Chapter 246
"Uh..Rick..we have a problem," Lita said.
"Which is?" Rick asked.
"Tijiro asked me to marry him," Lita said.
"He did? WHAT?"
"That was my response too," Lita said.
"But why?"
"He says he was impressed by the way I acted, my power, my grace, the usual words that describe me you know," Lita said.
"I wouldn't know," Rick said.
Lita bonked him on the head.
"Uh..that's not really the point," Rick said. "So he's attracted to you?"
"Yes he is, I think he's given up on Sakuro."
"But this is no good, we've got Sakuro after me and Tijiro after you, they should be after each other."
"Yeah, but how do we match them up?" Lita asked.
"I don't know, but if a love expert and a japanese school girl can't hook up two lovers, no one can," Rick said.
"Where are we going to get the love expert though?" Lita asked.
"You know very well where we'll get him!" Rick snapped.
"Oh..you mean you?" Lita asked.
"Of course I do!" Rick said.
"Uh...okay.." Lita said.
"Now..the next thing to do is figure out what we're going to do."
"Uh huh," Lita said.
"Any ideas?"
"No."
"Ah..well..then.." Rick said. "Guess we'll have to come up with something."
"OF COURSE!" Lita shouted. "Wasn't that the point?"
"Yep," Rick said.
"Have you ever done this kind of work before?" Lita asked.
"Uh..well..you messed up my last attempt."
"Oh.."
"Hmm..that could be a problem."
"But you said we were the best qualified."
"Yeah, that's still not necessarily a good thing."
"Will you start making sense please?" Lita muttered.
"Uh...sure..I'll give it a try," Rick said. "I'm just confused, it shouldn't be this hard."
"It's always this hard to bring two people together."
"Not where I come from."
"You mean Tokyo?"
"Right."
"That's what I mean," Lita said. "This isn't supposed to be easy."
"Maybe not for you."
"You've never pulled this off before have you!" Lita said.
"Well know, but I'm in theorizing," Rick said.
"You're insane," Lita said.
"I think you're right," Rick said calmly. "I think all this has finally cracked me."
"Uh...so how do I get the old you back?" Lita asked.
"No idea," Rick said.
Lita sighed.
"Uh..mister Ariton, I think something's wrong with Rick," Lita said.
"You mean medically, then you should talk to the doctor," Ariton said.
"I don't know if it's medical."
"Oh? What is it?"
"He is acting very strangely. It's this whole love thing. Tijiro and Sakuro you know."
"What do you think I can do about it?"
"Uh..maybe whip up a potion to fix his problem."
"I'm not that kind of wizard, I focus energy and power mostly. I use a few tricks, that's true, but what you ask..."
The door swung open. Rick hurried in.
"I'm fine now," he said.
"But.." Lita said.
"I just get like that when I'm stressed," Rick said.
"I've never seen you like that before."
"That's because you haven't seen me stressed."
"Oh.."
"Well problem solved," Ariton said.
"Guess so," Lita said.
"And I've got the solution after careful thought," Rick said.
"What?" Lita asked.
"We should get married," Rick said.
"WHAT? Rick..you mean actually marry them?" Lita asked.
"No..no.." Rick said.
"Oh..okay..I thought you had lost it."
"I mean that you and me should marry each other," Rick said.
Lita collapsed.
"Are you sure you're not insane?" Ariton asked.
"Nope," Rick said.
"What are you thinking?" Lita snapped popping back up.
"I..uh..listen..if we get married here what's the big deal? When we go back home we won't be legally married," Rick said.
"Yes, but marriage isn't just a tool it means more than that," Lita said.
"Says you," Ariton snapped.
"Uh..are we going somewhere we shouldn't?" Lita asked.
"Sort of," Ariton said. "Don't ask."
"We'd better be going then," Rick said and he and Lita headed out.
"Rick..you are insane," Lita said.
"Lita..I know it sounds insane, but I've thought it through, if we get married here, Sakuro and Tijro can't come after us," Rick said.
"Yes.Rick...it would be the easy way, but I'm not exactly interested in using the sacred vows to get myself out of trouble."
"It's been done before," Rick said.
"When?" Lita asked.
"I'm not sure," Rick said. "But think about it will you? They'll be chasing us all around this place if we stay single. Once we're married they'll have to give each other a closer look."
