Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Choices ( Chapter 35 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Pepper sighs. Earth at last.

The blue-green orb rotates under her scout as she begins descent into
the atmosphere over Japan. Ten months since her life was turned upside down,
she grimaces, rubbing her abdomen. Ten months since her innocence was lost.
Why was she coming here? Why did she see him as a possible solution? So many
questions. So many choices.

Shaking her head, she guides the scout toward the seashore town named
Oshika. Hopefully, Ataru would be in the mood to receive her...

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "Choices"
by Fred Herriot
**** **** ****
With thanks to Ryo Iimori for his advice on the Three Sisters
**** **** ****
edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Twenty-eighth of a series of fan fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES

1) When I first learned of Ginger, Sugar and Pepper, I actually believed
them to be sisters, hence the nickname "the Three Sisters." I have been
corrected. For the sake of this story, plus stories involving Ginger's and
Sugar's daughters Luala and Imela in UY20YL, I introduced the "blood-sister"
relationship Seishin-Urusians perform to mark close friends.

2) I elaborate on their home races. Pepper is a Seishin-Urusian. Sugar is
Tritonian. Ginger is an Oni-Nekotengu hybrid (the Nekotengu being introduced
in "Dakejinzou's Story"). However, since they are adopted parts of Pepper's
family, they possess the same house name. Tribal names are not applied to
non-Urusian adopted children.

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

"Welcome home, Asuka-chan!!" Saeko Mizunokoji beams.

"Thanks, Mom!" Asuka sinks into her mother's embrace. It was good being
home. Three months away seemed like an eternity, especially in a busy shrine
in Chooshi. Working as a temple apprentice, Aikyoo's solution to overcoming
Asuka's inbred phobia of men, had produced the desired result. But the life
of a Shinto priestess was not for her. Truthfully, Asuka had no idea what
sort of life she desired. But over the last several months, she had developed
an idea as to *who* she wanted to spend her life with.

Her mother escorts her to the mansion's reception hall, an ornate
structure resembling a garden from Tokugawa days. "Where's Dad and Ton-chan?"
Asuka looks around.

"Your father's busy with business," Saeko explains. "As for Ton-
chan..." pain twitches her mouth.

And speak of the devil, Tobimaro charges over a nearby bridge. To
Asuka's shock, he is dressed in jeans and T-shirt, worlds different from his
usual robes. "You hold still, Yuukiki-chan!!"

Asuka's eyes fall on Yuukiki several paces ahead, dressed in a form-
fitting jumpsuit. "Gotta catch me first, Ton-chan!" she laughs.

They race into a grove. Asuka stands still, blinking in disbelief at
the sight of her woman-phobic brother chasing a beautiful damsel. "Who...is...
THAT?!?!" she exclaims, staring at her mother.

"Yuukiki Seishin, an old...friend of Sakura's," Saeko grimaces. "She
and your brother met...some time ago."

Asuka blinks, then nods. "Oh, that's right. Aikyoo-san said that Ataru
had found someone for him to date. Part of his 'grand revenge' on Tomobiki."

They relax on floor mats. "If it is revenge Moroboshi-san seeks, he
obtained it grandly, indeed," Saeko sighs, pouring her daughter tea. "Ryooko-
san is now dating Komeru-san's ward Reigi Yumoa. Ton-chan has that *woman!*"
she spits out. Asuka realizes that she would have preferred using a more
scathing term. "So we are left with one option."

Asuka shudders. "I will not marry him."

"Asuka..." Saeko sighs.

"Mother," Asuka pleadingly stares at her. "When you and Father married,
it was because of love, right?"

"Well, not at first," her mother admits. "Like Shutaro-san's parents,
we were brought together via an omiai. It was after when we discovered the
attraction we felt for the other was mutual. It will be the same thing with
you and Shutaro-san."

Asuka sighs. She had many heated debates with her mother on this
subject during her time in Chooshi. Standing, she gazes at a fountain
outside. "We've already been through that stage, Mother. But Shuu-chan has
proved unfaithful to his end of the agreement."

"Yes, his attraction to Lum-san is annoying," Saeko nods. "But with
Lum-san soon to leave Tomobiki, there will be nothing standing in your way of
winning his love."

"No," Asuka shakes her head. "Forgive me, Mother, but I've come to
learn more about Shuu-chan. I don't like what I've learned. He's self-
centred, arrogant, possessive, proud and jealous...and all that is because of
Ataru. He's not going to let Ataru go, Mother, especially if Lum leaves
Tomobiki. Ataru has stolen everything Shuu-chan wanted to dominate. Shuu-
chan's pride will never allow that to go unanswered."

She pauses, marshalling her thoughts. It was so strange, thinking of
matters which several months before, she never concerned herself with. But
those were innocent days. "Further, I think...the plan to amalgamate our
zaibatsu into one force may be more trouble than it's worth," she sighs.

Saeko blinks. "Whatever gave you this idea?!"

"Because as it is currently planned, Shuu-chan would have control of the
new Conglomerate," Asuka explains. "I've spent time thinking about this,
Mother...and I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Because Shuu-chan is too immature to take control of such power," Asuka
explains. "He'll just marshall those forces and keep going after Ataru until
he's destroyed or else Nagaiwakai-sama destroys us. The way things are going
now, we're heading for a disaster."

Saeko stares at her child. Was this the same frightened young woman who
emerged from the nunnery two years before? She finds herself smiling, pleased
that Asuka had matured, even though she had evolved in a direction Saeko found
increasingly difficult to accept. "Well, we can discuss that tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes," her mother beams. "We've invited the Mendous over for dinner.
Do try to get along with Shuu-chan, please."

Asuka barely stops herself from groaning. "Of course."

* * *

Sometime later, Asuka walks into her private room. Save for cleaning,
it had been left untouched since the day she left. She breathes in, drinking
the scent of vanilla. Osooko's favourite scent. Her maids had never known
the real reason why Asuka wanted her room to smell this way. One less thing
to alert her mother to the depths of their relationship.

As far as Saeko and Yuujiro Mizunokoji knew, Asuka had rarely contacted
Osooko while she was under Aikyoo Budou's charge. A couple of letters and a
telephone call. As soon as Saeko demanded contact between them cease, Asuka
and Osooko resorted to a more personal method of communication: a psi-bond.
<<Osooko-chan?>> Asuka telepathically calls. <<Osooko-chan, are you there?>>

Warmth floods her being, like water filling a bay at high tide. Asuka's
nerves tingle in ecstacy as part of that ageless spirit fills her soul.
<<Asuka-chan, my love,>> Osooko's voice, like yet so unlike Oyuki's, echoes in
her mind. <<Still, your mother does not understand.>>

"No," Asuka sighs, shifting to the more comforting level of speech.
Osooko would still "hear" her. "I've even warned her of the danger. She
still thinks my marrying Shuu-chan is the best course. Now with Ton-chan and
Ryooko-chan possessing lovers, she sounds desperate."

Osooko's bemused titter shakes Asuka with erotic delight. <<Unity and
disUnity, still playing the eternal game of control over the Cosmic Chain of
Life,>> she intones. <<Worry not, my love. Did she indicate if dinner this
evening is a private affair?>>

"I think that's what she has in mind," Asuka smiles. "But if I know my
brother and Ryooko-chan, they'll bring...protection."

Reigi and Yuukiki, in other words. <<Then, perhaps you should be wise
to do the same,>> Osooko proposes.

Asuka gasps as the implications hit her. When she first met Osooko,
there was no physical attraction to the Nendo-kata-turned-Tritonian. Asuka's
gratitude for Osooko's saving her from the Spirit War, mixed with the latter's
imminent need for a co-parent, forged a heady brew which had thoroughly
intoxicated them. Asuka could never imagine living with anyone else BUT
Osooko. And Osooko? Their separation spelt death. "I can't wait to see you
again," Asuka purrs. "In fact, would you mind...?"

Osooko sighs as Asuka begins to undress. <<After all this, I think
physical intimacy will leave us...unfulfilled,>> she muses.

"Shut up and seduce me!" Asuka snarls...

* * *

"It's so good to see you again, Saeko-chan!" Haruka Mendou beams as she
embraces Saeko.

Yuujiro and Hajime shake hands, then embrace the other's wives. Despite
the intermittent feud between their clans, they had become close friends over
the years. They relax in the meeting room, places set out for their children.
"Well, where is that wonderful boy of yours, Hajime-kun?" Yuujiro smiles.

A servant announces Shutaro as he enters, resplendent in a white kimono,
katana at his side. He respectfully bows to Asuka's parents. "I find myself
honoured to be once more in your company," a forced smile crosses his face.

He relaxes. "<<Nicely done,>>" Haruka whispers, patting her son's
thigh, switching to French, a language the Mizunokojis did not know.

"<<You don't have to ask me to like this,>>" Shutaro hisses.

Ryooko enters, followed by Reigi Yumoa. Both are in simple kimonos,
although the tiger and chrysanthemum on the latter's foretold of another who
would be keeping a close eye on this meeting. "Hello, again," Ryooko beams,
bowing gracefully to the Mizunokojis. "This is Reigi Yumoa," she indicates
her boyfriend.

"We certainly know him," Yuujiro smiles.

"Honoured, sir," Reigi bows.

They sit beside her father. Shutaro twitches as he glares at the
financier. He still found it difficult to accept that this man, who held
brutal financial sway over both their families, was in essence Ataru's cousin.
He found it impossible to believe that Ryooko had actually fallen head-over-
heels for him. It had to be another torture she was conceiving. Perhaps
conspiring with Ataru to humiliate him in front of Asuka's parents. He would
have to be on his guard.

"And where are our children?" Saeko whispers to her husband.

"They should be here by now," Yuujiro hums.

Tobimaro arrives, cleaned and shaven. Accompanying him, to Shutaro's
surprise, is Yuukiki, in a beautiful kimono covered in soft colours decorated
with flowers. She is exquisite, a radical change from the wild child lurking
under her skin. "Hi, everyone," she beams, bowing, then sitting beside
Tobimaro's father, takes hold of the bottle of sake and pours herself a drink.

Haruka shudders, drawing a fan to cover her face. Shutaro and Hajime
barely stifle their laughter. Tobimaro pays it no mind while his parents look
mortified. Ryooko sighs in admiration. Yuukiki, a child of the sexual and
feminist revolutions, had never bothered to learn the classical modes of
behaviour inflicted on a lady. Yuukiki found them beneath her contempt, as
her actions demonstrated. Privately, Ryooko wished she was more like Yuukiki,
willing to defy the restraints society forced on her.

