Chapter 340

Rick waited. Maybe they're not home. He thought.

A few seconds passed.

Hmm..guess not.

He knocked again.

But the car's here. They must be here. Of course that's the least of my problems.

He sighed.

Seconds later he was hit with a rain of cold water.

His father began laughing from an upstairs window.

"Never was able to do that before!" he said happily before jumping to the ground.

Rick was in shock.

"Welcome back," his father said. "What took ya?"

"Fear," Rick said bluntly. The water was quite unnecessary.

"Oh I see, well here you are," his father said. "You should have known I'd get over it."

"Yeah..well..with you I never know."

"So, how'd she take it?"

"Take what?"

"Well...you're here aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"So that must mean you've agreed to give up your girlfriend."

"No, I'm here to talk," Rick said.

"What's there to discuss?" his father said. "Didn't I make myself clear?"

"Yeah, and I'm not going to let her go, but I'm not going to let you go either," Rick said.

"It doesn't work that way," his father said.

"What does it take to prove to you that she's all right?" Rick said.

"You can't prove it, I know better," his father said.

"But Dad," Rick said. "I love her."

"So you say, do you how many times I've said I loved your mother and not meant it?"

"WHAT?"

"Zero, because I know what I'm talking about!" his father said. "Now Rick, I'm your father I know better. Why can't you just live with it?"

"No," Rick said. "I guess you aren't going to change."

"Fraid not."

Rick turned and walked away.

"Now where are you going!" his father shouted.

"Back to Raye's, where there's some common sense!"

"I'm all about common sense!" his father shouted.

"I don't know what you're about!" Rick said.

"Can you believe that?" his father snapped. The rest of the family, hanging out of windows glanced at each other.

"Hey, well maybe he has a point," Kino said.

"Raye's a pretty nice girl," Ryu said.

"Oh so you think so ey!" Mister Fujimori said and raced towards the house. The family ducked out of the windows in search of a place to hide.

And at Mina's house.

"Do you like my new dress?" Mina asked.

"Did you have to show us this at the same time?" Yaten asked.

"I agree.." Mike said.

"Hey, you guys should learn to get along," Mina said. "You have a lot in common."

"We do not!" the two shouted.

"Oh, quit it," Mina said. "You're both intellectuals somewhat off the beaten path."

"Yeah, but I'm a few feet, he's miles away and below it," Yaten said.

"I'll accept that analogy," Mike said.

"Now you two aren't that different. Sure Yaten you're a better person, but Mike has his strong points."

Yaten grinned slightly.

"Hey, being a good person is that interesting," Mike said. "There's more opportunities for exploration on the dark side."

"Why don't you explore some right now!" Yaten said.

"You wouldn't want me to do that," Mike said staring at Yaten. The two stared at each other, it seemed as almost sparks could fly from each of them at the other.

"Hmm..just what are two so mad at each other about anyway?" Mina asked.

"Nothing," the two quickly responded.

Mina sighed.

Lita found Steve sitting in his garage.

"Ah, Steve there you are," she said. "Not another rocket!"

"No, no, this is pipe, we've got to fix the toilet upstairs," Steve said.

"I'm sure you'll still find someway to blow it up," Lita said.

"Yeah, that's the true challenge," Steve said.

"Listen Steve, we need to talk."

"Oh?"

"It's about..us.."

"I see," Steve said. "I didn't think there was a problem. Aren't we just friends?"

"Sure..but uh..well Seiya thinks, and I kinda do too that maybe you're I don't know attracted to me.." Lita said.

"Oh that.." Steve said. "Sure."

"What?"

"No use lying about it."

"But we've been there before, we know it doesn't work out."

"Ehh...the first time didn't work, but then again, I've been learning."

"Yes, but you know Seiya and I.."

"Sure," Steve said. "And I'm sitting here working with pipe aren't I?"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm waiting for another shot that's all?"

"But how do you know they'll be one?"

"I don't, but I'll wait anyway," Steve said. "I had the visions too you know."

