Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year:  "No Grudges" Part 1
by Sean Gaffney
gaffney@iconn.net
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edited by James Bateman, Fred Herriot, E.B. Kushnir, Richard Lawson, 
and Sebastian Weinberg
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A side story based on the fan fiction stories by Mike Smith and Fred Herriot,
in turn based on "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi 
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WRITER'S NOTES:

1)    Notice how I did the formatting so it looks like a UY-TSY story.  Cool,
huh?

2)    The timeline for the story is as follows:

a.    Scene One takes place three weeks after the events in the first UY movie
      "Only You."

b.    Most of the rest of the first half takes place in and around the events
      depicted in the UY-TSY stories "Sakura's Class Reunion" and "Tag Race
      Mark Three."

c.    Most of the second half of the story takes place in and around the
      events depicted in the UY-TSY story "Nagaiwakai's Lesson."

3)    All characters mentioned herein are the creation of Rumiko Takahashi,
with the exception of Reigi Yumoa, Nagaiwakai Moroboshi, Komeru Moroboshi,
Kimaenowakai Hana and the Sunin bodyguards, all of whom were created by Fred
Herriot.

4)    Extra special thanks to Mike and Fred for allowing me to venture into
their universe in order to expand upon one of the minor romances depicted. 
Ryouko Mendou is my favorite UY character, and I enjoyed her appearances in
UY-TSY, but felt there was much left out.  This is my attempt to redress the
balance.

5)    By the way, I spell Ryouko with a U.  Animeigo, as well as Mike and
Fred, spell it with a double-O (Ryooko).  Viz, when they get around to
Ryouko's episodes in the manga, will probably spell it with one O (Ryoko). 
Whatever floats your boat.

6)    For those unfamiliar with the UY-TSY series...well, it's a long story. 
Suffice it to say, this is not your father's UY.  There are many differences. 
Either go to http://www.io.com/~ksethre/fics/uytsy.htm or
http://www.csun.edu/~hbcsc093/uy/, start with "Alternate Lum-san," and work
from there.

7)    Three of these scenes utilize dialogue from the original stories by Fred
Herriot, because these scenes were necessary to the plot of my story.  The
dialogue is Fred's; the thoughts, inner monologue, reactions, etc are mine.

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And so...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

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      Reigi Yumoa sighed and straightened his tie as he looked upon the
Moroboshi's home for the first time  in many years.  Kinshou Moroboshi had
made it clear to him several years ago that he was no longer welcome at their
house.  It upset him more than he thought.  He had fostered a good friendship
with their son Ataru, and was regretful that this should come to such a sudden
end.  What bothered him more was that Ataru had not made more than a token
protest.

      However, that was all in the past.  Reigi was here now on assignment
from his guardian, Komeru, to attempt to convince Ataru to leave Tomobiki. 
These arguments usually had little or no effect, as the residents of the house
just hung up when he tried to call.

      But recently, quiet had descended over Tomobiki.  Many of the town's
louder residents were now in the hospital, as a result of the attempt to force
Ataru to marry Lum, the Oni who had dominated his life for the past year. 
>From what Reigi could gather from reports, Ataru had almost been ready to go
along with the wedding, but had refused at the last minute and fled the
chapel.  He had been promptly pursued by most of the wedding party, intent on
everything from grievous bodily harm to death by katana.  

      Luckily, Ataru's great-grandmother, the Lady Kimaenowakai Hana, had been
informed of this, and a  company of her Sunin sumo-ninja bodyguards had
stepped in.  After crippling the entire wedding party, they had declared that
any engagement agreements between Ataru and Lum were null and void, and had
taken him back to Earth.

      Thus, while everyone else was recovering in the hospital, Ataru was
living alone in relative peace for the first time since the Oni had inserted
herself into his life.  Reigi, therefore, had come to the house to attempt to
talk Ataru into leaving Tomobiki and returning to Rishiri-tou.  It was hoped
that, away from all outside elements, Ataru would be more amenable to this.

      Personally, Reigi was not so sure.  He had been keeping track of Ataru
for a while now, and was disturbed by what he saw.  After the disappearance of
his sister, Ataru seemed to have undergone a massive personality change.  At
times he was fairly normal, but at other times he reverted, embarrassingly, to
a perverted lech, intent only on seducing as many women as possible.  It was
impossible to talk to him when he was like that.  Reigi just hoped that he had
caught Ataru at the right time.