"The Lady Asuka," the servant announces. "The Lady Osooko of Mizusei."

Saeko gasps, eyes wide on hearing that name. Everyone stares. Asuka
enters, followed by Osooko. In matching sea scene kimonos, they could be
mistaken for sisters if you ignored the hair. To Saeko's total mortification,
both enter holding hands. "Hello, everyone," Asuka smiles.

"May the Unity preserve and protect you," Osooko adds.

Saeko shudders as they pass by, relaxing beside her. Shutaro breathes a
sigh of relief. With Osooko present, any talk of his being engaged to Asuka
would be considerably stifled. If so, their parents would try to force
Tobimaro and Ryooko to come together. That was fine; such would destroy
Ataru's elaborate machinations. With that out of his way, Shutaro could then
concentrate on destroying Ataru and winning Lum for himself.

Dinner is quickly served. Asuka had warned the chef that a Nendo-kata
would be present and no mollusk-based dish was to be served. Such was bound
to touch the Mendous, who raised octopi. But despite the absence of tempura
or other dishes, the dinner is succulent. "Your cooks are delightful, Saeko-
chan," Haruka beams, wiping her mouth.

"I wish we could've served some *octopus,* seeing that it was you
coming, Haruka-chan," Saeko bushes.

Osooko jolts, a pained look crossing her face. Asuka fires her mother a
warning glance. Tobimaro, Ryooko and their lovers are quick to notice. "You
found the dinner fine, didn't you, Reigi-kun?" Ryooko inquires.

"It was wonderful," Reigi smiles. "I should invite you all to Sendai
and let Komeru-onii-chan's cooks go at it."

"Well, maybe we'll have a chance," Hajime coughs. "You're all probably
wondering why we've gathered tonight."

"Yes," Yuujiro nods. "It's time we finally press on with what we've
long planned: the end of our bitter feud and the union of our families."

All the children stiffen. "Now, it would have been quite nice if all of
you had come to care for the other," Saeko smiles. "But such did not turn
out. We can accept that. But we do want you to marry. And since Tobimaro
and Ryooko-san have found such delightful companions of their own, it must be
you two," she beams at Shutaro and Asuka.

Both jolt. "Yes, it should be you two," Haruka nods in agreement. "You
did court her for some time, Shutaro."

"W-well, y-yes..." Shutaro stammers.

"And you were certainly receptive of his interest, weren't you, Asuka?"
Saeko muses, staring at her daughter.

"Of course I was," Asuka snaps. "But not anymore."

Saeko blinks, surprised by her daughter's dismissal. After years of
Asuka's cowering from society, this was something to get used to. "Asuka, we
want this relationship to succeed. It was there. Why can't it be revived?"

"It can't!!!" Shutaro and Asuka chant.

"Then it has to be Ryooko and Tobimaro," Hajime muses, lighting a pipe.

"NO!!!!" the two in question snarl.

Their parents shudder, realizing that ALL their children were rebelling.
"I have no interest in Tobimaro," Ryooko asserts. "He is a friend, but that
is all! My love is for this man!!" she reaches for Reigi.

"Ryooko-chan," Reigi stammers.

"I have no interest in Ryooko, either," Tobimaro snaps. "She is the
only one I want," he fervently grasps Yuukiki's hands.

"Whoa, slow down here, son," Yuukiki playfully growls, eyeing him.
"Save it for bed."

"Then it has to be Shutaro and Asuka!" Yuujiro turns to them.

"NO!!!!" they snap.

"Why not?!" Saeko demands.

"Because I love Osooko-chan!!!" Asuka hugs Osooko.

"And I love Lum-san!!!" Shutaro snaps.

Asuka spins on him. "'Love?!!' There's a joke!!! You're incapable of
love!! You've never loved me!! If you did, you would've stuck by my side!!!
You certainly don't love Lum!! That's garbage!!"

"When Lum leaves Tomobiki, there'll be no problem!" Haruka asserts.

Shutaro gasps, feeling his heart. "Don't bet on that, ma'am," Asuka
turns to his mother. "Mark my words! If you let him take control of our
combined forces, all he'll do is try to destroy Ataru so he can have Lum to
himself!! And there's no way that I'll permit myself to be controlled by
him," she glares at him as she barbs, "...just like Lum's rejected him!!"

Shutaro coughs, the thought of Lum departing his life too much to bear.
"Then, there is but one solution," Osooko coughs.

"What's that?" Asuka stares at her lover.

"Your parents and Shutaro-kun's parents must control your planned new
conglomerate," the Nendo-kata smiles.

The Mendous and the Mizunokoji blink. "May I propose that because of
Shutaro-kun's horrendous lack of maturity, he is unfit to take charge of the
new conglomerate you envision," Osooko explains. "Asuka-chan's fears are more
than justified. All Shutaro-kun will do is continue to attack Ataru-kun, try
to destroy the bonds of Unity which link him to Lum-chan. I dare not imagine
what will happen next. Ataru-kun is prepared to unleash devestating war on
anyone who threatens his relationship with Lum-chan. And since Ataru-kun and
Lum-chan are part of our school, my schoolmates and I will stand at his side,
as will many others." She sweetly smiles at Shutaro, her voice barbed with
contempt. "And Shutaro-kun can elaborate what happens to those sub-creatures
who attempt to destroy our school's Unity, can't he?"

Shutaro gags as their parents consider the suggestion. "Well, that has
always been a problem," Hajime muses.

"The idea of facing Nagaiwakai-sama does not thrill me," Haruka hums.

"Nor us," Yuujiro sighs. "Perhaps Osooko-sama's suggestion has merit."

"Excuse me!!" Saeko snaps, spinning on her husband. "Haven't we
forgotten something?! What happens to our daughter if their engagement
doesn't happen?"

"I mate with Osooko-chan!" Asuka asserts.

"You CAN'T mate with another woman!!" Saeko growls.

"In this case, she can," Shutaro interrupts.

"Stop trying to duck the situation!!" Haruka snaps.

As the argument continues, Yuukiki turns to Tobimaro. "Hey, let's go!"

They file out, followed by Ryooko and Reigi. "What do you think about
this, Ryooko...eh?" Hajime turns to his daughter. "Ryooko?!"

"Tobimaro?!" Yuujiro looks, finding his son gone.

<<They voted with their feet,>> Asuka psi-flashes Osooko. <<Let's do
the same.>>

Osooko nods. They quickly exit while their parents are distracted by
the earlier departures. "They didn't even say good-night," Saeko moans. "Oh,
what is wrong with this generation? Now, Asuka...eh?!" she turns to the empty
space her daughter had filled. "Asuka?! Where did she go?!"

Shutaro sighs, then finds himself at the receiving end of enraged stares
from both sets of parents. This was not proceeding as he had planned...

* * *

"That's what happened?!" Ataru blinks as he speaks with Reigi over the
phone the next morning, standing in his living room. "Shoot, tempers must be
flaring. You better keep things with Ryooko-chan low-key, Reigi-kun."

"Tell me something I don't know," Reigi responds from Tomobiki. "As
soon as they could, Tobimaro and Yuukiki hightailed it out of town. If they
even hear mention of marriage between him and Ryooko-chan, they'll elope."

"You and Ryooko-chan might consider the same thing," Ataru chuckles.
"Any sign of Asuka-chan and Osooko-chan?"

"No, they vanished," Reigi replies. "They must be on their way to
Oshika right now."

"Wonderful!" Ataru twitches in annoyance. What he did NOT need was the
Mendous and Mizunokoji invading his personal sanctuary just to reign in a
wayward Asuka. "Get ready to unleash another inspection...and this time, both
clans'll be involved. I'll take to Oji-chan!"

"I figured you'd consider that," Reigi chuckles. "It might not be
needed. Osooko-san dropped a bombshell last night. She proposed that when
they come together, the parents take charge of the company, not Shutaro. Told
them he was too immature to take on such a responsibility."

"I bet he really lost face over that," Ataru laughs. "Well, keep your
hopes up. Once those four see some sense, things'll calm down."

"I hope so, for all our sakes. Take care."

Ataru hangs up, sinking to his sofa. With the guards eliminated, Mendou
was his last major problem. The idiot was now proving to be the toughest nut
in the bunch. Before Osooko came, Ataru believed Mendou marrying Asuka was
enough. The *saikoo jinseijitsu* ruined that when it forced the poor girl's
phobia into overdrive. Osooko rescued her...and won herself a life-mate,
leaving Mendou in the dust. A wonderful development for Osooko and Asuka...
but bad news if Ataru could do nothing about the latter's former fiance.

It seemed so simple. Line up prospective mates and let Nature take its
course. But as time progressed and Mendou distanced himself from Asuka, he
stumbled, making himself look like an idiot in front of those whose respect he
once dominated. No woman in Tomobiki would seriously want to marry the guy
once they saw the truth about him, not these days. While it was confined to
Tomobiki High, Ataru knew that Mendou's faults would quickly spread to other
schools should he try to court the Rosebuds.

Ataru was tempted to let Mendou fall on his own. Leave matters as they
were, allow Asuka and Osooko to forge their relationship, help Tobimaro and
Ryooko marry their lovers and leave the idiot in the dust. Then again, danger
lurked. Humiliated, Mendou would seek vengeance on the author of his pain,
which, short of killing the jerk, would solve nothing. If only someone could
come along who could tame him.

His thoughts are interrupted by the doorbell. He stares outside, then
blinking, reaches for his *qu'f-piaqu'r*. What was SHE doing here? Opening
the door, he swings the musket into view. "What do you want?!"

"Hi," Pepper steps back on seeing the weapon. She had heard rumours of
Ataru's metamorphosis, but never thought it THIS radical! "Can I come in?"

Ataru's eyes scope the area, his left glowing. No sign of the other
sukebans. Odd. Pepper never went anywhere without them. He stares into her
eyes, his reverting to normal. While she was sixteen by his reckoning, her
eyes spoke of someone who had aged, unwillingly by the pain which flashed in
those brown orbs. "Sure," he waves her inside.

Pepper is draped in an overcoat, drawn protectively over her shoulders.
She seemed skittish, nervous. What happened to her? He hangs his gun, then
waves her to a seat. "Where're your compadres?" he relaxes across from her.

"I haven't seen them in seven months," Pepper admits.

Ataru leans back. "Did you have a fight or something?"

"N-no," Pepper stammers, essaying a smile. "B-besides, I can't...oh,
hell!!" she spits out, looking away.

Ataru blinks, realizing that whatever was bothering the Seishin high-
schooler, it was no act. "Hey," he reaches over to gently grasp her hand.
"Tell me what's going on."

