pen. "Here you are," she hands it to Yedris. "That should release everyone from their bonds."

"Thank you," Yedris blinks. "I'm very sorry that it didn't work out between your grandson and Windy-san."

"As am I," Nagaiwakai fixes her with a stare. "And you tell Lan and the others this: they're now living under death sentences which WILL be carried out if they hurt my grandson again! Am I understood?"

"I understand," Yedris nods. "But...I hope you'll be able to accept Lum. Despite their differences, Lum and your grandson do care for each other. The potential for a successful relationship between them is there if they take chances."

"Maybe," Nagaiwakai stares out a window. "But after seeing the excesses Lum's used to keep Ataru-chan," her voice drops to brittle ice, "...I'll have to receive considerable proof of her honourable intentions before I EVER accept a marriage proposal from either her or her parents!"

* * *

"Unnn..." Lan moans. "Where am I...?"

Her vision clears, revealing Yedris and Rei. "Lady Yedris...Rei-chan...?" she moans, blinking. "Where am I...?"

"On your scout," Yedris smiles. "Take it easy. You've been through quite a bit."

Lan sits up. "Oh, my head," she winces as a flash of pain arcs through her mind. "What's going on? Last thing I remember is being aboard Elle's ship and getting in a fight with Darling's grandmother..."

"You were nearly excommunicated for assaulting her," Yedris crosses her arms as Rei sits beside Lan, taking her hand. "Did you forget she's a Righteous Gentile?! Attacking one of them is suicide, Lan!"

"So?!" Lan growls. "She's been butting in the way since the Spirit War!! How am I supposed to get my revenge on Lum if people like her and Darling get in the way...?!"

"QUIET!!!!" Yedris barks.

Lan jolts, leaning back as Rei's mother leans up. "You listen to me, young lady. And you listen well. Just because you feel anger at your mother and Lum for what they did to you DOESN'T give you the justification to attack people who are totally innocent in this matter!!! ESPECIALLY when they also have the means to destroy you with just a thought!!!"

The Seishin shudders. "You might as well know," Yedris crosses her arms. "The engagement between Ataru and Windy has been annulled. However, the High Church Council has deemed that ANYONE who hurts Ataru will be excommunicated without trial! As a matter of fact, you HAVE been tried, found guilty and given the maximum punishment for your heresy...but your sentence has been suspended pending your good behaviour from now on!" she points a finger at Lan.

Lan gulps. "Furthermore, you will never be permitted to move out of Tomobiki again," Yedris adds. "You will never be permitted to change your visa or do anything which can help you circumvent the court injunction protecting Ataru. If you so much as even TRY to do that, you'll be expelled from this planet and never be permitted to return! And nothing I can do will change that!! Understood?!"

"Y-yes," Lan stammers, nodding.

"Be lucky you got away with that. In Hokkaido lives a woman who'll do anything to protect her grandson. In her eyes, you're just as legitimate a target as Lum. And Nagaiwakai is one who doesn't take 'no' for an answer, Lan-chan. You're the most important thing in my life outside Rei-chan and Sugoi-chan. Losing you will hurt me very much. I hope you'll keep that in mind, Lan-chan."

"I will," Lan nods.

* * *

Later, Yedris and Rei depart for Uru. Lan watches them go from the living room, grateful for the former's intervention. It had been horrible; the device used on her had ripped into tortured memories of the frequent beatings her mother gave her. Turning, she heads into the kitchen to prepare some tea. One look at her still-shivering hands elicits a scowl, then Lan stops it with her other hand. "It's over!" she hisses.

Was it? Lan curses herself; she should've known better! She was the first in Tomobiki to learn the truth of Nagaiwakai Moroboshi, was the one who told the others about what might happen. And there she was, attacking Nagaiwakai beside Mendou and the guards as if her whole life depended on keeping Ataru with Lum in Tomobiki.

Did it?

Lan sighs. Of course it did. While there were times Lan resented Lum, the Seishin teen had accepted that she really needed Lum's friendship, especially now that her family was gone. In many ways, Lan was grateful to Lum for persuading her to allow Hei to template herself off her sister, even if Hei happily sided with the other Nendo-kata to shield Ataru...