      Coming up to the house, he was about to ring the bell when the door
opened of its own accord.  Ataru  Moroboshi stepped out, then paused in
surprise.  "Reigi?  Is that you?"

      Reigi was inwardly relieved.  Ataru had his hair combed and lacked the
vacant look that seemed to be ever-present on his face.  Perhaps he would have
an easier time talking to Ataru than he thought.  Outwardly, he grinned
broadly.  "Hello, Ataru.  It's been a long time."

      Ataru frowned.  "Yeah, I'd almost forgotten."  A shadow seemed to pass
over his face at that moment, but then it was gone.  "So, how've you been?"

      Reigi smiled.  "Tell you what.  Why don't I take you out for lunch, and
we can talk about what each of us have been up to."

      Ataru had never been one to refuse food, whether he was in his lech mode
or not.  "You're on!  Wanna go to the new beefbowl place?"

      Reigi sighed.  "I was thinking a little more upscale if you don't mind."

      Ataru shrugged.  "Okay.  Food is food."

      *Well, at least step one is accomplished,* Reigi thought.  They got into
his car and drove into town.

                                  *    *    *

      "Huh?  Go back to Rishiri-tou?"

      Reigi nodded.  "That's right, Ataru.  After all, you were all set to do
it right before Lum came into your life.  It needs to be done."

      Ataru frowned again at the mention of Lum.  Reigi had been growing
increasingly concerned at Ataru's personality shifts.  For a while, he would
seem to be completely normal.  Then, usually when Reigi mentioned Lum's name,
his eyes would glaze for a moment and he would lose all track of the
conversation.  This had made  for a long lunch, as Reigi had to backtrack
constantly.  Reigi decided to press his point.  "Ataru, look at what your life
has become.  Living with parents who haven't given you any love in years, in a
town that regards you as an embarrassment.  In Rishiri-tou, you could start
over, rebuild your life to what it was before Lum arrived."

      Ataru looked up, for the first time not losing himself.  He was
perfectly serious as he said, "What about Lum?  Would she be able to come with
me?"

      Reigi was utterly stunned.   He had thought that the relationship
between Ataru and Lum was completely one-sided, one Ataru was trying
desperately to release himself from.  But now, apparently, Ataru was saying 
that he wanted to remain with Lum.  "You *want* Lum to go with you?  Ataru,
are you insane?  I thought you hated her!"

      Ataru seemed to be having an inner war with himself.   He leaned over
towards Reigi, dropping his voice.  "No, that's not true.  All I want is for
Lum to let me...let me live my own life.  If I were in Rishiri-tou, she'd have
to change her ways, wouldn't she?"

      Now it was Reigi's turn to pause.  "I don't know, Ataru.  Your
grandmother regards everything that's  happened to you as Lum's fault.  I'm
not sure she would allow Lum to come to Rishiri-tou."

      "She might.  If it were made clear that I would only come with Lum.  Do
you think that she might be able to reconcile with Lum?"

      Reigi frowned.  "Well...there's no love lost between your grandmother
and Lum.  But if you were able to curb Lum's behavior...and if you were
there...that's what your grandmother wants, Ataru.  She wants to see you at
home again.  If you came back...I think she'd allow it."

      Ataru smiled.  "I think...if I talked with her, I might be able to
convince Lum to come with me.  I don't know, though...I get very tense when
she's around."

      Reigi smiled.  "If you like, I could help with that.  So, Ataru, is it
agreed?  Will you come back?"

      Just then, there came a cry from the street outside.  "DAAAR-LING!!!!"

      The effect on Ataru was instantaneous.  He locked up in fear, and hid
under the table.  "Ah!  Lum!"

      Unfortunately, his crying out alerted the Oni to his presence.  She
entered the restaurant, not even  pausing to look at Reigi.  "Darling, what
are you doing in here?  Your parents have come back from the hospital, and
they sent me to look for you!"

      Ataru bolted upright.  Reigi was astounded.  You would not even have
known it was the same person.  "You're one to talk!  I was having a wonderful
time by myself until you showed up!"

      Lum crackled dangerously.  "And just what were you doing while I was in
the hospital, Darling?"

