Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Great Father Ataru Final: The Last Farewell ( Chapter 65 )

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

"Ladies and gentlemen...the President."

Lana takes in a deep breath as he faces the cameras. The President of the Urusian Union, despite his surprising popularity, shied from public speaking. Being the leader of what was in fact a military junta, he held steadfast a private fear that one mis-step would unleash unbelievable chaos. His years of military training helped him to maintain discipline when facing the crowds, but the sooner he ended these speeches, the better.

"My fellow Urusians...good morning," he stares at his notes. "Today, two days after an attempted Imperial counter-revolution was crushed by the Earth-Sagussa Alliance, the Tribal Council and I've decided the time has come for we as a people, as a Union, to take stock of our lives...and decide our future.

"For the last few years, a populist movement has grown among you. They have not espoused armed revolt or any violent takeover of the government. In fact, they've eschewed violence save in self-defence, following in the spirit of the philosophies of the great Earth social reform leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. This movement, the Democratic Alliance of Uru, has pushed for the evolution of the Union into a civilian-run, democratically elected entity which can better respond to the needs of citizens than the military-controlled leadership which has kept our people free of despotism and alien invasions for the last two centuries.

"This is a hard task. I believe in the Union as it stands now. But as the events of the last four months have proven, we are, as Abraham Lincoln would say, a house divided. A house divided cannot stand. Three days ago, we came as dangerously close to seeing that house fall as I would have liked. We cannot escape facts. The system no longer works.

"It gave people like Yethis Seq and his allies enormous power so they could manipulate the system and bring about the Union's downfall, send us back in time to the despotic days of Empire. I do not wish to go down in history as the man who allowed the Urusian Union to regress into feudal tyranny. We took the first step nine hundred years ago when Noa and Honii freed us from the despots who forced that system on us. The second step came seven hundred years later, when Syl Aruka showed us we could be masters of our own destiny. Now, we must take the third and final step.

"To that end, the Council has passed Articles of Disbandment, vesting all powers temporarily to my office and the Cabinet. In these articles lies a referendum clause. In two weeks time, the citizens of the Union will be asked to consider the following question: 'Do you agree to the Basic Proposal for the Reform of the Union Government as put forth by the Plenipotentiary Council of the Democratic Alliance of Uru in Union Year 186?'"

Lana stares at the crowd. "A majority affirmative vote will expand the mandate of the Provisional Government for six months. A Constitutional Convention will be nominated from all citizens, who'll be tasked to modify the Articles of Union and the Constitution. Once both are voted into law by another referendum, elections for the presidency and the Union Congress will occur. Choose wisely when you go to the polls. Your decision will affect all our lives for years to come. I do not envy the task before you all this day, but it must be done. I thank you for your attention and wish you all a good day."

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - Great Father Ataru: "Final: The Last Farewell"
by Fred Herriot
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Edited by E.B. Kushnir
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With thanks to Steven P. Cornett for a plot suggestion
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Fiftieth and last of a series based on "Urusei Yatsura" created by Rumiko Takahashi
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WRITER'S NOTES:

1) After fifty stories, we finally come to the end of our series. While this story ends our direct involvement in extrapolating on the lives of Lum, Ataru and their friends, this doesn't mean that you cannot continue the series. More stories are possible as long as they follow the storyline set in this series. Note that "Urusei Yatsura - The Ishinomaki Years" starts twelve years (about May 1996) after this story ends. For those wanting to do stories in the period between our series, write Fred Herriot for details.

2) The Urusian Union calendar was initiated after the Union Revolution, Year 1 being the same year as Syl Aruka's death (Imperial Year 690, Earth year 1798). The calendar continues after the referendum and elections.

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Two weeks later...

"This is Christine Yama for SNN, reporting to you from Onishuto, the capital city of the Union of Uru," the reporter smiles into the camera at the joint broadcast centre in Union Hall, the centre of Urusian politics. "Two weeks ago, President Lana called the referendum which historians now declare the closing act of the Union Revolution. One hundred and eighty-six years since a small band of revolutionaries came together in Freedom Square just five blocks from here to unleash a political firestorm, the march to democracy takes its biggest step this evening.

"The polls are just closing, having been open for the last twenty hours throughout the Union and in balloting posts in every Urusian embassy across the local cluster. Pollsters have predicted a landslide 'yes' vote for the Democratic Alliance, which has endured many harsh moments to bring Uru to this point. With me is Sil Dedron, Chairperson of the Alliance's Plenipotentiary Council." She shifts left to face her guest. "Sil, how do you feel after all you've endured to see Uru come to this point?"

The clone of Mendou's first wife bites her lips. Personally, it was still difficult for her to tap into her template's feelings although the *satre'cha* was performed right. Still, she had her own sense of satisfaction. "Well, it's been a long road for all of us. I'm a relative newcomer to the Alliance," *Oh, is THAT an understatement!* "...but speaking to the senior members, I've come to realize that this is the only way our people can progress. Too many lives have been restricted because of our old model of government. Now, the restrictions are off. Those who would see the Houses return now have no means to force new restrictions on the people."

"Do you still believe Imperialists are active, even now?"

"I believe so," Sil nods. "We see it on Vos. There are still many who yearn for the sense of stability the Mikado brought. Even after Yethis' counter-revolution, after the pain and suffering his supporters inflicted, there will be those who believe that a pyramid-like hierarchal structure like the Empire is the best way to control our territory. I can't believe that anymore. But democracy gives ALL people the right to press forth their ideas in a peaceful manner. Their opinions can be heard; that comes with free speech, which the Union never once tried to restrict. But whether their opinions will have an effect on government...well, tonight, we'll see what their chances are."

"Thank you," Christine smiles, then faces the camera. "Speaking of the Imperial Counter-Revolution, as the pundits are calling the short-lived revolt on Toshitto, the Provisional Government is presently extending peace feelers to Noukiios, Sagussa and Earth. The response from those worlds indicates a 'wait-and-see' posture by their governments. No one can predict what will happen next..."

* * *

"This is Naoko Watanabe of NHK in New York City. In the wake of the brief war between the Earth-Sagussa Alliance and the defunct Urusian Empire, the United Nations has begun deliberations on whether to continue limited engagement with our galactic neighbours. Already, a possible Earth-Triton treaty is being negotiated by a team from the Special Committee on Alien Affairs. However, the question of what Earth will do concerning Uru is still unanswered. Rumours are now circulating that some elements in the General Assembly are pressing for closer relations with the *Dowe'on* faction of the Ipraedies Empire. A delegation from Ipraedos led by Ambassador Haja, the referee of the Third Tag Race, is presently in New York City meeting with the Secretary-General..."

* * *

"Yes, I see," Mendou sighs as his chief Kuromegane ends his report. "Negotiations are progressing. Any objection from Uru?!" A pause, then, "Damn! Keep me informed."

He hangs up, then walks over to a sofa, staring at the ceiling. Asuka stares at him. "What was that all about?"

"It seems that thanks to General Yethis' threat to invade us, elements in the U.N. have come to believe that the best road to take is to forge an alliance with the Ipraedies," he sighs. "Granted, it is the *Dowe'on* Tribunal they're talking to, but what's to stop Emperor Schwartz or his friends from disrupting it?"

Asuka sighs, staring out the window. People in Tomobiki had more than enough reasons to distrust the Ipraedies, especially after being forced to deal with Ataru. But after the Imperial Counter-Revolution, they found it equally hard to trust the Urusians. Earth was caught on a tightrope. Sagussa could not protect Earth forever; the *daishi'cha* had their own problems. It was no wonder people in Tomobiki were confused, afraid. To make matters worse, the two people who seemed to make sense of what was going on out there were gone, perhaps never to return.

"What can we do?" she wonders. "We need help to take charge of our own destiny. The Sagussans won't give us their technology. Neither will the Zephyrites. And we don't implicitly trust the two races who could trade with us."

"Agreed," he gently squeezes her hand. "Like it or not, Earth must march forward. But...how?! Where?!"

The door opens, revealing a Kuromegane. "Young Master, Master Jariten is here."

"Send him in," Mendou nods.

Ten-chan floats in. "Hi, guys!"

"How was the vote?!" Asuka wonders.

Ten-chan pulls out a sheet of paper. "Out of 17,283,390,673 votes that were cast, 15,555,051,606 voted 'yes.' That's ninety percent of the electorate."

Mendou bolts up. "Just like Sil-chan predicted!!" he gasps, then shudders as tears brim his eyes. "Sil-chan..."

He sinks to the seat. Asuka gently wraps an arm around him. "Thanks, Ten-chan."

"Sakura-onee-chan asked me to pass it on," Ten-chan remembers. "There's gonna be a district meeting discussing what's going on tomorrow at the gym. You gonna be there?"

"Sure, we'll be there," Asuka nods.

Ten-chan heads out. Asuka stares at her fiance, gently kissing his forehead...

* * *

"Miss Lum, any comments about the victory?!" a reporter asks.

Lum, now dressed in an unflattering tiger-striped jumpsuit, pauses at the door to the Invader home. A crowd of reporters surround her. "Well, all I can say is that we're on our way. As to where we're going, well, that's for future generations to decide. But I'm glad we've started the journey."

"Miss Lum, any truth to the allegations that your fiance was responsible for the deaths of several of Yethis' cronies just prior to the Colony Four incident?"

"Yes, Darling did kill those people," Lum sighs. "However, he was acting out of concern for my safety. As you know, people working under Yethis tried to hypnotize me into killing Darling and his family just after our involvement in the Vosian Civil War."

"Will charges be brought against him?"

"No, he acted properly within Urusian law. I've already discussed this with the Justice Minister. Evidence the Alliance brought forth about the identities of Yethis' allies has now been confirmed. They have posthumously been declared traitors to the Union. Besides, I'm also a Sagussan citizen and manipulation of one's mind is a capital offense on that world. Those who were responsible would've been executed had they faced a Sagussan court of law."

"Miss Lum, the Terrans are engaged in high-level discussions with the Ipraedies about forging closer ties. Any comments?"

Lum jolts. "What?!" her eyes widen.

"Reports from New York City indicate that a delegation from Ipraedos is on Earth engaged in discussions. Would you care to comment?"

Lum blinks, looking down. "I...I can't say anything about that. No more questions, please." She presses into the house, ignoring the reporters' shouts. Once the door closes, she moans. "Oh, gods, when did that happen?"

"What happened?" Mrs. Invader wonders.

"Mom, the Ipraedies are negotiating with the United Nations!" Lum bolts to her feet.

Her mother jolts. "Are you sure?!"

"Those reporters just told me!"

"Well, you better call Ataru and ask him what's going on!"

Lum shudders, then absently feels her stomach. She had been so busy with helping the Alliance press their reforms, she had little time to worry about her relationships. Then again, Ataru and Noa had their own worries. It would be so strange speaking to them; she had not seen either of them even in the Dreamscape. Had Ataru and Shinobu bonded? Was Noa okay? She was afraid to find out...

* * *

"Lum-chan!" Noa relaxes in her quarters. "Where have you been for the last while? I haven't heard a thing from you."

"Busy," Lum sighs, sensing the accusatory flash in her bond-mate's eyes. "But things'll start calming down now that the referendum's over. How're Darling and Shinobu?"

"Bonded," Noa confirms. "And they miss you. A phone call would've done wonders. Ataru's afraid Amora-chan'll start calling Shinobu 'Mama' instead of you. Couldn't you've spared some time for them?"

"Well, I have been busy..." Lum blushes.

"And you call me a horrible liar?"

The Oni pauses, then looks down. "It still hurts, learning what I've learned, Noa-chan. I...gods, I've passed my first trimester with Koishii-chan and I still haven't told Darling! Now, the Ipraedies are trying to move in on Earth again! Does Darling know what's going on?!"

"He was told this morning," Noa sighs. "Lum, as he is the leader of Sagussa, he has no right to tell the United Nations to not negotiate with anyone. That's called 'non-interference.' Besides, the delegation in New York City are representatives of the *Dowe'on* Tribunal: Haja, Hakaba, Bushi and several others. According to our intelligence, the Tribunal's gearing up to make their own reform push on Emperor Schwartz."

"Oh, well, I suppose it's okay. I just hope the Federation understands..."

"That's for the Federation to decide. Non-interference, remember?"

"*Tcha*..."

"Now," Noa leans close to the screen. "I think it's high time you spoke to Ataru."

She keys a control. Lum tenses as the image changes to the Chamber's master bedroom. Her fiance is alone in the room with Amora. "Ataru here...Lum?!!" he blinks surprisedly. "Hello, stranger!! Where've you been?!"

Lum tenses, sensing the touch of sarcasm in his voice. "I'm sorry, Darling," she looks down. "I...I should've called earlier."

"It's okay," he smiles, then boosts Amora up. "Amora-chan, look! There's your mommy!!"

The baby blinks, then reaches out. "Mama," she burbles, then starts to cry.

Lum winces. While she was thousands of light years away from Sagussa, she could sense Amora's pain. "Hush, Amora-chan, hush," she gently coos a mantra. "It's okay. Mama misses you, Amora-chan. Can't you smile?"

The baby's wails fade as she innocently tries to touch Lum's face. "You be a good girl, Amora-chan," Lum kisses the screen. "Mama'll be home very soon, now. Okay?"