She stares into his eyes. There was not the empty look which had graced
Ataru's features the last time she saw him. Biting her lip, she rises. "It's
better if I show you," she allows the overcoat to fall away.

He gasps as he registers the most obvious change: she was pregnant.
Almost due, by the size of her abdomen. "Y-you...y-you're...!" he stammers,
pointing at her.

"Yeah," she pats her stomach.

Ataru blinks, then smiles. If there was anything which made him truly
happy, the creation of new life was it. Standing, he walks over to embrace
her. "Congratulations! Boy or girl?"

"Boy," she responds, a genuine smile crossing her lips. "I'm going to
name him Pasho."

"Great," he guides her to the chair, kneeling beside her. "So, who was
the lucky guy who you landed? He around?"

At that question, Pepper's demeanor crashes. Wailing, she spins away,
falling to the floor. Ataru blinks, but remains quiet. That was definitely
not the right question to ask. Time to summon backup...

* * *

An hour later, Nokoko, Mal, Nicole and Mujanba arrive to examine Pepper.
Ataru relaxes in his bedroom, his mind flipping through the scant details of
the situation. Pepper was pregnant. Happy to have a baby, but upset about
the father. Pepper had left Ginger and Sugar sometime ago. Why? He moves to
grab the phone, then remembers Lum and Ten-chan are at school. Wait until the
evening. Maybe call Dakejinzou and get her to locate Ginger and Sugar?
Pepper obviously needed friends.

The door's opening distracts him. "Well?" he faces Nokoko.

She shakes her head. "Pepper was raped."

He blinks. "Raped?" his voice drops to a shocked whisper.

"Yeah," she sits on the bed. "Worse, she knows who did it."

"Who?!" he growls, dark thoughts entering his mind.

"We don't know. We haven't asked her yet. Dealing with cases like this
takes time, Ataru-chan. Pepper's an emotional wreck."

Mujanba walks in. "How is she?" Ataru stands.

"She's okay," the Vosian smiles. "She's asleep on the couch. She...
came here because she heard of the changes which overcame you and...felt she
could find sanctuary here."

"She's being pursued?!" Ataru hisses.

"No, not that we can tell," Mujanba shakes her head. "But Pepper feels
that the whole galaxy crashed on her. She doesn't know who to trust anymore.
She feels she has no real friends. Fears that those who say they care for her
are going to betray her next."

He quickly realizes what that means. "Her boyfriend raped her."

"Yeah," she nods. "There's more."

He stares at her. "The baby's father is Ipraedies," Mujanba sighs.

Boiling rage flashes in his eyes. Ataru had NO love for those people.
If any race deserved the wrath of a Holy Crusade, they were it. "Find the
name of the schmuck!" he growls. "Dake-chan's going hunting!"

"We asked her, but she won't tell us," Mujanba throws up her hands in
surrender. "I doubt you'll get through."

"I'll try," he walks out of the room.

Ataru enters the living room. Pepper now sleeps on the couch, a blanket
drawn over her. Mal is in the kitchen preparing tea. Silently descending to
the ground floor, Ataru sits across from her. Seeing the tortured look on her
face, he stands. Time to make a few calls.

* * *

In room 337, Lum relaxes as she flips through her English homework. Her
ears absently register the guards chatting about their new girlfriends. She
smiles. That part of Ataru's plan had gone like clockwork. Even Megane acted
as if she did not exist. Well, four less headaches to worry about. But one
still loomed as she senses Mendou's attention. Reigi informed her about the
attempted unsuccessful omiai of the previous night. If only their parents
could conceive of something OTHER than marrying one of their children off to
the other family. Talk about lack of imagination!

Her cellular phone rings. Blinking, she pulls it out from her skirt,
then opens it. Ataru gave it to her for emergencies. Before she could
respond, Onsen's bokan stick comes down on her book. "What are you doing with
that, Lum-san?" he growls.

"Well, Darling gave it to me for emergencies, Sensei," Lum blinks. "He
wouldn't interrupt class otherwise."

"Hand it over!" he holds out his hand...

...then gets a tanuki statue from Mie! "Butt out, Onsen-sensei!!" she
snaps. "If Ataru-chan says it's an emergency, it's an emergency!!!"

The vice-principal moans. The other students snicker. Lum puts the
receiver to her ear. "What is it, Darling?"

She blinks as he tells her, face paling. "What?!! She was raped?!!"
she exclaims, seizing everyone's attention by her outburst. "By whom?!!" she
demands. Hearing the answer, Lum boils in rage. "One of THEM?!?! What about
Ginger and Sugar?!!" She relaxes on hearing that answer. "Oh, you called
her?! Yes, don't worry! I'll call them! See you soon, Darling!"

Closing up the phone, she bows to Onsen. "I'm sorry, Sensei, but I have
to leave. It's an emergency. May I be excused?"

"Un..." is all that escapes his lips.

"Thanks!!" Lum waves as she flies out the window.

"Lum-san, wait!" Mendou charges after her...

...only to find a desk smashed over him! "I don't recall Lum-chan
asking you to accompany her, jerk!!" Mie snarls.

Mendou moans, eliciting snickers from the guards. "What do you suppose
is going on?" Ryuunosuke turns to Lan.

"How should I know?!" the Seishin teen snorts. "Darling's stupid cell
phones are all specially encrypted! I can't monitor them!!"

"Which proves how much of an idiot you are," Mie snorts.

Lan snarls...

* * *

"Hi!!" Asuka calls out as she looks inside Ataru's home, Osooko beside
her. "Ataru?! Nokoko-san?! Are you here?!"

"What do you want?" a strange voice inquires from the couch.

Both stare at Pepper, walking to them. "Who are you?" Asuka wonders.

"I'm Pepper Banchoo," the raven-haired Seishin faintly smiles. "Ataru's
allowed me to stay here until I give birth."

"Oh, how wonderful!!" Asuka beams, embracing her. "Congratulations!
Actually, Osooko-chan and I're planning to have our first child, too."

Pepper nods. Before coming to Earth, she researched the scant data on
the Nendo-kata to better anticipate Ataru's sister and her friends. "Um, well
I suppose you can come in. Ataru!"

They step inside. "How soon do you expect your child?" Osooko wonders.

"A week," Pepper relaxes in the couch, rubbing her distended abdomen.

Ataru steps down. "Hi, Asuka-chan!!" he embraces her. "How are you?!"

"I'm fine, I guess," she laughs, feeling a slight tremor surge through
her body. It was not as bad as when Ataru chased her. "Well, I guess I'll be
living up here from now on."

"Not if your mother has something to say about it," Ataru muses, waving
them to a chair. "Way she sees it, all you're good for is marrying Mendou!"

"You mean being *enslaved* to Shuu-chan!" Asuka snorts.

"Sounds like you still like him," Pepper quips.

"Well, I like him...as a friend," Asuka sighs. "But as a future
husband, forget it! Here's MY mate," she wraps an arm around Osooko.

"That's smart," Pepper growls, pointing at her. "You take my advice,
honey! Don't EVER let a man get to your heart! The only thing that'll come
from that is pain and misery!! Mark my words!!"

"Um...sure," Asuka blinks.

Pepper stares at Ataru. "You mind if I crash in your room? The kid's
really weighing me down."

"Sure thing, Pepper," he gently squeezes her hand.

She smiles, then walks upstairs. As soon as she is out of earshot,
Osooko turns to Ataru. "Ataru-kun, what is wrong with Pepper-chan?"

"She was raped," he lowers his voice. "And the rapist is the father of
her kid," he thumbs upstairs.

"No way!" Asuka exclaims. "Poor girl!!"

"Yeah," Ataru leans back. "I never really liked her or her friends, but
I'd never want that to happen to ANY woman! I've got Dake-chan trying to
trace down her friends and Lum-chan's on her way here with Benten and Oyuki
since they're old schoolmates, but other than that, I don't know what to do!"

"You've done enough," Osooko asserts. "Being in the company of her
schoolmates will give Pepper-chan the comfort she requires. In the end, she
must heal herself."

"She may be beyond that," Ataru admits.

The roar of retrojets interrupts them. They turn outside to see Lum's
scout landing. The hatch lowers, allowing Lum to disembark with Oyuki, Benten
and two other familiar faces. Opening the door, he smiles. "'Bout time you
two came here...eh?!" he blinks.

Ginger and Sugar defensively hide behind Benten. "You ain't pulling
that big gun of yours out, are you?!" the former gulps.

"Not while you two behave yourself," Ataru crosses his arms. "C'mon in.
She's this way."

The two sukebans follow Ataru upstairs. "Whoa, nice digs," Sugar
whistles, looking around. "Must've cost you a few bits."

"It was to an extent," he fires them a warning glare. "And if you dorks
think of starting something in this place, I'll put you BOTH in traction!"

"Hey, chill out!!" Ginger stammers. "We know what you can do!"

"Good," Ataru opens the door to his room, waving them inside.

They walk into the bedroom. Pepper sleeps, her arms wrapped around a
pair of stuffed teddy bears resembling Ataru and Noa-chan. Kneeling beside
their blood-sister, they prod her. "Hey, Pep, you in there?" Ginger smiles.

Pepper groans, her eyes fluttering open as they register her visitors.
"Gin? Shu? What're you doin' here?!" she moans, rising.

Ginger and Sugar gasp on seeing her state of maternity. "What the
hell?!!" the Oni-Nekotengu hybrid exclaims, falling on her backside.

"When d'you get preggers?!!" the Tritonian demands.

Pepper looks away. "When d'you think it happened?!" she growls.

Ginger and Sugar stare at the other, suppressing gulps. "Uh...is it
Wally's kid?" the latter hesitantly requires.

"Would it be anyone else's?!!" Pepper snaps, spinning on her.

"Hey, don't scream at me!!!" Sugar waves her hands back.

The two calm down, then Pepper swings her legs out, feeling her stomach.
"Yeah, it's his..." she bites her lips, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Damn him...damn him...goddamn him!!"

"Hey, hey!!" Ginger grabs her friend's arms. "What's going on here?!"

"Don't you get it?!!" Pepper demands. "Don't you understand what he's
done to me?!! Did you think I wanted this kid NOW?!?!"

Realization dawns on the others. "You mean...he...he...?" Sugar finds
herself faltering on the word.

"Yeah!" Pepper hoarsely confirms, looking down.

Ginger lets go as the Seishin teen wails, staring at Sugar. "Oh, shit!
This is worse than we thought!!"

"Mondo trouble here!" the Tritonian nods in agreement.

Pepper looks up. "What the hell does that mean?!"