"What?"

"All of them."

"You did?" Lita asked.

"Sure," Steve said. "But that's not really the issue. Look, how can I not be attracted to you?"

"I.."

"Don't worry about it. I'll behave. Seiya knows where I stand. I'll wait my turn."

"But..I don't want to chose between you two."

"Who said anything about that?" Steve said.

"But you.."

"Hey..if Seiya works out go for it, I want to see you happy, if he doesn't I'll be waiting."

"Oh.." Lita said. " It's kinda confusing though, I mean, how am I suppose to go about this?"

"Lita, put it out of your mind, I'm here, I'm your friend, I can live with that forever, if Seiya and you fall in love, I'll be the first one to congratulate you, otherwise.."

"All right," Lita said. "I guess that it can't hurt for us to air our feelings. I guess I've had some of those feelings..too..but I didn't want to admit it."

"Hey, it happens, but you worry about your boyfriend, he's not as bad as I thought. Still, it's best that it doesn't come up."

"Yeah I guess," Lita said. "See you later."

She hurried off.

"I guess that went well," Steve said.

The pipe fell out of hands and slammed into the ground.

Steve started.

"Ah..well..that's okay then," he said with a grin.

"It didn't go well," Rick muttered.

"He hasn't changed his mind?" Raye asked.

"Not a bit," Rick said.

"I'm sorry," Raye said.

"Don't be, it's my problem," Rick said. "I don't know why he has to do to this me, but I won't let it stop me. Raye, let's go out."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh," Rick said. "Come on."

"All right," Raye said.

"I have just the place in mind," Rick said.

"That's good, because I have no ideas."

"Don't worry, leave it to me," Rick said.

"Sure," Raye said. "But you going to be okay?"

"I hope so, just stay with me."

"All right," Raye said.

And the two were soon headed off on a date.

"We're going to have fun," Rick said.

"If it'll help you sure," Raye said.

The next day.

"A week huh?" Haruka asked.

"That's what Guardian Moon said," Serena said. "I believe him."

"I don't," Haruka said.

"Well, I'd guessed you wouldn't, but I think we can believe him," Serena said.

"Still, it's always good to be cautious."

"We'll still keep an eye on things," Michiru said.

"I still can't understand though," Serena said. "Just what do they want?"

"He hasn't let on?" Michiru asked.

"No he didn't say anything except that he'll tell me then," Serena said.

"Finally we may learn what they want," Haruka said.

"But they stood with us, why keep fighting?" Serena asked.

"It must be a complex issue," Setsuna said.

"That seems clear," Haruka said. "Besides, they were willing to ally themselves with that unknown other force too."

"I have a feeling that was to trap it," Setsuna said.

"They didn't want to win that fight," Michiru said.

"What?" Serena asked.

"If we believed we had beaten them and they had teleported to their home base, we would think they wouldn't be up to something for a while right?" Setsuna asked.

Serena nodded.

"So instead they got beaten supposedly and then teleported to the arctic, hoping we wouldn't catch on until it was too late," Michiru said.

"But we did," Serena said. "That sounds possible. I'm not convinced their evil, no they're not they're just angry at us for something."

"Very angry," The other three said.

"Well, I wanted you to know and I always wonder what you're up too," Serena said. "But Darrien's going to take me to the zoo."

"Enjoy it," Setsuna said.

"Oh I will," Serena said. "Those animals are all so cute.."

The other three grinned.

Serena headed out.

"I'm proud of her, she still holds on, despite everything that's happened," Setsuna said.

"She's a tough one," Haruka said.

"She has a lot to live for," Michiru said.

"You hadn't really told me what you thought of the balloon ride?" Seiya asked.

"I had never seen the countryside like that before," Lita said.

"So you liked the trip?" Seiya asked.

"Oh yes, it was wonderful," Lita said.

"Then we should go again sometime."

"I'd love it."

"Well consider it done, I was thinking today we might take a swing down to a nightclub."