Amora chirrups. "I'm afraid to bring her into the Dreamscape; no one here's sure how she'll be able to take it," Ataru muses. "According to the experts, she's inherited my and Elle's empathic potential. She'll be a powerhouse when she gets to be our age."

"That's good," Lum sighs, feeling her eyes water. "Darling?"

"Yeah, Lum?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetie," he touches her image. "You just remember that you have family waiting for you back here, okay?"

"I will," she nods. "I promise..."

* * *

"So, that is what we've learned," Mendou concludes his short speech the next morning in the Tomobiki High gymnasium. "Earth now finds itself slipping into the camp of one of the most despised races in the known galaxy. If we become allies with the Ipraedies, the Federation is effectively severed, leaving many people vulnerable to outside attack. Our best chance right now is to convince our government to support an Earth-Uru alliance!"

Next morning, a representation of the district's population muster at the gymnasium to debate the revelations over the talks between Earth and Ipraedos. "Are you sure you're not saying this just to get Lum back?!" a heckler bellows from the crowd.

"For heaven's sake, can't we see the big picture for once?!!" he slams his hand on the podium. "Anyone in this district knows what the Ipraedies are capable of; all you have to do is reflect on how much Moroboshi changed after he was tortured by them!" He indicates Koosei, sitting two positions away. "Ryooki-sensei was another victim; their tortures nearly drove him mad, forever affected his sensitivity to loud noises. I agree that the Urusians are not perfect, but they're a lot better than what the other option might be."

"What makes you think it's a better option?" Koosei wonders.

"Sensei!!"

"Shutaro, I lived on Ipraedos for three years," the teacher sighs. "Granted, I was their prisoner, but I got to meet many of them. Not just the hardcore *Asan'on,* but ordinary Ipraedies. People who, when they saw a 'paleskin,' began to wonder what their government was telling them. Schwartzkoff told Oyuki-chan that he wants the Empire to become part of the Galactic Federation. We could get it both ways if we're a little patient and we play our cards right."

"How?!" Sakura blinks.

"Sakura-chan, the *Dowe'on* Tribunal has been picking up steam for over a hundred years. Theirs has been a slow, steady growth which came through intense education of their new converts. The Tribunal isn't like the Democratic Alliance; it's not a political body. The Tribunal encompasses a set of moral and spiritual philosophies which, if it became widespread among most Ipraedies, would erase the galaxy's concerns in the blink of an eye. But, for the Tribunal to succeed in dethroning Schwartz, they have to prove to the majority of Ipraedies that the outside can accept them. If the United Nations rejects them, that would instantly translate into the whole galaxy rejecting them. And if that happens, I don't want to think of the possible reaction from either *Asan'on* or *Dowe'on!*"

"All fine and fair, but what about the Urusians?!" Megane snaps. "They just faced a civil war because of us! We can't just tell them to take off and leave us alone!! It'd be throwing fat into the fire, giving another Yethis the chance to come to power!"

Koosei smiles. "I have an idea."

"Why was I afraid you'd say something like that?" Sakura shudders.

The teacher playfully kicks the priestess in the shin. "Let me tell you something," he pulls out a folded piece of paper. "When Lum first came to Earth, officials in the United Nations had a secret meeting. Once it became clear that Lum was staying and that more aliens were coming...this was after the oil incident...they decided to get a handle on aliens coming to Earth or else who knows what would happen. The races the United Nations had dealt with before...the Zephyrites and the Sagussans...had proved themselves to be very respectful of Terran laws. Lum showed what became brutally evident in the Second Tag Race; not ALL aliens were going to bother with what their being here did to the natives."

"What's your point?!" Megane wonders.

"My point is this, Aisuru: two weeks after, the UN contacted the Zephyrite Cabal of Archbishops through Ataru's grandmother. In that communique, they warned that all aliens of Federation worlds seeking residency on Earth would be restricted to Tomobiki. And if any alien tried to defy that order, they'd be facing the Inquisition and Earth would allow the Zephyrites to move into the solar system."

Everyone falls silent, staring in disbelief at the teacher. "You mean...all the times that we suffered because someone went crazy...the United Nations was actually ALLOWING it to happen here?!!" Momoe demands.

"Exactly," Koosei nods. "As Mr. Shapiro can confirm, this whole district was laced with passive sensors, cameras, microphones, laser-voice recorders and anything else the worlds' intelligence agencies could pump in. There were four dozen operatives...CIA, KGB, MI6, DGSE, Mossad, FSDC and all the others...active in Tomobiki, all watching what was going on. Everything you did, every time you interacted with an alien...the whole world learned of it within forty-eight hours."

Disbelief utters from the crowd. "They used us!!" one snaps. "We were just pawns!"

"My point," Koosei lightly smiles. "Now, let's look at a tag race and what it really means in the Urusian perspective. We all know tagging the horns of an Oni of the opposite sex implies a desire to marry. Let's wipe out the intimacy and see what that act really means. It implies togetherness, two people standing side-by-side, a deep friendship."

"So that's why the UN stated that if Lum won the Third Tag Race, it would mean an opening of negotiations between our peoples," Sakura nods understandingly.

"Right," Koosei smiles. "That's why Nagaiwakai was able to force the Third Tag Race down the Urusians' throats. The revelations about Yethis' little provision revealed that the Urusians were NOT in the proper spirit of a tag race when they first came. First, they were stating that Earth was NOT up to being Uru's equal."

"We proved how equal they were to us on Toshitto," Mendou sneers.

"Right," Koosei drawls. "Second, when they set up the Tag Race, the Urusians failed to publicly acknowledge the interests of the third party in this discussion: the Ipraedies. The UN knew about them all along; you folks didn't learn about them until Hazel's first visit two years later."

"What are you proposing?!" Aijooa asks.

"I'm proposing that we go ahead...and challenge the Urusians to a tag race," Koosei sighs. "We challenge them to a winner-take-all match. They win, they negotiate with us. With that comes technological trade, the opening of other areas of Earth to alien migration, all the good and bad things which come when two races interact. They lose, they go away and leave us alone. And, in all fairness, we invite someone from the Tribunal to the race, as an active participant with the same stakes. Let me tell you something. Over the last three years, there's been a steady debate about what Uru was doing with concerns to Earth. This stems a lot from the back-handed dealings which surrounded the First Tag Race. If we approach them with honesty and good intentions, I will assure you they will do the same with us. If you want proof of it, heck, just look at Ataru and Lum."

Everyone exchanges looks...

* * *

"Lum-chan, aren't you going back to Sagussa?" Mrs. Invader wonders at the dinner table. "Ataru must miss you very much."

"I know," Lum stares at her plate of food. "But...after all I've been through, I...I still find it hard to consider...I don't know what to think anymore, Mom!!" she sobs, leaning into her mother's side.

"Lum," Invader sighs. "Sooner or later, Mr. Groom is going to find out about your present state," he sighs. "If Ms. Groom won't tell him, Shinobu will. Once he finds out, he's going to be plenty peeved at your not telling him. Remember, the baby is his as well as yours. The way he acts around Reiko-chan, he'll want to have a baby with you!"

"I know," Lum nods. "But...everything in my life for the last three years has hinged on a series of half-truths and lies! I went into the Tag Race believing I was doing something good, not just for us but for Darling's people. Now...everything is so hollow. We almost tore ourselves to pieces; I've affected who knows how many lives in Tomobiki, most of all Darling's, in spite of what Noa-chan did...nothing makes sense anymore!!"

The telephone rings. The large admiral lumbers over, picking it up. Koosei's image appears on the screen. "Koosei-kun!!" Invader smiles. "Why are you calling us?!"

Koosei fixes Invader with an icy stare. "So there you are, Admiral. Are you trying to hide your daughter from her responsibilities?"

He shudders. Koosei never faced him down unless it was serious. "What do you mean?!"

"Three years ago, Admiral, your daughter raced Ataru for Earth's right to determine her own destiny," Koosei crosses his arms. "In that race, you kept secret information from us. Further, you treated us like brainless monkeys who needed to be led by the hand in the minefield of galactic politics! In short, Admiral, you lied to us!" He raises his hand to count off. "And by your deception and contradictions, you forced the United Nations to restrict all aliens coming to Earth to Tomobiki. By that, you directly or indirectly inflicted two deaths, an unbelievable amount of misery and suffering on the district's other citizens and made our world government lose considerable face before the people they're sworn to protect. Further, you cut off the Ipraedies from participating in all useful dialogue which could've promoted peace out of a selfish belief that you and you alone knew what was good for us. Finally, by your deceptions, you inflicted a grave wound in your people's social conscience. Because of that, Admiral, on behalf of Earth, I challenge the people of Uru to meet us in a tag race to finally settle this debate once and for all!" he points at Invader. "What say you?!"

Invader trembles. Koosei knew the admiral enough that he would not back down from that sort of challenge. Taking a deep breath, he bows his head. "Koosei...you and I've been friends for some time. You probably know better than most the cost I and my family have paid because we knew the threats were not going away. I cannot begin to apologize for the part I've played to the events which've lead us to this point. I welcome any chance to settle this once and for all." He fixes the teacher with a stare. "Say your terms!"

"Two days from now, Lum will be at the Sportsplaza. I've already contacted Noa; she'll have Ataru there. Same rules as the Third Tag Race. Lum wins, Earth and Uru go to the negotiation table for alliance talks. Lum loses, we never see you people again. But this time, we'll walk away knowing we approached the other with honesty. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Invader nods. "My President'll support it. But...aren't you people jumping the gun? Does the UN know about this?"

"As I've said, they've suffered because of what you did," Koosei nods. "Mendou's sent a message to New York to inform the Secretary-General of our intentions. We've also told them this is our undisputed right under Urusian custom; Tomobiki has suffered the most because of what's happened. Noa will pass it on to Ookako that Sagussa will support a tag race. We've got to air this out, Invader-kun. The Sagussans have a saying about this..."

"'Ignorance breeds disasters,'" Lum completes, walking up to her father.

Koosei nods. "But, at the same time, we can't ignore what's going on in New York. I've contacted the *Dowe'on* Tribunal. The Ipraedies have every right to participate. They'll send Bushi Roosei to run on their behalf. The same rules'll apply to her. This way, we'll be able to decide what's good not just for the Federation, but for everyone."

Invader tenses as he considers Koosei's statement. He knew what was about to explode over Ipraedos. Personally, he welcomed the arrival of a *Dowe'on* regime. But the Federation's security needs were also his concern. Dare he allow even a *Dowe'on*-run Empire a free hand over Earth?

Still, the time had come for truth. "I won't object," he sighs.

"Good. We'll see you in two days."

* * *

"You're kidding me?!!" Ataru blinks.

Noa nods. Both meet in the Chamber's master bedroom, Ataru giving Amora her formula. "I know what Lum-chan's feeling," the *ashi'cha* sighs. "She's desperate for a chance to expunge her private ghosts, Ataru. She wants to tell herself that everything she's experienced, everything she's inflicted on you and everyone else, is just. She wants to look at everyone without a sense of regret. A tag race to you is a ten-day marathon, nothing really much given the excellent physical shape you're in. To her, this is a very spiritual and cultural experience. It puts it all on the line. Can't you take into consideration her beliefs."

"Of course I will," he nods. "That goes part and parcel with our engagement. You know, it's never been clearly explained to me how her people look at these things."

"That has been an error on many people's parts," Noa muses.

Ataru sighs, gently rocking Amora. Given Noa's revelations, he needed to make something very clear. "Look, Noa, the way the people of Earth see it, the first race was for Earth's freedom. The second was Lum taking advantage of an ecological disaster and forcing me to bow to her. The third race was Grandma's and my revenge for all the shit we endured because of aliens. Regardless of cause, I couldn't run just on my behalf. I ran for five billion people. If Lum's involved in this race, she better understand right away that I'm not racing for us. Our relationship's between her and me. I'm racing to keep Earth safe."

"Well, persuading her of that will be hard," Noa admits. "I better get to Earth as soon as I can so I can keep her spirits up. She'll be needing all the support she can."

"Okay. But no matter what, Noa...I want us all back together when this is done."

"So do I," Noa stands...

* * *

"This is Naoko Watanabe for NHK in Tomobiki," the reporter faces the camera in front of the Sportsplaza. "Three hours ago, representatives of Tokyo's most infamous district challenged the Urusians to a winner-take-all tag race to be fought here two days from now. To be run under the same rules as the Third Tag Race of last October, this contest will finally decide once and for all if Earth will broaden her contacts with our immediate galactic neighbours or forever close the door on them. Participating in this race for Earth will be Ataru Moroboshi, asked to return from Sagussa for this occasion. Ataru's fiancee, Lum, will race for Uru. This time, a third participant will represent Ipraedos. She is Commander Bushi Roosei, an intelligence operative and priestess of the Ipraedies' *Dowe'on* faith..."

* * *

"Racing Darling's going to be bad enough...but Bushi also?!" Lum shakes her head. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for this!"

"You better be," Benten warns. Lum is now meeting her friends in the Home Base gym hours after the challenge was declared. "Look, Lum. I want the privilege of visiting Earth whenever I want. I don't like the idea of Earth falling into the Ipraedies' camp. We're still not sure if the *Dowe'on* can pull of their revolution. Hell, anything's better than the way things are now! And besides, you're pregnant with a baby whose father you're gonna be facing in two days! Do you want to marry him or no?!"