      The danger of being hit by Lum's lightning removed any trace of the
former Ataru from him.   "And what business is it of yours what I was doing?!"

      "We're married, Darling!  A wife has the right to know what her husband
is up to!"

      Ataru backed slowly out of the door of the restaurant, giving one final
comeback.  "We are *not* **MARRIED!!!!**"

      Lum began the windup that indicated a lightning blast was forthcoming. 
"Darling...NO...*BAKA!!!!*"

      Reigi tried to leap in.  "Ataru, wait...!"

      But it was all for naught, as Ataru had turned and fled almost as soon
as Lum had started to flare.  Almost as quickly, she chased after him, firing
lightning bolts and calling his name.

      No, calling her darling's name, Reigi corrected himself.  That was the
difference  between the two personalities that were there.  One, the real one,
was Ataru himself.  The other was Lum's Darling, who thought  of nothing but
immediate pleasure and pain, and certainly nothing of his future.

      Reigi slumped onto the table, his head in his hands.  The entire
afternoon had been a failure.   Damn her!  He had been so close to getting
Ataru to agree, and then with one stroke Lum had ruined everything.

      He got up and began the long walk back to his car.  One thing was
certain.  If Ataru Moroboshi ever managed to escape from the hell that his
life in Tomobiki had become, and return to Rishiri-tou, there would be no
place for Lum.  Reigi would see to that.  He had some things to tell to
Ataru's grandmother...

                                  *    *    *

      Two years later...

      Reigi Yumoa, chief of operations for Toranoseishin Finances, sighed and
put down his reports as another explosion rocked Tomobiki High School.  There
had been an increase in the violent incidents there recently, making it
difficult to concentrate.  Not only due to the noise level, but because
Reigi's thoughts kept drifting to Ataru.  He had been so busy lately with the
company that he had not the time to make another attempt to remove Ataru from
Tomobiki.

      Komeru and Nagaiwakai had been nagging him about that lately.  They did
not really realize how difficult it was to keep the company running on a
day-to-day basis.  After all, they had their own assistants for that.  But
Reigi preferred a hands-on approach, which meant staying up late often to make
sure that everything was done properly.  It did not help that he was Caucasian
in appearance, which bothered many of the older businessmen.  Also, he was
constantly trying to prove that, despite being only twenty-one years old, he
was fully capable of running a major finance firm.

      As a result, Reigi had spent many nights in his office, grabbing sleep
only when necessary.  It had almost become a second home to him; his apartment
was rather empty and functional.  He kept most of his keepsakes in the office.

      The noise from Tomobiki High seemed to have ceased for the time being,
so Reigi got back to work, occasionally letting his thoughts drift toward ways
of extracting Ataru from Tomobiki.

      There was a knock on the door.  Reigi was not surprised.  He had left
instructions not to be disturbed, but his assistants usually regarded that as
a suggestion, not a rule.  "Come in," he sighed.

      It was only Reigi's strict discipline that kept him from falling over as
Ataru Moroboshi entered the room.  For a moment, Reigi found himself wondering
if this was a trick.  Ataru had a light in his eyes that had not been there in
years.  Furthermore, Reigi had not heard any screams coming from his office,
meaning that there had been no attempt of molestation on the way in.  Joy
filled Reigi as he realized that Ataru had finally done it; he had found the
courage to escape from the evil that hounded his life in Tomobiki!

      A small grin played across Ataru's face as he noticed Reigi's stunned
expression.  "You busy?"

      Reigi bounded across the room, reaching out to grab Ataru's hand. 
"Ataru!!"  Overcome by emotion, Reigi grabbed him in a bear hug.  "You old
snake!"  As he released him, Reigi looked deep into Ataru's eyes, wanting to
make sure that Ataru was here, and not Lum's 'Darling.'  "So, you finally
decided to get away from those twits and come back to your real home, huh?!"

      Laughing, Ataru sat down.  Reigi noticed that he seemed to be carrying a
*qu'f-piaqu'r,* a Yehisrite particle photon musket.  "Well, it's only a
visit," Ataru said.  "You know how stifling it could be when you're with
Komeru-oji-chan for any length of time."