"Seiya..I don't know, those places are a little scary."

"What?"

"Well stuff happens there."

"They're very safe," Seiya said.

"I know, but still, I'd prefer to go somewhere else," Lita said.

"That's funny."

"What?"

"Big strong girl like you afraid of the a nightclub?"

"I have my reasons," Lita said with an edge.

"All right, we all have our quirks," Seiya said. "Still, it can be great fun."

"There are plenty of other places to go and dance you know," Lita said. "Seiya, do you even slow dance?"

"Of course, the prom remember?"

"You stunk."

"What?"

"Just being honest," Lita said.

"Well..I haven't seen that much use for that art," Seiya said.

"That's what I thought," Lita said.

"But I can learn," Seiya said.

"It's a good skill, say..how about you enroll in a class, we can go together," Lita said. "Though I guess I'm much better than you would be."

"I see," Seiya said. "Well..maybe later."

"Oh.." Lita said.

"Hmm..let's try somewhere moderate. Tell you what..tonight we'll go to the skyline restaurant."

"Okay," Lita said.

"In the meantime, I have to do some other things. That okay."

"Uh huh."

Seiya nodded.

"See you tonight," Lita said.

Seiya grinned and walked off.

"Wear something nice," he added.

"Well of course I will," Lita said.

"But why am I so critical? Guess it happens," She said. "We're always trying out new things, some things just don't match. Guess I'll go see what Steve's up too."

"I got a letter from a publication company today," Greg said.

"Oh you did?" Amy asked.

"It wasn't good," Greg said.

"They didn't like it?"

"Said it was too corny."

"Corny? Now that's not what I would call it."

"Yes well that's what they thought."

"It happens," Amy said.

"Yeah I know," Greg said. "Still, corny!"

He pounded his fist on the table.

"You okay?" Amy asked.

"Sure, sure," Greg said. "Fine."

"No you're not!"

"I hate rejection!" Greg shouted.

Uh oh. Amy thought. Looks like we've hit a snag here.

Sylia Coral walked into the Diet House of Representatives for the first time since she had been deposed. She smiled politely at the guards, who nodded back adding an occasional welcome back. Sylia headed down to her new office and walked in. Her secretary was typing away at something.

"What are you writing?" she asked. "I mean I haven't been in a position to give you work for a while?"

"Oh, just some personal stuff, I didn't know when you'd be back," the secretary said.

"Ah..so this it huh?" Coral said looking around the office.

"Well, it's not much, but you used to work in a place like this," the secretary said.

"So true," Sylia said. "And who am I kidding, I didn't like pomp and circumstance anyway?"

"Yes ma'am, you have some messages, none of them are important."

Sylia grinned.

"Keep up the good work," she said. "I'm going to the house chamber."

"Welcome back ma'am."

Sylia nodded.

This place hasn't changed so much. Why do I feel so strange? I guess after leading the country this seems a bit odd. Still, can't do much about that now.

She headed down a hallway and reached the chamber. The guards saluted. Sylia walked in. The discussion that was occurring stopped. Everyone stood and began to clap. Sylia sighed.

Oh. Wonderful, now they're going to make me feel all gushy inside.

"Welcome back Sylia!" Prime Minister Kanzaki said from the front podium. Sylia nodded and took a seat at the front row.

"So have I missed anything?" she whispered to a colleague.

"We're just thinking about going to war."

"Oh is that all?" Coral asked with a smile.

"But Prime Minister," Someone was saying. "How can we hope to take on all these countries that have a problem with us? They're stronger."

"We're very strong," Kanzaki said.

"Yes, but."

"Hey..Omori, why are you such a wimp?" Coral said rising.

Kanzaki grinned.

"Don't patronize me Coral, I know what I'm talking about! This is the mess you made!"

"I made?" Coral asked. "Are you so sure about that, 'mister voting against added SDF spending!'"

"I have a valid argument!" Omori shouted.

"Haven't they voted you out of office yet!" Coral shouted back.

The crowd roared. Sylia Coral was back.