"Of course I do!" Lum snaps, realizing that Nassur must have told his wife that she was now with child. Koishii's brainwave patterns had developed to the point where a Vosian could sense them; Sagussan children traditionally did not experience the Awakening until puberty. "But...Darling doesn't look at a tag race like I do. I...after all I've put him through in previous tag races, I'm not sure I'm ready to face him this time!!"

"Lum, even if you lose, it doesn't mean you lose Ataru," Nassur cuts in. "May I remind you, both of you are bonded Sagussan citizens. If you lose the chance to live on Earth, Sagussa will always be there for you."

"I know," Lum looks down. "But if Darling wins, Grandma will demand he renounce me forever. She continues to dislike me; she's probably known all about the lies and deceptions which've hurt him. If my presence forces Darling to make a choice between his home and me...I don't know what I'll do..."

"You leave Nagaiwakai to me."

Everyone spins to see Noa standing there. "Noa!!!" Lum cries, flying over to embrace her bond-mate. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you!!"

"Hush, love," Noa kisses her. "We'll weather this. You have a final obligation to fulfil to your people. There's no threat to what you have. Can't you see that?"

Lum stares at her. "I can't," she shakes her head. "Oh, Noa, so much has happened, so much has been destroyed because of it..."

"Then you must find your own path to atonement," Noa sighs. "To me, to Ataru, to all of us on Sagussa, it's crystal clear what you must do. Once this is over, return with to him and build the lives you wanted."

"But how could I face him now...?!"

"You can!" Noa gazes at her. "You will face him in two days. You know he doesn't see a tag race like you do. He fights for five billion people; he always has. What will happen then will have no relevance to the issue at hand. What you two will decide over the next two weeks is Earth's future, not your own. Your future's quite intact."

"Noa, do you understand what's really at stake here?!" Lum demands. "I know Darling will fight to win! I wouldn't expect any less of him!! But what of his family?!"

"Nagaiwakai?" the Sagussan snorts. "Lum, I told you that I would take care of her."

"How?!" Benten walks up. "That woman's so thick-skulled, it isn't funny! Anything Lum does won't wash on Ataru's old lady!!"

"Oh?!" Noa gazes knowingly at the Fukunokami. "Benten, you were there when we dealt with the Shirokaku. Lum vowed she would do everything in her power to prove herself worthy of marrying Ataru. I'd say she did a pretty good job after that encounter with the Lannarkites on the Planet of Shadows mission."

Nassur's eyes widen understandingly. "We don't know anything about that," Oyuki muses.

Lufy then approaches, a small diskette in hand. "Yo, Nassur," the pilot wraps an arm around the hunter. "Hate to bust into your medical logs, but we need a copy of the time Lum transfused blood into Ataru so a certain dairy farmer can finally clue into reality."

Nassur blinks. "Yes, certainly, Lufy." He then gazes at Noa. "I don't mind as long as it's being put to good use."

The Sagussans laugh. "Now, you leave Nagaiwakai to me," Noa sighs. "Honey'll be here shortly to get you ready for the tag race. Like I said, you have one last task for your people. Do your best; it'll reflect much on how Ataru's people will see yours even if you lose. I'll see you on Earth."

"Okay," Lum nods. As Noa turns away, she looks up. "Noa?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Noa smiles, blowing her bond-mate a kiss before leaving with Lufy. "Man, does that girl love you!" Benten whistles in awe. "Don't do anything to screw that up, Lum."

"I have no intention of doing that."

Daros enters. "Sensei, Bushi Roosei is here. She came to see Lum."

Everyone tenses as the intelligence officer approaches. "Hello, everyone," she nods, then faces Lum. "How are you, Lum?"

"I...I'm fine, Commander," Lum's mouth twitches. She feels many things encountering this woman again. A touch of racism. Awe at Bushi's astounding career, which in its own way rivalled Nassur's and Dakejinzou's. A desire to get to know her better, leap over the barriers of hatred and mistrust, and a strong desire to learn what made Bushi Roosei tick. "Um...why are you here?"

"Quite simple," Bushi lightly shrugs, empathically sensing Lum's inner turmoil. "I came to wish you luck in the race ahead. You'll have the flight advantage, but I doubt Ataru will give either of us a break."

"I know he won't," Lum nods.

"True. When he fights for his people, it's a frightening sight. I came also to warn you that I have no intention of going easy on you. In the Tribunal's eyes, my people have a much greater need of this alliance than yours do. Even if my people become allies with Earth, that will not translate into an increased security threat to the Federation. As Oyuki can confirm, Prince Schwartzkoff has his own ideas concerning that issue."

"I'm aware of that," a competitive flash leaps into Lum's eyes. "I hope you're also aware that I'll do everything in my power to stop you. Even if the Tribunal speaks of peace, their hopes of seizing power are still questionable. After fighting for Earth's freedom, I won't have my fiance's people suffer through an Ipraedies civil war."

"That's good. Keep it in mind and you'll stand a chance. I'll see you in Tomobiki."

She then disappears in a teleport beam. Lum exhales loudly. "Well, let's get you ready," Nassur walks up.

The Oni nods...

* * *

"There you are, strangers!!" Megane laughs as Ataru and Shinobu walk up. "When did you two get in?!"

"Just now," the latter sighs as they exchange greetings with Megane and Tanoshii at the latter's shrine. "It's so strange being here. I've been on Sagussa for too long."

"I see you've been doing other things," Tanoshii notes the nursing assistant's tabs on Shinobu's jumpsuit. "Getting in some advanced training before going to college?"

"It's an experience," Shinobu smiles. "How are you two doing?!"

"Well, we're registered for Tokyo University in February," Megane wraps an arm around Tanoshii as the four head inside. "I'm in film and visual arts, she's in advanced theology. While we're doing that, I'll start my apprenticeship with Budou-sensei and Sakura-sensei. Everything looks good."

"That's good," Ataru sighs. "It's nice to see people put the past where it belongs."

Megane and Tanoshii exchange looks. "Ataru-chan, are you going to see your parents anytime soon?" the latter wonders.

He blinks. "Why do you ask?"

Tanoshii sighs. "Look, few of us..." by that, she means Komeru's wards, "...have reason to even like Muchi and Kinshou. But since you and Lum left, they've started to disintegrate. They have little left of the home they tried to create, not just for them, but for you and Lum. Ten-chan spends most of his time at school with his friends. You haven't visited in almost a year, nor has Lum. Even if you're still angry at them, you have to remember that they did raise you since birth. Don't you owe them something?"

Ataru pauses. "I'm...afraid to see them. I'm afraid that when I walk through that door, they'll start making demands. Tell me to reject everything I've built in Oshika just to make them happy. What about my happiness, Tan-chan? What about Reiko-chan? What about Nokoko-chan and her friends? Like it or not, I have what I want in Oshika. I might've stormed out of Tomobiki in anger and fear, but it's too late to turn back the clock."

"I'm not saying that," Tanoshii shakes her head. "Look, if anyone wanted you two to return under those terms, even your parents, they'd be the biggest fools in history. You've proved your point more times than I care to count. No one wants to fight you anymore, Ataru-chan. They want you to know that you still have a home here."

"Look, Tan-chan, I know you mean well. But right now, I have a lot more important things on my mind. Can we skip this, please?"

"Of course. Just...consider it."

"When I have time."

* * *

"Well, that went over well," Shinobu smiles as they leave the shrine. "You and Aisuru had a decent conversation for once."

"Incredible, isn't it?" Ataru muses, wrapping an arm around his bond-mate. "If this was a year ago, he'd be frothing at the mouth, blasting me for trying to drag his precious Lum-san away from him."

"A year?" she stops at a fence, staring at the stars overhead. "Oh, it's incredible. So much has changed, hasn't it?"

"Yeah," he stands beside her. "We've torn ourselves apart, then pasted our lives back in order, much to everyone's benefit. Believe me, even a year ago, I hoped there could've been a less painful way to do this."

She shakes her head. "Perhaps. But Fate led you on a path, a path of redemption, self-destruction, then self-creation. Because you were an integral part of our lives, we suffered because you changed so much. You tried to sever us from you, knowing how much you could hurt us. We didn't understand... until it was too late."

"Any regrets?" he wonders.

"So many," she smiles. "That I lost my innocence. My sense of what was happening to you. Our friendship, blown out the window. The Ataru-kun I knew, destroyed before my eyes, a stranger with his face, voice, name and many of his ideals rising in his place. Nassur-kun, Inaba-kun, Kae-kun, Naromo-chan, Ju-chan, Aya-chan, Aki-chan...once met, then gone. But you want to know something?"

"What?"

"I'm happy with all the things I gained," she hugs him. "Our bonding, a real friendship with Lum, my...new self, my self-confidence, my place here on Earth and on Sagussa. I have no need now to seek a mate; I literally have all the time in the world. I know how to control myself, prevent myself from falling in love too fast like I did before."

"I'm happy for you," he kisses her. "Look, why don't you visit your parents? I'm gonna look around for a bit, okay?"

"Okay," she kisses him, then heads off.

Ataru sighs, then leans on the fence. Everything was finally going right on the Shinobu and Tomobiki fronts. Shinobu was forging ahead, seeking her destiny. Tomobiki was free of its dependency on Lum. He had three more fronts to concern himself with. His family, Sagussa and Lum. The latter two would be dealt with over the next few months. He better settle the first now. With that, he straightens himself, then heads off...

* * *

Shinobu sighs as she finds herself passing the front gate of Tomobiki High. She could sense the growing trepidation Ataru felt about meeting his parents after so long. He never stopped loving them, he just became weary of their foolish, selfish decisions concerning his future. Ataru always felt his parents feared poverty, thus becoming economically dependent on Nagaiwakai.

That certainly explained instances like when Kinshou conned Mrs. Invader and Haruka Mendou out of money to stop their fighting. There was the time on the "Kashin" when Elle came into their lives, when Lum's parents promised the Moroboshis a good job in return for Ataru marrying Lum. Then there was...

Shinobu shakes her head. Bonding with Ataru allowed her to experience first-hand the pain, confusion, wonderment, passion and other emotions which made Ataru Moroboshi the person he was. No mysteries anymore, which pleased her. What did she expect; *mavan'shagh* literally meant "time of no secrets."

"Pity," she muses, stopping by the front gate. "If others were like the Sagussans, the galaxy would be such a nice place."

Even speaking it, Shinobu knew thinking that was wrong. Her short time on Sagussa had seen her inducted to their beliefs. The galaxy was a diverse place. Such was Creation's way. Maximum diversity meant maximum variations of thought. Embracing as many as possible, a belief Orientals traditionally shared, made a better, more rounded, person. To demand total uniformity made the creation of social barriers possible. Situations like that were the first step to an Entropic conquest of all of Existence.

That faith had existed on Sagussa before Gisan'cha, and once again became in vogue after the Clone Rights War. It was no wonder that not one race was targeted to provide women to become *daishi'cha.* Now, she was one of them. Ataru was also one of them. In a sense, he had been a Sagussan for more than a decade. All attempts at forcing Ataru to conform with everyone else were doomed to fail. Lum's and Shinobu's attempts at forcing him down were also doomed. At times, it made Shinobu wonder what could have happened if Noa had not chosen to bond with Lum, if the Sagussans had not chosen to give Shinobu a chance to become one of them.

Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a garbage bag being dropped. "Shinobu!"

Shinobu sees Ryuunosuke run up, fiercely embracing her. "Hi, Ryuunosuke!" the nursing assistant kisses her friend. "How are you?!"

"Okay, I guess..." the tomboy's voice trails off as she finds herself looking at Shinobu's jumpsuit.

Shinobu feels a shudder rattle her spine, guessing what was going through her friend's mind. Ryuunosuke always hoped that her friend wouldn't get too close to the Sagussans, especially after the incidents which provoked her brief trip to Nerima. Disapproval flashes in Ryuunosuke's eyes as they lock with Shinobu's, mated to a touch of concern.

Finally, "Why?"

"Short story or the long one."

"Just...why?"

Shinobu sighs. "You were right, Ryuu-chan," she gazes at the stars overhead. "I wanted to have a normal life all those months ago. Lyna, it seems like an eternity..."

"Oh, shit, you're even swearing to Lyna!" Ryuunosuke exclaims.

Shinobu ignores the outburst. "Have you ever visited Lyna's grave?"

"I haven't been to Sagussa, you know!"

"Well, I have. Ataru-kun took me there shortly after I was regenerated. I was shot when we found Ju-chan on Colony 71 by a clone we believe was of her creator," Shinobu quickly explains. "When I was in the tank, my *mei'na* in Ataru-kun's head for safe-keeping, they asked me if I wanted to become a Sagussan. I said yes. There's the story."

"Okay, they saved your life!!" the tomboy nods begrudgingly. "But...what made you decide...hell, what made you WANT to be with them?! You know how they feel about...!"

"Ryuu-chan, I've been in love with a Sagussan for over a decade," Shinobu cuts in. "You know who that is."

Ryuunosuke blinks. "Back in February, yes, I wanted to have a normal life. I wanted to get away from Ataru-kun," Shinobu's eyes close. "All the hate, anger, blame and all that; I wanted it gone. But that was a path fraught with danger as Mecha warned me before she died. I risked isolating myself from everything I knew, everyone I cared for. Meeting the other future-selves, seeing their anger and pain...was like seeing Ataru-kun and his anger and pain. He could have become like Katana or Scalphunter...oh, Lyna, especially Kali! But he didn't! Instead of suppressing his anger, he chose to confront it, come to grips with it! And when he finally did, he rediscovered what he once had with us."