      Once again, Reigi found himself mystified by Ataru's ambivalence toward
his uncle.  In Reigi's opinion, the amount of good deeds and public service
Komeru performed more than made up for any lack of emotion...not to mention
his adoption of Reigi and the other wards belied the belief that he did not
care.  Ataru, however, had always valued a loving family above everything
else, thus found his uncle's distance just as annoying as his parents' abuse. 
They had argued about this a number of times, and Reigi did not feel like
bringing it up again.  "True, I suppose."

      He decided to take the initiative, and see if Ataru was really all
right.  If anything would tell him that, this would.  "So, what does bring you
here after about two years?  Finally getting tired of Lum?"

      Reigi knew that it was potentially dangerous mentioning Lum in Ataru's
presence; it could mean a relapse.  Ataru seemed to realize what Reigi was
doing, and had to keep himself from laughing.  "Not Lum, but those who like to
hang onto her like a school of remora."

      Reigi remained outwardly happy, but frowned a little inside.  Even after
all of the shit he had been through, Ataru still seemed to care for Lum?  Why? 
What in God's name did he see in her?  Oh well, as long as he was no longer
freaking out at the mention of her name, that was fine.  The mention of the
other people of Tomobiki reminds Reigi of the chaos that had disturbed him
earlier.  "Ah, we heard the blasts all the way over here.  We knew that
eventually, sooner or later, that idiot Mendou was going to step over the
line."

      Ataru smiled.  "He did, but thanks to Grandma, I pushed him back."

      Reigi noticed Ataru pointing to the *qu'f-piaqu'r*.  So, it was
Nagaiwakai who got him the firearm.  Well, so much the better.  After taking
abuse from the likes of Mendou and Ran, it was about time he had a way to
defend himself.  He looked out the window, noticing the damage done to
Tomobiki High School.  It would probably total in the millions.  The Mendou
Clan might be giving them a call soon.  "And how.  Well, it doesn't matter. 
Great thing, being the only finance company which caters to people like the
Mendous and the Mizunokoji.  We get filthy rich on their petty little feuds!"

      Ataru's eyes glinted again.  "I bet.  Actually, it's because of that
little connection that I came to see you today, Reigi.  How'd you like to do
me a favour?"

      Reigi had an idea what Ataru was about to ask, but went along with it. 
"What sort of favour?"

      Ataru grinned.  "If I remember the terms of the contract between
Toranoseishin and the Mendous, you can launch a Conglomerate-wide inspection
of all their operations, including all the extra stuff Mendou has at his beck
and call."

      It was Reigi's turn to grin.  Mendou had abused the family resources for
years in his attempts to bring Ataru to heel, using lethal force at times. 
*He's lucky Ataru's got ninja reflexes,* Reigi thought, *...or Mendou'd be
serving time right now, if not in an early grave thanks to Nagaiwakai-sama.* 
"We can.  After all, we loan the money for them to operate such forces.  So
until they pay us back, we have a right to see how they're using it.  It
affects things like credit ratings and all that.  I do confess they are pretty
punctual with their payments."  *Though,* he added silently, *...the way
Mendou uses the Kuromegane, they're already in hock through to the
millennium!*

      "So how'd you like to do an administrative inspection?"

      "When?"

      "Like right now?"

      Reigi's eyebrows went up; apparently Ataru was very serious in getting
Mendou off his back.  After so many years of Ataru blithely ignoring the
world, this took some getting used to.  "Ouch!  Just as things are heating up
between you and the school."  He smiled; this might prove to be entertaining. 
Even if Ataru had not asked him personally, Reigi would have wanted to do it
himself, merely to see the look on Mendou's face.  "My pleasure."

      Ataru smiled.  "Thank you kindly."  From anyone else, the phrase might
seem sarcastic, but Reigi knew enough about Ataru to know that he meant it. 
Ataru got up and moved towards the telephone.  "Mind if I use that?  I'd like
to call Grandma."

      "Go ahead." Reigi got up himself.  "I better call the Mendou mansion and
give them the bad news."  He left for the main office.

      After giving the news to the Mendous, mollifying them somewhat by saying
that he would tell Shutaro himself, Reigi returned to the office to find Ataru
still on the phone with Nagaiwakai.  Reigi could hear the love in his voice. 
Nagaiwakai was the only relative that Ataru really loved, and she returned his
love fully.  Reigi also noticed that Ataru avoided mentioning Lum in the
conversation, merely referring to Tomobiki in the broad sense.  Well, if he
still wants Lum in his life, staying silent about her when talking to his
grandmother was probably a smart idea.  Reigi did not think Nagaiwakai would
ever forgive the Oni for the Second Tag Race.