"Or kill us," Lita muttered. "There has to be another way."
"What..don't you think I'd make a good husband?" Rick asked with a grin.
"Don't joke about it," Lita said. "And what would Raye think?"
"Once we explained it I'd sure she'd understand" Rick said.
"After she had beaten you senseless right?"
"We won't tell Raye about it then," Rick said.
"I don't know," Lita said.
"Think about it. It may be our only way out of this," Rick said.
"We could try escaping you know."
"And if we fail, they'll tighten security even more."
"Yes...the key is not to fail."
"Well..yes..but.."
"Rick..think of something else," Lita said and headed down another corridor.
Rick sighed.
"That was a killer idea too," he muttered.
"There you are darling!" Came a shout. Rick whirled as Sakuro ran towards him.
"This is no fun!" Rick shouted and took off down the hallway.
"I must admit I was scared when you held that weapon of yours to my daughter's throat," King East said sipping some tea.
"I have exemplary control of my weapon, I would never have used it," Hotaru said. "However, your daughter has been quite out of control."
"Agreed. I'm afraid she's very hard to keep under control. I mean I am a King, I have little time to take her under my wing, and the court appointed nurses just can't keep her from being herself."
"Have you considered incarceration?" Hotaru asked.
"Are you kidding?"
"Uh...yes and no," Hotaru said.
King East started laughing.
"What?" Hotaru asked.
"You're pretty funny."
"I try not to be."
"Yes...well..my daugther does need some help it seems. But I don't know where to find it."
"Maybe if you made the time for her," Hotaru said.
"Hmm.do you have a father Hotaru?"
"Yes."
"He spend enough time with you."
"It's too late for that."
"I see," King East said. "What makes you say that?"
"My fate is determined, I was under the control of evil for years, as was he," Hotaru said. "It has changed me, I am as I will always be now, whether he helps or not."
"I sincerely hope that's not true," King East said.
"Hmm..I am glad I am not getting any worse though," Hotaru said. "My father works very hard, he cares for me, that is enough."
"You would want him around though right?"
"I don't consider it a necessity anymore. One learns to cope."
"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that."
"It is all right," Hotaru said. "It is not your problem. Your concern is your daughter. It may not be too late to save her. I do not know. Asking my advice is not suggested."
"I ask your advice because you seem to be willing to give it."
"Willing yes, confident in it, not really," Hotaru said. "I do what I can, but my experience with these kind of things is limited. My emotions are not attuned to that way of thought."
"I guess so," King East said. "But maybe I will try to see her some more."
"That may work," Hotaru said. "I am sorry I was so violent."
"You've had a hard life."
"That's only an excuse," Hotaru said and stood up. "Not an explanation."
"You shouldn't see it that way," East said.
"But I do, because I'm right," Hotaru said.
"Uh..yes..well Hotaru..try not to get both you and my daughter hurt tommorow," East said.
"I will do my best," Hotaru said. "However, pain is inevitable, even standing
still one will eventually get sore."
Lita was in the garden looking the place over.
"This is pretty nice," She said to herself. "Wouldn't mind living here for a while."
A green rose shaped flower flew through the air and smashed into the ground. She whirled.
"Ah..Princess Lita," Tijro said striding up.
"Uh....about that entrance," Lita said.
"I save it for those I love the most."
"Uh..yes..well..Tijiro..I.."
"Do not hold back your true emotions," Tijiro said.
"If I didn't you'd be lying on the ground as a result of a punch to the face," Lita said.
Tijiro grinned.
"Princess..don't tell me you don't have some measure of attraction to me."
"Tijiro, I'm sure you're a nice guy, but I well..I'm not interested."
"Why not? Maybe I can allay your fears."
"That's the civilized thing to say, but I...am just not into it."
"What?" Tijiro asked.
"I don't want to marry you!" Lita shouted.
"Okay..fair enough, we can just date," Tijiro said.
"No.." Lita said. "You don't understand."
"Oh come now my dear, I can be a great partner to you. You can lead," Tijiro said.
"Tijro...you're not getting the idea are you?" Lita asked.
"I will not let rejection stop me. I've been rejected before."
"No doubt," Lita said. "But..I assure you won't win this one."
"You're desire to make this a competition makes me desire you even more," Tijiro said.
"Tijiro..give it up," Lita said.
