Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Darling's Secret Date ( Chapter 18 )

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

Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "Darling's Secret Date"
by Fred Herriot
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edited by E.B. Kushnir
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Eighteenth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
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WRITER'S NOTES:

1) This is the first of eight stories which I tentatively call the "Drama
Stories," for want of a better term. This is where the Tomobiki gang
confront topics and situations which are normally more serious than what is
typical Yatsura fare. Consider this a foreshadowing towards some critical
and traumatic events set to occur in the latter parts of the series,
especially the Endings and Beginnings quadrology and the Great Father Ataru
series.

2) "Mei'sha" is the Sagussan martial art directly concerned with the
interconnecting disciplines between the mind ("mei") and the body ("sha").
Its nearest equivalents would be yoga or tai chi chuan.

3) "Kari'fugh" is the Vosian hunter's discipline.

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Thus...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

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Tomobiki...nighttime.

Walking home, Koosei Ryooki relaxes. It had been a quiet day during
classes. No matter who was responsible for the insanity which had gone on
in Class 3-4 before, Ataru's final departure had substantially dampened the
wild spirit in many of his students...

Wait.

Footfalls are heard. The homeroom teacher slows down as he concentrates on
who is approaching him. A small group, no more than twenty. Young people.
Mix of males and females, still dressed in school uniforms. The Rosebuds?
No, there were males; the only males who worked with Ogin's group were still
in the hospital recuperating from the latest humiliation Ataru heaped on
them.

He finally stops, allowing the students to catch up. All are dressed in
Butsumetsu High blue three-piece suitd, determination etched on their faces.
"What do you kids want?!" Koosei demands.

One girl approaches. The leader of this group, as symbolized by the bokan
stick in her hand, she is eighteen with long black hair and brown eyes. She
looks Koosei straight in the eye. "Are you Koosei Ryooki of Tomobiki High?"

"I am," he nods. "What of it?"

Her response is surprising; she drops to her knees and bows to him, her
head all the way to the ground. She then looks up, her eyes pleading.
Koosei is understandably confused...

* * *

"Again, Ataru-chan!" Dakejinzou nods. "Do it again!"

Ataru, now dressed in an aikidoist's gi, moves in a graceful circle as his
hands launch into slow block manoeuvres. He is now on the small island in
front of his beach house. The island serves as a training ground whenever
the alien huntress comes to Earth to instruct her student in martial
disciplines. Watching from the side are Dakejinzou and Lum. "Darling's
really getting the hang of that," the Oni hums. "What is it called again?"

"*Mei'sha*," Dakejinzou smiles. "It's a relaxing art designed to allow
body and mind to move with greater unity and efficiency."

Lum looks confused. "I've never heard of it. Nassur-chan never told me of
this art."

"I've been to more places than Natsu-chan," Dakejinzou chuckles, doing her
best to keep her cool. "There are places whose indigenous martial arts
would make an experienced *kari'fugh* master like Natsu-chan look like a
beginner in comparison."

"Strange," Lum muses.

Both women tense as they sense someone approach. Turning, they stare at
Koosei. "Ryooki-sensei!" the Oni stands. "What are you doing here?! How'd
you get here so fast after school closed?!"

"I got Oyuki-chan to teleport me from Tomobiki through Triton. Hi,
Dake-chan," he smiles at the alien huntress, then notices Ataru. "Hey, he's
really getting the hang of that, isn't he?"

"He's a quicker study than most people would credit him," Dakejinzou
smiles. "That's good. It gets his mind off other things."

"True," Koosei adjusts his glasses. "I'd like to see him as soon as I can,
okay?"

The two quickly sense his disturbed mood. "Um, of course," the former
nods. "His academic tutor should be arriving soon."

In minutes, the exercise concludes. Koosei, Ataru, Dakejinzou and Lum make
their way to the mainland, then to the living room. There, a raven-haired
woman in a business power suit patiently waits. "Oh, Moroboshi-san," she
smiles, standing and bowing to Ataru. "I hope I'm not late."

"It's okay, Takeda-sensei," he bows. "Lum's homeroom teacher just came
by," he nods to Koosei. "Could you wait a minute?"

"It's your money," she nods.

"Lucky thing Grandma's paying her salary," Ataru muses as everyone heads
upstairs. "Okay," he sighs, sitting at the dining room table. "What's so
important that you travelled all the way up here to see me, Koosei?"

Koosei explains the story. Fifteen minutes later, Ataru, Lum and
Dakejinzou look pale. "Is there any way to help her?!" the former class
president finally stammers.

"No," the teacher shakes his head. "I called the doctor this morning to
confirm it. All he said...was that it was just a matter of time, now..."

Silence falls over the room. "I'll do it," Ataru nods, standing. "I need
help, though."

"I'll do what I can," Koosei nods in appreciation.

"I'll help, too," Lum volunteers. "Dakejinzou-chan?"

"Of course," the huntress smiles.

"Good," Ataru leans over to bring his girlfriend into his arms. "I
actually need you to do a special favour for me," he slyly smiles, rubbing
his cheek against hers, a mirthless chuckle uttering from his lips.

Lum looks nervous...

* * *

That evening, Tomobiki High School hums with activity as students continue
work on their long-delayed class project, "The Oni Princess of Tomobiki."
In the main gym, a set is being constructed. Megane assumes his place as
director, displayed by a bandanna emblazoned with that information. Mendou
Kuromegane bodyguards rush about assisting the students. "Where is
Lum-san?!" the director relaxes in his chair. "She should be here by now!"

"Lum said she was going to Oshika to visit Ataru-kun," Shinobu reports from
the stage.

"What?!!" Megane howls, his glasses ablaze with anger. "How dare that
bastard Ataru take Lum-san away from her beautiful role in our movie?!!
Why, if that robot wasn't there protecting him, we'd go up there and teach
him the respect he has refused constantly to give Lum-san...!!"

As the guards' leader rants on, denouncing Ataru in even more vile terms
than deserve repetition in this story, the girls look sick, wondering where
Megane gets the energy to continue on his mindless tirades. Suddenly, the
gym door opens and Koosei steps in. "Good evening," the teacher announces.