Ginger and Sugar face their sister. "Well...you see..." the former
waves her arms as she tries to force the words out. "I mean...Wally wouldn't
do that to you! He loved you!!"

"Yeah, don't knock him down!" the latter adds. "He always thought the
world about you, Pep!!"

Pepper blinks. "Hey, hey!! Why're you taking in the past?!"

Realization dawns on them. "Oh, shit, you don't know?" Ginger blinks.

"KNOW WHAT?!?!?!" Pepper roars.

Both reach to gently grasp their blood-sister's hands. "Pep...Wally
killed himself," Sugar gently intones, eyes moistening in sympathy.

Pepper sits there, eyes widening as that statement hits home. Tears
bursting from her eyes, she squeezes them shut, shaking her head in denial.
"Wally....my Wally...?!" she gasps. "No!! It's not true!! It can't be!!!"

"It is," Ginger sniffs. "Oh, Pep! Everyone says he had a tragic
accident. But Gella said he flung himself off a cliff! I'm so sorry...!"

Her words have no affect, as Pepper's sobs turn into an incomprehensible
shriek of pain, all strength draining from her. Ginger and Sugar move to
comfort her as she mourns...

* * *

"He killed himself?!!" Ataru exclaims.

Ginger and Sugar nod. Everyone sits in the living room. The soft wails
of Pepper's mourning echo from his bedroom, the Seishin teen being comforted
by Asuka and Osooko. "Why don't you explain that," Benten proposes.

The two sukebans sigh. "Well, Wally...Schwartzwald, that's his real
name...is...*was* the nephew of Emperor Schwartz," Ginger starts. "He was a
classmate of ours at school."

"I remember him," Oyuki muses, a regretful smile crossing her face.
"Very well mannered fellow, on par with Schwartzkoff."

"I take it he and Pepper were close," Ataru muses.

"Very," Sugar sighs. "Outside of us, Wally was the closest thing Pep
had to family in that school."

"Don't you have parents?" Ataru muses.

"No," Ginger shakes her head. "Pepper's family adopted us," she
indicates herself, then Sugar. "Anyhow, about a year ago, old man Schwartz
finds out about Wally and Pepper. You should've heard the jerk! He had Wally
yanked out of school so fast..."

"It surprises me a nephew of the Ipraedies Emperor would be sent to a
Galactic Federation school," Ataru cuts in.

"If I remember Wally, he's as hard-core *Dowe'on* as Bushi or Hazel-
chan's dad," Lum muses. "Go on."

"When Pepper found out, she freaked!" Sugar sighs, a conspiratorial
gleam in her eyes. "So we got together with Wally and Prince Schwartzkoff,
went to Ipraedos City and really pulled a nasty joke on the old fart!!"

"That was you?!" Benten exclaims.

"Guilty as charged!" Ginger laughingly admits.

Everyone save Ataru howl with merriment. "What did they do?" he
wonders.

Ginger and Sugar shiver. "We called up the Empress Dowager...that's the
dear Emperor's mother-in-law," the former intones in a nasal English accent.
"We informed Her Imperial Majesty that we witnessed His Imperial Majesty in
the Imperial bedchambers, in an very intimate embrace with a woman who,
regrettably, was not Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."

Benten and Lum are rolling on the floor. Oyuki is barely holding her
decorum. "When she found out," Sugar continues, "...she had a fit! She
called him, told him that she wanted the marriage annulled and Schwartz thrown
out of the castle without a penny or title to his name!! The *Asan'on* Home
Council went ballistic because they believed the woman to be *Dowe'on,* which
turned the whole thing into a constitutional crisis!!!"

"Right now, Schwartz is in serious shit with his wife AND mother-in-
law!" Ginger grips her stomach. "And Schwartz can't prove his innocence!!"

Ataru shakes his head as everyone laughs. "So...um, how did this wind
up with Pepper having a kid?"

"As you know, Ipraedies're vicious when it comes to vengeance," Sugar
sighs. "Somehow, he learned Wally and Pepper were involved. While we've no
idea how he did it, he got Pepper pregnant with Wally's kid."

"Or could that be the Emperor's kid?" Ataru muses.

The sukebans pale. "He wouldn't!!!" Ginger exclaims.

"It's possible," Benten growls. "That old fart's capable of anything!"

"None the less, we better find out more," Lum turns to Oyuki. "Could
you call Schwartzkoff and ask him what happened?"

"I think we could contact him through Shogai-san," the Tritonian
princess muses. "She is well-trusted among Ipraedies authorities."

"I already called her to try to find these two," Ataru thumbs Ginger and
Sugar. "So, now that we have a culprit and investigating a motive, let's look
to the victim...victims if you count the baby and his father."

The others nod. Sometime later, Lum, Benten and Oyuki step out of the
home. "Awful!" the Oni shakes her head. "I never liked those girls, but they
didn't deserve that!"

"Don't worry, Lum," Benten pats her friend's shoulder. "They're
schoolmates, remember? We've got to stick together."

"And I do believe Pepper, Ginger and Sugar have outdone us," Oyuki
muses.

"What makes you say that?" the Fukunokami hums.

"Consider this," the Tritonian sighs. "When we were in...that mode of
behaviour, we were vicious. That fellow who tried to have his way with me is
still frozen. That road Lum-chan defoliated is still desolate. And that
school gang you destroyed, Benten, is gone. Minor incidents when you compare
them to what Pepper, Ginger and Sugar almost accomplished."

"They came within a hair's breadth of bringing down the Ipraedies
Empire," Benten snorts. "Gotta admit it, they really outdid us there!"

"Yeah," Lum shakes her head. "But look at the price they had to pay?"

The others grimly nod...

* * *

"So, that's the situation," Ataru announces to the Nendo-kata later when
they returned from work. He waves to Ginger and Sugar.

"I'm Ginger Banchoo," the hybrid bows. "Pleased to meet you."

"I'm Sugar Banchoo," the Tritonian bows. "Honoured."

"Likewise," Nokoko nods, standing. "Since you're here, you better learn
you have to earn your keep. We don't tolerate slackers in this school."

The sukebans nod understandingly. "Pepper-chan should remain with
Asuka-chan and I," Osooko proposes. "We have formed a rapport. Besides, I'm
tired of returning every day to an empty house."

"What about you two?" Ataru stares at Ginger and Sugar.

"Well, I suppose I could stay with Benten's sister and her friend,"
Ginger muses. "Just as long as they don't do anything stupid!"

Ataru bops her on the head! "Idiot, they're not like that!!"

Ginger yelps. "She'll get used to it," Nokoko smiles.

"And Sugar-chan could stay with us," Nintaiko smiles, patting Donna's
hand. "Belle-chan could use the company."

"Thank you," Sugar bows.

* * *

"I appreciate you guys doing this," Pepper relaxes with Asuka and Osooko
in their bungalow. "You'll forgive me if I ask why you're being so warm.
Don't you know what we've been trying to do to Ataru and your sister?"

Osooko smiles, pouring tea. "I'm very aware of your past difficulties
with Oyuki-chan, Pepper-chan. Matters like that do not concern me. Besides,
playful interaction between schoolmates is productive."

"What I don't understand is WHY you did it," Asuka stares at Pepper. "I
mean, what did they do to you to get you so angry?"

Pepper shrugs. "Well, when they were in our school, Lum, Benten and
Oyuki were the baddest of the bad," she sighs. "Benten took out a whole
school gang by herself. That was cool; a lot were into mayaku dust trading.
Oyuki nearly got raped. The jerk wound up an icicle. And Lum spread
defoliant over a road, which today is as barren as your Sahara Desert."

"I don't understand the problem," Asuka shakes her head. "Then again, I
was raised in a convent."

Pepper blinks. "You're kidding, right?! And people allow you to have a
relationship with her?" she points at Osooko.

The older women blush. "Well, we haven't consummated it yet," Asuka
smiles. "And unfortunately, my parents are against the idea. But in
comparison to who I was supposed to marry, Osooko-chan is far more agreeable."

"Who was that?"

"Shutaro Mendou."

"Oh, him!" Pepper nods understandingly. "I've heard of him. Believe
me, this is the better choice...oooh!" she gasps, feeling her stomach.

Asuka and Osooko tense. "What is it?!" the latter gasps.

Pepper smiles. "The baby kicked."

They feel the teen's stomach. "He's rambunctious," Osooko muses.

"Wow!" Asuka stares at Osooko. "Very soon, you'll be that way, too."

"We still have your parents to concern ourselves with," Osooko warns.

"True," Asuka sighs.

Pepper yawns. "Oh, man, I've got to catch some Zs!" she stands, looking
around. "Where's the spare bunk in this pad?"

"The only bed is ours," Osooko walks into the bedroom. "You'll be
staying with us. There should be enough room."

The sukeban pales. "WHAT?!?! What type of people are you, anyway?!!"

"Pepper, relax," Asuka smiles, patting the girl's arm. "Remember,
Osooko-chan and her friends are still trying to get used to being human. In
her society, offering space in one's nest to a weary traveller is normal."

"Space, yeah, but not the host's bed!!" Pepper protests.

"They don't know the difference," Asuka explains.

Pepper shudders as Asuka drags her into the bedroom. Like the other
bungalows and Ataru's home, the master bedroom is a spacious affair, fitted
with a heart-shaped king sized waterbed. A television is fitted to one end.
A large closet to one side holds Osooko's growing wardrobe. A study desk,
dresser drawer and makeup cabinet line the other side. Seeing the
accommodations, the sukeban whistles. "Wow! This is nice!!"

"Ataru-kun paid for everything," Osooko undresses herself, then slides
into the bed. "Coming, Asuka-chan?" she purrs.

"Coming," Asuka smiles as she undresses, then slides in after her.

Pepper remains by the door, staring at this scene. The couple gaze
questioningly at her. "Aren't you coming to bed?" Osooko wonders.

"Um...this isn't a good idea," Pepper shakes her head. "If you guys
don't mind, I just want a blanket and I'll crash on the sofa."

"You believe we will desire intimacy with you," Osooko muses.

"Well..." she blushes, scratching the back of her head.

"If that's what you desire," Osooko draws a blanket from the cabinet
behind her, then hands it to Pepper. "But be assured, we had no intimate
thoughts about you."

"I...yeah, I know that," Pepper nods. "But...hell, you two just got
back together again. I'd be getting in the way! Um...good night!"

She swiftly closes the door behind her. "You air-breathers are so
strange!" Osooko shakes her head as she returns to bed. "Doesn't she realize
how cold it is all alone?"