Ataru?

Was it Ataru she hated?

No, not exactly. The pre-Icarus Ataru was a harmless fool who, despite his libido, was really a nice guy, always willing to overlook most people's shortcomings. It was the post-Icarus Ataru Lan had problems with. This being, a stranger in all but name, cared for no one's feelings save his and Lum's. The love between them was there; you had to be blind...*or Mendou or Megane's idiot brigade!* Lan snickers...to not see it. This recent break was temporary, she knew. They'd come back together again.

Away from Tomobiki.

Lan shudders. It was what Ataru was doing to everything around him she wanted to wreck, just like what everyone else wanted. It also explained her helping the guys try to return Reiko to slavery sometime ago, not that the Noukiite's nearly killing Rei was the least bit forgivable! Ataru had made it pretty clear that when things settled down, he and Lum would live in Oshika...and that people like Lan were quite unwelcome there. That might've been no problem for Lan hadn't Ataru pulled out hidden aces: his uncle, his daughter, his sister and friends...and his grandmother!

Sipping her tea, she gazes at a junior high school picture of her with Lum, Benten and Oyuki. Why couldn't Ataru let things be as they were? Did he hate everyone in Tomobiki so much that he'd gladly destroy Lum's life...just like she almost destroyed his?

"Gods, what a mess!" she hisses. "It's no wonder they fought!"

Sitting back, she looks at the deckhead, her eyes narrow. What happened between Ataru and Lum was pretty well their own business. Even Mendou and the guards...yes, even Nagaiwakai...would have to accept that sooner or later. But no matter what, Lan would NEVER let Ataru destroy her friendship with Lum. Never!

With that, she rises to make a phone call to Uru...

* * *

"So the marriage is annulled," Shinobu sighs. "Doesn't surprise me. Looks like that woman can't win them all."

She relaxes with her classmates on the front lawn of Tomobiki High later. The guards, freed by Yedris after she freed Lan, sit as a group around one cherry tree. "It was horrible," Megane mumbles. "Again and again, Lum-san torturing me, then running off to marry Ataru. That was the worst experience in my whole life."

"What did you expect?" Mie snorts as she walks up, licking a lollipop. "You drove Ataru-chan over the edge. He hit back."

Laughing, she walks away. "Cursed witch!!" Megane snarls.

Ryuunosuke looks at Shinobu. "What do you think'll happen?"

"Lum'll probably come back," Shinobu sighs. "But I doubt Ataru-kun'll ever come back here. Mie had the gist of it earlier. Everything he wants is in Oshika."

"I wonder how Windy's feeling," Kumiko sighs. "She let him go five years ago. Now she's lost him again. I'd feel horrible if I had to live through that."

"I wonder what Ataru's going through," Natsuko gazes at the sky.

"Since when did you ever care about Ataru?" Momoe wonders.

"Since we've never cared for him," the volleyball team captain sighs. "That's the argument. We've used him, abused him just to make us happy. We've never considered how he feels. Most of the time, he's never been able to express it, but when those few times came, we ignored him. So why should he care?"

Lan arrives. "Lan!" Shinobu stands. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," the Seishin teen sighs.

"Did you call and see if Lum-san's coming back?" Mendou wonders.

Lan nods. "Lum-chan's not coming back."

Silence falls. "Not...coming...back...?" Megane gasps.

"Nope," Lan shakes her head.

Everyone looks at each other. "There's only one person who can persuade Lum-chan to come back," Chibi growls. "Ataru!"

"We'll go up there and make him get Lum-san to come back!!" Megane thunders.

"They'll have the jail cells waiting," Ryuunosuke snorts. "Court injunction."

The guards are decked by an explosion!! "We forgot about that," Paama grunts.

"Ryuunosuke, you're not affected by that anymore," Kumiko turns to the tomboy. "You can go up and talk to him."

"And get the crap beat out of me in case he gets angry?!" Ryuunosuke growls. "No thanks! I'm not into committing suicide!!"