"He sure as hell discovered something about us!" Ryuunosuke resentfully growls.

"Ryuu-chan, don't," Shinobu shakes her head. "Think! If Ataru-kun hated us, all he had to do was ask Nagaiwakai-sama to unleash the Kuromoroboshi or the Inquisition! We would've been dead before we knew what hit us! He's never hated us! What he's hated was the dreams we forced him to conform to. You can't force a Sagussan to conform to anything!"

"Who says he's a Sagussan?!" Ryuunosuke demands. "Ataru's as much a Sagussan as...hell, as you are!!"

"Oh, yes, he is a Sagussan; he's always been a Sagussan at heart," Shinobu sighs. "A true Sagussan accepts that diversity, that difference, must be there to keep Existence whole and intact. The *saikoo jinseijitsu* couldn't change that belief when it became part of Ataru-kun's life, Ryuu-chan. In fact, it stupidly tried to pervert Ataru-kun's desire to embrace all in hopes of isolating him from those who loved him. It succeeded with me because no bond existed between Ataru-kun and I. Well," she smiles, "...a bonding later is better than no bond at all."

"You...you're BONDED with him?!"

"Yes," Shinobu nods. "Now, I understand him. I understand why things happened the way they did. The *saikoo jinseijitsu* was setting itself up for its own failure when it tried to control Ataru-kun. It influenced him to drive me away...and yes, it succeeded, causing both of us pain. I don't want pain between Ataru-kun and me. Ryuu-chan; I love him and he loves me. Now, we have the chance to express our love without restriction."

"Does Lum know about this?!!"

"Oh, yes, she does. You see, Ryuu-chan, she asked me to become his bond-mate."

Ryuunosuke feels her legs go; to the tomboy, it was as if the whole world had just turned upside-down. Lum actually WANTING Shinobu to bond with Ataru?! Impossible!!

Shinobu's hand steadies her. "Don't be afraid, Ryuu-chan," the nursing assistant helps her friend lean against the fence. "This was going to happen. When Sagussa entered his life, Ataru-kun's destiny was locked...to them and to Lum. I accept that now and I'm happy. Also, I have a part in his life, but am free to seek my own path. In a way, Ataru-kun's accepted it. That's why he could never be angry at us for long. Like I said, if he really hated us, he could've killed us or allowed the *saikoo jinseijitsu* to do it. He didn't. Instead, he showed us that we needed to explore new dreams, broaden our horizons if we were going to succeed."

"Shinobu..." Ryuunosuke shakes her head. "Don't you get it?! You said that you didn't want him in your life..."

"That was ten months ago, Ryuu-chan," Shinobu sighs, realizing that she just had to be patient to help her friend understand. "Then, I didn't know what I do now. I was trying to make sense of things...but I didn't have the advantages I have now. Others realized that before I did. Sylia, Priss, even Noa later. Do you realize they invited me to come be with them, become one of them?"

"What?!"

"It's true," Shinobu nods. "At first, they didn't trust me, just like they didn't trust any of us, even Lum before she and Noa bonded. To preserve the status quo, the life we were comfortable with, we tried to restrict Ataru-kun from exploring the options a Sagussan is compelled to explore because to him, that is the only way to achieve self-fulfilment. But when they saw I was trying to explore my options, they realized I had as much right to become one of them as Ataru-kun did. That's when Noa began a petition to invite me to be one of them. When I realized deep in my heart that I wanted to be with them, I accepted their invitation."

Ryuunosuke blinks as the nursing assistant falls silent, allowing her classmate the chance to interpret what was said. Finally, the tomboy looks away. "I...it's strange, isn't it, Shinobu?" she sniffs. "I told Lum once, after you had gone to Nerima, just before Ataru was kidnapped by the Hustari, that growing up really sucked at times. Now, I am meeting someone I feel I don't know...and she's one of my best friends. It scares me, you know."

"I know, Ryuu-chan," Shinobu nods. "Think of how much Ataru-kun scared us when he started on his path to maturity."

"Yeah, it was nasty," Ryuunosuke sighs. "But...Shinobu, I just wish you didn't do this. I don't want to lose you. I have few friends as it is; you're my best friend."

"You will never lose me, Ryuunosuke," Shinobu walks over to draw her friend into another embrace. "Our relationship will mature as we mature. If you let fear, the greatest weapon in Entropy's arsenal, seize you, you destroy yourself. You've let fear allow your whole life to be dominated by your father and his ideas. Look where it's led you. Don't you want something to survive so that Dansei-chan will marry Jamie come the turn of the millennium?"

Ryuunosuke blinks surprisedly, then bites her lips. "It'll be hard."

"Nothing in life's easy," Shinobu smiles, moving to escort Ryuunosuke down the street. "C'mon! Everyone else has tried to help you be a real girl! Now it's my turn!!"

"I'm gonna regret this!"

* * *

Ataru finds himself passing Cherry's encampment when he stops, sensing Shinobu's conversation with Ryuunosuke. He could not "hear" the words; that only occurred when he and Shinobu were psi-linking when one spoke. But the emotions were plain to comprehend. Ryuunosuke had hoped and prayed that nothing happened to her friend when Shinobu chose to remain on Sagussa after Colony Four. Now, she was confronting what seemed to her a stranger with Shinobu's face, name and voice but with little else. He shakes his head, hoping his experience with others confronting his maturity would prepare his bond-mate for the possible reactions she would face.

"Is there something wrong, Ataru?"

Ataru blinks, then notices Cherry. "Hi, Cherry," the *daimon'cha* sighs as he walks onto the plot, sitting beside the monk as he cooked dinner. "Not with me, no. Shinobu-chan's just ran into Ryuu-chan. She's...not taking what's happened to Shinobu-chan well."

"Humph!" Cherry snorts, his disapproval clearly evident. "Not only have you and Lum both embraced the phoenix, Ataru, but you made Shinobu embrace it, too!"

"Hey!!" Ataru's voice picks up. "No one forced me to do anything that I didn't chose to do on my own! I chose Sagussa fourteen years ago when I let Noa-chan bond me to Lum-chan! I chose Sagussa a year later when the girls wanted me to be *daimon'cha!* I chose Sagussa when Noa came back in January and revealed what she did for me! The only thing I chose which pissed people here off is when I chose not to have Tomobiki dominate my life because of Lum! I've said it to all of you again and again! If you choose not to accept that, then you're the ones with the problem, not me! And I didn't force Shinobu-chan to do a thing! She chose her path just like I did!"

"And how much more will you suffer because of that, I wonder?" Cherry sighs resignedly. "Please, Ataru. Forgive a tired old man for not accepting these strange ways you embraced with such devotion. It took me so long to accept what Lum's presence has done to us, to actually feel comfortable with it. Seeing what the Sagussans have done has been a lot for everyone to accept. I...knew that their coming would destroy everyone's dreams, their very sense of self. Being in the position I am in, I only tried to alleviate the pain as best as I could."

"All life is suffering to one extent or another," Ataru warns him. "To suffer is to learn. We allowed our dreams to take control of us, dominate us to the point that when reality crashed in, the suffering was going to be tremendous. This is what we get for blinding ourselves for far too long."

Cherry blinks, surprised at his words. "I have never heard such Zen-like thoughts come from you. It surprises me. A pity, actually. After what you've experienced, you would have made quite the priest."

"Well, after what I've been through, I doubt I could resign myself to what you've endured," Ataru chuckles. "I love life too much to deny myself the chance to experience all of life's surprises. And I know, I've always known, that risk comes with experiencing new things. Risk is part of the game, always has been. I just refuse to allow people to restrict me from going out and experiencing what piques my interest."

"True, you have always been that way," Cherry nods. "And you have paid for it, that is also true. That you accept it with such elan has always been your greatest virtue. I just pray that the cost you pay for your thirst for new experiences does not extract a toll on your very soul."

Ataru declines to respond. Despite all his shortcomings, Cherry has always been a servant of his faith. Protecting the souls of his charges was his first priority. "Well, I'll leave you to your dinner," he stands.

"Where are you going?"

"Off to see my parents," Ataru sighs. "Then it's back to the Gatherer for some rest. I have a race to run, remember?"

"Ah, I just remembered. Your brother has come from Nagussa to see your parents."

Ataru stops. "Kaeru's here?!"

"Yes," the monk smiles. "With his wife, child and his adopted parents, too. They came in earlier today."

Hesitation then seizes Ataru. Kaeru, the child their parents always wanted. The first one taken away, which badly reflected on Ataru and Nokoko. No use seeing them now. "There goes that idea," he taps his communicator. "Ataru to Gatherer. One to beam up."

"Lad..." Cherry moves to hold him.

A transporter beam beats him to the mark. Cherry watches as Ataru disappears, then looks to the sky, shaking his head. "You don't need to isolate yourself anymore, Ataru..."

* * *

"Ladies and gentlemen of Tomobiki and the world!!" the chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Alien Affairs, an elderly gentleman known only as Zed, booms over a megaphone on the Sportsplaza's racetrack. "Welcome to the Tomobiki Sportsplaza for the running of the final tag race to determine the future between Earth and the outside galaxy! The United Nations has graciously accepted your desire to see this question resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned!!"

"You had no choice in the matter!" Megane heckles from the crowd. "After what you did to us, you owed us one!!"

Laughter echoes. Zed continues. "Because two parties are contesting this, the tag race will be run in the same manner as the last one in October 1983. However, the United Nations has stipulated that both contestants challenging the Earth champion be given equal chance to win for their world WITHOUT denying the other contestant that same chance!"

"What's he talking about?!" Mendou demands, turning to the chief of his Kuromegane. "Have they done something?!"

"We're not sure, sir," the bodyguard sighs. "All our inquiries have been ignored."

"To begin," Zed calls out. "May I introduce the referee. A bounty hunter with fifty years experience tracking criminals all over the known galaxy...!"

"They asked Nassur-chan?!" Ten-chan asks.

"Nassur-kun only has thirty years experience, Ten-chan," Shinobu warns.

A teleport beam brings in the referee. "...from a world which remains unknown to us to this day, Miss Dakejinzou Shogai!"

Cheers echo from many as Dakejinzou bows to the crowd, waving as she takes the starter's pistol and two bandannas from Zed. "They invited that robot?!" Megane demands...

...earning him an elbow in the face! "Remember what Ataru-chan said he'd do to you if you kept calling her that!" Tanoshii hums.

"Yes, Tan-chan..." Megane moans.

"Now, defending for Earth!!" Zed smiles. "A man who certainly needs no introduction: Ataru Moroboshi!!"

Ataru appears via a transporter beam, dressed in a phoenix-embossed black T-shirt and shorts. Cheers rip from the crowd as Dakejinzou quickly fixes the two bandannas on his head, one orange, one green. "So what happens when one of those bandannas is pulled?!" Ryuunosuke looks at Shinobu.

Both women ignore Mr. Fujinami's wailing since the tomboy has come to the match wearing a blouse and slacks, her breasts unwrapped. "It means that if Bushi pulls her bandanna, the Ipraedies win...but the race goes on until Lum pulls hers...or vice-versa," Shinobu explains. "It's a way to allow everyone to walk away from this without losing face."

"Hope it doesn't start a war."

"Now, challenging for the Union of Uru!" Zed calls out. "A lady who also needs no prior introduction...Lum!!"

Lum appears, now dressed in a tiger-striped jumpsuit. The crowd cheers as she waves to them, then approaches her starter's position. "Is it me or does Lum look a little...um...overweight?" Kenmei blinks.

"Strange," Kakugari muses.

"Finally, challenging for the Ipraedies Empire!" Zed finally announces. "An intelligence officer, a priestess, she is all these things. Representing the *Dowe'on* Tribunal, Commander Bushi Roosei!!"

Bushi appears in another teleport beam, dressed in a form-fitting sprinter's bodysuit. The outsiders and some residents cheer her as she shakes Lum's hand, then Ataru's. "She's in good shape!" Aijooa whistles, her experience in track-and-field...she got the gold medal in the Olympics...allowing her to analyze the commander's state of fitness.

"Lum can fly, Bushi can't!" Paama cuts in. "You need flight to catch Ataru!"

"You think he'll use stuff the *saikoo jinseijitsu* gave him?" Kakugari muses.

"I wouldn't put it past him, Daremo-kun," Megane sighs. "In his eyes, we're still not ready for what's out there."

"They asked him to defend Earth," Tanoshii smiles. "They couldn't've asked a better man to do it than Ataru-chan."

The others nod. Dakejinzou faces the challengers. "Alright, you two. You both have the same chance to take a bandanna. You have to take it off Ataru-chan's *person* to win for your people. The tag race goes on even if a bandanna is pulled. No lightning or weapons that can hurt people are to be used on Ataru-chan; I see that, I stop the race for a day, just like the last race. Ataru-chan does have the right to stop you in whatever way he can. What you do to each other...it shouldn't be really necessary given that you both have opportunity. Understood?"

"Hai!!" both nod.

"Okay!" Dakejinzou pulls the starter's gun. "All of you, take your places!"

Ataru takes the starter's block forward. Lum and Bushi fall in five metres behind him. "Get set!!" Dakejinzou points the gun.

