Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Tales of Avalon: Ria and Shutako ( Chapter 27 )

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

"I don't have any daughters, sucker!"

"You tricked me!" Upa stares in disbelief at the young Oni's
derisive howls of glee. The Yaminokuni patriarch had been
completely duped. He had given away his precious mushrooms so
this horned alien could have something to eat. Was it HIS fault
that the stupid Urusian had not properly prepared for his journey?
Certainly not.

Upa icily smiles. He had not become First Patriarch of the
dark kingdom of Yaminokuni by being stupid. He should have
suspected duplicity from this Oni. Urusians were a cunning, back-
stabbing lot, he had heard. Promising one thing, doing another.
However, this fool had made a dangerous mistake. Upa's people
were a proud race, very much like their distant cousins on
Yehisril. He knew how to handle tricksters like this.

"But a promise is a promise," his eyes narrow
conspiratorially. "Once a girl is born, I'll be sure to get her.
You keep that in mind. I'll be sure to get her as my bride!"

The Oni's eyes indicate uncertainty at his words as Upa's
hollow laughter echoes through the morning...

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "Tales of Avalon: Ria and Shutako"
by Fred Herriot
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
A story based on the stories in turn based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES:

1) This story is set in the period after "Koosei's Story,"
following the side story on Kamen and Hensou, except for the
preface, which was depicted in flashback in the fifth movie "The
Final Chapter."

2) My interpretations on Yaminokuni social positions are
entirely my own; they were inadequately defined in "The Final
Chapter."

3) The name for Lum's great-grandfather was taken from a line in
the fifth movie when Upa first met him. It may not be the real
name.

4) "Gynoid" is a catch-all term for female replicas regardless
of their construction or origin. It seemed better to describe
Lum's copy mushroom double than "android."

**** **** ****

"*Tcha!!!*" Ria gasps, bolting up.

The elder mother inhales deeply, waiting for her racing heart
to slow down. Blinking as the last of her fatigue wears away, she
looks around. What caused her to dream of that old fool Upa? It
had been six months since the Yaminokuni patriarch and his great-
grandson had stormed into everyone's lives. There was no reason
for Ria to fear him. Rupa, married to Carla after the Second Tag
Race, had recently aided Oyuki and Ataru in rescuing Koosei from
being "volunteered" to assassinate the Mikado. Taking another
deep breath, she rises, then looks at the time. Blinking, she
calls out, "Jenny!!!"

The door opens a moment later, revealing her chief assistant.
"Yes, Elder Mother?"

After looping her braided hair, Ria slips on her jumpsuit.
"Why was I not awakened at the specified time?"

"Shutako-sempai instructed me to allow you the extra time."

Ria stares at her. "Jenny, we're still working on debugging
some of the systems. I have to be there to ensure the work is
done so our people will not be threatened..."

"And as Atako told you before, Ria, you won't do our people
any good by sleeping on the job!" Jenny snaps.

Ria jolts as Jenny blinks, surprised at her forthrightness.
"Jenny..."

"I'm sorry," the younger bioroid sighs. "Ria, you're not
just the Elder Mother of the Avalonian people. You're my mother,
my creator! And as your daughter, I would be grossly amiss if I
allowed you to wear yourself down, even if it is for our behalf.
All the main systems are debugged, Ria; we finished it shortly
after I and the others were activated. You can relax now; it's
just minor stuff we have to worry about."

Ria stares at Jenny. Onlookers would see two seventeen-year
old women, both daringly draped in gold-trimmed black sleeveless
jumpsuits. It would be hard to identify them as bioroids even by
talking to them. "Jenny," Ria smiles, reaching over to embrace
the younger bioroid. "Thank you. Now, let's get to work. Minor
problems can turn into major trouble if we're not careful."

"Yes, Mother," Jenny nods as they proceed to the control
centre...

* * *

"Y-y-y-you!!!"

Hollow laughter fills the old age home as the century-old Oni
faces his undying nemesis. Upa cackles as he seems to drift into
the room, eyes locked on target. "So, you thought you escaped,
did you?" the aged Yaminokuni jeers. "Don't be so quick to feel
safe, friend! I warned you that if your family gave birth to a
daughter, she'd be mine!!"

"L-l-leave L-lum alone!" Traveller tries to back his
hoverchair away. "She's already got her Darling!!"

Remembering the beautiful young girl he first saw after he
emerged from cryosleep six months before, Invader's grandfather
wails, burying his face in his hands. Upa remains in place. "Ah,
but I happen to know that you have THREE other great-
granddaughters!!" he cackles. "One of them should be more than
sufficient for our purposes!"

"Hah!!" the aged Oni suddenly snarls, surprising Upa with
reserves of emotional strength, a trait Upa always found admirable
in Traveller's people. "I seem to remember your great-grandson
married another girl!"

"That's true," Upa nods. "Rupa did marry Carla, violent
little witch that she is! But did you know I have TWO great-
grandsons?!"

Traveller's eyes go wide. "T-t-TWO?!?!"

"That's right," Upa cackles. "Further, my younger great-
grandchild is impatient to meet his future bride! Now, I'll see
which one of your family will suit him best, then your promise
will be fulfilled!!"

With that, the Yaminokuni matriarch vanishes. Traveller
shudders, his failing mental synapses struggling to absorb Upa's
information overload. He had four great-grandchildren...and ALL
were girls?! Had Invader told him that? What was going on?

"Oh, I sometimes wish I stayed in cryosleep!" he moans...

* * *

"Do you have the data?" Upa wonders as he marches onto the
bridge.

The bridge crew respectfully bow as the patriarch sits in his
command chair. The destroyer had just returned from the rescue
mission to Gekido. Upa found Rupa's and Carla's need annoying; he
never liked Koosei Ryooki. Who knows what could have happened had
Koosei been on Earth during the fiasco six months ago. It was bad
enough that Lum's Darling had a Righteous Gentile for a
grandmother. Luck was with them when Lum conceded on the last
day. But, this time, he would get what he wanted.

"Yes, sir," the intelligence chief hands him three folders.

Upa opens the first one. Covering the page was a picture of
a perfect twin of Lum. Dressed in a flattering green sleeveless
cocktail dress with flowers and Earth animals, her eyes projected
such calm serenity that Upa wondered how old she really was. "Mal
Redet, now Mal Moroboshi," the officer explains. "An allasomorph
hailing from a race calling themselves Nendo-kata. Supposedly,
they are an all-female race who reproduce via a natural form of
parthenogenesis. She is handfasted to Ataru Moroboshi's sister
Nokoko."