A tidal wave. "RYUUNOSUKE, WHAT TYPE OF **MAN** ARE YOU ANYWAY?!?!?!" Mr. Fujinami snarls. "SHOW SOME COURAGE, YOU COWARD...!!!!!!"

"***I'M A GIRL!!!!!!***" she blasts him into orbit.

"I'm on Jupiter...!!!" he wails, flying away.

"Doesn't Mie have Ataru's home phone number?" Momoe wonders.

"Find her!!!" Mendou commands.

* * *

"I'll call him," Mie sighs as everyone walks into Koosei's office. "But if he doesn't want to listen, don't scream at me."

She dials the number, then hands the receiver to Ryuunosuke. A moment later, the other end answers. "Hello?" Reiko hails.

"Reiko-chan, it's Ryuunosuke Fujinami," the tomboy smiles. "Is your dad home?"

"What do you want?!" the Noukiite growls.

"I want to talk to him," Ryuunosuke hums, hoping her friendly tone will win Reiko over.

The phone crashes down! "What the...?!" she blinks. "She hung up!!"

"Call that cafe that weirdo sister of his runs!!" Megane barks.

"Fine, then," Mie dials a number.

The other end soon answers. "Tiger Cub Cafe," Tatsuko calls. "Is that you, sister?"

"Hi, Tatsuko-chan," Ryuunosuke smiles. "Listen, is Ataru there?"

"He is," the Nendo-kata-turned-Terran sighs. "The answer's 'no.'"

"The answer's 'no,'" Ryuunosuke parrots.

"Give me that!!" Megane seizes the receiver. "Put Ataru on the line right now, you walking squid!!! This is urgent!!"

"What do you want, four-eyes?" Nokoko replies. "And the next time you call me a weirdo, I'll make sure you'll never have the chance to slobber over Lum-chan again!!"

Megane quakes. "You tell that bastard that he either gets Lum-san to come back to Tomobiki or else he'll never have a peaceful day as long as he lives!!!"

"Oh, I didn't realize you were bent on committing suicide," Nokoko snickers. "You lay one finger on him, the Inquisition's gonna haul you off to Jiyuu where you're going to get another taste of what Ataru-chan did to you...and this time, there'll be no reprieve!"

Megane pales. "What?" Nokoko speaks away from the phone, then comes back. "So, you want Lum-chan to go back to Tomobiki, eh?"

"Yes!!" Megane nods.

"Disband the bodyguards, first."

"WHAT?!?!?!" Megane screams.

"Also disband the Rosebuds."

"WHAT?!?!?!" all the girls scream.

"The boys are to forswear Lum-chan."

"WHAT?!?!?!" all the boys scream.

"Mendou's forces are to disarm and the Kuromegane are to disband."

"WHAT?!?!?!" Mendou howls. "NEVER!!!!!!"

Dial tone. "She hung up," Megane moans.

Everyone feels their strength drain. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going up north," Mie yawns as she walks out.

"Mie-san, you will try to talk Moroboshi into taking Lum-san back," Mendou pleads.

"Sure I will," Mie smiles. "But I'll make sure that Lum-chan'll be living in *Oshika,* not Tomobiki!"

An explosion!! "We can't win," Megane cries...

* * *

"So they annulled the marriage," Mrs. Invader sighs as she and her husband enjoy tea with Nassur. "Now, no one's happy."

"Who know what Mr. Groom's thinking," Invader shakes his head. "If he welcomes Lum-chan back into his life, it'll be a miracle."

They see Benten and Oyuki standing beside the closed door to Lum's room. "C'mon, Lum," Benten sighs. "Aren't you going back?"

"No," Lum's muffled voice echoes.

"Lum-chan, everyone misses you," Oyuki smiles. "Ataru probably misses you the most."

"If I go back, then everything'll be back to the way it was before I learned about Windy," the Oni replies. "I'm staying."

"Lum!!" Benten cries.

"If you want to go back to see the others, go ahead," Lum sighs.

"It won't be fun!" the Fukunokami admits.

"That's too bad," Lum sighs.