"She's been alone for a while, Osooko-chan," Asuka slips an arm around
her lover. "Besides, our races don't have a tithe of the abilities yours
possess, not to mention your inbred aversion to being alone."

"Did I seem too intimate?" Osooko wonders. "I didn't believe so."

"Different people means different opinions," Asuka smiles. "In the
meantime, what say we practice a little of our intimacy?"

"Your wish is my command," Osooko purrs...

* * *

In the living room, Pepper relaxes, staring at the television. A dubbed
American animated sitcom plays, portraying an atypical family living in
Earth's prehistoric era. Watching the interaction between the husband and
wife, the Seishin teen sighs. "Guess I'll never know that sort of love with
you, Wally," she sniffs.

She then blinks as noises echo from the bedroom. "Or any sort of
intimacy," she adds, shutting the television off, then draws the covers over
her...

* * *

"You mean we've got to work here?!" Sugar exclaims.

She and Ginger stand in the Tiger Cub Cafe. Both in shirts and jeans,
they have aprons draped over them. "That's right," Nokoko smiles, relaxing at
the counter. "Like I said, you earn your keep. Don't worry, we won't have
you serving anyone. We just need help keeping it clean. Sound good?"

The sukebans stare at each other. "Well, if it allows us to stay with
Pep," Sugar muses, then nods. "Sure, why not?!"

"Great!" Nokoko claps her hands. "Sugar, you'll work the dishwasher
with Hei. Ginger, you can cook, so you can help Tatsuko with the stove."

"Cool!" Ginger nods.

As first customers arrive, they proceed to the back. "This is way
different from other times we've been here, huh?" Sugar muses.

"Yeah!" Ginger lowers her voice. "By the way, how was it last night?"

"With Donna and Nintaiko?" Sugar hums. "Well, they invited me to sleep
with them, but I wound up on the couch in the living room."

"Ditto here," Ginger nods, then stares at Tatsuko. "Hope you guys
didn't mind, but that sort've freaked me out when you asked if I wanted to
sleep with you."

"It's alright, Ginger-chan," Tatsuko beams. "Different Great Schools
possess different morals. But we would be remiss if we did not offer our
hearth to visitors."

Asuka saunters into the kitchen, dressed to work. "Hi, everyone!"

"Hi, Asuka!" Ginger smiles. "How's Pep?"

"She's okay," Asuka takes position beside Tatsuko. "Ataru's babysitting
her. They're waiting for Shogai-san to call about what happened to her
boyfriend."

"That's good," Ginger mutters, fire burning in her cat-slitted eyes.
"Believe me, if Pep's kid turns out to be Schwartz's, he's a dead man!"

"So he shall, if we decide to involve ourselves," Tatsuko smiles.

Ginger slides over to Asuka. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"How long've you been dating Osooko?"

"About three months," Asuka muses. "But, I'd hardly call it dating.
Most of that time, I've been in Chooshi learning to control my fear of men. I
reunited with Osooko-chan two days ago."

"Well, don't you think they're...unusual?"

"You mean different?" Asuka smiles.

"Um...y-yeah."

"It's to be expected, given that four months ago, they were sentient
squid," Asuka shrugs. "Living in the cold depths of their homeworld's oceans
influenced their mores and culture just like our situation influences us.
Then again," she stops, "how can I judge?"

"What do you mean?"

Asuka explains her situation to date: the convent, her phobia, the
planned marriage to Shutaro, her meeting Osooko. Ginger and Sugar blink in
surprise. "I can see why you warmed up to Osooko," the latter hums. "You
were victimized by your parents and Mendou because of your inexperience.
Osooko showed you there was more to life than being someone's housewife."

"What about you two?" Asuka wonders. "Any ideas on what you're going to
do after this?"

"Hey, we're just relieved that we found Pep!" Ginger comments. "She is
our sister, after all."

"You hardly look alike," Asuka notes.

"We're blood-sisters," Sugar explains. "Gin was abandoned by her
parents and mine died in a shuttle accident. Pep's parents adopted us."

"'Blood-sisters?'" Asuka blinks.

"They shared their life-fluids, allowed them to intermingle in each
other's bodies," Hei elaborates. "Similar to processes I've heard of here on
Earth. It's a sacred tradition among my sister's people."

"Ah!" Asuka nods.

The door opens as a shrill voice hails, "Asuka!!"

Asuka winces, then looks into the cafeteria to see her mother standing
there, a squad of Kurotenshi flanking her armed and ready for a brawl. "Oh,
what's she doing here?!" she slaps her forehead.

"What's her problem?" Ginger does not look impressed.

"There you are...ah!!" Saeko storms into the kitchen, then stops, eyes
widening in shock on seeing Asuka in working clothes. "Asuka!!! What are you
doing dressed in those rags?!"

"What does it look like, Mother?" Asuka sighs. "I work here!!"

"WORK?!?!?!" her mother exclaims.

"Mrs. Mizunokoji," Nokoko sighs as she enters the kitchen. "If you're
not here to order something, I'll have to ask you to leave!"

"You stay out of this!!" Saeko spins on Nokoko. "It's your fault that
this happened! How dare you and your brother destroy my family?!"

As the argument heats up, the sukebans exchange a glance. Sugar then
fades from view while Ginger protectively moves to protect Asuka. "Well, I
say they're pretty fouled up as is!!" Nokoko snaps. "It's not my fault Asuka-
chan knows Mendou is such a jerk!!! As for her brother and Ryooko, they've
got their lives to worry about!! What's your problem?!"

"Enough!!" Asuka's mother snaps her fingers, launching the Kurotenshi
into action. "Asuka is coming with me!"

At that, Ginger gasps, dropping to the floor! "Ginger-chan!!" Hei cries
as she leaps to the fallen teen's side.

Seeing the deathly pallor crossing the hybrid's face, Saeko freaks.
"She's dead!!!" she screams, pointing at the fallen Ginger.

The Kurotenshi spin to stare, their attention distracted...which allows
the invisible Sugar to pick up a large skillet and bash them in rapid
succession! The bodyguards faint as the Tritonian reappears. "That should
keep them in line!" she declares.

"What...?!" Saeko turns to stare.

Ginger's eyes snap open as she leaps up, swatting Asuka's mother with
another skillet. Saeko drops to the floor as Nokoko turns to the others.
"Thanks, girls. Get them out of here!"

* * *

Later that evening, Saeko nurses the lump on her head as she hosts
Haruka Mendou in her private quarters. "They got you good," the latter
sympathetically smiles, sipping tea. "We tend to forget that Nokoko Moroboshi
defends her property with as much fervor as her brother."

"So I presently notice," the former winces. "This is becoming a chore.
Is there any hope in making sense of this chaos?"

"I'm not sure," Haruka sighs. "Personally, I believe the problem does
not lie in Asuka but in Shutaro. His...reluctance to consider his obligations
to his family. Why don't you leave things to me," she pats her friend's hand.
"We can work this out."

"Oh, would you?" Saeko looks hopeful. "Thank you!"

* * *

"I refuse!!" Shutaro snaps.

"You must!!!" a trio of Kuromegane kick him in the backside.

The scion of the Mendou fortune falls face-first to the ground as the
bodyguards try to drag him out of the mansion. "I'm not Ranma Saotome!!"
Shutaro screams. "And I will not marry Asuka!!!"

"It is the will of the clan, Young Master," the first guard notes.

"It is the only way peace will come," the second adds.

"And your mother desires it!" the third completes.

They kick him through the front gate. As the guards step through, two
large shapes appear behind them, slamming their heads together! As they drop,
the Franken twins pick up Shutaro. "Ya okay, pal?" the first wonders.

"Fine, thank you," Shutaro brushes himself off.

A car stops in front of him. The door opens, revealing Ogin. "Get in!"

Shutaro leaps into the car as it takes off. A troop of soldiers appears
at the gate. "Alert all units!!!" a sergeant screams. "The Young Master has
been kidnapped!!"

"Good!" the second Franken twin cackles as he snaps his fingers. "We
can use the exercise!!"

A large force of toughs appear. The Mendou soldiers tremble as they
advance. "Um...can we talk this over?" the sergeant gulps.

"Not a chance!!" the first Franken snarls. "With that snob outta the
way, no one can butt into our tryin' ta win Lum-chan's love!!!"

The soldiers scream...

* * *

"What?!!" Ataru exclaims as he hears the report from Reigi sometime
later. "A fight between Mendou's troops and Soban's gang?! How'd that
happen?!" As he hears the report, his fist shakes. "Is that a fact?! Fine!
I'll take care of it!!" Slamming the phone down, he yells, "Jinseiko!!!"

"You bellowed, Young Master?!" the shinobi appears behind him.

"Get the girls, go down to Tomobiki, drag Mendou back to his house and
put the Rosebuds and their friends into the hospital!!" Ataru barks.

"With pleasure, sir!" she bows, then disappears.

Ataru moans as he sinks into his sofa. The door opens, permitting Lum
to fly in. "Hi, Darling!" she lands in his lap. "How are you?!"

"Not good."

"Oh, what's wrong now?"

Ataru explains the situation in Tomobiki. Lum's eyes roll. "Until we
find someone other than myself for Shutaro we'll never hear the end of this!"
she slaps her forehead.

"Tell me something I don't know," Ataru growls.

The door opens, allowing Dakejinzou to enter. "Hi, everyone!"

"Dake-chan!" Ataru and Lum embrace her. "How are you?! Any news?"

The synthezoid sadly nods. "I got the story."

"We better go see Pepper," Lum gulps.

* * *

"When Schwartz learned that you and Schwartzwald were behind those
rumours of his philandering, he decided the time had come to put an end to
your relationship," Dakejinzou explains to Pepper in Osooko's living room
later. Asuka, Osooko, Ginger and Sugar protectively surround the pregnant
sukeban. "So he had Schwartzwald rendered unconscious, stole sperm from him,
rendered you unconscious and had you impregnated."

"Well, that proves you have Wally's kid," Sugar breathes out.

"What happened next?" Lum wonders.

"When Schwartzwald learned of what his uncle did, he thought it was the
best thing to ever happen," Dakejinzou sighs. "Set aside the questions of how
it happened, a child would solidify the bonds between him and Pepper.
However, Schwartz warned him that he would see to it that no matter what,
Schwartzwald would never be able to claim the child as his. The *Asan'on*
Home Council were fed a story that Pepper had raped Schwartzwald to force a
pregnancy..."

"That's not true!!!" Pepper snaps, bolting to her feet. "I've never
done anything with Wally!!"

"That's not what the Home Council believes," Dakejinzou warns. "If you
tried to *force* an engagement, *Asan'on* hit teams would be dispatched to
kill you *and* the child!"