"Ryooki-sensei, have you seen Lum-san?!" Mendou walks up.

"She's gone home for the week," Koosei rubs his nose, then replaces his
glasses.

The boys look horrorstruck. "Eh?!! Lum-san's gone home?!!" Megane gasps.
"Why?!! We need her here to get the movie done!!"

"Aisuru, this idiotic movie of yours can wait for a while longer," Koosei
looks disgusted. "Besides, you've been working on it off and on for the
last year and a half! You can wait a week before wasting film just to get
off on seeing Lum!! Good night!"

He walks out. "SINCE WHEN IS VIEWING LUM-SAN CONSIDERED A WASTE OF
FILM?!?!?!" Megane demands, bellowing through a megaphone...

* * *

Meanwhile, back in Oshika, Ataru is in his bedroom. He flips through one
of his black books listing the names of girls in Tomobiki. "All I ever did
for her was to say 'good morning,'" he shakes his head. "Maybe that's all
anyone ever said to her..."

* * *

His mind drifts back to earlier that evening, when he and Lum discussed the
problem. "*Datcha*, that poor girl!" the Oni gasps.

"My sentiments, exactly," he shakes his head. "You know, for the first
time in so long, despite the problems we've had, I feel so...in control of
myself. I feel I finally have the ability to direct my life. And now,
things like this come up."

"Well, I won't interfere..." Lum smiles.

"You'll be grossly tempted," Ataru counters.

Lum flushes in embarrassment. The truth always made her feel queasy.
"Relax," he reaches over to gently tug her into his arms. "That wasn't
meant as an insult. Look...all I want you to do is go on vacation for the
next week."

"Vacation?!!" the Oni gasps.

"Sure," he nods. "You haven't gone home to see your parents since after
our agreement was settled. Go to Reiner's Five or Sakusei if you want.
Visit Oyuki or Nassur or Benten...oh, hell, come up here and stay with your
sister if you want or babysit Reiko-chan! I just need you out of Tomobiki
for the next while."

"Darling..."

"Lum, this is the *final* chance that poor girl has for happiness! I want
to give her **all** my attention!! I'm touched that she wants to be with
me...and I want to make that special! For that to work, I need you out of
my way."

Lum looks hurt. "So...all I am is a big distraction..."

"Stop that!!" he snaps.

The Oni looks surprised. "You're *not* a distraction, Lum!" he playfully
growls, drawing her very close. "Sometimes, you've butted in where you
don't belong, but you're **not** a distraction!! Besides, we agreed that we
could date anyone we want, remember?!"

"Yeah," she nods.

"Besides," he winks, "...I want to play some mind-games with those dorks
down there...and for that to work, I need you out of Tomobiki. Like I said,
go out and have some fun. We haven't had much of a chance to relax since
the Spirit War."

"True," she smiles. "Darling?"

"Yeah?"

She huskily breathes in his ear. "Would you give me a going away present?"
she coos, her hand sliding for his trouser zippers.

He purrs as her head leans down to bring her horns in close range. "Your
wish is my command," he strokes his tongue on the bud...

* * *

"Where're you going, Lum-chan?!" Ten-chan looks curious.

Now dressed in his jumper and shirt, he stands at the doorway, watching as
Lum packs a small dufflebag. "I'm going home to visit my parents for the
next couple of days," she stretches herself. "After that, I'll go up to
Oshika and stay with Reiko-chan. Ryooki-sensei gave me this week off."

"Oh, okay!" he nods, hurt that he could not come with her.

Lum finishes packing, then kneels in front of her cousin. "Now, I want you
to go to school and behave yourself, Ten-chan. Remember that your parents
want you to learn some things about Earth, especially if you want to stay
here for any length of time," she pats his nose. "And another thing..."

"I know, I know," Ten-chan sighs. "Don't bug Ataru!"

"Good," Lum straightens herself, then leaves. "Take care!"

"Have a good time!" he waves as she flies out the window to her waiting
scout. In moments, it rockets away from Tomobiki.

Sighing, Ten-chan floats out the window to land on the street. "Good
morning," a timid woman's voice calls out from behind him.

He stops, turning to see a seventeen year-old girl walk up. Dressed in the
sailor suit of Tomobiki High, she seems quite plain. Short brown hair, dull
brown eyes...there seems nothing which would make this girl noticeable in a
crowd. "Oh, hi," Ten-chan smiles.

"You're Lum's cousin, right?" she points.

"Yeah, I am," he nods. "Who are you?"

"I'm Chigaiko Inu. I was supposed to meet someone..."

"Hey, Chigaiko-chan!!" a voice calls.

Ten-chan is surprised to see Ataru run up. Dressed in stylish civilians,
his lengthening hair now tied with a tiger-striped bowtie, he stops, bowing.
"Oh, good morning, Moroboshi-san," Chigaiko bows.

"Here," he reaches over to take her briefcase. "I'll take that. You might
as well save your strength."

"Why, thank you," she hands him her briefcase.

"My pleasure," he smiles, then notices the small Oni. "Hey, Jariten,
aren't you supposed to be going to school?!"

"Er...yeah!" Ten-chan looks surprised, but remains in place as the two high
schoolers pass. "How come she wants to see that dork?!" he scratches his
head. "I know he's allowed to date anyone he wants, but everyone figures no
one outside of Mie-onee-chan wants anything to do with him! What's going on
here?!"

Shrugging, he proceeds to Onigakkou Public School. Meanwhile, Ataru and
Chigaiko retrace the tired route to Tomobiki High, her arm slipped around
his. "Chigaiko?" he looks over.

"Yes, Moroboshi-san?" she smiles.

"Um...you can call me Ataru if you want," he chuckles. "I'm touched that
you want to spend the next while with me, but...how does it feel, knowing
what you do?" he stammers, unsure as to how to properly ask the question.

"I'm scared, if that's what you mean," she sighs.

"You sure don't look it."

"Well, I'm not panicking," she giggles. "There's no way around it. I
guess I have to be prepared, that's all."

Ataru looks regretful. "It's still terrible. I mean, a nice girl like you
and no guy ever paid any attention to you?!"

"You did," Chigaiko romantically sighs.