* * *

"C'mon, Ataru-chan," Mie looks pleadingly at Ataru in the Tiger Cub later. "Admit it. You miss her like hell."

"Of course I do," Ataru nods. "But if I ask her to come back, she won't come here. She doesn't like it here, remember?"

"She will if you give her a chance," she admits. "Now that she's had a chance to see how much you hate those slobs, you've got a chance to finally break her away from them."

"She's already broken away," he sighs. "As long as she's on Uru and they can't come bother me, there's nothing they can do. Let them wither on the vine."

"Yeah, they are doing that, aren't they?"

Windy walks in. A downcast look is on her face as she walks to Ataru's table. "Windy-chan," he stands.

Mie makes herself scarce as Windy sits in front of her ex-fiance. "I've been told the reason our engagement was annulled," she sighs, closing her eyes to stem her tears.

"And?" he prods.

"I...cannot tell you the exact reason," she grits her teeth. "This I can tell you. A great destiny awaits, Ataru-chan. A destiny which will affect the lives of millions."

He gulps. "You'll soon come into contact with a planet named Sagussa," she announces. "It is on that world that you'll confront your destiny."

"Sagussa?!!" he bolts up. "You mean this has something to do with all the weird feelings I've been getting since Icarus?!"

"Yes. The power of Sagussa...the Ancient Homeworld as we call it...is greater than anything you could imagine. You have touched the power of the Ancient Homeworld already. The power which brings forth your other self...your ability to see past falsehoods and touch the truth...all that is because of your destiny."

He sits down. "It's going to get worse!" he covers his head with his hands.

"Perhaps. But if all goes well, your going to Sagussa will usher in an age of peace and prosperity. If it doesn't...then darkness and disaster await you and those you love."

"Including Lum," he sighs, then jerks.

She laughs. "It's alright, Ataru-chan. I know how much you care for her. I...like her, a lot. I'm really glad you found someone you really could bond with."

"Well...there's more," he sighs. "Whenever that power...the *te'a*...touches me, It always says that Lum is...the Other. The one I am destined to share my destiny with."

"The one you are destined to..." she hums, then nods. "I see. It explains a lot about your tolerance of her. And...it may give you a chance for you to reconcile, rebuild what you've lost. Leave it to me, Ataru-chan! I'll get you two back on the right track."

She kisses his cheek, then flies out of the cafe. Ataru watches her go, blinking...

* * *

The next day at the Invaders' home, the doorbell rings. Mrs. Invader answers it. "Yes?" she looks outside. "You!"

Windy walks in, a shopping back slung over her shoulders. "Hello, ma'am," she gently grasps her hand. "Is Lum here?"

"Sh-she's in her bedroom."

"Thank you," Windy places the bag on the table, then walks into Lum's room. "Up and at 'em, sleepy-head! We have to get you ready!"

"Eh?!" Lum rises from her blankets. Her eyes widen on seeing her visitor. "Windy?! What are you doing here?!"

Windy throws off Lum's covers, then grabs her bikini. "Time to dispose of this!!" she rips off the tiger-striped fabric, then walks over to Lum's dresser to sort through it.

"Hey!!!" Lum quickly covers herself. "What are you doing?!!"

"We're going to throw out the old Lum and usher in the new!" the Zephyrite pulls out every risque (by Terran standards) clothing the Oni has, throwing it into a pile. Once everything is accounted for, Windy picks up the pile, walks into the living room, then tosses it into the trash incinerator.

"Those were all my good clothes!!" Lum screams.

"Yes, they *were* your good clothes!" Windy turns to her shopping bag. "Honestly! Parading around in a bikini in Japan?! It's no wonder no one in Tomobiki takes you seriously. So," she pulls out a short-sleeved tiger-striped blouse, "...it's time for the sex-kitten to go the way of the Fourth Republic so that a mature Lum can take her place and finally win Ataru-chan's heart."

"What?" Lum blinks.

Windy walks into the bedroom, dragging Lum after her. The door slams shut. Invader walks out of his office. "What's going on here?!" he stares quizzically at his wife.