Pepper gags, sinking to the couch. "No matter how hard Schwartzwald
tried to change things, Schwartz covered all his bases," Dakejinzou concludes.
"He became desperate, despondent. Losing you was the worst thing his uncle
could've done. And one day...he ended it."

Pepper screams in rage and anguish as the finality of the synthezoid's
words hit home. Ginger and Sugar move to comfort her. "How did people take
it?" Ataru wonders.

"Everyone was told that it was a tragic accident," Dakejinzou sighs.
"He flung himself off a cliff. However, he couldn't've timed it worse. It
had rained and investigators believed that he slipped and fell."

"It could've been an accident," Ataru muses.

"It could've been," Dakejinzou nods, "...had not Schwartzwald sent a
suicide note to his cousin."

"So we can use that note to frame Schwartz!" Sugar exclaims.

"Not so fast," Dakejinzou waves her hand in warning. "Schwartz knows of
that note and he could disclaim it in an instant. Even more, blame it on
you," she points at Pepper, "...and give the Home Council another excuse to
have you put to death. So Schwartzkoff's keeping mum about it."

"That's not good enough!!!" Pepper slams her fist into a table. "That
bastard took my boyfriend, the father of my baby, away from me!!! He's going
to pay for it!!!"

"Right!!!" Ginger and Sugar snap, bolting to their feet.

"Hold it, you three!!!" Ataru bolts to his feet to calm them. "You just
can't race off to get your pint of blood, especially since one of you's almost
due!! You've got to do this delicately!"

The sukebans blink. "Delicately?!" Sugar wonders.

"Yes," Ataru conspiratorially smiles. "With tact, elan...and loads of
sneakiness!" his voice purrs in anticipation.

"We can go along with that!" Ginger snarls.

Ataru stands. "In the meantime, Pepper, you worry about the baby," he
points to the pregnant teen. "Ginger, Sugar, you stick with your sister at
all times. Let me worry about Schwartz."

Everyone blinks. "Why you?" Asuka muses.

He turns to leave. "Because I still owe the bastards for what they did
to me on Icarus," he waves. "And I ALWAYS get even! C'mon, you two!"

Lum and Dakejinzou shrug as they follow Ataru out. The sukebans turn to
Asuka. "What do you suppose he's got in mind?" Pepper wonders.

"I don't know," Asuka shakes her head. "But if what he's been doing to
Shutaro's any indication, I wouldn't want to be in Schwartz's shoes."

Outside, the three proceed to Nicole's palace. "Dake-chan, could you
race back to Ipraedos and get Schwartzkoff to send some genetic samples of his
cousin to us," Ataru stares at Dakejinzou.

"Already ahead of you there," the synthezoid produces a small vial and a
spheroid object the size of a small crystal ball. "I think Cole could use
these."

Lum giggles. "This is going to be good!" she shudders...

* * *

"Well, I can say two days," Mujanba smiles as she stares at her scanner.
"Anxious?"

Pepper sighs as she leans back. "Tired, mostly. Walking around with a
few extra kilos with a mind of his own doesn't do well to one's energy."

"Well, you are caring for two, remember?" the Vosian stands, feeling her
stomach. "I guess in six months or so, I'll be the same way."

"Congratulations," Pepper beams. "Are all of you this way?"

"Outside of Osooko and Asuka...and Jason and Muzainba for obvious
reasons, yes," Mujanba beams. "But unlike our Nendo-kata neighbours, Nicole
and I needed help in having our babies. In the meantime, get some rest and
conserve your strength. Don't worry about Ipraedies assassins. The palace's
sensors'll sniff them out long before they could hurt you."

"Thanks, Mujanba," Pepper relaxes.

Mujanba walks out as Ginger and Sugar step in. "Hey, Pep, we're going
now," the former announces. "Want anything while we're gone?"

"How about a new boyfriend?" Pepper sighs.

"Hey," Sugar sighs as they walk in to embrace their sister. "Wally
wouldn't want you to stay in a rut."

"You're free and alive," Ginger adds. "Isn't that enough?"

"I suppose," Pepper sniffs. "But it doesn't help with the pain."

"The only cure for that is time," Sugar sighs, patting her sister's
shoulder. "Be patient, Pep. Give your soul time to heal."

"Yeah, you're right," Pepper squeezes Sugar's hand. "By the way, how
about you two? Are you still seeing the Taki twins?"

"Rosho-kun and Suusho?" Ginger romantically sighs. "You bet!"

"We better call and tell 'em we're okay," Sugar warns. "Suu-chan's such
a crybaby when I don't call him."

"Then go....and get to work before Nokoko gives you hell," Pepper ushers
them to the door.

The others laugh as they depart. Pepper watches them leave, then
returns to the couch, turning on the television. A smile twitches her lips as
she visualizes her sisters with the Takis, lanky tall green-haired Onis with
boyish features who won Ginger's and Sugar's interest in a jock raid one day
at school. It was love at first sight. Rosho and Suusho became a calming
influence on Ginger and Sugar, much like Schwartzwald was to Pepper. Seeing
his image in her mind's eye, Pepper shudders as sobs explode from her. "W-
wally...!" she falls to her side, crying.

Her attention is then seized when the back door opens. Pepper's eyes
widen as she stares at the kitchen. "Osooko?" she inquires, standing.
"Asuka? Is that you?"

No answer. Pepper begins to shake as foreboding thoughts enter her
mind. Had the Ipraedies come to do away with her? Her nose then detects a
garlic-like smell. An Ipraedies cologne, one Schwartzwald was very fond of.
The Seishin teen shivers as she realizes that she may be soon in her lover's
bosom. "Wh-wh-who's th-th-there...?" she inquires.

Silence. Pepper gently lifts a lamp from the table, hoping it will be
dense enough to stun whoever was there so she could obtain assistance from
Ataru. Stepping to the breezeway, she raises the lamp as footfalls are heard.
As the intruder emerges from the kitchen, the lamp comes down! "Got you!!!"
Pepper snaps.

The man yelps as he falls to the ground, a nice lump on his skull.
Pepper spins for the door when a voice moans. "It's...me...!"

Pepper stops, eyes wide with disbelief as she hesitantly turns. The man
groans as he feels his skull, then stares at the Seishin teen. Pepper's voice
catches as hauntingly familiar features come to her attention. "Wally...!"
she gasps before unconsciousness seizes her...

* * *

"My head..." Pepper moans, her eyes fluttering open.

Her vision focuses on the man leaning concernedly over her. The swarthy
green skin. The exaggerated eyelashes. The slicked back raven hair. Wide
brown eyes in a boyish face. Pepper shudders as her mind registers who is
before her. "W-w-wally...?!" she stammers.

"Yes," he nods, leaning back. "Are you hurt?"

On the verge of panic, Pepper pauses. Wally's demeanor seems robotic,
regimented. That, plus his simple jumpsuit, sends alarm bells ringing in her
mind. "Who are you?!" she demands.

"I am Schwartzwald," he evenly responds.

Pepper blinks, knowing Wally well enough to realize that he would have
answered her query with a snappy phrase like "It's me, dope!" Sensing this
creature meant her no harm, she relaxes. "What are you, then? You're not
acting like the Wally I know."

"I am a bioroid," he explains.

Pepper jolts. "A bioroid?!! How?!!"

Schwartzwald pauses as he considers his response. "I do not have that
information, Pepper."

"There you are!!" an angered voice barks from outside.

Pepper turns to see Nicole storm in. "Ye daft twit!!" she swats the
Ipraedies on the head, the anger in her voice forces her accent to the fore.
"I wasn't finished wi' ya! Why'd ye take off like that?!"

"I wanted to see Pepper," he explains. "She is my girlfriend."

Nicole hangs her head in disgust. "I hate to wonder what the real you
was like," she yanks him to his feet. "C'mon! Back to the chamber with you!"

"Wait!!" Pepper rises. "What's going on here?! How'd you create him?!"

Nicole turns to her. "Dakejinzou was kind to bring a memory crystal and
some genetic samples of your lad to me," she faintly smiles. "Once I had that
in my hands...*presto!*" she grandly gestures to Schwartzwald. "You got your
boyfriend back!"

Pepper blinks, then stares at the bioroid. "You mean, you created him
for me?!" she points.

"That's right."

"Why?!"

"You mean you want to be a single parent?" Nicole wonders.

Pepper pauses, then stares at her straining abdomen. "Not really."

"Good," Nicole pats her shoulder, then grabs Schwartzwald. "C'mon, lad.
Let's get back to finish the job."

"But I want to be with Pepper," he protests.

"She can come with us!" Nicole yanks him out of the house. "Let's go!!"

Pepper follows the two to Nicole's palace. Once inside, they proceed to
a simple chamber with a diagnostic bed. Mujanba mans the controls as Nicole
slides Schwartzwald on the slab, then gestures. A chair rises from the
crystal floor beside the bed. "Sit there," she indicates Pepper.

Pepper relaxes, then jolts as Schwartzwald's hand gently grasps hers.
"Hey!" she tries to yank her hand away. "Don't get fresh!"

"You are my girlfriend," the bioroid repeats.

Sighing, Nicole jabs a crystal on his forehead. Schwartzwald jolts,
then his whole body falls limp. Pepper nearly leaps out of her chair in
shock. "What did you do with him?!!"

"I shut his body down so I can finish programming him," Nicole proceeds
to join Mujanba.

Pepper pales. "You KILLED him?!!"

"No, ye daft fool!!" Nicole snarls. "I cut his mind's connections to
the body so that I don't have to fight him every step of the way! Whatever
other attributes the real Schwartzwald possessed, his love for you was
intense! That's all he's been thinking of since he's become cognizant," she
indicates the subdued bioroid.

Pepper blinks, then relaxes, staring at the still form beside her. "How
long will it be before he's.... done?"

"Another few hours," Nicole sighs. "The Ipraedies are getting on in
certain areas. That memory crystal Dakejinzou gave me has almost everything I
need to reconstruct Schwartzwald's psyche."

"Then...it would be as if he never died," Pepper flushes, anticipation
racing through her system.

"Don't be too sure, love," Nicole warns, walking to the sukeban's side.
"The memory crystal the Ipraedies use is just a collection of memories and
experiences. It doesn't transmit emotions and feelings. Schwartzwald will
know and understand who and what he is...but emotionally, he'll be as mature
as your coming kid," she points to Pepper's abdomen in emphasis.

"He'd be a baby," Pepper blinks, realization dawning on her. "That's
not what I want! I want Wally back!!"