"Hmm...pity," he opens the next one.

That picture held another Lum dressed in a jean jacket and T-
shirt. A spark flashed in her eyes; this woman was born for
mischief. "Hensou Redet, now Hensou Shigaten," the officer
explains. "An Avalonian, one of the Project K bioroids the
Niphentaxians constructed for Nassur-san sometime ago. She is
also handfasted to another of those bioroids, Benten Shigaten's
double Kamen. They are in the process of adopting a child."

"Hmm...nice one, I confess," Upa muses, then opens the third.

Ria's picture looks back. "Gloriana Redet, called Ria," the
officer explains. "An Avalonian like Hensou-san, a person
rumoured to possess great social position among her race. She is
currently in residence aboard the Avalonian bioroid factory-ship
now in orbit over Earth. According to our information, she is not
bonded to anyone."

Upa smiles. "Is that a fact...?"

* * *

Ria sneezes. "Bless you, Ria!!" Lum gasps.

"Oooh!" the elder mother rubs her nose. "Someone must be
talking about me."

"It just might be Shuu-chan, eh, Ria?" Hensou muses from
across the way.

Ria feels her cheeks colour. Lum, Mal, Hensou and Ria were
riding the former's scout to Uru to meet their parents. This
would be the first chance that both Avalonian doubles would be
openly accepted as members of Invader's family. This was a
private in-family gathering meant to last a couple of hours, hence
Ataru, Nokoko and Kamen were absent. Also, Lum had to get back to
school; Koosei would only allow so much time off.

The scout lands beside the Invaders' home. Once down, the
four women fly to the front door. "Dad, Mom, we're here!!" Lum
calls out as they enter.

"There you are!" Mrs. Invader smiles as she comes forward to
embrace her daughters.

"May the Mother Ocean bless you, Mother," Mal smiles as she
breaks away from her mother.

Mrs. Invader looks down. "Strange that you call me 'Mother'
seeing you're a thousand years old, Mal-chan. I do someday hope
that I'd be able to meet your real mother."

"I...it is forbidden for me to dwell on the life I had back
home, Mother," Mal shakes her head. "My birth-parents would
understand. The Unity demands that I become a part of your family
since I adopted Lum-chan's form so I could mate with Beloved. I
will never turn my back on my duty to the Unity."

Mrs. Invader blushes. Invader lumbers up to hug Hensou and
Ria. "And how are you two getting along?" he smiles.

"Better than expected, Daddy," Hensou beams, exchanging a
knowing look with Ria. "Kamen and I hope to formally adopt
Sadako-chan very soon. She's...finally got over your coming to
our handfasting."

"I keep forgetting how most humans from Japan regard us,"
Invader sighs, then turns to Ria. "So, Ria, you're going to make
us grandparents very soon?"

"Father, I have had no time to consider either a bond-mate or
a child-mate; the duties aboard the factory demand all my
attention," Ria sighs. "Besides, with Shutako's, Hensou's and
Kamen's assistance, I'm helping Jenny and the others integrate
themselves in society. So, you might say that I'm already a
mother."

<<The worst position anyone can ever be is the parents of an
Elder Mother,>> Lum psi-flashes Mal and Hensou. <<Lucky thing
Noa-chan doesn't have to experience that!>>

The others snicker. "Well, hopefully soon...or I might have
to arrange a matchmaking party for you!" Invader smiles.

"Please don't!!" the daughters chorus.

At that moment, a side door opens. "Oh, do we have
visitors?" an aged voice inquires.

"Great-grandfather!!" Lum gasps.

Traveller wheels up to the table, staring innocently at his
grandson. "So, boy, where are your children?!" he demands.

"They're all here, Grandpa!" Invader smiles. "You already
know Lum."

"Hello, Great-grandfather!" Lum flies up, smiling. "How are
you?"

Traveller blinks, then starts to cry. "Oooh!! She's a
girl!"

"Of course she's a girl! You've already met her!!" Invader
snaps. "Don't worry about Upa! Lum's already got her Darling!!"

"She does?" Traveller stops.

"Yes!" Lum smiles. "His name's Ataru! I would've brought
him but his grandmother can be a real pain at times around me!!"

The elderly Oni blinks. "You're marrying a sex-crazed
idiot?! Invader, what type of child are you raising here?!"

"No, no, Grandpa, you don't understand!" Invader laughs.
"Mr. Groom isn't that way! On his planet, 'ataru' means 'to be
hit!'"

Traveller blinks. "That's even worse!!"

Everyone sighs as Mal flies up. "Hello, Great-grandfather.
May you soon pass into the Black Ocean and return to the Cosmic
Chain of Life with as little pain as possible!"

Lum spins on her. "Mal!!! How could you say that to him?!!"

"Sister, death is as much a part of life as all the other
natural processes," Mal stares quizzically at her. "To deny it is
to deny Unity's final act! Do you expect me to say 'you'll never
die?' That would be a lie!"

Tears shower them. "Noooooooooooo!! Another girl!"
Traveller moans.

"Sister, why is Great-grandfather weeping?" Mal blinks
confusedly.

"Long story," Lum sighs.

"It's okay, Grandpa!" Invader smiles. "Mal here can't mate
with a man! She's handfasted to Mr. Groom's sister Nokoko!"

Traveller stops. "She's one of them?"

"Yes, she's one of them!" Invader sighs.

The old explorer sighs. "Invader, what type of family are
you raising here?"

"Uh...never mind!" Invader grumbles.

Hensou flies up. "Hi, Great-grandpa!!" she beams. "I'm
Hensou!"

"Another girl?!!" Traveller gasps, then wails anew. "This is
horrible! My poor grandson had triplets and they're all girls!!"

Lum and Hensou sigh. "Actually, Grandpa..." Invader cuts in.

"What?"

"We had quadruplets," Invader explains.

Traveller blinks. "Quadruplets?!"

"Yep."

"All girls?"

"Yep."

More wailing. "I see Great-grandfather continues to be
plagued by thoughts of Upa," Ria sighs, gazing at her mother.