Mrs. Invader shrugs. A moment later, Windy steps out. "Captain!" she nods. "Sir, ma'am, I have the esteemed pleasure to present your daughter."

The Invaders blink as Lum emerges. Now wearing a tiger-striped skirt and the blouse Windy displayed earlier, Lum no longer looks like the beach bikini goddess most men think her as, but the maturing woman who has taken a lot of hard knocks since the Spirit War. She twirls around to show herself. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful!" Mrs. Invader gasps. "Oh, my baby's grown up!"

"I wonder how Mr. Groom is going to take this," Invader hums.

"Ataru-chan'll like it," Windy winks. "It's the other jerks in Tomobiki that're going to get broadsided. In the meantime," she turns to Lum. "Get your scout. You're heading back to Earth."

"But I can't go back...!!" Lum protests.

"Do you care for him, yes or no?!"

The Oni blinks, then nods. "Yes."

"Fair enough," Windy smiles. "My ship's in orbit. Let's go."

* * *

"A pre-nuptial guidance counsellor?!!"

"That's right," Nicole nods as she, Nokoko and Ataru meet in his living room later. "Windy's having her come by Tomobiki High later today. Lum'll be there. Once you're there, you two can finally hash this mess out and get your lives back on track."

"Does Grandma know?" Ataru wonders.

"She'll learn," Nokoko hums, "...*after* you've made an agreement. Besides, didn't you want the chance to sit down with Lum and air out your differences?"

"Yeah, but not in front of those morons!"

"Relax," Nicole smiles. "Windy's got it all covered."

* * *

Tomobiki High School. Noon.

With everyone at lunch, Koosei shifts the desks to form a space. Kotatsuneko sets up a kotatsu and three floor pillows. A moment later, Windy walks into the room. "Everything set?" she inquires.

"Ready," the teacher smiles. "Class is at lunch. You've got twenty minutes tops before they come back."

"No problem," Windy pulls out a spacial shield emitter, placing it on the kotatsu. "I attuned this to the DNA signatures of Ataru-chan, Lum and the counsellor. There's no way that anyone can come in, much less shout in, to interrupt the discussions."

"Fair enough," Koosei crosses his arms, then turns to Kotatsuneko. "Those dorks won't see this coming for fifty years."

The cat-ghost nods, puffing his pipe. "I'm here!" Ataru walks in.

"Any trouble getting in?" Koosei hums.

He draws out his *qu'f-piaqu'r.* "Me?! Nonsense! Where's Lum?!"

"She'll be here in a moment," Windy kisses his cheek. "Good luck. Turn on the shield when the counsellor comes, okay?"

"Right," Ataru sits down.

"I think we better get out, too," Koosei turns to Kotatsuneko.

They depart as Lum enters. "I'm here!"

Ataru turns, his eyes widening. He sits agape at this sensual woman, the one he'd wanted more than anything else...and the one person he'd run from for two years, even more. Why? Why had he run from her when it really was only her that he wanted? "Lum..."

Lum blushes, then stares at this man who'd touched her in ways she'd never dreamt possible. No longer the girl-chasing fool she tried to tame...the same person whose life she systematically destroyed all in the name of love. Why? Why had she done that to him when all she needed was time and patience? "Darling..."

She sits, gently grasping his hand. "How are you?" both ask.

"I'm okay," he nods. "You...up to this?"

"Yes," she nods. "You?"

He nods. A teleport beam brings in a beautiful Zephyrite dressed in a nun's habit, her flowing black hair forming a psychic aura around her face. "Raven?!" Ataru blinks. "Windy asked you...?!"

Raveneye Starlighter beams. "I was happy to come." She flicks on the shield emitter. "Now, we'll be alone. Shall we start?"

Both nod. Outside, a storm of students race upstairs. "I heard Lum-san's voice!!!" Megane declares. "She's come back!! Now we'll show Ataru something about REAL love!!'

"Don't you mean real IDIOCY?!?!" Mie barbs from below.