Yet another day passed.

"I must say I'm impressed," The CIA agent said.

"With what?" General Patterson said.

"How well things have been handled, these rogues have been contained it seems, and the other faction is running scared."

"It's hardly my doing."

"Ah, but it's someone's, someone here."

"Yes, well we work like that," Patterson said. "Team effort."

"I can see your going to be prove to be a strong ally."

"Hadn't you already figured that?"

"Well..initial reports can be inaccurate," The agent said. "But anyway..I'm headed back to the US, we'll keep an eye on things, trust me this isn't going to go away."

"No, that would be too convenient," General Patterson said.

"Watch your back General," The agent said and headed off.

Yeah, but from an attack from who? Patterson thought.

"It was a wonderful dinner last night," Raye said. "I really enjoyed it."

"Well, so did I," Rick said. "I'm not big on letting my troubles consume me, even if they do from time to time. But Raye, let's go out again tonight?"

"Sure," Raye said. "Rick, I really hope you can work things out."

"I do too, but it's a waiting game, the only way I can prove to him and myself that this is all worth it, is to do what I'm doing."

"And I enjoy all the time we spend together," Raye said.

"Well you should," Rick said. "I'm just all about that."

"Don't get cocky."

"Even for fun?"

"Yeah, even for fun."

"All right, but you know what they say, when you can back it up.."

"Don't start," Raye said.

"Ahem.." Motoki said emerging. "I have made lunch if you wish some."

"With onions?" Rick asked.

"Of course," Motoki said.

"You are the man," Rick said and hurried in.

"Playful isn't he?" Motoki asked.

"He manages," Raye said and walked in. "Though I won't be able to kiss him for weeks you realize?"

"Sorry," Motoki said.

The Deveraux Residence.

"Now, you two are probably wondering why you're here?" Mina asked.

"It can't be good," Mike and Yaten said.

"Now stop it," Mina said. "You two know better than that."

"We do?"

"Anyway," Mina said. "I can see what's happening, you both want me."

Mike and Yaten were speechless.

"And while I'd like to give myself to both of you, it hasn't worked before," Mina said. "So..you two are just going to have to prove yourselves."

"This is very irregular," Yaten said. "I'm your boyfriend."

"Sure you are, but Mike's the challenger," Mina said. "Envision it as a wrestling match. We still on for next week Mike?" she asked.

"I got the tickets," Mike said.

"What?" Yaten asked.

"A wrestling match Yaten, you hate wrestling, so Mike and I are going," Mina asked.

"Don't you think you should have talked to me first?" Yaten asked.

"It's just wrestling, how could you even think that attending that is a date?" Mina asked.

"I didn't say that, it's the principal of the thing," Yaten said.

"Don't you worry about that," Mina said. "But in the meantime, you two will fight over me, is that okay?"

"Uh.." the two said looking at each other.

"Oh come on, it's all right if I agree to it," Mina said.

"But.." the two said.

"Don't you want to fight over me?" Mina asked.

"I don't," Yaten said.

"I prefer covert operations," Mike said.

"I'm hurt," Mina said. "But that's the way it is, so deal with it."

Yaten and Mike sighed.

Later.

"The city looks so nice at night," Serena said.

"You've noticed that before," Darrien said.

"Yes, but it bears repeating. What I like is how the most ordinary of things can be so beautiful, an office building for instance...what do they do in there? Office stuff. That's all. And yet look at the thing. It's pretty."

"Guess so," Darrien said. "There must be some underlying motif there."

"That's not what I mean," Serena said. "Sometimes you gotta keep things simple. Try not to understand why something means what it does, but enjoy it anyway."

"I guess."

"Right now that's what I want to do," Serena said.

"Okay," Darrien said. "I'll do that too."

"You're no good at it."

"I'll try anyway," Darrien said.

Serena grinned, and they hugged.

"So do you think we'll win the fight," Serena said.

"We always win," Darrien said.

"Wonder why that is," Serena said.

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