"Unfortunately," she sighs. "We've had to move him into a
senior citizen hostel. He's been horribly haunted by dreams of
that creature since his awakening from cryosleep!"

Traveller stops crying, gazing at Lum, Mal and Hensou. "Who
are you girls?"

"Not to mention other things," Ria muses.

"These are your great-grandchildren, Grandpa," Invader
smiles, trying to avert another crying fit. "Don't worry!!
They're all married, so Upa can't touch them!"

"Married?" Traveller blinks. "All?"

"All save Ria here," Invader waves Ria up. "But, don't
worry. Ria's too busy with her own things to care about Upa.
Besides, Upa's great-grandchild is married already."

Traveller blinks. "True...one is."

Everyone freezes. "One?" Lum leans up.

"One of his great-grandsons is..." Traveller sighs, fatigue
taking over.

"Is what?!" Invader demands.

The old explorer has dozed off. "What could he mean by
that?!" Hensou blinks.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings. "I can explain everything," a
familiar voice echoes over the loudspeaker.

Everyone spins around as the door opens, revealing a small
shape draped in a black robe. "You!!!" Invader snarls.

Upa enters, cackling as he parts his windscarf. "Ah, you're
all here!" he icily smiles, walking up to the table, then hopping
onto it, he stares at the four beauties standing around it.
"Hmmm...my, you all do look alike, don't you?" he muses, then
notices their clothing. "Let's see...you're Lum," he points to
Lum, "...you're Mal...you're Hensou," he indicates the Nendo-kata,
then the bioroid, "...which means YOU'RE Gloriana!" he turns to
indicate Avalon's elder mother.

"So I am," Ria's eyes narrow. "What brings you here? Rupa's
married, remember?!"

"Yes, he is, although I sometimes wonder what he ever sees in
that violent girl Carla," Upa nods. "However, you may not know
this, child, but I have TWO great-grandsons!"

"TWO?!?!?!" everyone exclaims.

The noise wakes Traveller. "Eh?! What's going on here?!" he
looks around quizzically. "What are you talking about?! Tell
me!"

Everyone sighs, suppressing an angry shudder. "So you've
another great-grandchild by which you can cause more mischief!"
Ria sneers. "What else do you want?!"

"Ah, you should know what I want!" Upa gloats. "Besides, I
spent some time keeping track of Traveller there!" he indicates
the elderly Oni at one end of the table. "It turns out, Captain,
that your father, Admiral Searcher, was born AFTER Traveller met
me!!"

Silence falls. "I see," Ria sighs. "Do you at least have a
picture of him?"

Upa fishes out a heart-locket, handing it to Ria. She stares
at a pretty Yaminokuni with silver-blond hair dressed in a dark
robe. The others look. "He is cute!" Lum muses.

"Ika," Upa smiles. "A very nice young boy, has a very large
flock of his own on Yaminokuni! It'll be a wonderful pairing!"

Ria closes the heart-locket, then hangs it around her neck.
"Very well, then. I accept. But if we do marry, Ika will have to
live with me aboard the factory satellite. As Elder Mother, my
first responsibility is to my people. That has ruled my life for
far longer than your race has existed!"

"So I've heard from Oogi," Upa muses...

...then finds himself locked in the tight grip of one of
Invader's hands! "Shrimp, if this is a ploy to get the Avalonians
re-enslaved by the Niphentaxians, you can forget it!!!" the
captain snarls. "Bioroid she may be, but Ria is still part of my
family!!"

"Relax, relax!" Upa gags, gasping for air. "Do you really
think I like those morons on Phentax Two?! I'm not that crazy!!"

"You hadn't better be!!!" Invader warns.

The Yaminokuni patriarch gasps for air as Invader lets him
go. "Ask Ika to come to Earth," Ria sighs. "I'll meet him aboard
the factory. Tell him not to proceed to Earth; the natives have
more than enough reasons to dislike your kind. We'll proceed from
there!"

"Splendid!!!" Upa beams, heading out. "He'll be there
shortly!!"

The door slides shut. "What's going on here?!" Traveller
blinks, having just woken.

"It's alright, Great-grandfather," Ria gently grasps his
hand. "You should've told us you met Upa before giving birth to
Grandfather. We owe him a debt, after all."

"Well, if you say so," Traveller blinks.

"Ria, are you sure...?" Invader wonders.

"I'm sure," the elder mother sighs. "Besides, unlike Lum-
chan, Mal-chan and Hensou-chan, I have no current attachments."

"What about Shuu-chan?!" Hensou demands.

The elder mother tenses. "This is a matter of honour. If
Great-grandfather died before giving birth to Grandfather, none of
us would be here now! Shutako will understand."

"And you will break Shuu-chan's heart!"

"Perhaps. Besides, it's only just an omiai. There's no need
to worry if nothing happens. We'll just have to wait and see."

"I hope so," Lum sighs.

Everyone retires to the study save Traveller. The old
explorer blinks. "Wait a minute. Searcher was my first son..."

* * *

"I see," Shutako looks down.

Ria winces, sensing the waves of pained discontent emitting
from the other bioroid. After the other bioroids proceeded to
their own lives, Shutako had remained here, caring for Ria even
after Jenny and the others had been created. In a sense, both
their lives revolved around the factory; they hardly worked on
Nagaiwakai's farm. "Shuu-chan, I'm sorry..." Ria sighs. "But the
facts are plain. We owe a great debt to Patriarch Upa for what he
did. Do you understand that?"

"I do, I suppose," Shutako rises, staring out the portal to
gaze on Earth below. "But I always thought our dealings with Upa
and his clan ended when Rupa married Carla."

"It seems that Upa has other ideas," Ria sighs. "The
Yaminokuni, being related to the Yehisrites, are a proud lot. A
debt exists between my family and Upa. It has to be repaid or
we'll never hear the end of this."

"What about us? Is there an...us?"

They gaze longingly at each other. "Do you want there to be
an us?" Ria muses. "Are you acting on your own wishes or whatever
was carried over from your brother?"