No use denying that. "Yeah," he nods.

They arrive on the school grounds. "Hey, there's Ataru!" Momoe points at
her former classmate. "Whoo, look at him!"

"Hey, sexy!" Kumiko playfully taunts. "Wanna date?!"

"Already have one, Kumiko-chan," Ataru chuckles, then turns to Chigaiko.
"I'll see you at lunch time, Chigaiko-chan."

"Okay!" Chigaiko nods.

Mendou walks up, looking left and right. "Moroboshi, where's Lum-san?!" he
finally stares at his rival.

"Didn't Ryooki-sensei tell you? She's on vacation," Ataru quizzically
stares at his rival. "She's gone to see her parents."

Surprised, the scion of Japan's richest family then snap-draws his katana!
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE...?!?!?!"

A thousand tonne sledgehammer stops him!! "Mendou, I thought I told you
not to bring that thing into school!" Koosei growls. "And besides...what
the hell are you doing harassing Ataru?!"

"But, Ryooki-sensei," Mendou moans, paralyzed thanks to the hammer,
"...Lum-san has gone home...!"

"Being an alien who has to take a while to return to her home planet, I
allowed her a week off so she can see her parents!" Koosei's eyes narrow.
"I told you that last night! Don't you people listen?! Once again, you
blame Ataru for something he didn't do! Now, get to class...you got a
week's clean-up duty for attempted assault!!"

Mendou scrambles into school. Chigaiko looks concerned. *What a snob!*
she snorts. *How could he harass Ataru like that?! Lucky thing
Ryooki-sensei stops them from getting too far these days!*

Watching this, many students start to gossip. *With Lum-chan out of the
way*, Lan devilishly smiles, *...I could get a chance to kiss Darling and
get my revenge on her for all she's done to me!*

* * *

Lunch time comes. Since it is a nice day, many students head outside to
enjoy their meals; school policy was recently altered to ensure that
students do not fall to the temptation of ordering out. Ataru and Chigaiko
meet under a cherry tree in the front yard. They ignore the curious gazes
from the members of her class. "So, Chigaiko-chan...what do you want to do
tonight?" he smiles, playfully feeding her some ramen.

"Nothing much," she lightly smiles. "Just go out and eat!"

"We're lucky then," he chuckles. "Grandma still sets aside five hundred
million yen a month for me to use for these sorts of contingencies."

"Wow, you're lucky!!" she sighs.

Lan approaches Ataru from behind, sweetly smiling. "Darling!"

Ataru waves her away. "Not now, Lan. I'm busy."

The Seishin is understandably surprised. "Ataru...*ignoring* a girl?!!"
Kakugari gags, watching from nearby with the other guards.

"Is such a thing still possible?!" Chibi stammers.

Lan now looks quite miffed. "Darling, I'm talking to you!!" she growls,
fangs out.

Ataru transforms into a scary monster which frightens the dickens out of
everyone!! "***I SAID 'GET LOST!!!!!!'***" he bellows.

Lan screams, then retreats as fast as her legs can transport her.
"Ataru...**screaming** at a girl?!!" Paama stammers.

Ataru reverts to normal. "Now, where were we before that vindictive
airhead got in our way, Chigaiko-chan?" he smiles at her.

Everyone is understandably surprised. Soon, they shuffle to a position
some distance away from Ataru and Chigaiko, still keeping the objects of
their interest within visual range. "I'd've hoped he'd've finally calmed
down after making up with Lum!" Shinobu gasps.

"Wishful thinking," Momoe hums.

"Besides, he knows how much of an airhead she is," Ryuunosuke eats a rice
ball. "Nothing Lan does turns him on anymore."

"Nothing most girls could do now would turn him on," Mie amends. "Except
Lum-chan, of course!" she smiles.

"What is Ataru doing?!" Megane snarls. "With Lum-san on vacation, he
should be having the time of his life chasing girls!! What's he doing
paying attention to just **one**?!!"

"Hey, that's right!!" Chibi nods. "He came by today carrying that girl's
briefcase!!"

"What's wrong with that?!" Shinobu snaps.

"Have *you* ever seen him carry a girl's books before?!" the smallest of
the guards shrug.

Ataru's ex-girlfriend considers the point. "That's true."

"This is more than ominous!!" Kakugari crosses his arms. "What does that
girl have that others don't?!"

"She's as plain a jane as they come!" Paama adds. "I don't even know her
name!"

"Ditto here!!" Megane nods.

"I must confess that I too am at a loss as to the woman's name," Mendou
sighs. "She seems not to mind his company, though."

"That's the weirdest part!" Kumiko hisses. "What's going on?"

Suddenly, a black blur zips over their heads, bounding from tree to tree.
None see the blur but all find themselves shivering. "Er...i-is it me or
i-is it c-cold h-here all of a s-sudden...?!" Shinobu's teeth chatter.

The black shape soon drops to the ground beside Ataru and Chigaiko, forming
into Kooryooko Kanshi, one of the Kuromoroboshi ninjas. "Report,
Kooryooko-chan," Ataru smiles.

"As you suspected, Young Master, your foolish former classmates are
discussing the 'problem' of your 'inexplicable' change of behaviour," the
ninja bows her head, then raises her gaikatana, partially drawing it. "Do
you wish us to...terminate them?"

Ataru considers the suggestion, then shakes his head. "No. Let them twist
themselves into knots over it. The more they torture themselves, the more I
like it. Keep an eye on them."

"Sir, ma'am," Kooryooko bows, then disappears.

"Oh, that reminds me," Ataru snaps his fingers, then looks up.
"Shishako-chan, would you come here, please."

Another Kuromoroboshi, this one a slim black-haired, grey-eyed woman,
appears beside them. "By your command, Young Master!"

"Be so kind as to deliver these to Tobimaro Mizunokoji and Ryooko Mendou,
please," Ataru hands her two rolled scrolls.

"It shall be done, sir," Shishako bows, then disappears.

"What's that for?!" Chigaiko looks curious.

"To make sure the spectators don't get it into their heads to jump into the
game," he sips his tea. "I also sent five hundred million yen to
Ryooko-chan for her to give to her favourite charity."