Ataru braces. "Go!!!" Dakejinzou fires.

Lum spins on Bushi, lightning ball in hand. "Out of my way!!"

The Ipraedies dodges the blast as the Oni flies at Ataru, who remains in place. "I got you now!!" Lum growls, out for the quick kill.

Ataru leaps a clear thirty metres into the air, psychic fire warping. "***AIR-WHIRLPOOL HEAT-FIRE STRIKE!!!!!!***" he bellows as a fiery tornado races at her.

Lum screams as she dodges the blast, the bolt blowing a nice-sized hole in the track!! She lands unceremoniously on her backside ten feet away. "Darling!!! Why'd you do that?!!"

"Why, Lum, don't you remember the first race?" he lands, turning away. "You should've done your research!" he winks, then races off.

Lum remembers Ataru had not known about her ability to fly on the first day three years ago. "Oooh!!!" she screams, leaping into the air. "I'll get you for that!!!"

Suddenly, Bushi grabs Lum and judo-flips her into the stands. "Out of my way!!!" the commander yells, then takes off after Ataru.

Lum launches in pursuit. Everyone gapes, awed by what they just witnessed. "Oh, man, this is gonna be intense!!!" Megane exclaims.

*Oh, no!!!* Shinobu shudders. *Does Ataru-kun know Lum's pregnant?!!*

* * *

"A most interesting beginning to this competition, I confess," Kaeru muses as he watches the replay of the day's events on the television that evening in the Moroboshi home. "I find it curious that Ataru would be so vicious to the one he desires to marry."

Also watching the event are both sets of Kaeru's parents, Naromo and Tadomo. "You have to understand your brother to sense his reasons for being so harsh," Kinshou shakes her head. Ataru had, like the first day of the last tag race, quickly rendered both Bushi and Lum unconscious before an hour passed. "Outside this competition, they're lovers. In the competition, they're enemies. Ataru...has always been able to maintain the difference."

"Your son is defending the rights of five billion sentients," Kaeru's adopted mother Kouhae warns. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one."

"True, but Lum-chan has always taken that more...personally than Ataru," Kinshou stands, walking to the window. "I just hope their relationship will survive the next ten days."

"Do you want Lum to win?" Kouhae's bond-mate Raikue wonders.

"Of course I want her to win...and that Bushi woman to lose!" Kinshou readily nods. "Many of us here have reason to dislike the Ipraedies, Raikue-san; their damn Box destroyed so much!! But...I'm afraid that Ataru will be quite satisfied if both lost!"

"That is what Earth's government requires of Ataru," Naromo warns. "What you desire, what all of you desire, pales before that."

The doorbell rings. "Come in!" Kinshou walks over to the door.

Shinobu then walks in. "Hi, Mrs. Moroboshi!" she smiles, then blinks on seeing their guests from Nagussa. "Kae-kun!! Naromo-chan!! Tadomo-chan!! Kouhae-san!! Raikue-san!! What are you doing here?!"

Hugs and kisses are exchanged, along with information of events of the past year. "We heard about your failed attempt at forging a relationship with Junba, Shinobu," Naromo smiles. "We wish you to know that you are still welcome on Nagussa."

"Thank you for your kindness, Naromo-chan...but it won't be necessary anymore. You may not have known this, but now I can address these two," she stares at Kaeru's birth parents, "...as *shima'cha* and *monma'cha!*"

"What?!" Kinshou blinks.

"It means that Shinobu and Ataru are now bond-mates," Raikue explains.

The Moroboshis blink. "Shinobu, do your parents know?!" Muchi wonders, wide-eyed.

"I told them last night," Shinobu smiles. "They were just as shocked as you are. They were pleased that Ataru-kun and I made up, but this went beyond their expectations."

Kinshou sighs. "Shinobu-chan..."

"Mrs. Moroboshi..." Shinobu then smiles, "...*Shima'cha,*" she declares, eliciting a blush from Ataru's mother, "...please, don't be afraid. Lum asked me to do this. In fact, the reason I've come here tonight is that we have to deal with the causes behind Lum's asking me to be Ataru-kun's bond-mate."

"Which are?" Kaeru asks.

Shinobu explains how Onis view tag races and how Lum has felt quite guilty over the last few months as she has watched her birth world teeter on the brink of civil war. "We have to show her that we love her," Shinobu completes. "She doesn't know who to trust outside her closest friends. Believe me, Yethis' plot couldn't have come at a worse time for our sense of solidarity, trying to rebuild after Ataru-kun tore us apart."

"So we'll need a cheering section for Lum," Kinshou nods. "I'll pass it on, then. But you have two problems: Ataru...and Mother," her lips twist into a frown.

"Noa will take care of Nagaiwakai-sama," Shinobu sighs. "I'm just as fed up with her trying to control Ataru-kun's life as Lum is. But for Ataru-kun himself..."

"We'll tell him," Kinshou nods.

"Dear," Muchi adjusts his glasses.

"Honey, we have to," Kinshou glares at him. "He stormed out of here a year ago hating us. The reasons were understandable, now that we've had the time to reflect on them. If we want our other son to feel at home here, we have to do this!"

Muchi nods...

* * *

Day Two passes. Lum was eliminated in a half-hour, Bushi ten minutes after that...

* * *

"At least I'm controlling my force-blasts," Ataru grunts as he finishes his pushups, Reiko sitting on his back.

"Well, you should take it easier on Lum," Honey cuts in. The three are now in the Gatherer's bedroom, the superdreadnought in polar orbit over Earth. "She's definitely got out of shape; probably all that worry because of the Imperialists," she adds, unsure of whether to tell Ataru about Lum's state of maternity. No one had yet dared breech the subject, fearing Ataru would really go crazy.

The aide-de-camp then senses his unease. "Are you okay?" she gently inquires.

"Didn't you notice?" Reiko sneers. "The dorkoids below were egging Lum on, as usual!"

"I did notice that," Honey bites her lips. "This is a weird time for all of us. Who's crazy idea was this, anyway?!"

"Koosei's!" Ataru grunts as he finishes two hundred reps, then relaxes on the carpet.

"Someone better have a talk with him, then!" Honey sneers, then blinks as the door opens. "What is it, Kei?"

Kei walks in. "Um...they want to see Ataru," she indicates the couple at the door.

Ataru looks. "What are you two doing here?!" he allows Reiko to get off his back, then rolls to his feet.

"Hello, Ataru," Kinshou nods, then turns to the *daishi'cha.* "Kei-san, Honey-san, could you leave us alone for a bit?"

"Sure," Honey exchanges a concerned glance with Kei, then both leave.

Reiko also moves toward the door. "Wait, Reiko-chan," Kinshou blinks. "Don't go."

"You have no right to say anything to me!" Reiko icily intones, then marches out.

Ataru sighs, then relaxes on his bed. "She didn't like the sight of everyone cheering Lum on today," he explains.

"I see," Kinshou sits at the worktable. "That was our doing, Ataru."

The *daimon'cha* tenses, glaring at his mother. "What was that?"

She steels herself. "You must think us a pair of monsters who've dragged you through the dirt just to better our lives," she lowers her head, her voice softening. "Well, you're right. Our treatment of you, especially after Lum-chan came into our lives, was deplorable. We kept you from Mother to ensure she wouldn't destroy the world we wanted to create. We can't begin to atone for our treatment of you, much less Nokoko. If you...choose never to see us again, I won't blame you."

"We...heard from Cherry that when you heard Kaeru was here, you decided not to see us," Muchi adds. "It hurt us. We don't want you to think you're no longer welcome in our home. Of course we were more than happy to see Kaeru again, actually meet the people who saved and raised him, his wife and daughter. But you're our son, too, Ataru...and Nokoko is our daughter. Don't you think we'd like to know about Reiko-chan or Katsura-chan?"

"I don't know," Ataru tenses. "When I adopted Reiko-chan, you didn't say a thing. You didn't rejoice that even though I had separated myself from you, you were now grandparents. In fact, I got the distinct feeling you really wouldn't've minded it if Mendou and Lan succeeded in having Reiko-chan sent back into slavery. What was I supposed to think then? As far as I could guess, you never loved me at all. You just needed me to keep Lum in the house so you could fawn over her. You always wanted a daughter, even after you had one, then abandoned her without considering my feelings had I found out about Nokoko-chan. How do you two think I felt when Great-grandma finally told me about Kaeru?"

His parents tense. "But, I understand how you felt given how much you've lost," Ataru adds. "I was certainly no angel."

"You are still our son," Kinshou sniffs. "Every time you succeeded in doing something, I was proud of you."

"I would've appreciated more," Ataru glares at them. "I would've appreciated you not using Lum to cut me off from Grandma, not to mention all of Uncle's wards! You want to know how much Kenmei-chan and the others despised you?! How tempted they were to hire some hitman to kill you, not to mention Lum?! I would've appreciated you understanding my feelings more, taking my side of the argument into account! Do you want to know how often I've been tempted to sneak out of the house, put myself somewhere safe, then sic Grandma on you?! I would've appreciated you telling me about Kaeru, how much you hurt because of him! I would've understood; maybe I could've done something to make you feel better! But, no! Do you want to know what I really felt when I lived with you?! I felt as if I was just an inconvenience for twelve years until chance brought Lum back into our lives!!"

"That's not true!!!" Kinshou cries.

"He has every right to feel that way, Kinshou," Muchi sighs.

"I know!" his wife replies. "Ataru, please. We know why you're going so all-out on Lum. I applaud you. But someone has to keep in mind her feelings. The chances are good that she will decide that you don't love her. After working so hard for so long to ensure you both have a happy life, a life both of you want...it's all we could do to help."

Ataru considers her words. "Thanks, Mom, Dad. I've been so busy concentrating on winning this race, I sometimes forget that my fiancee, the one I'm trying to prevent from tagging me, looks at these things differently. I'm on a tightrope here," he gazes out the viewport. "But when I look out this portal, see that world below us, I remember what I told you a year ago, Mom. Five billion versus one hundred thousand. It's simple to me."

"Sometimes, the one can take precedence over the many," Kinshou muses.

"Not in this case," Ataru shakes his head. "As far as I'm concerned...and I'm now speaking as Sagussa's leader, not just your son...I will continue my present course of action unless the Secretary-General of the United Nations requests me to do otherwise."

His parents look at each other, then sit beside him. "We understand," Kinshou embraces him. "Remember, this'll last eight more days. Win or lose, we want you and Lum to marry."

"So do I," Ataru smiles. "So do I..."

* * *

Day Three. Two hours pass before Bushi and Lum collide, knocking each other out...

* * *

"Representative Tonsur is here."

"Send him in," Angus McTavish stands, hand out. "Welcome to New York City, Mr. Tonsur. How was your trip from Vos?"

"Wonderful," a slick black-haired Vosian dressed in an ambassadorial uniform relaxes in the chair opposite the reporter's desk.

"How are things on Vos?" Angus relaxes.

"Fourteen colonies have elected civilian governments, as well as six provinces on the Homeworld," Tonsur smiles. "The Alliance Army is slowly disbanding, no problems there. Mikado-originated incidents are down, although in less patrolled zones in the Outmarches, some rogue governing cells still refuse to recognize the new political situation. The Provisional Government now believes that we'll be going to a general parliamentary election before three years are out."

"That's wonderful!" Angus nods. "I'll be sure to pass it on to interested authorities here. Now, what can the United Nations do for the Vosian people today?"

"It's in concern to the tag race," Tonsur glances at the television, running a replay of Day Three. "Wow! He's pretty fierce!" he indicates Ataru tossing Bushi into Lum.

"Some would say the Urusians shot themselves in the foot when they picked him to be Earth's champion," Angus chuckles. "Then, some would say Admiral Invader was a genius. He did lead the initial expedition."

"True," the Vosian representative nods. "However, we are concerned. We understand that you want to air this out, allow everyone to feel a sense of peace. But...we would appreciate it strongly if you requested the Ipraedies to withdraw from the race."

"How strong is your request?"

"That we, like the Sagussans, would overlook our Prime Directive and perhaps engage in mutual trade, including weapons technology so you could defend yourself."

Angus blinks surprisedly. That was a tempting offer. Sagussa's Non-Interference Directive and the Earth-Sagussa Treaty guaranteed no weapons trading. "Given your record since you instituted the Prime Directive centuries ago, sir, that offer is surprising. May I ask why you consider it so important for the Ipraedies to withdraw?"

"We don't trust the Ipraedies."

"Even now, with the Tribunal gaining such support among them?"

"Even now," Tonsur sighs. "I can state this to you, since I know your superiors will want to know. While my government has been spending time on matters of reconstruction, resources were allocated into investigating violations of the Vos-Ipraedos Peace Treaty. There have been many, I assure you. Are you aware of Project: Superwarrior?"

"It's the genetic project whose impact, in one regard, has led to this day," Angus nods. "But from what I understand, neither the Tribunal or the *Asan'on* Home Council approved of such a project."

"There have been other violations, I assure you. The point is this. My government will formally demand from the Ipraedies Empire that violators of that treaty such as the Project directors surrender themselves to Vosian justice. Once that occurs, you can bet the Yehisrites will go after them for the Cademus massacre and other incidents."

"In other words, a war is coming."

"Exactly," Tonsur nods, icily smiling.

"How long?"