      As he went to the helicopter pad to head for Tomobiki High, Reigi
frowned.  Despite the joy he was feeling, there was still doubt in Reigi's
mind about what he saw today.  He considered himself a good judge of human
nature, and knew that changes like Ataru's did not happen overnight.  There
was something wild about Ataru now, a dangerous glint in the eye, suggesting
that, even though the lecherous lout may be gone, Ataru Moroboshi had still
not exorcised all of his personal demons.

                                  *    *    *

      Ryouko Mendou was bored.

      This is itself was not a rare thing.  Boredom drove Ryouko most of the
time, and most of her schemes were attempts to stave this off.  They only
proved to be temporary respites, though.  And lately, they had not been
enough.  In addition to boredom, she was starting to feel depressed, as she
went over the past two years of her life.  Despite the fun she had, she really
had not accomplished much, besides annoying her brother.  That used to be
enough, but now she wanted more out of life.  She wondered if this meant she
was growing up.  She was almost seventeen years old now, and beginning to feel
every bit of it.

      She had considered going out to tease Shutaro again, maybe by flirting
with Ataru Moroboshi.  That always worked.  However, she had been informed by
her Kuroko of Ataru's recent personality changes.  Ryouko may be spoiled, but
she was no fool, immediately coming to the conclusion that this would *not* be
a good time to bother Ataru.

      Then there was Tobimaro.  He was like her brother in so many ways,
which, of course, was the main reason she teased him.  Pretending she was in
love with him drove him up the wall.  However, his hatred of women disgusted
her, especially since he was hypocritical enough to live with those gorgeous
bodyguards of his.  No, even Tobimaro was starting to bore her.  Besides, he
was off on another one of his adventures in the wild, and would not be back
for a while.

      Her thoughts were interrupted by a whisper next to her left ear.  One of
the Kuroko.  "Mistress, I have distressing news.  Your father's finance
company has called an inventory of all Mendou clan operations, and has placed
a hold on their usage until it is complete.  We...we will not be able to serve
you, Young Mistress."

      Ryouko could hear the pain in his voice.  Unlike Shutaro's Kuromegane,
who only protected him because they were paid, Ryouko had developed a nice
relationship with her Kuroko.  In fact, it was through them that she began to
develop her love of the theatre.  It must have been hard on them to hear this. 
"Don't worry.  I will take care of my own needs until the inspection is
complete.  Why not take the time to relax, do some of the things you haven't
had time to do."

      It was not much, but it was the best she could come up with.  The Kuroko
enjoyed serving her, as they were able to use their love of the theatre. 
Also, they were her friends.  But there was not a lot she could do about it. 
"I'm sorry."

      "Do not worry, Mistress.  It is we who should apologize.  Are you
sure...?"

      "I'll be fine.  I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

      Ryouko spoke much too roughly, then winced as she felt the Kuroko draw
back.  "I apologize again.  I have been feeling out of sorts lately, and do
not mean to take it out on you.  But don't worry, I shall be perfectly all
right."

      "Very well, Mistress.  We hope to see you again as soon as possible."

      Ryouko smiled.  "As do I."

      She heard a slight flutter, and the next minute they were gone.  She
sighed, feeling very alone.  She suddenly realized that she did not want
someone to tease, or torture, but to talk to as an equal.  Someone whom she
could begin to show her real self to, instead of the spoiled princess she
pretended to be.  With a start, she realized that she was lonely.

      Ryouko slowly got up and prepared for bed, hoping that maybe the next
day would bring something better...

                                  *    *    *

      Reigi sighed, thinking for about the fourth time that day that
personally supervising the inventory of the Mendou Clan's resources might have
been a bad idea.  He had been to the mansion before, not realizing how *big*
it truly was.  Growing up with Komeru and Nagaiwakai meant that he was no
stranger to wealth, but Rishiri-tou was understated, as Nagaiwakai did not
need to demonstate to the world how rich she was.

      The Mendou mansion, though, delighted him in its ostentation, featuring
many tacky Japanese heirlooms, that would have been called ugly if they had
not also been so old...and odd.  In addition, the number of trapdoors, secret
passages, and hidden weapons caches meant that, in effect, the mansion was
twice the size it looked.