"My," she giggles. "Resorting to a bribe, are we?!"

Ataru hums. "That might be an idea!"

Both laugh...

* * *

After school, Ataru waits by the front gate. Chigaiko runs up to him.
"Hi!" he smiles.

"Hi!!" she bows. "I'm ready to go!"

"The Pizza Emporium sound good to you?!"

"Oh, that's great!" she beams. "Let's go!"

"Hi, Ataru!" a voice calls out. "Hi, Chigaiko-onee-chan!!"

Ten-chan comes up. "Oh, hi, Ten!" Ataru nods. "Hungry?!"

"Ravenous!!" the young Oni beams.

"Stick with us, then!" the Terran waves his companions down the street.
"We'll get something to eat at the Pizza Emporium! It might save you from
the rot-gut that *ex*-mother of mine makes!!"

"Great!!" Ten-chan laughs.

"Ataru-kun!!" a voice is heard.

Ataru lets out an exasperated sigh as Shinobu walks up, placing herself
between him and Chigaiko. "Are you going out to eat, Ataru-kun?!" his
ex-girlfriend smiles.

"Yes," he growls, causing Shinobu to fearfully shudder as he glares at her,
"...and I've got a date if you'd be so kind to notice!" he nods to Chigaiko.
"Mind your own business for a change!!"

Shinobu backs away as Ataru offers his arm to Chigaiko. "Well, now that
the peanut gallery is out of the way, shall we go?!"

"Lead on, kind sir!" she loops her arm around his.

The three head off. Shinobu stays still for a moment, jaw scraping the
ground. "'P-peanut gallery...?!'" she stammers...

* * *

Later, at the quaint Tomobiki Pizza Emporium, Ataru, Chigaiko and Ten-chan
share a sixteen-slice pizza with the works. "Oh, this is so nice!" she
nibbles on a slice. "So this is what it feels like to be wined and dined by
a man, eh?!"

"Something like that," he smiles. "Tell me, Chigaiko...what were you
planning to do with yourself?"

"Be an office lady, I guess," Chigaiko sighs.

"No, no..." he shakes his head, "...what were your dreams?! What did you
want to do if you had a chance to do it?!"

Chigaiko considers the question. "My dreams, eh?!" she sighs, then looks
to the sky outside. "I wanted to go into space!"

"Be an astronaut?!" Ataru looks surprised.

"Yeah!" she nods. "It was so unfair that you and the others got the chance
to go into space! I wanted to have that chance, too!!"

"You just might..." Ataru smiles...then recoils as a hammering pain slams
into his head. "Uhh!!!"

He drops to the floor, reaching for his head. "Ataru-kun?!!" Chigaiko
leaps to her feet. "What is it?!!"

"What's wrong, Ataru?!!" Ten-chan floats to his side.

"My head..." he staggers to his feet. "Gotta get out...!!"

Without explanation, he runs out of the Pizza Emporium. "Follow him!"
Chigaiko barks at the Oni. "I'll be right behind you!!"

"Right!!!" Ten-chan flies out of the restaurant.

Chigaiko turns to the waiter to pay for the food. Outside, Ataru staggers
into the town park. "My head..." he moans, tears flowing down his cheeks,
"...what's happening to me...?!"

"Ataru!!" Ten-chan's voice echoes from nearby.

Ataru staggers into a clearing, then drops to his knees. Sensing the young
Oni's presence, he waves him back. "Back off, Ten..." he gasps, "...I think
it's this thing inside me...!!"

He passes out, dropping like a marionette with his strings cut!!
"Ataru...?!" Ten-chan gasps, then screams. "ATARU!!!!!!"

"What happened, Ten-chan?!" Chigaiko runs up.

"I dunno," Ten-chan panics. "He came here, then passed out!!"

Cherry then appears! "DEATH COMES TO TOMOBIKI!!!!!!"

An explosion occurs!! "You idiot, your services aren't needed yet!!!"
Chigaiko belts the monk with her purse!

"Sorry...!" Cherry winces.

Ten-chan blinks. "'Services not...needed **yet**?!!'"

They look at Chigaiko. Tears brim in her eyes. "I have leukemia,
Ten-chan," she sniffs. "At most...I've got two weeks left."

Ten-chan turns white, staring in disbelieving shock at the girl.
"You...you're gonna...die...?!" tears flowing down his cheeks in shock at
the high schooler's calm demeanor.

She nods. Wailing, he embraces her. "Hush, little one..." she smiles,
"...don't cry. There's nothing you can do for me."

"You're gonna die, you're gonna die, you're gonna die, you're gonna die!!!"
Ten-chan wails, shaking his head.

"We all die, Ten-chan," she hushes him. "Buddha has decided to take me
sooner than expected, that's all."

They tearfully stare at the other. "Aren't...aren'tcha scared...?!" he
sniffs.

"Of course I'm scared, Ten-chan," she nods. "But, I can't fight it coming
anymore. There's nothing anyone could do."

"I'm sorry," he moans.

"Hush, come here," she tightly embraces him, then stares at the unconscious
Ataru. "He is the only man who ever paid attention to me, Ten-chan. Even
if it was because of his girl-chasing, Ataru Moroboshi is the only man who
even knew my name. How would you feel if no one around you acknowledged
your very existence?!"

"Pretty low, I guess," he sniffs.

"Yes," she nods. "I know I will die...but I want my last days to be with a
man who knew who I was, a man who is decent and humane...and he is that
man," she nods at Ataru.

"I'm sorry to have come in like that," Cherry sighs, "...but I sensed an
ominous force approaching you, Chigaiko. I'm aware of your condition...but
this force is darker and more terrifying than the touch of death itself."

"Darker than death?!" she gulps. "What could that be?!"

Ataru then leaps to his feet, both eyes glowing. "***PERHAPS IT IS I THAT
THIS AGENT OF THE KEISEIRI'CHA SPEAKS OF!***"

The onlookers gasp in shock at his movement, then panic when the energy
image of the firebird forms around Ataru. "THE PHOENIX!!!!!!" Cherry
screams as he leaps at Ataru, his can held high.