Mendou's sister falls silent as she sits on the bed. "At
first, it was mostly Shutaro," she finally admits. "But, as I
noticed your conflict between the part which is Lum and the part
which has been in this factory since its construction, I
discovered a similar conflict existed in me. When I was born,
Shutaro was...admittedly, still is...a person who is afraid to
open his heart. Fearing the failure he experienced when he tried
to break Lum from Ataru...now compounded by what happened to
Asuka...he doesn't view women as his equals. He doesn't accept
that a relationship must be forged on the basis of equality. And
that is so wrong! I fear a lot more will be taken from him before
he realizes how much he has to change. I don't want to live my
life that way, Ria. I want a relationship where I don't look up
or down at anyone. I can't have it with Jenny or the others;
they're too inexperienced. Hensou and her sisters are already
bonded, as are Atako and Shinoko. The guards' sisters are
pursuing their own lives. That leaves you."

Ria smiles. "I'm so glad that you see that," she gently
embraces her. "I just wish this hadn't've come up."

They gaze into the other's eyes, then their lips drift
together. They sink onto the bed, their hands moving to better
express their feelings...when the intercom sounds off. "Elder
Mother," Timotei calls. "A Yaminokuni destroyer just pulled
alongside. Their captain wishes to inform you that Prince Ika is
aboard ready to meet you."

Shutako and Ria frown. The latter sighs. "I'll receive him
in the control room."

"Yes, Elder Mother."

"Time stolen," Shutako sighs.

"I know," Ria kisses her, then leaves...

* * *

"H-h-hi!"

*His pictures do not do him justice!* is Ria's first thought
on seeing Ika. A sixteen year old who reaches Ria's shoulders,
Ika is dressed in a flattering black kimono draped with a black
robe common to all Yaminokuni. Save for stylized mushrooms on the
kimono, there is no other sign that Ika is anything more than a
prosperous farmer. "Welcome aboard the factory ship, Ika-kun,"
Ria smiles. "I'm Gloriana, but you can call me Ria."

"Th-thanks," Ika looks down.

Ria's eyes narrow. *He seems nervous. I wonder what Upa
told him.* "Marine, please fetch our guest something to drink."

"At once," Marine bows, then exits.

Ika gazes at the woman before him, recounting the things Upa
said. It wasn't much; little information existed about these
people. "Um...Ria-san...?"

"Yes, Ika-kun?"

"Could I...speak to you in private?"

Ria blinks, then frowns. Obviously the crowd gathered on the
bridge had intimidated Ika. Lucky thing Shutako had proceeded to
Earth to allow Ria the chance to learn about Ika in private. The
mistakes which lead to the Second Tag Race replay in her memory.
There was no way Ria would make those same decisions. Besides,
there was no bonding between Lum's sister and Mendou's. "Of
course," Ria waves Ika to a door. "Timotei, tell Marine to bring
the drinks to my room."

"Yes, Mother," Timotei bows.

The betrothed proceed to Ria's quarters. On entering the
small bedroom, the Yaminokuni stops, surprised by the lack of
decor. Ika expected Ria to live in more extravagant quarters.
Noting her guest's questioning gaze, Ria smiles. "I'm not the
type to rub other people's faces in wealth, Ika-kun. Granted, as
Elder Mother of Avalon, I am held with great respect, but respect
does not have to be sheathed in opulence to maintain it."

Ika laughs, a flighty sound reminiscent of a young girl.
"Well, before we begin, let's get some ground rules set," Ria
sighs. "I confess, I am worried about a relationship starting
between us. Your brother's attempts at marrying my sister could
have led to an intergalactic war had things gone differently. I'd
like to avoid that with you."

"Sure," Ika nods.

"So...any other potential suitors?" Ria begins. "Girls with
bazookas about to fly out of the woodwork calling you a two-
timer?"

"None."

"You sure?"

"Actually, until I met you, I've only had experience with one
'girl'...even though I'd technically not call her a girl."

"Excuse me?"

"The copy mushroom Great-grandpa used on Lum-san," Ika
explains. "After the business between Onii-chan and your sister,
she was tossed into storage. I stumbled onto her a month later.
Since there's little maintenance necessary for someone like her, I
decided to adopt her as a servant. Atop adopting your sister's
form, she also adopted a lot of your sister's good qualities. We
became friends, if such a thing was possible between me and a
gynoid like her. Honestly, even now, I have no interest in
getting married. But Great-grandpa saw us together, then decided
to learn if your family had any more daughters. That's when he
found out about you."

"I see. Tell me, is the gynoid...?"

"Isobela."

"Eh?!"

"That's my name for her," Ika smiles.

"Isobela," Ria rolls the name on her lips. "That's a pretty
name. Anyhow, is Isobela aboard your ship?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Ria nods. "Well, I might as well tell you about
myself. As you might know, my sentience has existed for 14,000
years. I obtained this body when Darling and Lum-chan needed help
in freeing my people from the Niphentaxians. I am unbonded...but
I do admit there is someone interested in me."

"Um...I have no problems there. Like I said, I'm not so keen
on marrying now."

"Why?! I would assume that given your interest in Isobela,
having me married to you would be wonderful. I would expectantly
live three times longer than you, but we could..."

"You don't understand," Ika sighs, standing. "Here, I better
show you."

The Yaminokuni turns away from the Avalonian, undoing the obi
and loosening the kimono. Ika then turns around, revealing that
SHE is wearing a lace bikini under the mannish clothing, barely
covering a beautifully maturing body. "I'm a girl," she explains.

Ria blinks...

* * *

"You're very beautiful," are the first words to leave Ria's
mouth.

Ika blinks, feeling her cheeks redden. She had expected
Avalon's elder mother to toss her out the nearest airlock after
revealing her true gender. "Are you angry?"

"No," Ria hums. "Confused, though."

Ika sighs, drawing off her cape and kimono, then sitting
beside her host. "Well, I've been raised as a boy since birth."

"Sounds like a friend of my sister's, Ryuunosuke Fujinami.
Does Upa know...?"

"No, he doesn't," Ika shakes her head. "Everyone's afraid to
tell him. Almost everyone on Yaminokuni knows the truth.
It's...becoming obvious now," she gazes at her quite elegant
figure almost as if it betrayed her trust. "But everyone
understands that Great-grandpa wanted nothing but male children so
he could find some way to marry his family into yours. He thought
that if he had a female child, it would invalidate the agreement
between our families."

"I don't see it that way," Ria takes Ika's hand. "Regardless
of our gender, a debt exists between our families. If you're
willing, I'll be happy to honour it."

"But...what about your friend?"