"I can't do that, Pepper," Nicole shakes her head, sympathy in her eyes.
"I can do a lot, but I'm not God."

Pepper takes that in, then stares at Schwartzwald...

* * *

Several hours later, Pepper paces like a nervous parent in the living
room of Osooko's bungalow. What Nicole was doing for her was mind-boggling.
Literally building a new boyfriend from a DNA sample and a memory crystal.
Unbelievable!

Her thoughts are interrupted as the door opens, allowing Mujanba to step
inside. "Pepper?"

"Yeah?" she turns.

Mujanba waves. Schwartzwald steps in. "Hello, Pepper," he smiles.

The Vosian leaves. Pepper and Schwartzwald stare at each other, then
without hesitation, drift into a warm embrace, their lips instinctively
finding the other's. This dreamlike state lasts for what seems an eternity.
Finally, hesitantly, they part, gazing into the other's eyes. "You're not my
Wally," she sadly sighs.

"No," he wryly smiles. "But I hope that soon, I can be your Wally."

"No one can take his place, not even you."

"Perhaps," he shrugs. "I've a lot to learn. Just because I possess my
template's memories and thoughts doesn't mean that it will translate to self-
control, freedom of choice. Everything I do for the next while will just be
based on what my template did."

Pepper considers the point. Bioroids were uncommon. Except the
Avalonians, few races dabbled in genetic engineering of this nature. Not only
were there questions of abuse, but few possessed the knowledge to produce
someone like Schwartzwald. For the unforeseeable future, Schwartzwald would
literally be her slave, unable to conceive of anything else for himself save
pleasing her. "Well, we'll just have to work on that," she sighs, leaning her
head against his shoulder.

Schwartzwald blinks, then cups Pepper's chin, lifting her head so he can
kiss her. The sukeban purrs in delight. Maybe this was not so bad after
all...

* * *

"I don't believe this!" Sugar gasps.

She and Ginger stare dumbfoundedly at Schwartzwald later that evening.
Having left work, the sukebans arrived to cheer up their sister...and were
nearly scared out of their wits when they saw the bioroid. "Believe it!"
Pepper explains the story. "He may not be what I really want, but hell, I've
got something back."

"But what happens if other people find out he exists?" Ginger muses. "I
mean, what do we do with him once we leave this place?"

"We take him back to Uru and he'll live with us there," Pepper snorts.
"What's wrong with that?"

"Not that many people'd accept him, Pep," Sugar warns.

"So?!" Pepper growls. "He's as much an orphan as you. Besides,
genetically, he's the father of my kid. My parents'd never want me to raise
their grandson alone, you know!"

"We'd better tell them," Ginger sighs. "They'll want to know."

"Go ahead," Pepper relaxes. "And shouldn't you be thinking of calling
Rosho and Suusho so that they don't panic about you disappearing like that?"

"Yeah, that's true," Sugar blushes.

The door opens. Asuka and Osooko enter. "Oh, who's your friend,
Pepper?" the former wonders.

"This is Schwartzwald," Pepper beams. "He's a bioroid double of the
real Wally."

"Oh?!" Asuka blinks with surprise, then smiles. "Well, that's nice. If
you'll excuse us, we'll be in the bedroom..."

Her words are interrupted by the thunder of helicopter blades, followed
by the muffled *thump!* of a body hitting the sand outside. Everyone blinks,
then look out the picture window to see three Kuromegane drag Mendou to the
door. "What's HE doing here?!" Asuka demands.

The door is flung open, allowing the scion of Japan's richest family to
be flung inside. "I refuse!!" he groans.

"You must!!" the Kuromegane snap.

"What's going on here?!" Asuka demands.

The bodyguards bow. "Forgive us, Mistress Asuka, but we are ensuring
that the Young Master is able to come speak with you."

"Well, I don't want to speak with him, so get him out of here!" Asuka
waves Mendou out of the bungalow. "And you tell his parents and mine the
answer is still 'no!'"

"Er..." the Kuromegane sweat.

"Just a minute here, young lady!" an incensed voice growls from outside.

Asuka moans as her mother storms in. "You are coming home with me this
instant, Asuka!!" Saeko reaches for her daughter's arm. "This farce has gone
on long enough!"

Osooko's eyes turn burgundy as a telekinetic shield forms around Asuka.
Saeko gasps as her fingers run into an invisible wall surrounding her
daughter. "I think not," the Nendo-kata warns. "Asuka-chan's choice is
clear. She no longer wishes to subscribe herself to your disUnifying plots.
Now, I ask all of you to leave!"

"You stay out of this!!" Saeko spins on Osooko. "And stop whatever
you're doing with Asuka! How dare you isolate my daughter from me?!"

"Then I'm not your daughter anymore!" Asuka crosses her arms.

Saeko jolts as that dire statement hits home. "What...?"

Asuka glares at her mother. "Would you care to have a sample of what
Ataru did to his parents when they annoyed him?"

Her mother trembles. "You wouldn't!!"

"Try me!" Asuka sneers.

"Um, excuse me!" Pepper interrupts. "But why are you trying to marry
your daughter to THIS schmuck?!" she thumbs Mendou.

Mendou glares at Pepper. "Who're you calling a schmuck?" he yells.
"Because that schmuck is the heir to his clan," Asuka's mother spins on
the sukeban. "When he marries my daughter, our clans would be united. What's
so wrong with that?"

"You mean you'd actually want your kid to have this jerk's children?!"
an incredulous look crosses Pepper's face. "Hell, I've heard of him! All he
gives a damn about is Lum! And she's already taken!!"

"Who're you calling a jerk?!" Mendou yells.

No one pays any attention to his protests. "That'll end when Lum leaves
Tomobiki!" Saeko notes.

"Lum-san will NEVER leave Tomobiki!!" Mendou vows.

Asuka snorts. "Forget it!" she points at her would-be fiance. "I will
NEVER even CONSIDER marrying him until he forever forswears Lum!!"

"I will NEVER foreswear Lum-san!!!" Mendou vows.

The Kuromegane kick him. "You must!!!"

"What a screwed-up family!" Ginger slaps her forehead. "Doesn't anyone
listen to each other?!"

"Guess not," Sugar snorts.

Before anyone can say anything, explosions are heard outside! Everyone
turns to see the helicopter which transported Mendou and Saeko to Oshika
fleeing a barrage from Ataru's musket. "Oh, why is HE interrupting?!" Asuka's
mother growls, storming to the door.

It is flung open, revealing the Cyborg. "**What are you doing here?!**"
the machine-man levels his weapon at Saeko's face.

Asuka's mother gasps, shuddering. "K-kindly a-aim th-that s-somewhere
e-else, p-please!" she fearfully stammers.

"**Not until you agree to leave Asuka-chan alone!**"

"I can't!!"

"**Why not?!**"

"If Asuka-chan doesn't marry Shutaro, there'll be no peace in our
families!" Saeko points at Mendou. "And further, he'll never stop trying to
take your lover away from you!! This is to your advantage, you know!"

"Maybe," Ataru reverts to normal, shouldering the musket. "But if
Mendou ever tries to force Lum-chan away from me, I'll guarantee that there'll
be NO male Mendou Clan heir for Asuka to marry!"

Mendou shudders. "And if he tries to use his family's forces on me,
then my family will have no choice but to call in all their debts," Ataru
adds. "In the blink of an eye, the richest family in Japan will become the
poorest! Understand?!"

"You can't do that!!" Asuka's mother shudders.

"Why?! It'd spare your daughter marrying the creep!"

"Who's a creep?!!" Mendou demands.

"That's what she's supposed to do?!" Saeko growls.

"Well, she doesn't want to do it now," Ataru shakes his head. "Besides,
she's got her own lover!"

Saeko shudders with rage. "That THING is not my daughter's lover!!" she
points at Osooko.

"Well, very soon, Osooko-chan's going to have to conceive her child,"
Ataru warns. "If she doesn't, she'll die."

"You're point is?!" Asuka's mother snorts.

"If you allow Osooko-chan's death to occur, then my sister and the other
Nendo-kata will turn around and destroy you," Ataru stares at his fingernails.
"Believe me, I've seen them do it, too. It's not pretty."

"They don't frighten us," Saeko snarls.

"Don't be too sure about that," Mendou warns.

"Oh, shut up!!" Asuka's mother snaps.

Osooko then emits a cry of pain. "Osooko-chan!!!" Asuka leaps to her
lover's side. "What's wrong?!!"

The Nendo-kata painfully gazes at Asuka. "It...it's time..." she gasps,
gripping her lover's hand. "We must...conceive our baby..."

"Okay!!" Asuka hoists Osooko into her arms, then moves toward the
bedroom. "Let's do it!"

"Wait a moment!!!" Saeko leaps into her daughter's path. "I refuse to
have this abomination occur!!"

Ginger and Sugar appear behind Asuka's mother. "This is for your own
good!" the former snaps as both slug Saeko with sledgehammers!

Saeko drops to the floor as Asuka moves Osooko into the bedroom.
"Thanks, girls!" she beams as the door closes behind her.

Ataru and Mendou bar the door shut, then sit in front of it, weapons out
and ready. "Young Master, you cannot permit this to happen!" a Kuromegane
protests. "What of the clan?!"

"What of the clan?!" Mendou snaps. "How can I love anyone who doesn't
love me?! That's no marriage!"

"But, sir...!"

"But nothing!" Mendou snaps. "Asuka's made her choice!! I respect her
enough to honour that choice!"

Ataru blinks in surprise. Either Mendou was so desperate to be rid of
Asuka that he would defy everyone...or else Mendou really did respect Asuka,
wanted the best for her. If so, there was hope for the guy after all. Now if
he or Lady Luck would find him someone he could love!

A bruised Saeko bolts to her feet, facing Mendou. "Shutaro, you stand
aside this instant!!" she growls. "That's your fiancee in there!"

She finds herself facing the business end of both teen's weapons. "I
normally don't shoot ladies," Ataru threateningly growls. "But this time, I
considering making an exception!"

"Surprisingly, Moroboshi and I are in agreement," Mendou adds. "The
idea of facing a losing war against the Nendo-kata doesn't thrill me one bit."

His words are echoed by a startled gasp emitting from the bedroom.
"Asuka!!" Saeko cries.

The door opens, revealing Asuka in a housecoat. "It's alright," she
smiles. "Our baby's been conceived!"

Ataru and Mendou beam. "***WHAT?!?!?!***" Saeko screams.

"It was simple," Asuka shrugs. "Osooko-chan telekinetically drew one of
my eggs from my ovum, transported it into her uterus, then allowed it to mate
with one of her eggs. It only took a moment."