A second later, he flies into orbit! "***BEGONE, PURVEYOR OF ENTROPY!!***"
Ataru barks.

"Damn you...!!" Cherry wails as he flies away.

By now, Chigaiko and Ten-chan fearfully hold the other. "***CEASE THIS
ILLOGICAL ACT OF FEAR TOWARDS ME, CHIGAIKO INU***," Ataru declares. "***I
AM NOT A PURVEYOR OF THE KEISEIRI'CHA THAT DE'NE WOULD CLAIM ME TO BE.***"

"Wh-what are you...?!" she gulps. "That ninja thing...?!"

He shakes his head. "***NO...I AM AN AGENT OF THE TE'A.***"

"'Te'a?!'" she looks confused. "What's that...?!"

An answer comes as a tendril of energy extends from the firebird, weaving
around her, lifting her into the air. "HEY!!!!"

Ataru does not answer. The tendril of energy expands until Chigaiko is
mummified from head to toe. Inside, barely visible to Ten-chan, the senior
lets out an ecstatic gasp. Suddenly, as swiftly as it came, the energy
dispersed, allowing Chigaiko to settle to the ground. "***THE DAIMON'CHA OF
THE FIFTH REPUBLIC OF SAGUSSA KNOWS WELL,***" Ataru smiles. "***YOU ARE
WORTHY TO BECOME ONE WITH US, CHIGAIKO INU. BE FREE FOR THE LAST DAYS IN
THIS PLANE OF EXISTENCE, LITTLE REI'CHA OF CREATION...FOR SOON ENOUGH, YOU
WILL BE FREE OF A MORTAL SHELL AND WALK AS ONE WITH THE TE'A.***"

Suddenly, the firebird fades. Ataru's eyes return to normal. "What
happened?!" he looks confused, shaking his head. "Did that thing inside me
come out again?!"

Chigaiko and Ten-chan look at each other. "Er...no," the small Oni shakes
his head. "You just got a headache."

"Oh, that's good!" Ataru sighs. "I don't want that monster coming out
now...or ever, if I can avoid it!!"

"I don't blame you, Ataru-kun!!" Chigaiko gasps.

They look at each other. Before either could understand what they are
doing, Ataru and Chigaiko embrace, kissing. Seeing Ten-chan out of the
corner of her eye, she waves him away. Realizing he has better things to do
elsewhere at present (if not sooner), he leaves...

* * *

The next morning, homeroom class is subdued. Mendou is still recovering
from the shock of receiving detention once more for performing something
which would have won applause from his teacher...were that teacher anyone
but Koosei Ryooki. "So," he snaps. "Moroboshi has become Ryooki-sensei's
pet, eh?!! We'll just have to *neuter* him once and for all, then take
Lum-san for ourselves!!!"

The other boys nod in agreement. "Hey, isn't that Ataru with that girl?!"
Ryuunosuke points out the window.

Everyone looks outside, seeing Ataru and Chigaiko walking up the path
hand-in-hand. The smiles both give the other seem oblivious to the incensed
stares from the class' men. "Moroboshi!!!" Mendou roars. "Get away from
that girl!!!"

"How dare you betray Lum-chan like that?!" Paama demands.

Suddenly, two arms snake around Mendou's and Megane's throats. "Can we
say..." Koosei growls, "...*THREE* WEEKS DETENTION?!?!?!"

Everyone panics, backing away from the incensed teacher on seeing the light
in his glasses. "You...*dare*...**defy**...your homeroom teacher?!!" Koosei
shudders, glaring at Mendou and Megane, now trapped in his armpits.
"I...am...in...a...MOOD!!!!!!"

Both boys gasp as their throats are nearly crushed! "You...won't *like*
me...when I'm in a mood!!!" Koosei growls.

Turning to the blackboard, Koosei punches it, shattering the graphic
structure as if he were a karate student practicing power-breaking!! "NOT
AT ALL!!!!!!" Koosei bellows.

After shattering the blackboard, Koosei breaks the teacher's with his
elbow!!! His students now cower in mortal fear under their desks. "He's
meaner than *Nassur*!!!" Ryuunosuke shudders.

Koosei walks down the rows of student's desk, his fist raised.
"Don't...you...EVER...defy...me...ever...AGAIN!!!!" he snarls.

The fist smashes through Lan's desk, nearly crushing her head!! Before she
could scramble out of range, the Seishin girl is seized by the insanely
incensed teacher, then dragged **through** the desk!!! "DO YOU HEAR
ME?!?!?!" Koosei demands.

Lan is whipped into a wrestling submission hold, then forced into a
dangerous back-breaker by pulling down on her hands and legs, bending her
back out of shape over his shoulders!! "NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!" Koosei roars.

"Ryooki-sensei!!!" a voice snaps.

Koosei stops, staring in confusion at Chigaiko, now standing beside him.
"My, my, Ryooki-sensei," she shakes her head. "Didn't you eat anything for
breakfast this morning?!!"

He relaxes, dropping Lan out the window! "Er...oh, good morning,
Chigaiko!"

"Honestly," the mortally stricken student places an apple in his hand,
"...do we have to care for you all the time, sir?! Go have a coffee, for
heaven's sake!"

"Er...yeah!" he smiles. "I'll do that!"

Chigaiko sits down as Koosei steps out of the room. "Private study hall,
you guys!" he calls out, nibbling on his apple.

A moment later, Sakura stares in the class. "What's all the noise in
here...?!" she demands, then stops, her eyes wide on seeing the devestation
her old classmate wrought. "Eeep!!!"

"Maybe he got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning," Chigaiko
shrugs, ignoring the damage around her.

Sakura faints!

* * *

After school, Lan relaxes in the control centre of her scout. "Oh, this is
so nice!" she wickedly grins. "Darling's dating another girl behind
Lum-chan's back! I'll just have to call and tell her!!"

She insanely giggles, picking up her phone and dialling a number. However,
the only response is static. "Huh?!!" she looks confused. "What's going
on?!"

Turning to her main computer, she activates her electronic counter-measures
equipment. The reading she soon obtains drives her up the wall. "What
the...I'M BEING JAMMED?!?!?!" she leaps to her feet, a volcano exploding
atop her head! "Who's doing this to me?!!"