      As he made a note of a third set of poison dart throwers in the wall,
Reigi privately observed that this was going to take a lot longer than he had
thought.  Oh, well, at least Ataru would not have to worry about Mendou for a
while.

      There was a rustle behind him, and a quiet voice exclaimed, "Oh!  Pardon
me, I had no idea anyone was here."

      Reigi turned around...and found himself looking into the eyes of a
goddess.  The most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his entire life was
standing only a few feet from him.  He nearly fainted and had to remind
himself to breathe.  She was dressed in a lovely silk kimono, with a complex
pattern of dragons interwoven into it.  Her hair flowed around her like a
cloud.  Was it red?  No, more of an dusky ruby, complimenting the blue of her
eyes.  She was the most heavenly creature he had ever seen, she was perfect...

      *She's Ryouko Mendou,* the logical part of his mind supplied.  *She's
Shutaro's sister, and is in all probability as deranged as he.*

      He shied away from that thought, angry with himself for thinking such
things.  How could this woman ever be anything like that boor Mendou?  It just
was not possible.  Nevertheless, knowing that she was Shutaro's sister had the
effect of cold water on his libido, and he finally came back to himself,
realizing that he had been staring at her for over a minute without saying
anything.  A flush came to his cheeks.  "I'm...um...I'm sorry, Mendou-san.  I
had chosen to inventory here because I thought these areas were deserted. 
Please forgive me; it is I who intruded."

      To his surprise, she jumped when he spoke, as if shocked.  What had she
been thinking about?  She spoke to him again, in low alto tones that had a
taste of nectar in them.  "The rest of the family do not venture here often,
but I often use the passageways.  They are an easy way to avoid my family."

      He could see her flush, as she realized what she was saying.  The red in
her cheeks made her even more beautiful, if that was possible!  She then
turned, as if to leave.  "I don't want to keep you from your work, so...I
suppose I should leave."

      He once again found himself needing to say something...and, at the same
time, at a loss for words.  He slapped himself mentally.  "No!  No!  It's a
pleasure to meet you, Ryouko-sam...Ryouko-*san*."  *Oh, nice save!* he
chastised himself.  *Now she'll think you're an idiot.*

      She smiled at him again, and he felt as if he would melt right there on
the spot.  "It was lovely to meet you too...?"

      He could hear the unspoken question at the end of her sentence.  "Yumoa. 
Reigi Yumoa," he managed to stutter out.

      "It was lovely to meet you, Yumoa-sam...Yumoa-*san*."  She blushed
again, and quickly walked away.  He kept his eyes on her for as long as
possible, but in no time at all, she was around the corner and out of sight.

      Did he hear her correctly?  Was she making fun of him, or was it an
honest slip, as his had been?  He was not sure.  He tried not to think of the
implications as he reluctantly turned back to the inventory.  Did she have any
feelings for him?  There were several clues, from her behaviour, and yet...a
girl such as herself could not possibly find anything in him!

      As he replayed the conversation over and over in his head, Reigi
struggeld to keep his mind on work...

                                  *    *    *

      Ryouko walked quickly back to her room, desperately trying to get her
mind back together.  What had *happened* back there?  She prided herself on
her poise and dignity, and yet in front of this man, she was blushing like a
lovesick schoolgirl.  Admittedly, she had been surprised on seeing him in the
corridor.  Although she knew there would be auditors inspecting, she did not
expect them to be so thorough as to investigate the back passages and
corridors of the Mendou mansion.  That would explain her surprise at seeing
him, but not her other behaviour.

      He was quite handsome.  His appearance suggested an American, but there
had been something in the eyes which belied those claims.  He had very
handsome eyes, which gave the impression that he was looking directly into
your soul.  His hair had been slightly unkempt, as if he combed it very neatly
but it fought back over the course of the day.  Ryouko's gaze had drifted back
to the eyes again; she could feel herself getting lost in them...

      Then with a start she had realized that he was speaking.  He was
apologizing for being in the passageways.  For some reason, Ryouko had felt a
need to give an explanation to him.  She had blurted out that she often used
the corridors to avoid her family.  Her brain reeled.  *Did I really admit
that to him?*  She had felt a flush spread across her face as she realized the
impropriety of her words.  Again, there was a sense that nothing could be kept
from him, that he knew her every secret.  She had wanted to get out of here,
before she embarrassed herself further.