"No..I will not rest until you're my prize," Tijiro said.
"You'll collapse from exhaustion by the end of the first week," Lita said and tossed him into a nearby pond. Tijiro emerged sopping wet.
"That is very sexy," he said.
"Go away," Lita said and pushed him back in and hurried off.
"My desire calls out to me!" Tijiro said racing out of the pond. "Answer it!"
"What?" Lita muttered as she ran. "This is getting out of hand."
She rounded a corner and slammed right into Rick.
"Rick!" Lita snapped.
"Lita!" Rick said.
There was another crash as Princess Sakuro and Tijiro both crashed into each other in their pursuit.
"You idiot Tijiro!" Sakuro shouted.
"Hey! You ran into me!" Tijiro shouted.
"I did not! And you will adress me as Princess!"
"How about I adress you as lovesick fool!"
"How dare you!" Sakuro said.
"Uh...well..I..." Tijiro said.
Sakuro slapped him.
"Take that! Now Prince Richard..." Sakuro said looking around. "Where'd he go?"
Lita and Rick had taken the time to run away.
"Now look what you've done?" Sakuro snapped.
"Sorry.." Tijiro said.
"Ehh.." Sakuro said. "Why do we even keep you around?"
"Because I've got fast hands," Tijiro said.
Sakuro kicked him.
"Yeah..same to you Princess!" Tijiro snapped.
"What!" Sakuro said and kicked him again.
Tijiro grabbed her and pulled her legs out from under her.
"How dare you assault the princess!" Sakuro said.
"I'm merely defending myself," Tijiro said.
Sakuro glanced at him. Their eyes met.
Then the slap from Sakuro's hand connected Tijiro's face yet again.
"You'll pay for this Tijiro," Sakuro said and headed off.
Tijro sighed.
"What was that all about?" he asked himself.
Later that night.
"So Hotaru..you going to rough up Sakuro?" Lita asked.
"I will bring the fight to an end as quickly as possible," Hotaru said.
"You seemed very eager to beat her up earlier."
"A moment of rashness," Hotaru said. "She is very annoying. But I have no interest in prolonging this useless feud. I want nothing to do with her. I will beat her in combat and then move on."
"Guess that's the right thing to do," Lita said. "I wish my problem was that simple."
"Your problem.." Hotaru said. "What would that be?"
"Oh..never mind.." Lita said.
"You mean Tijiro's constant efforts to get you to marry him."
"Yes.." Lita said.
"Unfortunate, your best bet is to kill him."
"Hotaru, you're joking."
"Well it does get the job done," Hotaru said. "Still I can see that is not exactly what you would like to do."
"Hotaru..murder is not an answer."
"Most of the time," Hotaru said. "Have you been given any other options?"
"Rick suggested that me and him marry each other, but I mean...that's a little crazy," Lita said.
"But very useful," Hotaru said.
"Hotaru you don't think that I should..do you?"
"It would make the problem much easier to deal with."
"But I couldn't," Lita said. "I mean..it's marriage, even if it is on another planet."
"As long as you don't consumate it, it isn't a major issue," Hotaru said.
"Are you joking again?"
"I don't know," Hotaru said.
Lita glanced at her.
"You're a complex girl Hotaru."
"That is one way to describe it I guess," Hotaru said.
"But..marry Rick? It's pretty extreme."
"I would do it."
"But you're emotionally detached, you don't know the importance of marriage."
"I know the importance of marriage doesn't figure into this, this shouldn't be a moral dilemna."
"It just is," Lita said. "I mean...it just sounds wrong."
"It's not."
"Maybe to you."
"I am not that far out. I am relatively utilitarian in my thoughts though. If you don't have another answer, you cannot continue this way, with those two coming after you two."
"I know," Lita said.
"Our major concern should be to get out of here. We can't do that with you two distracted."
"I know," Lita said.
"I suggest you make a decision of some kind," Hotaru said. "Soon."
"That we do have to do," Lita said. "You get some rest Hotaru. Big fight tommorow."
"So I've heard," Hotaru muttered.
Lita headed out.
A blue rose smashed into the floor.
"Oh brother.." Lita said.
"Princess Lita...perhaps I did make myself clear before!" Tijiro said hurrying up.
Lita sighed and just started running.
"Prince Richard.." Sakuro began.