At his home, Koosei sneezes!

* * *

The next morning, everyone in class soon learns of Lan's "problem."
"Someone's deliberately jamming you from calling Lum-chan, Lan?!!" Paama
gasps.

"Not just Lum-chan," the Seishin girl snarls. "I can't call anywhere
off-Earth!!!" She then looks mournful. "How could I call Rei-san and ask
him for a date?!"

Everyone faints! "That tears it!!!" Megane declares. "It's a conspiracy
against Lum-san!!!"

"And all I wanted to do was to call Lum-chan and rub it in that Darling's
dating another woman!" Lan snorts.

The guards glare in rage at the Seishin woman. "Your pathetic lust for
vengeance against Lum-san is of no concern of us, bitch!!!" Megane growls,
pointing at Lan. "If you dare try anything, you can be quite easily
eliminated!!!"

"Oh, yeah?!!" Lan bolts up, violently incensed. "You're nothing to
Lum-chan...and you're nothing to Darling, too!!! *You're* the ones who'll
get eliminated, four-eyes...not me!!!"

A staring contest between Lan and Megane results...soon halted by an insane
giggle. "Then, I guess we'll have to kill you **all**!!!" a mocking woman's
voice is heard.

Before the five could react, they are beset by a storm of Kuromoroboshi
ninjas! "FOR THE YOUNG MASTER ATARU!!!!" they declare. "DEATH TO THE FOOLS
OF TOMOBIKI!!!!!!"

Everyone stares as Lan and the guards are reduced to a bloody pulp!
Nagaiwakai then appears, standing amidst them. "My, my, my," the
part-Vosian matriarch giggles. "What fools have we here?!"

The other students pale, drawing back from Nagaiwakai. "To ensure no one
provokes Lum into attacking my grandson, Ryooki-san and I're jamming Lan's
space-telephone!" she announces. "Further, Oyuki-san was told to stay out
of it. She was also nice enough to loan me a portable torpedo launcher to
use against Lan should that become necessary. Finally, Ataru-chan was so
nice to ask me for the use of the Kuromoroboshi to injure anyone else who'd
bother my grandson and his new friend!"

An explosion occurs!! "Well, back home for me!" Nagaiwakai giggles, then
disappears with the Kuromoroboshi.

The students are speechless. Lan is more incensed than ever. "They
dare...jam me...?!!" she growls...

...then gets the Saturn Five!!!! "You can join the others in detention,
you airhead!!!" Koosei snaps.

Lan moans. Everyone else sighs...

* * *

After school, Ataru meets with Chigaiko, when they proceed on another date.
After their detention is ended, Mendou, the guards and Lan immediately begin
a search. Unfortunately, they are unsuccessful in locating either of their
targets. "How dare he?!!" Mendou growls. "How dare he mock us like this?!!
That bastard Moroboshi must die for this insult against us!!!"

"We will not stop!!!" Megane declares. "If we can't touch him in Oshika,
then we'll kill him when he's here in Tomobiki!!!"

"When I get my hands on that Inu girl who started this, she's history!!!"
Lan snarls, then stops. "Hey, there's Ten-chan!"

Everyone observes Ten-chan floating down the street, an ice cream cone in
hand. "What a nice day," the young Oni sighs.

Suddenly, he is surrounded by the six high schoolers. "What?!" he stops,
looking left and right. "What is it?!"

"Talk, Jariten!" Mendou draws his katana and aims it toward the young Oni.
"Where's Moroboshi?!"

"I ain't talking!!" Ten-chan turns away.

"Why, you...!!" Mendou moves to attack...

...then gets a blast of flame! "Creep!!!" Ten-chan snaps.

"Ten-chan, you can tell us where Darling is, can't you?!" Lan switches to
her cute-girl act.

It fails. "Nope!!!" the young Oni roasts the Seishin girl!

Ten-chan suddenly finds himself surrounded by the guards, all with large
sticks at hand. "You bastard, we'll...!!!" Megane begins.

Suddenly, the four high schoolers are besieged by the Kuromoroboshi!
"LEAVE THAT POOR BOY ALONE!!!!!!" the ninjas howl.

The bodyguards are given another beating, then are allowed to drop
semi-conscious to the ground!! "You pathetic slime!!!" Jinseiko Fusegu
points her gaikatana at Megane's throat. "You're challenging the most
powerful family in all Japan!!! If Nagaiwakai-sama ordered your deaths,
we'd carry them out without hesitation!!! Be warned...it *will* be war
against all of *Tomobiki* if you keep interfering in the private affairs of
the Young Master!!!"

Giggling, the ninjas disappear! Ten-chan turns to float away. "You always
lose, you jerks!!" he snorts, then flies down the street.

As he turns a corner and disappears, Mendou slowly crawls to his feet, the
rage of wounded pride on his face. "They...**dare** state the Moroboshis
are better than the Mendous?!!" he growls as a cellular telephone appears in
his hand. "Shutaro to Mendou forces, Shutaro to Mendou forces...!!!" he
barks after dialling a number...

* * *

Inside the hidden hangars of the Mendou Air Corps, pilots and ground crews
snap to action. "Deploy at once and destroy Ataru Moroboshi!!!" their
master's voice echoes over loudspeakers. "This is all-out war against the
evil who wishes to destroy Lum-san!!!"

In the hardened shelters of the Mendou Panzer Division, tank crews mount
their vehicles. "Go all out!!!" Mendou urges. "Locate and destroy Ataru
Moroboshi!!! Let no one stay behind!!!"

Kuromegane stream out of their offices to board their limousines. "All
Mendou intelligence forces, all ground forces, all air forces...go out and
destroy the cancer of Tomobiki once and for all time!!!" Mendou rants.

* * *

On the streets of Tomobiki, the Panzer Division's Leopard II tanks roll
down the streets, their smoothbore cannons arcing about in search of their
prey. In the skies over Tomobiki, fighter jets and helicopters fly about in
precise search patterns. The Kuromegane perform foot patrols, searching
every garbage can, restaurant, sports hall, pachinko parlour, mah jongg hall
and any other place Ataru is believed to frequent. Leading the Air Corps on
their search, their commander arcs his Tomcat over Tokyo Bay. "Young
Master," he reports. "No sign of Ataru Moroboshi." He glances left to see
a large, Edwardian-era passenger liner anchored in the middle of the bay.
"The only unusual thing to report is the presence of the 'Robert Bruce' in
Tokyo Bay," the commander continues.