      She had given her apologies and started to leave, but he had stopped
her, insisting that it was no trouble at all.  How sweet of him to make her
feel at ease.  And he knew her name, too.  She had started again as she
realized she had no idea who this handsome man was.  She had attempted a
smile, which felt forced to her lips, and subtly asked for his name.

      Reigi Yumoa.  A beautiful name.  She loved the way it rolled off his
tongue.  He had a wonderful way of speaking, very polite and formal.  She had
started to thank him again, and then realized that she had almost called him
"Yumoa-sama."  *Too formal, too formal,* she had thought, correcting herself. 
She had been sure that she was bright red by now, and quickly beat a hasty
retreat.

      What was the matter with her?  In all her relationships with men, she
had been the one in control.  She had to stay cool, to analyse their every
move so she could use it against them.  Yet with him, it was as if she was a
lovestruck idiot.  She felt a need to impress him somehow; to show him the
real Ryouko, not the one everyone else saw.  How did he have this power over
her?  She needed to know more about him.  She started to summon her Kuroko for
a spying mission, and then realized that they had been put on hold with the
rest of the Mendou resources.  She would have to wait.

      Resigning herself, she lay down on the bed, and unconsciously began to
replay the conversation over and over in her mind...

                                  *    *    *

      Reigi stood outside Ataru's apartment, ringing the bell so that he could
tell him that the inspection was finished.  He was not really paying much
attention, just letting his thoughts drift.  And, inevitably, he found himself
thinking of Ryouko again.  Over the past week, he had seen her almost every
day, walking along the corridors.  It could not have been accidental, she had
to be looking for him.  Did she like him?  Was it possible that she was
attracted to him as he to her?

      He had tried denying it for a few days, but it was impossible:  he was
truly, madly, deeply in love with Ryouko Mendou (Hmm...sounds like a film -
S.G.).  Everything about her was grace and beauty; moreover, from the few
words they had exchanged, she was intelligent, in a practical way as well as
academic.  He wondered how she had been schooled.  Maybe he would ask her next
time he saw her.

      A sudden depression washed over him as he remembered.  He was finished
with the inventory, and would not be back at the Mendou mansion.  How could he
possibly go on without seeing his Ryouko-sama?  He lived to hear the words
come from her lips, breathed in the gaze from her eyes.  Without her, he was
not sure of anything.  Activities and responsibilites that had once been
child's play now required an intense amount of effort, because he was unable
to await a visit from Ryouko-sama.

      These recursive thoughts were interrupted by the door opening.  Ataru
stood there, looking lightly puzzled.  "What's up?" he said.  "You don't look
so good."

      Reigi entered the apartment, yawning.  He was incredibly tired lately,
both because he had been running the inventory all day and because his nights
were filled with thoughts of Ryouko.  "No, not really," he admitted.  Ataru
was the sort of person who did not believe in pleasantries that masked true
feelings, so Reigi simply admitted his fatigue.  "We finished inspecting the
Conglomerate's books yesterday, so you'd better watch it.  Observers have
already seen the Kuromegane out in full force trying to keep track of you."

      Ataru sneered, letting his contempt show.  "That's no problem," he said. 
"When I move north to Oshika, I'll just get a few court injunctions slapped on
the jerks living here.  Not even all of Mendou's money can buy off every judge
in Miyagi."

      Reigi responded almost automatically, "Yeah, considering that we helped
them get nominated to their posts."  His mind was not really following Ataru's
jibes, though.  He had heard that Ryouko was very much a patron of the
theatre.  Perhaps if he attended a few shows.  He usually did not have the
time to go out in the evenings, but if it was to see Ryouko-sama...

      Reigi felt a sigh escape his lips.  He could see Ataru looking at him
strangely, but it was as if he was twelve miles away.  Reigi let himself drift
into another fantasy, where he and Ryouko were doing nothing more than looking
deeply into one another's eyes.  Ataru interfered with this vision, though. 
"What is it?" he queried.

      Reigi wanted to get rid of Ataru so that he could go back to staring at
Ryouko.  "Oh, it's nothing."

      Reigi could see Ataru was not buying his explanation.  "Bullshit!!  You
saw something...or someone, less I miss my guess."