"Six months maximum," the Vosian muses. "Be assured, Mr. McTavish, we will not leave the job half-done this time. We will ensure that the Ipraedies will no longer constitute a threat to anyone. Therefore, we do not wish to put your people into the embarrassing position of being allies to our enemies. While we will understand your exact position, the Yehisrites might not. And given your treaty with Sagussa, it could turn messy."

"I see!" the Terran nods. "In truth, you're trying to isolate them."

"Exactly."

Silence falls over the room. "I will be more than happy to relay your request to the Secretary-General," Angus sighs. "But I do not guarantee what his answer will be."

"Keep our offer on the table," Tonsur nods. "That should be more than enough."

With that, the Vosian is escorted out of the room. Angus watches him go. "Damn!!"

* * *

Day Four. Attempting to zap Bushi, Lum's bolt gets too close to Ataru, which sees the Oni disqualified for a day. The Ipraedies is quickly put down a half-hour later...

* * *

"How are you doing?" Noa peeks in.

To ensure no incident occurs within range of Earth, the "Kashin" and the battleship acting as Bushi's home base orbit the Moon on opposite sides. Shuttles transport the tag competitors to Tomobiki for the day's work. Noa and Honey elected to remain with the former's bond-mate. It was comfortable if you ignored the awed stares from the Urusians around them. There were even times when some crewmembers, on seeing the reborn Maidens of Aruka, prostrated themselves and chanted "WE'RE NOT WORTHY, WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!!!"

Lum now relaxes on her bed, eyes closed, her hands over her abdomen. On hearing Noa's voice, the eyes open. However, the *ashi'cha* senses someone else in control. "Why is Mommy fighting Daddy, Auntie Noa?" the Oni-turned-Sagussan wonders, her voice a child's lilt.

Noa sighs, walking over to sit beside the sleeping Oni. "She has to, Koishii-chan," she gently kisses Lum's forehead. "You see, your parents are caught in a very bad situation. You know you're from two peoples, don't you?"

"Mommy has horns, Daddy doesn't."

"That's right," Noa smiles, hauling up all of her diplomatic skills to keeping the unborn baby calm. "Now, your daddy's people don't have stuff like your mommy's people do. Stuff like how people can go from a ship to a planet. Do you know about that?"

"Yeah. Feels weird when Mommy does that. I like it when Mommy flies. Will I fly?"

"You will. You'll fly even better than your mommy does. Zap people better, too."

"I won't zap you, Auntie Noa. I know Mommy and Daddy love you."

"I love you, too," Noa gently embraces Lum. "Now, on your daddy's planet, there are many people who, if they got stuff like that, would use it to hurt people. Your daddy and Auntie Shinobu have already met some of them and they don't like them. So, to ensure that your daddy's people don't get hurt, your daddy has to make sure that stuff never comes. And to do that, your daddy has to ensure your mommy's people don't ever come to Earth again. That's why your parents are fighting."

"But I don't want them to fight!"

"I don't want them to fight, either."

Silence falls, then Lum stares pleadingly at Noa. "Auntie Noa, when this is over, will Daddy and Mommy get back together again?"

"Oh, yes, they will! Especially when your daddy learns about you!"

"But...what about Great-grandmommy?"

Noa blinks. Koishii was unbelievably perceptive for someone yet to be born. "What about your great-grandmother?"

"Mommy thinks that Great-grandmommy won't let Mommy marry Daddy. Great-grandmommy hates Mommy. What will Mommy do?"

The *ashi'cha* shudders. How does one explain this to someone who was under four months from being born, having only her mother's experience to draw on? Catty told her about Benten's experience with Junba. Finally, she sighs. "Koishii-chan...a long time ago, your great-grandmother had a very nice family. Did you know you have six other grand-uncles and grant-aunts? But long before your daddy was born, bad people hurt your grand-uncles and grant-aunts. Your great-grandmother had to send them to her friends on Zephyrus to heal them. Then your great-grandfather died in a war. She's afraid, your great-grandmother. She's afraid of your mommy taking your daddy away. She's afraid that if she loses your daddy, she'll have nothing left. Do you understand?"

"I've never seen her," Lum's tears flow. "Doesn't Great-grandmommy love me?"

Noa mentally whistles, her hands brushing the tears away. She never seen such control. Koishii was going to be something when she grew up. "Yes, she will love you, Koishii-chan...but your great-grandmother doesn't know that you'll soon be born. I'll tell her very soon...I promise." *Not to mention a few other things!* she mentally adds.

"Thank you," Lum/Koishii smiles. "I love you, Auntie Noa. Mommy loves you, too."

"I love you both," Noa kisses the Oni's cheek. "Now, let your mommy sleep."

"Okay..." her voice fades...

* * *

Day Five. Bushi and Lum spend most of their energy fighting each other, which allows Ataru to use the earth-heart fire geyser to knock them off their feet...

* * *

"Look at them!!" Nagaiwakai shrilly laughs as she stares at the duelling women, NHK replaying the day's events on the evening news. "Ataru-chan keeps this up and I'll never have to worry about Lum ever again!"

Beside her, her new husband stares quizzically at the matriarch. <<Nagai-chan,>> he psi-links, using that more often to bypass his stutter. <<Why are you still chasing after Lum? She's done nothing wrong?>>

"Oh?!" Nagaiwakai glares at him, then relaxes. "I'm sorry, Nyatsu-chan. Even after all this time, I find it impossible to trust that creature! First, the business with the Mikado, then the Urusian Imperialists, then the Niphentaxians, then everything else! How many other people have to suffer?!"

<<You've made your point, Nagai-chan,>> he gently embraces her. <<Ataru has made his point. Everyone understands now. There's no reason to fear. If Lum turns on Ataru, she'll be facing a lot of angry people...>>

His thoughts are interrupted as a young boy approaches. Dark haired with brown eyes, he is eight years old, ignoring the three decades he spent in cryostasis. "Mommy..."

"What is it, Kagami-chan?" she smiles.

"Will you show me how to use the 'puter?"

"Sure, I will," Nagaiwakai stands, beckoning her husband with her as they head out of the lounge into the playroom.

Already there, three of Nagaiwakai's children were playing. Myaku, a ten year old girl, was busy arranging rose bushes. Yamako, Kagami's twin sister, watches awestruck as a robot walks across the room. And energetic young Ningyo, born the year before Komeru, was reading a manga, her eyes drinking in all the broken taboos thirty years of cultural advancement has unleashed on this popular artform. The shock of being removed from society for so long while Zephyrite doctors tried to heal their many wounds was etched in their faces. Fortunately, it was tempered with the enthusiasm young children their age always possessed. Further, Nagaiwakai's slowed aging process made their coming back to Rishiri-tou all the easier to take.

Sitting before the computer, Nagaiwakai guides Kagami into a gaming program. Both are interrupted by angry shouts. Eyes turn as two fifteen year old high school students, a boy and a girl looking like their mother, storm in arguing. "Tetsuki no baka!! Why did you do that?!" the girl demands. "He was only asking for directions to the library!"

"What did you think I should've done?!" Tetsuki sneers at her. "Besides, I don't know why I'm defending you, Kireiko! Normal guys think you're so ugly!!"

Kireiko bashes him! "Normal guys back in the fifties, you mean!" she snarls. "Most guys TODAY think I'm beautiful!! And I can defend myself, you know!"

Nagaiwakai sighs. Annoying as Kireiko's and Tetsuki's fighting was, even decades ago, she would not miss this for the world now. "What is the matter with you two?"

"Well, Mother, Dum-dum here doesn't seem to get the idea that in this day and age, women can do their own thing!" Kireiko thumbs Tetsuki. "He still thinks of me as a commodity which is to be preserved!"

"That's my job!" Tetsuki snarls.

There is a knock. Nagaiwakai sees Brother Sunfire. "What is it, Darklight?"

"Elder Mother Noa is here."

Hearing the name, the six children shriek as they race into the living room, bowling Noa over with their hugs. "Hey, hey, hey!!" the Sagussan laughs as she kisses them in turn. "That's enough! Leave this old woman be!!"

Nagaiwakai hums. "What brings you here?"

Noa stares at her. "We have to talk."

* * *

"So, what brings you here?" Nagaiwakai receives Noa alone in the guest lounge. "I've more than thanked you enough for helping my children recover. What's the problem?"

"Ataru and Lum-chan," she announces.

"What about them?"

"Before I say anything, let me remind you that you have always demanded that Lum prove herself worthy of marrying him," Noa holds up a finger. "You said it when Ataru and Lum made their agreement, then you affirmed it after our battle with the Shirokaku."

"I am aware of that," Nagaiwakai icily sighs. "If you're threatening me..."

"I'm not," Noa holds up a laserdisk. "I'm just here to show you something."

With that, she inserts it into the player, then turns on the television. Nagaiwakai watches as the screen comes on, revealing the "Renegade's" sick bay. "This is six months ago," Noa explains, pausing the playback. "During the trip to the Planet of Shadows, Mendou and Megane learned the full complexity of my relationship with Lum-chan. They foolishly demanded that she end it. In anger, she used her lightning, which in the confines of a ship like Nassur's, is not a smart thing. They were forced down on a planet revealed to contain a Lannarkite hive. Investigating it, Junba was captured. Nassur, Shinobu and Ataru rescued her. Along the way, Ataru had an encounter with the hive queen."

"What?!!" Nagaiwakai bolts to her feet.

"Watch," Noa presses the PLAY button.

Nassur carries in the wounded Ataru, followed by Shinobu and Junba. Nagaiwakai pales at the severity of her grandson's wounds; it was a wonder Ataru didn't die that day. Lum comes in next, becoming hysterical on seeing her beloved laid so low. Nassur then calls up "Renegade's" Emergency Medical Hologram program. Seeing the scantily-clad woman, Nagaiwakai shakes her head. "I hope Natsu-chan has changed that thing."

"The Home Base computer programmed it."

The holographic doctor demands blood. Only one person had Ataru's type: Lum. The Oni immediately volunteers. Nassur departs while Shinobu helps in the transfusion. During the transfusion, the EMH removes the stinger, sewing up Ataru. He barely shows signs of recovery. Lum goes into shock, the draining of her life fluids becoming acute. Ataru still doesn't recover. The EMH moves to stop the transfusion, administering her own type of "shock therapy." Shinobu cuts in, encouraging Lum to hang in there. Finally, Ataru improves and the transfusion is ended...

"Please shut it off."

Noa presses the STOP button, then turns. Silence. Nagaiwakai looks at her hands. The *ashi'cha* blinks, surprised to see tears brimming the matriarch's eyelids. Quietly, Noa approaches, allowing Nagaiwakai the chance to think things through. Finally, Ataru's grandmother looks up, offering a light smile. "She loves you," Noa smiles. "Lum's always loved you, Nagaiwakai."

"Until now, I have not realized that," Nagaiwakai sighs. "She did it to me when she acknowledged my desire to see Ataru-chan marry Windy. She did it again with Nyatsu-chan. Now this. For three years, I have dreamt of how many ways I could remove her, free my grandson of her, then raise Ataru-chan...raise the last part of my family..."

Sobs escape her as Noa leans down to draw Nagaiwakai into her embrace. "It's okay, it's okay," the Sagussan soothes her. "Let it all out. It's alright to admit a mistake. After all, at first, even I didn't trust Lum."

"You?!" Nagaiwakai pulls away, blinking surprisedly. "You love her so much, Noa..."

"Now I do, after I've come to know and respect her. But at first, when we regained our empathic link to Ataru, I didn't know what to think of Lum. I smashed her with dreams of Ataru forcing a choice on her, kept things deliberately vague to see if she would remain and fight, or run away." A meek shrug twitches her shoulder. "She didn't run away."

"No, she hasn't. I've given her enough cause to give up the fight, not to mention what Ataru-chan has put her through."

"Lum's intentions've been honourable," Noa straightens herself. "She may not have understood things at first, but give her the chance and she'll learn. Right now, she's hurting. This tag race is taking a lot out of her...and Ataru's not giving her a break."

"He's not supposed to, remember?"

"True," Noa nods. "But I think it will give him a boost if he finds out that his grandmother, the woman he finally turned to when he felt he had no hope a year ago, will bless his impending marriage."

Nagaiwakai sighs. "I suppose I could do something. Then again, Ataru-chan inherited his mother's stubborn streak. When he sets his mind on something, he doesn't let go."

"Look," Noa pats her hand. "You have what you've lost a long time ago, whole and healthy, plus something more. Ataru wants something like that. Please don't spoil it for him. After all, you don't want him to turn his back and return to his parents?"

"I think not!!" the matriarch's eyes angrily flash. "Besides, he's outgrown the need for parents, I suspect. After all, if he still needed them, he would've moved here to Rishiri-tou, not to Oshika."

"True," the *ashi'cha* nods.

"Is there something you're not telling me, Noa? Something I should know."

"Well," Noa muses, "...there is one more thing which could please you."

* * *

Day Six. Again, Bushi and Lum wear each other out within two hours, allowing Ataru to put them to sleep once more...

* * *

"Are you busy?!" Noa knocks on Ataru's door, one hand holding a roll of parchment.

"C'mon in, Noa," Ataru waves her inside.

To the *ashi'cha's* surprise, visiting Ataru is Angus McTavish. "Mr. McTavish," Noa bows. "What brings you aboard?"

"We have a problem," Angus sighs. "The Vosians want the Ipraedies to withdraw."