Mendou looks surprised. "The 'Robert Bruce?!'"

"Yes, sir," the air corps commander replies.

A Kuromegane standing beside Mendou faces his master. "Oh, you know of
that ship, sir. The 'Robert Bruce' is the flagship of the McTavish
Corporation. The clan matriarch lives aboard that craft."

Mendou thinks for a moment, then nods. "Oh, yes," he sighs. "Dame
Victoria McTavish is an old friend of Moroboshi's grandmother. I think
she's related to Nokoko-san's weird friend." He speaks into his telephone.
"Ignore the 'Robert Bruce' and continue the search!"

"Yes, sir," the air corps commander acknowledges.

"McTavish...?!" Lan hums. "Why do I have the feeling that we're going to
hear more of them in the future?!"

For an hour, the search continues. Finally, all movement is brought to an
end. "Young Master Shutaro," the commander of the Panzer Corps sighs,
reporting from his tank. "The search for Ataru Moroboshi has produced no
result!"

The chief of the Kuromegane and the air corps commander report the same.
"WHAT?!?!?!" Mendou freaks out. "WHERE IS HE?!?!?!"

Minutes pass. Mendou contacts his field commanders, but once again their
response is negative. "This is impossible!!!" the scion of Japan's richest
family rants. "I have the finest troops, the finest pilots, the finest
intelligence forces in the world!!! Can't they find that girl-chasing
idiot?!!"

The phone rings. "Who is this?!!" Mendou snaps on answering.

"Hello, jerk," a voice cackles. "Having fun?!"

"Moroboshi!!!" Mendou turns white. "Where are you?!!"

The other students tense. "Now, why would I tell you that?!" Ataru
cackles.

"We'll find you!!!" Mendou snarls.

Ataru's laughter responds. "I wouldn't worry about me, old boy," he
cackles, "...but what my grandmother will do once she gets off the phone
with the Prime Minister!"

Mendou drops to his knees, eyes wide with shock. "Why, I guess she might
order the destruction of all Mendou paramilitary forces!" Ataru taunts.

Mendou faints! "I've already made you look like a total ass in front of
Tomobiki, old sot," Ataru adds. "Don't depend on the Mizunokoji for help,
either! I saw to it Tomobiki and Ryooko-chan would stay away and allow you
to suffer!"

"You...you...you bastard!" Mendou gasps, trying desperately to recover his
wits and regain control of the situation.

"Awww..." Ataru poo-poohs. "Can't take it?! Well, I might as well tell
Lum about how you idiots harassed me when she gets back!!"

Hearing this, Megane leaps over and grabs the phone from Mendou. "Dream
on, Moroboshi!!!" he howls. "We'll tell her how much you've two-timed
her!!!"

"Oh?!" Ataru hums. "Now, how could I two-time someone who's **not** my
fiance...or don't you remember our pre-nuptial agreement?!"

"We do not recognize that!!!" Megane yells.

"Lum does," Ataru snickers. "She also knows that I was dating
Chigaiko-chan while she's seeing her parents and visiting Reiko-chan!"

Everyone looks horrified. "She...knows...?!" Megane gasps.

"Yes, she knows," Ataru cackles. "Further, she **approves** of my being
with Chigaiko-chan! Now, I wonder what she'll do to all of you when she
finds out you went **against** her wishes?!!"

With a mocking laugh, he cuts the line. Silence falls over the scene as
everyone stares at the telephone. "Lum-san...**knew**?!!
Lum-san...**approved**?!!" Mendou gags, then freaks. "LUM-SAN KNEW OF
THIS?!?! LUM-SAN APPROVED OF THIS?!?! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!!!" The phone
then rings. Mendou picks it up. "This is Shutaro."

"Ah, Shutaro, there you are," a familiar voice responds.

Mendou shudders in fright. "Yes, Father...?!" he gulps.

* * *

The next morning, Mendou, the guards and Lan are slapped with yet another
week's detention, with the extra threat of a month's suspension, not to
mention deduction from their final discipline grades. Chigaiko is nowhere
to be seen. By noon, the oppression of defeat has settled on everyone
concerned. "We've been humiliated!!!" Mendou snarls. "We've been spat upon
and laughed at!!! Moroboshi is having the time of his life destroying poor
Lum-san's heart!!!"

Leaping to his feet, he races to the head of the class. The immaculate
student's uniform disappears, replaced by a three-piece suit. A banner with
MENDOU FOR LUM appears behind him. "HOW CAN WE TOLERATE THIS?!?!?!" he
bellows, acting like a politician seeking re-election. "This is the scandal
of the century!!! Elect me and we shall work night and day to bring those
responsible for this scandal affecting the whole of Japanese society to face
justice at the hands of the court of the people...!!!"

A tea kettle slams into Mendou's face, smashing him into the blackboard!
"Idiot, stop acting like an ass!!!" Mie snorts. "You're giving us an
earache with all that talk about tolerance!!! Keep it up and we'll show you
how much we *don't* tolerate the likes of *you*!!!"

"Tolerate what?!" someone demands.

Everyone sees Lum fly into the room. "Hi, everyone!" the Oni lands. "I'm
back!! What's going on here?!"

The boys look disappointed, for Lum is wearing her new tiger-striped skirt
in lieu of the bikini she disposed of sometime before. "Lum-san!!!" Megane
moves up to her. "Moroboshi has been two-timing you since you left!!"

"How could Darling two-time me when we agreed to date anyone we want?!" Lum
looks confused.

Before Megane could answer, he is elbowed aside by Mie. "Ignore these
jerks, Lum-chan!" the Kyushu native smiles. "Ataru-chan had fun making them
look like morons when he was dating Chigaiko!"

"What?!" the Oni gasps, then looks angry. "What happened?!"