"My friend has strong feelings for me," Ria nods. "But if
your great-grandfather did not intervene when he did, I would not
be here in this form. There is the debt that has to be repaid.
Now, we should impress on Upa sometime soon that you are a
girl..."

"No, Ria-san, you don't understand!!" Ika shakes her head.
"No one wants to tell him, now that he's in his present
condition...!"

"What present condition?"

"Great-grandpa has Rekki's Syndrome."

"The Yaminokuni version of Alzheimer's disease," she sighs.
"Is it advanced?"

"It's only starting, but it's...becoming obvious," Ika sadly
sighs. "Great-grandpa is at the right age. He...knows it's
coming, but he doesn't want to leave this world before he settles
accounts with everyone."

"I see. Then...do you agree to this?"

"Well...I...I know I prefer girls. Isobela's been a real
treat even if I couldn't get much from her. If you don't mind..."

Ria nods, leaning up to kiss her. Ika blinks as she is drawn
into the Avalonian's embrace, the two stretching across the bed.
This was a lot different than the times she spent with Isobela.
Given the limitations a gynoid like her possessed, Ika had to give
her all sorts of commands to make her do anything. It was nice
being with a woman who could think on her own. Ika privately
feared when she learned of Ria that she would get a total airhead
or something worse. This is good...

The door opens. "Can I talk to...eh?!!" Shutako's voice
slams to a halt.

The couple spins around to see Mendou's sister at the
doorway, staring wide-eyed at the sight of another woman moving in
on Ria. "Shuu-chan!!" Ria gasps, suddenly realizing that things
were about to get worse.

"Wh-wh-what is th-th-this?!" Shutako stammers, pointing at
Ika.

"Who are you?!" Ika demands.

Ria sighs. "Ika-kun, this is Shutako. She's the woman who's
also interested in me. Shuu-chan, this is Ika, Rupa's 'brother.'"

Shutako stares at Ria, then Ika. "You mean to tell me that
she was...?"

"Raised as a boy," Ria completes. "Upa doesn't know. No one
wants to tell him; he has the Yaminokuni version of Alzheimer's
and wants to settle this between our families before he passes
on."

"I see," Shutako forlornly sighs, gazing at the Yaminokuni.
"Do you agree to this?"

"I do," Ika nods, averting her gaze from the hostile eyes
boring into her. "I...I'm so sorry. If there was some other way
to do this, I would do it in an instant..."

"It's alright. Wait right here."

She departs. Ika and Ria exchange looks. A moment later,
Shutako returns, now carrying an ornate katana, a present from her
family. Ika shudders as Shutako draws the polished blade, then
places the flat of the sword against her neck. "My affection for
Ria-chan knows no bounds," Shutako declares. "But I understand
matters of family honour. When we were created, we automatically
became members of our adopted families. With that comes the duty
to maintain and uphold our families' honour and responsibilities.
If Ria-chan chooses to accept your desire to handfast with her, I
will not stop her. But this I warn you. If you EVER break Ria-
chan's heart, I will personally hunt you down and kill you with
this sword! Understood?"

"Y-y-yes!" Ika stammers.

"Good," Shutako sheathes her katana. She then places her
hands on the Yaminokuni's shoulders, gently kissing Ika's
forehead. "Please. Care for her. She deserves it."

Surprised, Ika nods. "I will."

Shutako nods. "Excuse me, please."

The door closes behind her. Ria shudders, noticing the
glimmer of tears in her would-be bond-mate's eyes...

* * *

"That's awful!!" Ryooko gasps.

Shutako sighs. Since her creation, her weekends were spent
visiting Ryooko and their parents in Tomobiki. Like the other
bioroids, Shutako had been surprised to discover that her family
was willing to accept her. More surprising, Shutako and Ryooko
demonstrated none of the animosity the latter shared with the
former's template. Like her relationship with Reigi Yumoa, Ryooko
delighted in Shutako being her friend as well as being an adopted
sister. While Shutaro was blinded by his many faults and his
rampant sense of self-worth, Shutako never suffered from that.
"Yes, it is awful," Shutako sighs. "But it is the only thing that
can be done. Lum's family owes a debt to Upa. It has to be
repaid...and Ria is the only person available who can repay it."

"I'm glad you understand that, child," Hajime lights his
pipe. "It is hard at times. But dreams must bow to reality
sooner or later. You certainly did not dishonour yourself by your
actions, Shutako."

"Excuse me?!!" Ryooko growls, bolting to her feet. "Shutako-
chan just had her heart ripped apart!!! Is that ALL you can
say?!"

"Ryooko, when Shutako was born, we took it on ourselves to
adopt her as part of the family," Haruka cuts in, deciding to
speak to her family without her assistant parroting her words.
"That means that Shutako has to obey the tenets by which we govern
our family. She has behaved with honour and distinction. If she
cannot handfast with Gloriana-san, then we must find someone for
her to marry."

"Perhaps introduce Shutako to Tobimaro-kun," Hajime muses.

Ryooko tenses and gathers herself ready to point out that her
parents were quite unfit to choose the future life-partners of any
of their children, when a calming feeling races up from Shutako's
hand grasping hers. <<No, Ryooko-chan! Don't tell them about
Reigi!! If you do, you'll spoil everything!>>

The younger Mendou blinks, then relaxes. "It's alright to be
upset, Ryooko," Hajime sighs. "However, this is life. Gloriana-
san has made her decision. We cannot interfere. It's bad enough
that your brother continues to pursue Lum like some possessed
madman..."

"He IS a madman," Shutako interrupts.

"...so we don't want to produce the image that our whole
family behaves in this manner," Hajime concludes. "Shutako has
done enough by warning Ika-san that she best oblige the favour
Gloriana-san has extended. She acted as a good friend. That
should be the end."

Ryooko trembles. "I understand, Father," she rises. "If you
will all excuse me."

Bowing, she walks out of the atrium, proceeding to her
private quarters. Relaxing in a chair, she snaps her fingers. A
Kuroko materializes. "You desire us, Mistress?"

"Yes," Ryooko's eyes narrow. "Please go to Sado and ask
Gloriana to come here as soon as she can pry herself from that
hussy who's taking her from poor Shutako-chan!"

The bodyguard winces, drawing back from her. Ryooko tenses,
then looks down. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

"We are aware of what has happened, Young Mistress. There is
no need for apology. We shall convey your message at once."