The boys turn to enter room 337, then slam into an invisible wall as tough as solid neutronium!! "HEY!!!!!!" they scream as they collapse into a pile of idiocy.

Koosei walks up. "Oh, someone should've told you that the room is now sealed off from intruders. Ataru and Lum can hash out their differences without any interruption."

"WHAT?!?!?!" everyone screams.

Their voices don't echo in room 337 as Ataru and Lum stare at each other. "Wh-when did you get the n-new dress?" he wonders.

"Windy got it for me. Like it?"

"I love it!!" he whistles.

She stops. "More than the bikini?"

"Much more than the bikini," he purrs.

"What?!" Mendou howls. "Is he totally blind?!! How dare he say that rag looks good on Lum-san?!!"

"It makes her look mature," Ryuunosuke muses.

"Shall we start?" the counsellor smiles.

Lum sits down. "Now," Raveneye opens a notebook, then slips on a pair of reading spectacles. "Ataru Moroboshi, Terran...and Lum no Midorinokaminoke-oni, Urusian. What are your present places of residence?"

"Oshika, Miyagi-ken," Ataru responds.

"Tomobiki, Tokyo-to," Lum adds.

"How far is that from each other?"

"Two hundred and seventy kilometres," Ataru smiles as Raveneye makes notes.

"Now...I assume you're on a visiting student's visa, Lum."

"Yes," the Oni nods.

"When can you change it?"

"February," Lum sighs.

"Good," Raveneye notes. "Well...let's settle how you actually see each other now."

Ataru and Lum stare at each other. "We're really good friends," he admits. "But we do want to marry."

Lum blinks. For the first time, Ataru has admitted his desire to marry her. "I see," Raveneye nods. "So...maybe call yourselves boyfriend-girlfriend at present?"

"I can agree to that," Lum nods.

"Excellent," Raveneye writes her notes. "That'll be Point One of your agreement. Now, given that you two are living apart...and I know Ataru owns his house, when can you two see each other...until February, that is?"

"Weekends," Lum sighs. "I'm in school Monday to Friday and every second Saturday morning."

"I can come down anytime, although I'm being privately tutored at home," Ataru crosses his arms. "Also, I've been volunteering to help my uncle keep an eye on his company's operations here."

"Then let me propose this," Raveneye smiles. "One weekend, Lum goes to Oshika, Ataru. The next, Ataru comes down to visit you, Lum. Ataru, where will you stay when you come? I know of your estrangement from your parents."

"In Toranoseishin Fiances' building here," Ataru smiles, then stares at Lum. "And Lum's scout, if she doesn't mind that."

"Of course not," Lum giggles.

"Fine. Now, would either of you want to date anyone while you're in your separate places of residence?" Raveneye wonders.

"No," Lum shakes her head. "No one here's ever interested me."

Ataru sighs. "Everyone in Oshika's bonded to everyone else. And the idiots here aren't worth the dynamite to blow them up with."

"Then for Point Two, let's make the provision that you're free to date anyone you want so long as the other knows of it, okay?"

"Sure," both nod.

"Now we come to the hard part," the nun sighs. "You've had many problems in your relationship; else, why would you consent to see me? Why don't you bring them into the open and we'll try to set guidelines you can work on to make your situation better."

They consider the matter, then Ataru looks at Lum. "Jariten. Lum, I think it's time he goes to school if he wants to stay here. You go to school. Why can't he?"

"Earth schools are primitive, Darling."

"In sciences and mathematics, sure," he nods. "But in the social sciences, he'll have a lot to learn. Atop that, he won't be bored. All the problems we've had with him is because he doesn't have anyone his age to play with...and Reiko-chan won't play with him."

"I agree. He goes to school. Where?"

"Onigakkou Public School could take him."

"*Tcha!*" she nods.

"That'll be Point Three," Raveneye notes.

"What about Reiko-chan?" Lum wonders. "When we marry, she'll be my daughter. How's she...taken what's happened?"

"I think she misses you. I don't mind you wanting to take her places. Just keep an eye on her, okay?"

"Of course," she nods.

"That's Point Four," Raveneye announces.