      Reigi puzzled over that; was he that easy to read?  He did not think his
lovestruck condition was *that* obvious.  Ataru went on.  "Ah-hah!!!  I know
what's with you!!  You met Ryouko-chan, right?!!"

      At the mention of her name, the world went pink.  He felt his knees get
weak, and it was all he could do to remain standing.  He almost choked on the
influx of hormones that flew through his body when Ataru called her name. 
"Ryouko-sama," he purred.  He would been embarrassed at calling her that at
first, but it seemed so right, so perfect for her.  He did not want to sully
her name by using anything less.

      Ataru merely stood there, grinning at Reigi's performance.  "Uh-huh!" 
He then seemed to think of something.  "Um, you better know that I think the
Mendous might want to marry Ryouko off to Tobimaro Mizunokoji."

      It was as if Reigi had been shot through the heart.  Images of Ryouko
looking into his eyes vanished, to be replaced with an image of Tobimaro
impaled on his own baseball bat!  *My God, does she love him?!  What if I've
been fooling myself all this time?!* he mentally exclaims, then considers the
matter.  *Or is she being forced to marry him by her family?!  Those jackals! 
How could they force Ryouko-sama to marry against her will?!*  All of this
slipped thruogh his mind in a matter of seconds.  Aloud, he said, "What?!!  MY
poor, sweet, defenseless Ryouko-sama marrying THAT uncouth, filthy bastard?!! 
Not in a bloody million years!!!"

      Reigi would rescue her from that fate, he knew.  He would protect her
from anyone who tried to do her harm.  Let them try to marry her against her
will...if it was against her will.  A pained look then flashed across Reigi's
eyes as he realized that she might love another.

      Ataru seemed to sense Reigi's agony.  "I don't think you've got much in
the way of worries when it comes to Ryouko-chan," Ataru said reassuringly. 
"Personally, I don't think Ryouko-chan would want to be anywhere close to
Tobimaro given the way he hates women in general...though how he could hate
women when he's surrounded with those gorgeous dolls in his Kurotenshi, I'll
never understand."

      Reigi sagged with relief.  She did not care for Tobimaro...so there was
still a possibility that she loved Reigi.  Nevertheless, he began to feel
worse as he realized the magnitude of what he was going up against.  He was
able to control the Mendous and Mizunokoji when it came to financial matters,
but there was no way he could influence then in a matter of family politics. 
Arranged marriages were a long tradition in families like the Mendous, and he
knew that with the way Mendou felt about Asuka, a marriage between Tobimaro
and Ryouko would be financially sound, as well.

      He began to despair again, as he looked bleakly up at Ataru.  "What
should I do?" he moaned.

      Ataru seemed lost in thught for a bit, and considered his words
carefully as he answered.  "We'll have to go at this very slowly.  We can't do
too much too fast or else Mendou'll get wind of it.  I can only guess what his
reaction'll be."

      Reigi jerked; he had forgotten about Shutaro.  He would certainly be
against any alliance of his sister with a Moroboshi, ward or no.  "True,"
Reigi murmured.  He was going about this the wrong way, he realized.  There
was still much he did not know abut Ryouko.  He had an information
organization second to none; why not put it to good use?  He would bide his
time, gathering information that would help his cause.  Then, when he was
prepared, he would win her heart.

      Suddenly he remembered the other reason he had come to see Ataru.  "Oh,
by the way.  Kinshou's here and she's asking for you.  She's upstairs in the
cafeteria."

      Ataru groaned.  Certainly legally divorcing himself from his parents had
ben one of the smartest things he had ever done.  "Must I?" he groaned.

      "Sorry." Reigi sympathized with Ataru, but if he did not set Kinshou
straight now, over time, she would just get worse.  He smiled sympathetically
as the latter left the apartment.

      He hurried back to work with a new vigour.  In addition to his regular
duties, he now had a task that burned like fire in his mind:  win Ryouko.  He
decided to get a little background information on her, to see if there was
anything else he could do.  *Ryouko-sama*, he thought, *...it seems as if we
must be apart for now.  But I will find a way to bring us together!  I'll
stake my life on it!!*

      People on the streets were staring at him, but Reigi did not care.

      He had a purpose...

                                  *    *    *

To be concluded...