"Thank you," Ryooko sighs...

* * *

"Hello, Ryooko," Ria beams in from the factory an hour later.
"What is it you want?"

Ryooko relaxes in her chair. "Please join me, Ria-san.
I...hoped I could speak to you about this problem you now face."

The elder mother sighs. "You're defending Shuu-chan. Thank
you for doing that, Ryooko; it means a lot to me."

"Then why are you agreeing with this?!" Ryooko demands.
"This person has no right to demand anything of you, even if her
great-grandfather did save your great-grandfather's life all those
years ago! You're destroying Shuu-chan's heart by forcing her
away."

"Ryooko-chan, I haven't accepted or rejected Ika's offer."

"What?!"

Ria sighs. "I admit I have feelings for Shuu-chan. I'd be
lying if I denied that. But it hasn't progressed as much as
Darling's relationship with Shinoko, for example. Both of us are
still trying to come to grips with what our feelings actually are,
about ourselves and each other. Until we do, we risk making the
same mistakes our templates made. I've no desire to do that,
Ryooko; that will do much more harm than this."

Ryooko pauses as she considers Ria's words. Her feelings for
Ria's sister had always been ambivalent. The younger Mendou
viewed Lum as a tool to jerk her brother's chains, usually by
flirting with Ataru. Since Ryooko had no intention to do the same
to her sister, Ria was relatively safe. At the same time, Ryooko
wanted Shutako to be happy and she knew that Ria was key to that
happiness.

"I apologize, Ria-san," Ryooko sighs. "I...do not wish to
sound in the least bit accusatory, not to someone who would become
a member of my family had circumstances been different. But my
sister's feelings have relevance here and I will do everything to
keep Shutako's spirits intact. Before I decide what to do, I need
to know something. How do you view your new suitor?"

Ria sits back. "I like her. She's very articulate. I also
feel pity for her; she is in the same position as Ryuunosuke,
forced to live a lie. She is willing to continue this farce to
keep her great-grandfather happy. Despite what you think about
Upa, Ika-kun does care a lot for him, wants him to enter the last
decades of his life with satisfaction that his family is well off.
I have a soft spot for hard-luck cases, Ryooko-chan; look whom my
sister wants to marry."

"Then I shall remain silent," Ryooko sighs. "Tell me one
more thing, Ria-san. When he came, Rupa-san had his own suitor in
Carla-san. Is Ika-san likewise blessed?"

"Yes and no," Ria admits, then explains the story about the
gynoid Ika calls Isobela.

"Well," Ryooko muses. "You better be careful, Ria-san. Ika-
san might not want to embrace the whole of your being. You are a
top-flight scientist blessed with a long lifespan and great moral
power. Ika-san could find herself overwhelmed by you."

"Perhaps," Ria stands, tapping her communicator. "I'll see
you later."

She disappears in a transporter beam. Ryooko relaxes in her
chair, then smiles, snapping her fingers. "Yes, Mistress?" a
Kuroko appears beside her.

"Go to Sado and ask one of Shuu-chan's friends to come visit.
Be discreet. If possible, let it be one of the new assistants
Ria-san and Shuu-chan helped create."

"At once, Mistress," he vanishes...

* * *

"Are you dissatisfied with my past performance, Ika?"

Ika winces, turning to gaze on the beautiful creature sitting
on her bed. After finding Isobela in a storage closet one day
while tramping through the palace, Ika had her removed from the
wedding dress she was created in, switching her to a black woman's
kimono. Her green hair is also styled in a bun, disguising her
lack of horns; as a gynoid created from a copying mushroom,
Isobela didn't undergo the growing processes common to Onis.
Further, Isobela had the same mental facilities as a biodroid.
She would answer questions and obey commands, but self-cognitive
thought was beyond her programming. Ika was unsure whether or not
she liked this.

Sighing, the "prince" sits beside her. "I am very satisfied
with your performance, Isobela," she places a reassuring hand on
her shoulder, tilting her head so they can come face-to-face.
"But there comes a time when I'd desire a different form of
companionship. A person who can engage my mind and my heart as
well as my desires. And no matter how much I can wish otherwise,
you can't do that."

The gynoid blinks, not bothered by the criticism. "I see."

"Don't worry. We're not going to put you out to the pigs.
Someone'll want to be with you, Isobela. Don't worry."

"Of course," Isobela nods.

"Now," Ika sighs, standing and adjusting her kimono. "I'm
going to the factory to spend time with Ria-san. A friend of hers
called her away for some time. I should be back before long."

"I will remain here," Isobela announces.

Ika nods, then heads out of the bedroom. The gynoid remains
in place, her eyes softening as trapped emotions seem to burst
forth from deep within her being. Tears brim her eyes as she
feels her body quake.

"Ika..." she sniffs, allowing the tears to flow.
"I...love...you."

Suddenly, a rustle shifts the tapestries behind Isobela. The
gynoid turns as several dark shapes enter the room. "Who are
you?"

"Please forgive our sudden intrusion, Isobela-san," one of
the Kuroko bows as two others gently seize her. "Your presence is
required elsewhere."

The bodyguards and their captive disappear in a transporter
beam...

* * *

"You've accepted?! Wonderful!!"

A conference call is now being held. Ria and Ika stand alone
in the control centre of the bioroid factory, facing two images.
The Invaders are depicted in one. Upa, Rupa and Carla in another.
"Yes," Ria gently grasps the Yaminokuni's hand. "Ika is a
wonderful person and I like he-...him very much. I will be happy
to bond with he-...him."

The Invaders exchange uncertain looks. "Do you agree to
this, young man?" Ria's adopted father wonders.

"Yes, sir," Ika bows. "Ria is everything one could ask for
in a mate. I also am willing to oblige her request to remain
aboard the factory. To tear her away from this place and her
people, would be unpardonable."

"Good thing you realize that!" Invader snarls, leaning up to
the screen. "'Cause if I ever suspected you were going to enslave
Ria's people to your own...or worse, send them back to the
Niphentaxians...I'd come there and rip your lungs out with my bare
hands!!"

Ika leans back, sweat pouring down her forehead. "Gee, I
guess I am liked! Shutako-sempai's already threatened to take my
head off if I betray Ria-chan!"

"Good for her! Then it's a date!"