"Princess..if you would just call me Rick, you'd increase your chances..." Rick said.
"Oh..very well..Rick.."
"Thank you."
"Yes..now Rick...can't you see how much I love you?"
"Sakuro I think it's just a crush."
"It is not. This is true love."
"How do you know?"
"Because I've never felt this before."
"That is not the best answer," Rick said.
"What do you know?" Sakuro muttered. "I don't see why you're resisting so much. I'm perfect for you."
"Why do you think that?"
"Well..I'm beautiful, smart, rich, and a princess," Sakuro said.
"You're also crazy," Rick said.
"I can change," Sakuro said.
Rick began to laugh.
"What?" Sakuro asked.
"You're funny," Rick said. "The answer is no."
He soon picked up speed and raced down the hallway.
"I'm getting sick of running after you!" Sakuro shouted.
"Then stop!" Rick said.
"No..true love gives me the energy I need!" Sakuro said.
"Yeah..well that won't last long," Rick said. "And it's called adrenaline!"
"What is?" Sakuro shouted..
Rick sighed.
The next morning. Hotaru woke up and transformed into Sailor Saturn.
"I do not really care if I defeat or not, of course I will beat her," Saturn said. "That is assured, still..why did she get such an emotional response out of me. She hardly deserves my attention. This is an interesting development. I will speak to Greg about it at the first opportunity, wherever he is."
She swung her scythe.
"My speed will do the job," she said.
She then headed out into the hallway. Rick dashed down it followed by Sakuro.
"You had to come out sometime!" the princess shouted.
"Sakuro! Go away!" Rick shouted.
"Sakuro! You have other business," Saturn said.
"Yeah..yeah..I'll get to wiping your face into the dirt in a minute," Sakuro said. "Meet me in the courtyard!"
"That I will," Saturn said.
Lita followed by Tijiro also raced by.
"This is getting out of hand, no it's beyond that," Saturn said.
Several minutes later Saturn stood waiting. So did a crowd including the king. Princess Sakuro emerged in her armor.
"I am ready for you," she said. "This time it will be final," Sakuro said.
"That is certain," Saturn said.
"Now girls, this is not the death," King East said.
The two grimaced.
"It fight will last for the few seconds I need to defeat this interloper," Sakuro said.
"I'm afraid that will not be the result," Saturn said.
"We'll see," Sakuro said drawing an energy sword. "I've gotten better since we last met."
"What..in those two days?" Rick muttered.
The group all muttered similar replies.
"Yeah! Well forget you!" Sakuro shouted and charged. Saturn stood there and then redirected the sword with her scythe.
"I was expecting it this time!" Sakuro said and threw a punch with her other hand.
"Very well," Saturn said and came down with her scythe. Sakuro blocked it and the two sparred back and forth.
"You have improved," Saturn said. "Unfortunately that will not save you."
"It will indeed," Sakuro said flipping backward and unleashing a barrage from her sword. Saturn leapt out of the way and fired from her weapon down at the ground. Sakuro dived out of the way. The two were soon firing at each other madly sending the audience ducking for cover.
"They're taking this over the edge!" Lita said.
"Saturn Mist Wave!" Saturn shouted. A wave of energy flew at Sakuro who dived out of the way hurriedly. A wall was blown to pieces.
"That's historical!" King East shouted worriedly.
Sakuro charged forward and unleashed a massive barrage from her own sword. Another wall exploded.
"Who gave her that weapon?" Tijiro muttered.
Sailor Saturn swung forward and connected knocking Sakuro to the ground, she aimed her blade right at her.
"Surrender now, or I will..end this..' Saturn said.
"You've won this one," Sakuro sai dropping her sword. " but not the next one!"
"There won't be a next time," Saturn said.
CHAPTER 231 CHAPTER 232 CHAPTER 233 CHAPTER 234 CHAPTER 235
CHAPTER 236 CHAPTER 237 CHAPTER 238 CHAPTER 239 CHAPTER 240
CHAPTER 241 CHAPTER 242 CHAPTER 243 CHAPTER 244 CHAPTER 245
CHAPTER 246 CHAPTER 247 CHAPTER 248 CHAPTER 249 CHAPTER 250
CHAPTER 251 CHAPTER 252 CHAPTER 253 CHAPTER 254 CHAPTER 255