Ataru and Noa blink surprisedly. Angus then explains the contents of his meeting with Tonsur. At the end, the Sagussans exchange looks. "I can understand why the Vosians and the Yehisrites want to get rid of Schwartz, but why would they want Bushi to drop from the race?" he wonders. "Her people have as much right to be involved in this as Lum's."

"I agree," Angus nods. "I asked Ookako to investigate this. She contacted your expert on Vosian affairs; Hunba, I think her name is. She called a friend on Vos."

"What did she learn?" Noa asks.

"She found out that things aren't so rosy on Vos. Now, Tonsur told me the truth when it comes to those places which've finished reconstruction. But, there's been widespread famine on other colonies, not to mention several military governors who've been in place since the early stages of the Civil War...and they don't want to give up their power. The government in Lecashuto is losing control of the situation. There are fears that a new outbreak of violence could result."

"Meaning?" Ataru prods.

"Meaning that total anarchy will result if something doesn't happen soon to unite the people," Angus rubs his nose. "Because colonies were split apart depending on who controlled them for years at a time, the pre-Civil War support structure was wiped out. The Defence Force is not equipped to provide a massive relief operation to some places. Civilian morale is at its lowest in years."

"What does this have to do with fighting a war against the Ipraedies?" Ataru demands. "The government should be worried about their people, not chasing after old man Schwartz! The Tribunal'll throw him off the throne!"

Angus sighs. "Ataru, some of the people pressing for this in Lecashuto don't really care about the difference between *Dowe'on* and *Asan'on.* All they see are Ipraedies."

"You mean that if they attacked, they would not only destroy the Home Council, but the Tribunal as well?!" Noa's eyes widen.

"Exactly. If the Ipraedies are forced out of the tag race, the Tribunal loses a lot of its grassroots support. The *Asan'on* will gain ascendancy, which will give the Vosians the necessary excuse to launch an invasion."

"When the *Asan'on* are destroyed, the Tribunal comes back, but this time, they won't have an obstacle," Ataru shrugs. "So what?"

"Ataru, I don't think the Vosians would like to see any powerful group to take control of the Empire," Angus explains. "They want the Ipraedies to be weakened, intimidated, feeling guilty for all the errors that their leaders did. No threat would result from it."

"If you did that, you'd create the perfect environment for someone like the Mikado to rise, which makes the problem self-perpetuating," Ataru cuts in. "Further, just waging a war against the Ipraedies isn't going to make the problems on Vos go away. Atop that, it'll make people want another Mikado come to power. Nothing gets solved."

"Exactly," Angus nods. "Now, I've talked this over with the Secretary-General and Zed. They know a civil war's about to break out on Ipraedos. The Secretary-General doesn't want a situation like what happened in Germany in 1919 to happen there. But, if the Vosians are serious about this, if we tell them 'no,' it could provoke a situation over Earth."

"Again," Ataru sighs, then exchanges a knowing look with Noa. "Leave the Vosians to us. We'll dissuade them of such a notion."

"In fact, we might as well rub the egg in," Noa cuts in, smiling...

* * *

Sometime later, Ataru and Noa relax in the Gatherer's lounge. "Well, one problem solved," the former sighs, then notices the parchment in her hands. "What's that?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot all about this!" Noa hands it to him. "It's from Nagaiwakai."

Ataru blinks, wondering why his grandmother would send such a formal note to him when all she had to do was call. Breaking the seal, he unrolls the note and reads:

"Dear Ataru-chan,
"After receiving intelligence from Noa concerning Lum's commendable and life-threatening actions when you were injured by that Lannarkite queen during the Planet of Shadows trip, I no longer have any reason to object to your marriage with her. I still find it difficult to accept someone like Lum; in my eyes, all you've received because of her has been one disaster after the next. Please forgive your grandmother for not seeing this sooner.
"Oh, by the way...did you know...?"

The Gatherer erupts; 6.9 on the Richter scale!! "***WHY WASN'T I TOLD?!?!?!***"

* * *

Day Seven, late afternoon. Ataru jogs down the street, Bushi right on his tail and Lum some distance behind. After turning a corner, he wipes his forehead, his finger loosening the orange bandanna meant for Lum to seize. Suddenly, his foot trips on a pothole, causing him to fall on his face. The orange bandanna falls off his head as Bushi sees her chance. "VICTORY!!!!" she cries.

The commander slams into Ataru's back, her hand yanking the green cloth. Lum pulls the corner, then seeing the orange bandanna, leaps for it. Dakejinzou then turns the corner, seeing Bushi pull herself off Ataru, then fires the starter's gun. "Tag!!!"

The crowds cheer as Bushi leaps up and down like a giddy schoolgirl, waving her bandanna to her compatriots. Dakejinzou walks up, then seeing Lum reach for the fallen bandanna, calls out, "No, Lum! It has to be on Ataru's head to make it a tag!!"

The Oni sighs, pulling back. "I think we'll call it a day given that a tag's been made," Dakejinzou announces over a megaphone, then faces the Oni. "Lum, we'll start again tomorrow morning, just you and Ataru. Bushi, congratulations are in order, I believe!"

"Thank you!!" Bushi gushes.

She runs over to embrace Lum. Ataru shakes his head, then nods as Bushi kisses him. The crowd sighs as many listlessly head for home. Lum stares quizzically at her fiance, then flies off. From the crowd, Aijooa stares at Ataru. "What is it, Aijooa-chan?" Chibi notices his fiancee's mood.

"I don't know, Urayamu-kun, but I'd swear that Ataru-chan wanted Bushi-san to tag him."

Paama blinks. "But he hates her people!"

"Weird!" Megane hums...

* * *

"Come in, Representative," Ookako smiles, waving Tonsur into her office on Manhattan's west side, some distance from the World Trade Centre. "Make yourself at home. Coffee?"

"No, thank you, Madame Ambassador," the Vosian smiles as the Terran-turned-Sagussan ambassador relaxes. "I am curious as to why you asked me here today."

"Well, I won't waste your time, then," Ookako nods. "Tonsur-san, we are aware of your request to have the Ipraedies withdraw from the tag race. I am here to tell you that this afternoon, Commander Bushi made her tag."

Tonsur tenses. "I see..."

"Further, we are aware that you are preparing to launch a war against the Ipraedies Empire to seek redress for violation of the treaty signed after your last conflict with them. Speaking for my government, we will not stand in the way of your doing that."

"Thank you," Tonsur nods, relaxing.

"But," Ookako raises a finger. "What we won't tolerate under any circumstances is any attempt to destroy the current government-in-waiting before it can take power."

He looks confused. "Government-in-waiting" was the term used by parliamentary democracies to indicate the largest opposition party in government. "Excuse me? There is no government-in-waiting on Ipraedos; it's an absolute monarchy, remember?"

"I'm aware of that. In this case, I'm referring to the *Dowe'on* Tribunal."

Tonsur's eyes widen. "You want to turn Schwartz over to the Yehisrites for Cademus; we won't stop you," her eyes narrow. "You want the Project: Superwarrior directors. Do what you want with them. You want to ensure the *Asan'on* Home Council has next to no power left; hey, that's what the whole galaxy wants. But..." a warning tone enters her voice, "...leave...the...Tribunal...alone."

Silence falls over the room. "How do I report that statement as?" Tonsur wonders. "My superiors would like to know."

"You will tell them that is the official policy of the Fifth Republic of Sagussa," Ookako explains. "You will tell them that no one will stand in the way of your people destroying the forces loyal to Emperor Schwartz. My counterpart Kimaenowakai has already discussed this with Princess Lupica and several Federation heads-of-state. It's what we all want. But those loyal to the Tribunal will be left alone...or you will find yourself facing all of us."

"I see. Including Sagussa?"

"Including Sagussa," Ookako nods. "You see, Tonsur-san, you're about to repeat history by defeating the Ipraedies. It's a foregone conclusion; a mere repeat of the Battle of Reiner's Five. But *totally* defeating them, leaving them nothing by which they could take control of their destiny, will make the matter worse. Further, there's the current unrest in the Confederation which concerns people." She pauses, then adds, "The galaxy will not tolerate another Mikado."

"I'll relay that to my government."

* * *

Day Eight. The race goes all day. Now knowing what he does, Ataru does not use any attack harmful to Lum...or Koishii.

* * *

"Hi, everyone!!" Nokoko calls out.

"Nokoko!" Kinshou beams, embracing her daughter, then Mal. Seeing the cherubic bundle in the Nendo-kata's arms, Kinshou's eyes widen. "Gods, is this...?"

"Yes," Mal smiles. "This is Katsura."

"Oh, she's divine!!" Kinshou exclaims, taking the beautiful brown-haired Oni-Terran hybrid from her mother, then carries her into the living room. "Everyone, come see!!"

Ooohs and ahs emanate from the others as they are introduced to Katsura. "The spirit of Creation has blessed you both," Naromo smiles when she has the chance to hold her niece. "But tell me, Nokoko. Does Katsura possess your race's unique mating abilities?"

"No, second-generation Nendo-kata can fully merge with their host societies," Nokoko sits beside her father. "It's a good thing, too. What happens if any of our babies fall in love with a boy?"

Everyone nods. Conversation then picks up, only to be interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing again. Muchi answers it this time, then smiles broadly at the new arrivals. "C'mon in! We've been expecting you!"

Everyone beams as Atako and Shinoko step in, the former carrying Tatsuko, the latter holding Junko's hand. "Hi, everyone!" Atako smiles as a new round of greetings are exchanged.

Junko separates herself from her mother, then looks around. "Where's Ten-chan? Ten-chan! Ten-chan! Where are you?!"

The YOIQ...young Oni in question...is hiding behind his uncle, Lum's parents having come to the Moroboshi home since Mal would be there. Ever since she became a part of the Moroboshi family, the child model from Niigata has held a secret crush on Lum's cousin, much like Reiko's interest in Yamizaki, a local Oshika boy. Unfortunately, Ten-chan, already enamoured with his classmate Minami, has no desire to have Junko chase after him.

Reiko, sitting by herself across the table from the Invaders, smiles as her eyes glow. A shocked scream follows as Ten-chan is boosted into the air, then allowed to drop to the floor in front of Junko! "Ten-chan!!" she gushes as she grabs him in a bearhug. "It's so good to see you again!"

Ten-chan tries to scramble clear. "Lemme go!! Reiko, this is your fault!! Help!!!"

Before Junko can drag him off, the door opens, revealing Shinobu. "Hello, everyone!"

"Hello, Shinobu...eh?!" Kinshou stops, her eyes widening on seeing the bundle in her arms. Silence follows as everyone stares at the sleeping girl. "Sh-sh-shinobu..." Kinshou stammers, pointing at the baby in her arms. "Wh-wh-who is th-th-that...?"

"This is Amora. Ataru-kun's daughter."

An explosion occurs!! "WHAT?!?!" Invader screams, bolting to his feet. "SINCE WHEN DID MR. GROOM HAVE TIME FOR A DAUGHTER?!?!"

"It couldn't be a *daishi'cha's* child; it's too soon!!!" Mrs. Invader exclaims.

"No, this is Ataru-kun's baby with Elle," Shinobu smiles, then blinks. "Oh, don't tell me he didn't tell you?!"

"Does it look like it?!" Kinshou demands.

Shinobu quickly explains the story behind Project: Black Rose and how Elle wanted a baby with Ataru so that she could try to pry him from Lum, then explains how Ataru arranged to have Elle-chan and Kurama-chan kidnap the baby during Babara's funeral. Once the story is aired, everyone relaxes. "Well, if he did this to stop a war, it's acceptable," Invader scratches his head, then sees the sleeping baby in Shinobu's arms. "Let's just hope she doesn't turn out like her real mother!"

Amora starts to cry. "Admiral!!" Shinobu snaps. "Stop that!! She can already sense your emotions; your anger's hurting her!"

Invader stammers, quickly backing away. Ten-chan then floats up to stare at his future cousin. Seeing the Oni boy floating above her, Amora cries anew. Ten-chan backs away. "Wh-what's wrong?! Why's she still crying?!"

Reiko telekinetically yanks him down. "Don't you know a thing about babies?! Stop floating over her!! She wants to be with you but she can't because she's not an Oni!"

"Ouch!!!" Ten-chan yelps. "You don't have to be so hard, you know!!"

Everyone laughs. Amora giggles...

* * *

That night, after everyone has gone home, Reiko and Ten-chan relax on the veranda of what was once Ataru's bedroom. By now, with Bushi's people off to launch their revolution, the "Kashin" has moved into hover orbit over Tomobiki. The Gatherer floats off the Chibi peninsula, staying low to avoid disrupting air traffic out of Narita New Tokyo International Airport. Both remain quiet as they look into the stars. "D'you think Ataru knows that Lum-chan's pregnant?" Ten-chan wonders.

"Yeah," Reiko nods. "Noa-oba-chan told Great-grandma. She told Daddy. Didn't you see him today? He did nothing to hurt Lum."

"Yeah...but he's still not letting her tag him," Ten-chan shrugs.

"That's the name of the game, remember? Daddy's still convinced that Earth isn't ready for aliens. The United Nations hasn't said anything otherwise, so he races to win."

"I wish they wouldn't do that," Ten-chan sighs, looking at the city. "I mean, I like it here. Most of the people here are nice."