Upa laughs. "Oh, finally, it's over!" he pats Rupa's arm.
"Now, let's have it as soon as possible! I've already begun the
planning! Will two days be sufficient for you?!"

"Of course, Upa-san," Ria smiles, then feels a twinge of
uncertainty.

"Please, call me 'Great-grandfather,'" Upa beams. "I expect
to see you all there!"

The screen goes dark as the line to Yaminokuni is cut. "He's
very excited," Mrs. Invader muses.

"For him, this is the fulfilment of his ultimate dream," Ika
admits. "Sir, ma'am, there is something you should know."

"Easy, child," Invader smiles. "We can tell you're a girl.
After Mal-chan and Hensou-chan, we've long come to accept it."

"Thank you, Captain," Ika bows. "I promise you both that I
will do everything in my power to ensure Ria-chan is happy."

"That's all anyone can truly ask for," Invader nods. "We'll
see you all very soon."

* * *

The screen goes dark in the Invader home. "Well, it's over
with," the captain's wife sighs. "I just hope they'll be happy."

"Well, Lum-chan's very happy with Mr. Groom, Mal-chan'd
rather die than leave Nokoko-chan and Hensou-chan's always been
close with Kamen-chan," the large Oni chuckles. "I say our luck's
holding out."

"Until it becomes bad," she muses.

Traveller wheels into the living room. "Who called?" the
aged explorer wonders.

"Oh, Grandpa!" Mrs. Invader smiles. "It was just Upa. Ria-
chan has agreed to handfast with Ika-san."

Traveller blinks. "Who's Ria?"

"Your great-granddaughter!" Mrs. Invader tenses herself,
trying to be patient with the mentally addled Traveller. "Don't
you remember her? She agreed to marry Upa's great-grandchild
because Upa saved your life."

"Oh! Did Upa save my life?"

"Yes, he did!" Invader nods. "He saved your life before you
gave birth to my dad!"

The explorer blinks. "No, he didn't."

"He did," Mrs. Invader gently intones.

"No. Searcher was my first boy! I had three before I met
Upa!"

Silence falls over the home as the Invaders exchange looks.
The large captain tenses, then a volcano explodes!! "***THAT
DIRTY LITTLE RAT!!!!!! HOW DARE HE LIE TO US LIKE
THAT...?!?!?!***"

"Dear!!" Mrs. Invader intones, ignoring her husband's temper-
tantrum. "Regardless, Ria-chan seems to like Ika-chan! Even if
Upa tricked us into this, we don't have a right to break it up!!"

Invader shudders, then with a supreme act of will, calms
down. "Okay!" he holds up his hands. "Okay! I can accept that!!
If Ria-chan likes her, that's okay by me!" He then smiles. "I'll
kill the old creep later!!"

"That's better!!" Mrs. Invader beams...

* * *

"Why am I here?" Isobela wonders.

The gynoid now sits on an examination table deep in the
factory. The Kuroko remain out of sight as Ryooko watches Jenny
run scans on her. "You've been brought here because Ika-san is
now forcing a conflict of interest on Ria-san," the younger Mendou
explains. "My sister Shutako loves Ria-san, so we need to
determine if you love Ika-san."

The gynoid blinks as a familiar program kicks in. "I do not
love you. I love Rupa."

Everyone stops. "What?!!" Ryooko gasps.

The chief assistant runs a scanner over Isobela's mind.
"Relax," Jenny smiles. "It seems to be a conditioned response put
into her when she was first created."

Ryooko relaxes. "Jenny-san, can you help Isobela-san?" she
looks over.

The bioroid assistant sighs. "We can. It would simply be
creating a new body for her, then transferring her *mei'na* out of
this body. Once her mind is free of the restrictions this body
forces on her, she will be able to flush out her conditioning."

"Oh, thank the gods," Ryooko breathes out in relief, then
turns to Isobela. "Isobela, do you understand what is happening?"

"Yes," the gynoid nods.

"Do you understand why we're doing this?"

"Yes."

"Explain why."

"You are creating a new body for me. I cannot be Ika's mate
in this body."

"Good," Ryooko nods satisfactorily. Time for the tough
question. "Isobela-san. Do your best to ignore your previous
programming. Answer this, please: do you love Ika-san?"

The gynoid seems to freeze as conditioned responses and her
own feelings launch into a painful conflict. Her eyes water as
her body quakes. Her skin seems to tense as Isobela tries to
force an answer. Jenny and Ryooko remain still as the mental war
continues.

"Yes...I love Ika."

Ryooko and Jenny beam. "Isobela-san's willpower is amazing,"
a Kuroko comments.

"Of course," Ryooko chuckles. "Look who she inherited it
from."

"Ah, yes," the bodyguard nods.

Isobela sighs. "It will be nice to think of things without
being forced to battle my own mind. Jenny, can you do
something...?"

"No, although you are doing good now that you've admitted
your love before witnesses," Jenny sighs. "Now, we come to the
good part; designing your body. Do you wish to remain with these
looks?" she holds up a mirror.

"No," Isobela shakes her head. "I might have been templated
from Lum, but I'm as different from Lum as day is from night.
Besides, one of the fans complained about too many doubles of Lum
running around."

"Fans actually complained of that?" Ryooko blinks.
"Amazing!"

"Very well, then," Jenny pulls up a datapadd. "Let's
begin..."

* * *

Two days later, the capital of Yaminokuni glitters with
evening lights as dignitaries from across the kingdom gather at
the Central Temple. Guards relax as they continue their patrols,
confident that this marriage will go off without intrusions. In
her dressing room, Ika finishes adjusting her obi as Carla and
Rupa watch. "Well, we've come this far," the crown prince sighs.
"As soon as Great-grandpa passes away, we can re-do this ceremony
if the Council of Elders so decree."

"It should be no problem," Carla adjusts her cape. "We got a
Sensualist priestess to do the bonding, even if we had to disguise
her to keep the old fool happy."

Rupa's eyes roll; Carla and Upa would never get along at this
rate. Finally, Ika exhales. "I'm ready."

"Let's go," Rupa guides his sister out.

Entering the great hall, the "groom's" procession proceeds to
the altar. On both sides sit a select delegation from both
worlds, along with a large representation from New Avalon.
Invader does his best to maintain calm, sitting across from Upa.
Traveller is in the front row, quietly dozing. Lum, Ataru, Mal,
Nokoko, Hensou, Kamen, Atako and Shinobu sit behind the Invaders
along with the other bioroids. "I never thought I'd return to
this place," Ataru quietly sighs.