Mie explains the events of the previous few days. Mendou and the guards
look hopeful, praying their favourite classmate would finally see the error
in her signing the pre-nuptial agreement. At the end of Mie's recounting,
Lum looks angry. "You mean to tell me that Darling had to hide himself so
these idiots wouldn't disturb his dating Chigaiko-chan?!!" she snaps,
electricity dancing over her body.

She faces Mendou and the guards. The five cower in mortal fear as they
prepare to receive a dose of her electricity. Before she could deliver her
divine punishment, Cherry steps in. "Lum!!"

"What is it, Cherry?!" the Oni stops.

Concern is on the monk's face. "You must hurry, Lum," he sadly sighs. "It
is time. She's asking for you."

Lum nods, then flies out the window without another word. "What's going
on?!!" Mendou demands.

"Let's find out!" Megane turns to run out the door.

The Saturn Five stops them! "NO, YOU DON'T!!!!" Koosei snaps.

* * *

"We're here!!" Lum bursts into Sakura's shrine.

"Lum!" Ataru sighs, then stands to receive her embrace.

Chigaiko lays on a futon in the middle of the shrine. Her parents and
sister...the same Butsumetsu student who confronted Koosei when this story
began...kneel beside their stricken relative. Tsubame and Sakura are also
present. "Lum..." the dying student gasps, her hand feebly rising.

Lum takes her hand. "Chigaiko-chan..." the Oni sniffs back her tears,
"...I wish I had the chance to know you better..."

"It's all right..." Chigaiko smiles. "At least one man...will remember
me." Her eyes weakly focus on Ataru. "Ataru-kun...?"

"I'm here," he kneels beside Lum.

Her breathing becomes more ragged as what little strength she possesses
finally drains from her. "Ataru-kun...Lum-chan...promise me...one thing..."
she gasps. "That...you'll save...this town...from itself?! Make sure...no
others will...die like...me...never alone...never loved...?!"

Ataru and Lum nod. "We will, Chigaiko!" the Oni sniffs, "We promise you!
By all we hold holy, we promise!!"

The dying senior nods. "Thank you...Lum," she sighs. "I wrote...a
note...in your room..."

"I understand," Lum sniffs.

Finally, mercifully, Chigaiko's eyes close. "I...wish...I
could...see...the stars..." she gasps with her dying breath.

Silence falls over the room. Cherry begins to administer the prayers for
the dead. Tsubame and Sakura embrace. Ataru reaches down to grasp
Chigaiko's hand, not believing that it would end so swiftly. Lum cries as
do Chigaiko's parents and her sister.

Suddenly, a strange glow envelopes Chigaiko's body. Everyone stares in
disbelief as she levitates. The energy forms into a firebird as her
clothing sheds away, transforming into a black sleeved bodysuit with a blue
stripe down the centre, the whole embossed with the phoenix insignia of
Sagussa. Her eyes open as total joy crosses her face. Seeing her parents
and sister cowering away from her, Chigaiko smiles, her mouth forming a
phrase as her hand rises in farewell. "I love you all. Thank you."

Then, with a flash of light, Chigaiko disappears forever from this plane of
existence...

* * *

That night, Lum steps aboard her scout, a small envelope in hand. The news
of Chigaiko's death spread like wildfire through the populace of Tomobiki
High School. It was accompanied with the news that Ataru had been asked by
Chigaiko to stay with her in the final days of her life. Lum had no need to
express her anger and disgust towards her classmates. Further, Chigaiko's
sister Fuchiko had gathered her gang to deliver some more punishment as soon
as Mendou, the guards and Lan clear the gates of Tomobiki High School.

As the screams of fleeing Tomobiki High students and the vengeful bellows
of attacking Butsumetsu High students echo through the night air, Lum opens
the letter and begins to read:

"Dear Lum,

"I asked myself the day I wanted Ataru-kun to be with me in the last days of
my life what I would say to you as explanation. As you know, most of the
female population of Tomobiki sees him as a lunatic girl-chasing fool, even
in the wake of the Spirit War. At the same time, he was the only man who
ever took time to ask me for a date, before and after you came into our
lives. If you were ever in my position, you could appreciate how I felt. I
just wanted to die...and when I learned I was dying, part of me felt so
relieved. However, Ataru-kun would not have you believe that about me.

"He loves life most of all. I guess that's the reason he never called his
uncle or grandmother before they personally involved themselves with his
life. I don't need to remind you how much he cares for you. He does...a
lot. Only now, with the Spirit War behind him, is he seeing what everyone
else is like. He's scared for you, Lum. He believes that if you remain in
Tomobiki, he'll lose you...and after losing his first fiancee, one could
only guess how he'll feel. I hope it never comes to that. I pray you'll
never allow it to come to that, Lum.

"That...is all I suppose I could say to you, Lum. I know you love him...and
deep down, he loves you. Don't push him too far...and don't let him push
you too far...and I guarantee you'll be happy and together before long.
Thank you so much for understanding and I wish you well.

"Farewell...your Darling's secret date. Chigaiko Inu."

Lum lowers the letter, sniffing back her tears...

* * *

Later, Ataru and Lum watch the stampede of Mendou, the guards and Lan race
past. Both sit on a bench beside the gate to the town park, sharing a
pizza. "A beautiful night, eh?!" the Terran muses.

"The best!" the Oni sighs, then turns and lovingly kisses him. "Thank you,
Darling."

"Thank me?!" he looks confused. "What for?!"

"For having that caring side to you," she snuggles against him. "I was
always so jealous when you cared for other women instead of me, but that's
one of the things I love so much about you."

Ataru hums, then lifts Lum into his lap. "Well, I guess I'll have to show
you how much I care for you," he gently kisses her.

"Oh, Darling..." she purrs as they embrace.

As Ataru and Lum pay very intimate attention to the other, a storm of
Butsumetsu High School students then thunder past, Fuchiko Inu in the lead.
"Make my poor sister's last days hell, eh?!!" she growls. "DIE, YOU
SLIME!!!!!!"

The hapless Tomobiki High students howl as they race past the Ryooki home.
Koosei watches from his bedroom window. "Ah, a quiet night at last!" he
yawns, then turns in...

*** The End ***