"They wouldn't like you if you were older and doing all the things you've done to Daddy and everyone else," Reiko warns. At his shudder, she continues. "You see, because you're still a boy, people are willing to let you get away with things. Until Daddy stopped you from coming to Oshika, no one tried to show you you can't have everything. That's why you don't like being around him...and that's why I don't like having you near me! I don't like your attitude because I've never had anything until I was adopted by Daddy."

"Well...I still want to stay here."

"Then you better pray that Lum wins."

They look at each other, then Reiko leans up to kiss him. Ten-chan blinks in shock. "Y-y-y-you k-k-k-kissed m-m-m-me!"

"Yeah!" Reiko's eyes narrow. "And if you ever tell anyone I did, I'll kill you!"

The Noukiite levitates to the ground, then leaves. Ten-chan finds himself floating deliriously into his room. "She kissed me..."

* * *

Day Nine. The fight lasts all day, with Ataru not giving Lum any chance to get close.

* * *

"It's over," Lum tiredly announces.

Everyone looks at the Oni as she sits on her bed. "What was that?" Nassur wonders.

"It's over, Nassur-chan," Lum looks down, tears in her eyes. "Darling won't let me touch him. Now, I'll never see him again!"

"Hey!!" Benten walks up. "Who says anything about you not seeing Ataru again, huh?! All that's going to happen is that your people won't be allowed to make an alliance with Earth! Big surprise of all, Nagaiwakai herself okays your marriage!! Right, Noa?!"

"Right," the *ashi'cha* nods.

"B-but...b-but Darling let Bushi tag him...!" Lum sniffs.

"If you have been paying attention to Noa-san's explanation, Lum-chan, you would have realized Ataru did that to ensure the Vosians don't endanger the Tribunal when they move to unseat Emperor Schwartz," Oyuki calmly explains. "He was acting as Sagussa's head-of-state, which certainly does not infringe on the fact that he loves you."

"It does!! If I can't tag Darling..."

"Lum...!" Benten shudders.

Honey then walks up, drawing her scanner to do an examination. "Okay, that's enough," the physical education instructor faces everyone else. "She's very tired and needs to get some sleep. Everyone, you can see her again tomorrow. Please leave."

Noa tucks Lum into her bed. The others stare at her, then quietly withdraw. Honey closes the door behind them, then faces her sister. "Lyna, this is a mess, isn't it?!"

"Unfortunately," Noa sighs, kissing her bond-mate's cheek. "I hope Lum-chan doesn't permanently suffer if Ataru does defeat her. If she does, he'll take it really hard."

"Let's hope everyone keeps a level head tomorrow afternoon," Honey sighs. "C'mon, let's leave her to rest."

Noa nods as they depart, shutting off the lights. A moment later, Lum's eyes open. Gingerly rising, she walks to the viewport to stare at the city below the "Kashin's" hull. Tears flow down her cheeks as her hands absently fall on her lower abdomen.

"Mommy...I won't let you lose Daddy!"

* * *

Ataru stands in the Gatherer's portside observation gallery, above the side hangar bays housing the dreadnought's point defence flight. His eyes focus on the bright beacon of light floating over Tomobiki. After the strain their bond had taken over the last six months, it was difficult for him to properly focus on Lum. He had no idea how far her pregnancy had progressed. He knew it was a girl; Noa had told him that. Thinking back, Koishii had to have been conceived on the Planet of Shadows mission. Lucky thing the Sagussans intervened when they did; if Lum had lost the child because of the Mikado, Ataru would have probably destroyed Vos in retaliation. But that subtle psychic flash from the "Kashin" told him all he wanted to know. Sighing, he stares at the distant Urusian ship, then concentrates.

"Koishii-chan...Daddy won't let Mommy raise you alone," he vows.

Yuri walks onto the deck at that time. "Ataru, a call from New York."

He blinks, then nods, turning away...

* * *

Day Ten, near dusk. Everyone watches as Ataru and Lum weave around each other in a dodge-and-strike pattern, Lum trying to close in for the kill and Ataru evading her every time. The race had now shifted to the roof of Tomobiki High School, ironically the place where the Second Tag Race had come to an end. Ataru now stood on the edge of the north-west wing, Lum by the clock tower. The Oni's weary eyes could barely focus on her opponent, but she knew that she was running out of time. Around the school, a large crowd has gathered, fearful eyes locked on the drama above them. By the front gate, a limousine comes to a halt, allowing Nagaiwakai to step out. Seeing her grandson and Lum facing off on the roof, she quickly joins Nassur and Dakejinzou at the front of the crowd. "You're just in time," the Vosian sighs. "How long?"

"Seven minutes," Dakejinzou announces.

Lum braces herself, then charges. Ataru leaps up into the air, does a triple somersault, then lands by the clock tower, eyes never moving from Lum. The Oni spins around, but allows her movement to pull her gently away from the school. "They've been dodging each other for an hour!!" Ryuunosuke exclaims. "Damn it, you two, do something!!!"

"Don't interrupt, Ryuunosuke," Dakejinzou sternly orders from behind her.

"Ah...y-yes, ma'am," the tomboy shudders.

The minutes tick away. Lum stops, then braces herself to launch another attack. Ataru tenses, then dodges back...not realizing the clock tower is in the way. "Ataru-kun, look out...!!!" Shinobu cries.

*CRUNCH!!!!* Everyone winces as Ataru falls on his face. "Oh, my!" the Principal blinks. "I hope he isn't hurt too badly!"

"Hey, the bandanna's still on his head!!!" Megane cries, pointing.

Everyone looks. The orange piece of cloth still remains in place. "Go for it, Lum-chan!! You got the chance!!!" Lan yells.

Others quickly chime in their support. Lum looks at them, then at the unmoving Ataru. She moves towards him...then stops as she reflects on all the times she had hurt the man before him. The zappings, the arguments, the accusations and denials, the amount of people Ataru had to hurt to get out of Tomobiki. Were this a year before, she would have taken any advantage to win a race, even if Ataru had fallen unconscious. She almost succeeded last time, stymied by Haja's precise time-keeping. Shuddering, she looks at the crowd. Her eyes widen on seeing one person: Nagaiwakai.

"What is that girl doing?" the matriarch demands, then barks, "Lum!! Could you kindly end this before the turn the millennium?!"

Lum looks down, then drops to the roof, bowing respectfully. "I'm sorry, Grandma," she sniffs. "But this isn't right."

A shocked gasp explodes from the crowd. "You're giving up?!!" Benten snaps.

"I can never earn Darling's love now," Lum sniffs as she turns to leave.

Nagaiwakai grabs Dakejinzou's megaphone, then bellows, "***IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO RAISE MY GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER WITHOUT HER FATHER'S INVOLVEMENT, YOUNG LADY, YOU HAVE ANOTHER THINK COMING!!!!!!***"

Silence drops like a guillotine as everyone stares at Nagaiwakai. "She means Reiko, right?" Paama wonders.

"I don't think so," Yasashii warns.

By that time, Ataru has shaken the cobwebs from his head. Staring at his fiancee, he tries to get back up. "Lum..."

Lum stares at him, then smiles. "I'll never forget you, Darling."

She turns to move away. Seeing this, Ataru shakes his head. How many times do they have to repeat this?! Bolting to his feet, he yells out, "***DON'T YOU THINK KOISHII-CHAN WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HER FATHER?!?!?!***"

The crowds hush as Lum stops, turning to face him. Her eyes water as the one within her sees her father for the very first time. Hands out, she lunges at him. "Daddy...!!!"

Ataru doesn't resist as Lum boosts him up, her hand yanking off the bandanna. Hope surges in the crowd as Dakejinzou raises her starter's gun. "Tag!!!" she fires.

A roar of relief explodes as people throw themselves on each other, laughing and crying at the same time. Above them, Ataru and Lum seem strangely content as they tightly hold each other. "Daddy, I love you," Koishii's words softly emanate from her mother's lips.

"I love you, too, my precious child," Ataru soothes her. "Both of you."

Nassur looks at Dakejinzou. The older hunter shrugs. "Are you going to explain to the United Nations that it was Lum's unborn daughter that made the tag, not Lum herself?"

"No!" Nassur shakes his head. "I'm not going to touch that one!"

Hearing the phrase "unborn daughter," everyone stops, spinning around to face the two hunters. "What was that?!!" Mendou demands. "You mean to say Lum-san...?!!"

"...is going to have a baby," Nassur nods. "About four months from now by the looks of her!"

"I thought she was putting on a little bit of weight," Kenmei muses.

Megane trembles, then yells, "ATARU!!!! KINDLY EXPLAIN, NOW!!!!!!"

"Ye gods, are they STILL at it?!!" Nagaiwakai growls, slapping her forehead.

"Habits are hard to break here," Nassur hums.

Ataru and Lum land, the Oni hiding behind her fiance, staring at the crowd. "Daddy, make them go away!!! They're scary!!!"

The crowd jolts, surprised Koishii would reject them so quickly. "Relax, Koishii-chan. Now, let your mom take over!" Ataru sighs.

"Okay..." her voice slurs as it regains her accent. "*Tcha!!* What happened...eh?!" she notices the bandanna in her hand.

"You won," Ataru kisses her, then tags her horns. "Now, we're going to get married, you and I...even if I have to chain you to the altar to ensure you don't get away from me!!"

Lum jolts, then cries out as she embraces him. Everyone then faces the couple. "Yes, I think you are going to get married...!" Mendou draws his katana, the tenseness in his voice quite noticable.

Ataru and Lum notice some of the people glaring angrily at them, then after an exhaspirated sigh, exchange looks. "Do you want to do it now?" he wonders.

She blinks, then shrugs. "Well..." she hums. "We could wait until after Koishii-chan's born. After all, with the way some people've pushed us over the years, I don't like the idea of rushing anything, even if we want it."

"Neither do I," he kisses her. "Besides, I want you to look good in your wedding gown. Let's go home."

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

"Isn't that nice," Nagaiwakai smiles.

Eyes lock on the Moroboshi clan matriarch in stunned disbelief. "You're not pressing it?!" Dakejinzou wonders.

"Of course not," Nagaiwakai shakes her head. "No need to. They love each other and it is THEIR lives we're talking about, remember!"

"Good point," Dakejinzou nods.

"B-b-but...!" Mendou stammers.

"What is your problem, young man?" Nagaiwakai stares at him.

"B-b-but wh-what of L-lum-san's v-virtue...?!" he demands. "Ma'am, you can't expect some people to respect her if she marries AFTER giving birth...!"

Nagaiwakai sighs. "Young man, after all Ataru-chan and Lum've done to you over the last year, don't you think it would be a painful waste of time to attempt to force them into marrying because you and your friends think it's improper?!"

"W-well..." Mendou hums, then sighs. "She is our friend! Some people WILL object to this. ma'am. We're only concerned for our friend."

"True...and I'm sure Lum appreciates you doing that. But Ataru-chan can't trust you, even now, after all you've endured. There is still a chasm between most of you and he. And if you try to force yourself on him...well, how will Lum look at you then? Friendship, young man, goes very far no matter where in the galaxy you live, but there are limits to how far friends can influence each other. Ataru-chan and Lum are happy to have things the way they are now. If you really are her friends, THEIR friends...you would respect that and simply wish them the best."

Everyone exchanges looks, then sigh. "She's got a point," Megane concedes. "Man, a year ago, I'd never think that we'd EVER let Ataru get away with making Lum pregnant and holding off on the wedding until the baby was born!"

"Shows how much you've come in a year's time," Shinobu smiles...

*** The End ***

Epilogue...

The waves lap over the shore of the Sogh'haeng as the couple walks hand-in-hand toward the distant dome of Tere'na-korgh. They allow the bright force of Sen'a to warm them, the giant sun's power now diluted by the distant clouds forming over the vast ocean. A storm will come, but neither care; both will be inside the Forge's dome on their way to Lyna's grave long before the rains come.

"Darling?"

"Yes, Lum-chan?"

They stop, gently embracing the other. "What were you looking for?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Ever since Icarus, I've felt you've been looking for something. Have you found it?"

Ataru considers the matter, then kisses her. "Yes...I found it."

Lum smiles as they continue on their life's journey...

*** And the Beginning ***

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

And so it ends...for now.

Mega-thanks to Eleanor Kushnir for putting up with our lack of writing skills over the last two years, understanding characters which baffled her at times. For those looking for her editing services, please contact her at kush1@iaw.on.ca.

Thanks to Alan Septimus (formerly at septimus@acsu.buffalo.edu) for being the one who urged me to put this on the Net. We hope you come back very soon, Alan.

Naturally, thanks to Karsten Sethre, Steve Lyudmirsky, Kinkie Chemolli, Matthew Start and Helen Szeto for archiving this on the Web, not to mention the many overworked people at r.a.a.c. like Eric Williamson and the legendary Megazone, who still have to catch up with the backlog.

A warm thanks to Sean Gaffney for his constant and informative C&C.

Thanks to Patrick Vera, Ted Hsu, Alan (again), Sean (again), Dorrie (Shinobu) A., Philip Gavigan, Steven Cornett and all the others whose ideas have wound their way into our series.

Along with that, thanks to Sean (yet again!), Philip (again) and Robert Geiger for their side story contributions.

And finally, thanks to all of you out there for welcoming us into your lives, even for a little bit.

See you in twenty...;-)

Fred Herriot and Mike Smith