"Relax, Darling," Lum gently grasps his hand. "Once this is
over with, we'll never have to worry about Upa ever again."

"You hope," Ataru muses.

The bridal march is struck up. Everyone stands as Ria
proceeds to the altar, Shutako supporting her. "Poor Shuu-chan,"
Hensou sighs. "She must be taking this hard."

"No," Atako nods to Shutako's katana, quite visible and
strapped in her obi. "She's making sure Ika remembers her
promises."

Ria steps up before Ika, gently smiling as she unveils
herself. Shutako falls in beside her as the priestess, well
disguised by a full-length black robe contrasting her gold skin,
begins. "Honoured friends, dear guests, we welcome you in
Creation's name to witness the bonding of these two people..."

Everyone relaxes as the ceremony gets underway. Couples
cuddle as they revel in the ceremony, composed of a mixture of
Yaminokuni and Zeiwanite scripture. Finally, the priestess
arrives at this point before the vows are to be taken. "Where I
come from, we do not ask this because it is believed that those
who approach this time do so with unfettered hearts and that
others have no right to interfere. However, respecting the
traditions of this world, I hereby ask that if anyone believes
these two should not bond, let them speak now...or forever hold
their peace."

"When we marry, we get a Sensualist to do it," Ataru
whispers. "That'll guarantee that Mendou and Megane's brigade
won't interfere."

Lum beams. Suddenly, the back doors smashes open. "I
object!!!"

Eyes snap aft as a beautiful woman in a wedding dress
approaches the altar escorted by Ryooko and a troop of Kuroko.
"Ryooko-chan, what are you doing?!!" Shutako gasps.

"Saving your heart!" Ryooko smiles.

"What's the meaning of this?!!" Upa asks.

"I'll tell you what the meaning of this is!!" the new bride
whips off her veil. "I'm here to ensure that the person **I**
love doesn't marry her!!!" she points at Ria.

Everyone blinks. The woman is Ika's height, with long raven
hair barely hiding two Oni horns and a cherubic face reminiscent
of Jenny. "Who are you?!" Invader demands.

"I am Isobela Redet. I have come here to fulfil the
obligation our family holds to the family of Upa of Yaminokuni by
bonding with his great-grandchild Ika!"

Ika blinks. "Isobela...?" she whispers.

Carla and Rupa exchange surprised looks. "Excuse me, but I
am the one who agreed to fulfil this obligation!" Ria sighs. "I
do not know who you are, but if you were interested in Ika-kun,
you should've come earlier!"

"I was detained!" Isobela then psi-flashes, <<Elder Mother,
don't interfere in this!! I'm trying to help both of us!>>

Ria gasps as her mind registers that. "Did you feel that?!!"
Atako exclaims as the other bioroids exchange surprised looks.

Ataru's left eye glows as the Cyborg's senses scan Isobela's
DNA. "Yep!" he nods. "Looks like Ryooko-chan saves the day!"

"Moroboshi-san!" Ryooko blushes.

"Now, just a minute here!!" Upa storms to his feet. "Ika and
Ria have agreed to this! This is an honourable match between
them!! Besides, even if you say you're Redet, your hair speaks
otherwise! Stop interfering!!"

"Isobela's more a part of Ria's family than you think, old
man!" Ataru sneers.

Hearing that, Invader bolts up. "Just a minute here,
shrimp!" he leans over Upa. "Who says anything about an
HONOURABLE match?!! YOU'RE the one who lied to us when you said
you saved Grandpa before my father was born!!"

"That's the truth!!" Upa retorts.

"Not so!!!" Traveller cuts in. "Searcher was my first son!"

"Great-grandfather!!!" Rupa exclaims, spinning on Upa. "What
are you trying to do?!! Start a war?!!"

"I'm trying to get a debt paid!!!"

"And I'm here to see the business is done once and for all!"
Ria sighs. "Please, Your Grace, can we continue?!"

Isobela's green eyes smoke with rage, fixed on Ika. "So, you
two-timer, if that's the way you want it..." she leaps over to
grab Shutako, "...I'LL take THIS one!!"

Ria and Ika gasp. "***WHAT?!?!?!***"

"I don't know you!!" Shutako exclaims.

"Isobela, how could you?!!" Ika cries.

"How could YOU?!?!" Isobela retorts. "If you want to ruin
your life by following that old fool's wishes, go ahead!! I was a
gynoid once! I couldn't properly express myself then, but I loved
you, Ika...and THIS is the way you pay me back?!! Well, if that's
the way you want it, fine!!! At least I'll bond with someone who
understands what it means to suffer a broken heart!!"

The hapless Yaminokuni princess shudders as indecision seizes
her. Ataru relaxes beside Traveller, sharing popcorn with the old
man. "At least it doesn't involve me or my girlfriend this time!"
the former explains.

"Eh?!" the old explorer blinks. "Do you know someone here?"

"I'm Lum's boyfriend, Ataru."

Traveller shudders. "You must have horrible parents, naming
you that!"

"I disowned them," Ataru explains.

"Good for you!" Traveller nibbles.

"Ika!" Rupa spins on his sister. "If this is really
Isobela..."

"She IS Isobela!" Ryooko cuts in.

"...then you better show consideration for her!!" the crown
prince hums. "Well?!!"

Ika shudders, then stares at Ria. The elder mother smiles.
"Hey!" Ika turns to the priestess. "Can you do a double
handfasting?"

"Certainly," the Zeiwanite smiles.

Ika then turns around, grabbing Isobela and Shutako, placing
the former with her and the latter with Ria. "Let's go!!"

Upa bolts up. "WHAT?!?! HANDFASTING?!?! What's going on
here?!!"

"Don't you know?!" Ataru blinks, oblivious to everyone's
pleading to stay quiet. "Ika-chan's a girl!!"

Everyone from Yaminokuni faints! "A GIRL?!?!?!" Upa wails,
the sonic boom blowing off the church's roof. "I HAVE A GREAT-
GRANDDAUGHTER?!?!?! WHY WASN'T I TOLD?!?!?!"

The other guests sigh. "Sheesh!!" Ataru shakes his head.
"And people call ME dense?!"

*** The End ***