"Lum, I realize after what we've been through, you're...hesitant on going to places you've never heard of, much less don't know about. Believe it or not, that's the way I felt when you dragged me off to Setsubun. I...appreciate you wanting to show me places...and I hope you appreciate my showing you places...but please, will tell me about them first?" Ataru asks.

"I agree. We've got to work on that."

"That's Point Five," the nun writes.

"Darling...there are times you've taken off with people. You don't know what you're getting yourself into. I know you won't do it because a cute girl's involved...but there are dangers out there."

"I know that," he nods. "I also think Koosei could appreciate help in making people understand there's a Non-Interference Treaty protecting this place...like a certain airhead and a certain tiger-cow we both know about!"

"Yes, those two'll have to be kept under control," she moans.

"They already are under control," he smirks. "One bad move by either of them and they'll never see Earth again."

"*Tcha!!*" Lum laughs.

"That's Point Six," Raveneye announces.

"I'm worried about you listening to Cherry and Sakura," Ataru crosses his arms. "Some advice is sound. But I can't trust them because they're more interested in filling their stomachs than helping us. And with me in Oshika, Cherry'll think he'll starve if he doesn't get his daily dose of food from me or you."

"It's time to put them out of our lives," she readily nods.

"That's Point Seven," the nun notes.

"What about everyone here?" Lum wonders. "Outside of Mie-chan," she adds with a giggle.

"I don't trust them," he shakes his head. "I may never trust them again. I certainly as hell don't trust them around you, even the girls...except Mie-chan," he laughs. "Even with you changing, do they change? Like it or not, Fate dragged us kicking and screaming to this point. Maybe it's time we give Fate a little hand when dealing with those twerps."

"How so?"

He sighs. "The guards have got to go."

"Ditto with the Rosebuds," she scowls.

"Mendou has to get hitched to someone," he muses. "I doubt it'll be Asuka-chan with the way her letters to Osooko-chan're sounding. But I also know that Ryooko-chan doesn't want to marry Tobimaro."

"True. But he should be engaged to *someone* before I leave."

"I'm sure Uncle and Grandma can help."

"That's Point Eight," Raveneye notes.

"Darling," Lum sighs. "I...admit that for a long time, I've allowed people to get away with a lot of things concerning you. I've...used them. And despite the fact that you've changed, they refuse to see that it's time to back off. I...can guess you'll want to get even with them sooner or later...but I hope it won't be as vicious as what you did to Shutaro and the others..."

"Actually," he allows air to flow through his teeth, "I've got something in mind which'll make an excommunication look tame."

"Darling...!!!"

"It's just as nasty as what I did for Benten," he announces.

"Oh, THAT nasty!" she laughs. "Want some help?"

"It will be appreciated," he purrs.

"And that's Point Nine," Raveneye smiles.

The whole school then shakes, the epicentre outside the door to room 337!! "What's that?!" Ataru and Lum wonder...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Ataru and Lum turn, seeing volumes of heat emanate from the hallway beyond room 337. "What's going on?!" he wonders.

Both walk to the doorway. In the hall, they see everyone from Lum's class boiling with rage. "What's with you?!!" Ataru demands.

Mendou and the guards appear in front of them. "***HOW DARE YOU TRY TO FORCE ALL THAT ON US, YOU BASTARD?!?!?!***"

Ataru and Lum shake their heads. "We can't hear you," the Oni calls out. "No noise can come into the room!"

Everyone faints! "They couldn't hear us...?" Megane moans.

Raveneye walks up. "Um...is that all you need to discuss?"

"That's all I can think of," he muses.

"*Tcha!*" she nods.

"Well, there's one final thing," the nun muses. "When you marry, you'll be taking vows to protect each other. For me to evaluate your chances, you'll have to demonstrate your willingness to look out for each other."

"That's easy!" Lum smiles. "Excuse me!!"

She steps through the shield, then her body blazes as she delivers a vicious zap to Mendou and the guards!! They scream as Raveneye emits an awed whistle. "Impressive!" she makes her notes.

"My turn," Ataru walks through, *qu'f-piaqu'r* emerging.