Saeko shudders in defiance. "That's impossible!" she crosses her arms,
looking away. "Two women CAN'T conceive a child!!"

"Oh, no?!" Ataru stands, handing the *qu'f-piaqu'r* to Ginger. "Hold
the fort, Ginger. I'll be right back."

"No problem!" the sukeban sits beside Mendou.

A moment later, Ataru returns with Nicole. The mistress of the crystal
palace has a scanner with her. By that time, Osooko has emerged from the
bedroom, dressed in another housecoat. If looks could kill, the Nendo-kata
would be in the depths of the Mother Ocean. "So, what's the problem?" Nicole
wonders.

"Do a DNA scan of Asuka, Osooko and their baby," Ataru asks. "Show it
to Asuka's mother."

Nicole blinks in surprise. "Oh, it happened, did it?!" she beams, then
walks over to Asuka, running the scan over her. She then tilts the scanner to
show Saeko. "There's Asuka's DNA reading."

Drawn by curiosity, Asuka's mother can only nod. Nicole then scans
Osooko, showing the reading to Saeko. "There's Osooko's."

Asuka's mother nod. Nicole then scans Osooko's abdomen. Programming
her scanner, she then shows it to Saeko. "And there's the baby, a few cells,
but alive and growing right now," she beams.

Saeko watches. Asuka's DNA reading is to one side of the screen,
Osooko's to the other. In the middle, copies of both mothers' DNA merge
together into a unique being. Asuka's mother shudders in disbelief as a
scanner control flashes, reflected by a sudden cry from Osooko. "What is
it?!" Asuka frets.

The Nendo-kata smiles, feeling her stomach. "Our child is growing."

Asuka emits a delighted sigh. "Yep," Nicole nods. "She's now a few
cells...ooops!" she blushes. "Make that more cells!"

Hearing this, Saeko moans. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to
take intimate pleasure in each other," Asuka beams as she escorts Osooko to
the bedroom. "Who knows! Maybe get Osooko-chan to implant ME with another
child!! Ta-ta!"

"WHAT?!?!?!" Saeko screams as the door closes behind them. "I will
never permit this!!!"

Ataru whistles. A phalanx of police officers appear. "You wanted to
see us, Moroboshi-san?" a sergeant tips his cap.

"Escort these four off the property and out of Oshika!" Ataru waves
Asuka's mother and the Kuromegane out of the bungalow. "Charge them with
trespassing if they resist!"

"With pleasure, sir," the sergeant stares at Mendou. "What of him?"

"Let him go," Ataru sighs. "He was brought here against his will."

"Yes, sir."

As Mendou, Saeko and the bodyguards are herded out of the bungalow, the
scion of Japan's richest family projects a curious stare at his rival. Ataru
sighs, then turns to the sukebans. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my
house. Fighting people like them's hard work!"

"Don't blame you one bit," Pepper smiles. "In fact, let's all split and
leave those two alone."

"Good idea," Sugar sighs.

* * *

Sometime later, Pepper and Schwartzwald walk hand-in-hand along the
shore. "Why did Asuka's mother resist Asuka' desire to mate with Osooko-san?"
the bioroid wonders. "It's obvious they love each other."

"Well, people like that can't see past their noses on occasion," Pepper
slips an arm around him. "Same thing with your uncle."

Schwartzwald grimly nods. "His actions toward you and my template
were...hideous," he sighs. "They demand justice."

"We'll get it," Pepper pats her stomach. "For him if not anyone
else...ah!"

A jolt lances through her body as she drops to her knees, more in
surprise than pain. "What is it?!" Schwartzwald kneels beside her.

"I think...my water just broke," Pepper shudders. "The baby's coming."

Schwartzwald blinks, then calmly lifts Pepper into his arms. "I'll take
you to the palace," he announces. "It should be sterile enough for you to
give birth."

Pepper blinks. "You'll be there, won't you?"

"Is there any other place I should be?" the bioroid innocently blinks.

Pepper laughs as they proceed to the crystal palace...

* * *

A day later, Asuka walks into the Mizunokoji mansion, Osooko beside her.
Both find the former's parents awaiting them in the meeting hall. "I asked
that you come alone, Asuka," Saeko twitches on seeing Osooko.

"No, you didn't," Asuka crosses her arms. "Besides, even if you did,
Osooko-chan still would've come. That's her people's way."

Her mother twitches, then stands. "How could you, Asuka?!" she gasps.
"How could you throw away everything we've done for you, everything we've
prepared for you, all because of this woman?!!" she points accusingly at
Osooko.

"Why not?!" Asuka snorts. "I chose to reject what you did because I had
no say in what was to happen to me!! *You* chose my life for me without
asking me what my wishes on the subject would be! And I refuse to have
anything to do with this family until you respect my freedom of choice when it
comes to who I want to spend the rest of my life with!! And that person is
standing right here," she grips Osooko's hand, "...NOT that immature twit in
Tomobiki!!"

"Asuka!!!" Saeko gasps.

"Asuka, are you sure...?" Yuujiro wonders.

"Yes, Father, I'm sure," Asuka sighs. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we're
going back to Oshika. Pepper's baby shower is this afternoon and we don't
want to miss it."

"Asuka!!!" Saeko cries.

Asuka and Osooko turn to leave, then they pause. "Oh, by the way," the
former fixes her mother with a stare. "I've three messages. One's from
Ataru's grandmother. She states that if you EVER try to hurt her grandson or
any of his friends for supporting my desires, then she'll crush this family
and all within it!!"

Saeko jolts. "The second is from Komeru Moroboshi," Asuka adds. "He's
spoken to all our creditors and all the Mendous' creditors. They state that
they'll go along with the merger of our zaibatsu *on the condition* that you
two and Shutaro's parents are the directors of the new Conglomerate! As far
as they're concerned, Shutaro is too immature to take command of the new
company!! And if you try to place him in charge, they'll have no choice but
to withdraw all financial support from our families!"

Shock crosses both their faces. "And the final one's from Ryooko and
Ton-chan," Asuka turns to leave. "They say if you even THINK of trying to get
them married against their wishes, they'll run off and ELOPE with Yumoa-san
and Yuukiki-chan and see to it you can't interfere!"

With that, Asuka and Osooko depart. The former's parents remain still,
shock and disbelief on their faces...

* * *

Night falls on Ipraedos City as Emperor Schwartz makes his way to his
bedroom. An advisor remains with him. "Are you sure of this report?" the
elderly ruler wonders.

"Planetary detection units are sensing something in high orbit," the
aide reports. "We're unsure as to what it could be. It doesn't specifically
register as a ship, but it does appear man-made."

Schwartz hums. "Keep me posted."

"Sir," he bows as the emperor opens the door to his bedroom.

Schwartz looks inside, then stops on seeing the ghostly image of
Schwartzwald floating beside his bed. The emperor screams, causing the aide
to stare at the cause of his ruler's panic. One look is enough. "P-p-prince
Schwartzwald?!!" he screams.

The haunting look on the young prince's face paralyzes Schwartz as he
floats toward his uncle. "**Murderer...!**" he intones, his voice echoing
with a ghostly haunt. "**You murdered me...!!**"

"No, no, no!!!" Schwartz shakes his head, backing fearfully into a
corner of the bedroom. "I didn't want you to die, boy!!! I only wanted you
to stop seeing that Urusian brat!!!"

"**Liar!**" Schwartzwald's ghost thunders. "**You raped Pepper! You
impregnated her, made her pregnant with my baby!! Then you drove her away and
vowed that you'd kill her!!!**"

"S-s-so wh-what...?!" Schwartz growls, courage surging up his spine.
"That little pest was not good enough for you, Schwartzwald! I did it as a
kind uncle to save your honour!! It's not my fault that you killed yourself
over that genetrash!!! I did you a mercy!!"

"Is that a fact?!" a strange voice wonders.

Schwartz spins around as "Schwartzwald" fades from view. Standing by
the bed is Benten with a camcorder, along with Lum, Oyuki and Ataru. "Welcome
to Candid Diplomacy!!" the Oni waves.

"Lum...?" Schwartz blinks. "Oyuki?! Benten?!! What are you doing
here?! This is war!!"

Benten pops out the videotape she made. "Not until the Home Council and
the Tribunal get a gander of this little tape...not to mention your poor,
sweet mother-in-law!"

The Emperor pales as Benten slings the camcorder over her shoulder.
"You remember this, bastard," Lum leaps over to grab Schwartz by his jacket
collar, sparking with electricity. "Pepper, Ginger and Sugar are schoolmates
of ours. You lay a FINGER on them and Darling here," she indicates her
boyfriend, "...is going to come here and put an end to you once and for all!!
And if you think of trying to start a war, well..." she icily smiles, "...do
the words 'holy crusade' mean anything to you?!"

Schwartz perspires heavily as Lum releases him, knowing all too well
what Ataru's grandmother was capable of doing. "Oyuki to Nicole," the
Tritonian princess taps her communicator. "Four to beam up, then have the
tape copies transmitted to the Home Council, the Tribunal and the Empress
Dowager."

"Right," Nicole's voice echoes. "Coming up."

They disappear in a teleport beam. Schwartz shudders as they go.
"They're serious!!" he stammers. "Shit! I think I wet myself!"

* * *

"Was that okay?" Schwartzwald wonders.

The bioroid stands atop a hologram pad hooked with cameras to film
three-D. Pepper, nursing her newborn son, stands away from the camera fields.
"You were perfect!" she beams in delight as the bioroid descends from the pad.

They proceed to the palace's control centre. The palace now proceeds at
maximum warp away from Ipraedos. "Well, now that's over with, what're you two
going to do?" Benten wonders.

"We'll just go to Uru and live with my folks," Pepper leans against
Schwartzwald. "I've got two babies to care for now."

"You'll have your hands full," the Fukunokami warns.

"So where are we going?" Sugar stares at Nicole.

"We're making a stop at Chuugakkoosei," the crystal palace's mistress
intones.

"Chuugakkoosei?!" the sukebans wonder.

The palace de-warps over Chuugakkoosei, a planetoid which is the home of
the junior high school Lum, Benten and Oyuki once attended. To the sukebans
surprise, fireworks burst over the planetoid as the palace descends toward
their school. "What's everyone doing there?!" Pepper wonders.

"Silly, its a congratulatory party for you three!" Lum beams.

"For us?!!" the sukebans gasp.

"Sure!" Benten winks. "After all, it's not every day that students from
here come close to bringing down a whole empire!!"

The sukebans blink, then find themselves laughing...

*** The End ***