"Oh, no...!" Ryuunosuke grits her teeth.

An explosion later slams Mendou into a far wall! "**That's just one part!!**" Ataru cackles as psychic fire consumes him.

Another explosion sees Lan blasted through the roof!! "**And thus endeth the second lesson!**" Ataru reverts to normal.

"That is wonderful!" Raveneye claps her hands. "I can guarantee that this relationship is going to succeed!!"

Lum squeals as she leaps into Ataru's arms. "Did you hear that, Darling?! We've got a chance after all!"

"You're damn right we do," he laughs.

Suddenly, they feel another blast of heat emanate from behind them. "Oh, now what...?!" Ataru snarls as he looks behind him.

Everyone from Lum's class glares at them, eyes ablaze with fury. "WE WILL NEVER AGREE TO ANY OF THIS...!!!!!!" they scream...

...then wind up crushed under the Saturn Five!!!! "Yes, you WILL agree!!!" Koosei growls. "Or it's detention for LIFE!!!!!!"

Ataru, Lum and Mie sigh. "Boy, those idiots sure can't get a life, can they?" the Kyushu native snorts.

"Tough luck for them," Ataru laughs.

Another blast of heat overwhelms them. "JUST A MINUTE HERE!!!!!!"

"Grandma!!!" Ataru spins around.

The matriarch stands there, katana drawn as she glares at Lum. "If you think I'm going to allow you to dominate my grandson's life anymore, think again!!!" she points a finger at Lum. "Why wasn't I told you were meeting a pre-nuptial counsellor?!"

"Because Lum and I had to discuss this and we didn't need you butting in, Grandma!" Ataru snaps, trying his best to stay calm.

Nagaiwakai jolts, then leans at Lum. "If you think you're going to get away with this, you worm, think again!!" she snarls. "I'm going to watch you like a hawk!!! One mistake...ONE mistake...and you're going to be ashes in your family crypt!!! UNDERSTOOD?!?!"

"Y-y-yes," Lum stammers.

Nagaiwakai leaves. "Relax, Lum," Ataru hums. "We'll just have to wait until April."

"April?!" she quizzically stares at him.

"When I turn eighteen and become free of her guardianship," he smiles. "Once that's past, we can marry without interference."

"I hope it's sooner than that, Darling!"

Both laugh as they leave. Mie and Koosei smile. "I think they really stand a chance of making it," he adjusts his glasses.

"Now that this moron's paradise is barred from interfering, that is," she laughs...

* * *

They walk out of the school hand-in-hand. A familiar figure waits for them at the gate. Windy leaps down from the fence, walking up to them, Ten-chan floating beside her. "How did it go?"

"Perfect!" Lum smiles, then embraces the Zephyrite. "Oh, thank you, Windy-chan. No one's ever done this for me before. I don't know how to begin to thank you...!"

"Just be happy," Windy kisses the Oni's forehead. "That's thanks enough for me."

She then sink into Ataru's embrace. "One last time," she sighs, tearfully staring at him. "I hope you can be finally at peace."

"You bet your life on that," he smiles. "I will have peace...even if I have to unleash Armageddon to do it."

"Good for you," she nods.

"What are you going to do now, Windy-onee-chan?" Ten-chan wonders.

"I've upgraded my service status to crusade service," Windy smiles. "We've already got our first assignment: mapping the border areas of Kurakoan space. We should be there for several months at the least. But don't worry...I won't forget any of you."

"And we won't forget you," Lum smiles, gripping her hand. "Take care, Windy-chan."

"The Supreme Being's blessings on you all," Windy draws them into a final embrace, then rises into the air. "Remember, Lum...the wing always rides the air!"

"'Bye, Windy-chan!" Lum waves. "I'll remember!!"

The three stay in place for a moment as Windy vanishes from view, then Lum stares at Ataru. "Are you okay, Darling?"

"I lost her again," his lip trembles.

"I'm so sorry," she looks down.

He then smiles, staring at her. "But I got her back."

"Darling!!" Lum blushes as they kiss...

*** The Beginning ***