Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year:  "No Grudges" Part 2
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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IN THE FIRST PART OF "NO GRUDGES," the young Prince Walder, having slain the
dragon Fafner, married the Princess Frigga, and together, they mounted his
horse Trigga, and rode off to the Castle Wunderbar, where they were married
and lived happily ever after.  Or not.  I don't write synopses very well. 
Read Part I.

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

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      December twenty-seventh.

      Reigi Yumoa sat in his office, staring at the skyline.  It had been two
months now since he made his vow to win Ryouko, and he was depressed.  Had he
really accomplished anything?  He knew her much better now, of course, yet he
did not feel any closer to winning her, especially considering the family
traditions she was bound by.

      His contacts had brought him much information.  Some of it had pleased
him, but a couple of things  were fairly disturbing.  Chief among these was a
propensity for Ryouko to end her arguments with the descent of several
grenades.  Reigi had found it hard to believe that his Ryouko-chan would be
capable of such wholesale destruction.  Had he read her wrong all this time? 
With a heavy heart, he called for the hospital records that these arguments
caused.

      There were none.  Minor cuts and burns, but residents of Tomobiki
laughed that off every day.  But *no one* had been seriously injured as a
result of Ryouko's grenades.  Intrigued, Reigi had his uncle's ninjas retrieve
a couple of grenades for sampling.  The grenades were deliberately set with
low charges.  They would give minor burns, and throw people small distances,
but even when used in bulk, they would not be able to harm anyone.  Reigi had
felt his heart soar once again.  How could he have doubted Ryouko-chan for a
moment?  Obviously, the grenades were more of an emphasis to her remarks than
an actual weapon.  His respect for her grew even more.

      He had learned much about her life.  Privately educated, she had been
sent to a few girls' schools.  However, she had never been in one school for
more than two years.  Reigi almost wept at the thought of the girl, bouncing
from school to school, with no one to turn to except for her family.  It was a
wonder that she had retained so much of her honour and dignity, instead of
ending up like her brother.

      Her interest in the theater was sparked by talking with her Kuroko
servants, most of whom were out-of-work actors and directors.  Reigi was
pleased to note that her relationship with her servants was excellent, and
that she did not mistreat them as Mendou did those idiots in the Kuromegane.

      In addition to Noh and Kabuki theater, she had discovered the works of
Shakespeare at a young age.  Indeed, one of the earliest reports Reigi
received was of her attempt to have Ataru play Romeo to her Juliet in a mock
rendezvous.  Reigi was amused to note that Ataru seemed to regain his sense of
chivalry when around Ryouko, suggesting that Ryouko had a calming influence on
him.  He wondered if Ataru realized that.  In addition, she had an interest in
many forms of Japanese music, from the old numbers dating from the Shogunate
to ambient techno by Keiichi Suzuki and Yasuaki Shimizu.

      All of this information was devoured by Reigi, as he realized more and
more how much he loved this woman.  At first, it may have been an infatuation,
but now he knew it was love.  Oddly, Reigi had never imagined anyone else
sharing his life before.  He had always been a fairly solitary person.  But
now the  thought of living a life without Ryouko drove him almost to despair.

      He was also buoyed by the fact that Ryouko had been trying to spy on him
as well, which said much for the way she felt about him.  Reigi had asked
Ataru whether he should stop her.  He had admitted to feeling a little guilty
about his own methods, and thought it was only fair.  But Ataru told him not
to worry about it.  "Trust me, Reigi-kun," he said.  "Ryouko loves a mystery. 
If she can't find out a lot about you, you'll just intrigue her more."  And so
he had foiled Ryouko's spies, leaving himself as the man of mystery.  He hoped
it worked.

      Reigi sighed, looking out over the Tomobiki skyline.  Ataru had said
that he would help, but that it would take time.  *I can't wait for much
longer, Ataru-kun,* Reigi thought.  *You've started to get the other wards
engaged.  When is it my turn?*

      Reigi looked towards the Mendou mansion, and imagined that Ryouko was in
the window of her room, looking out at the night...

                                  *    *    *

      Ryouko looked out of the window of her bedroom, towards the city.  More
importantly, she was looking towards the imposing edifice of Toranoseishin
Finances.  *I wonder if Reigi-kun is working there tonight?  Is he thinking
about me, I wonder?*

      Turning back to her nightstand, she picked up the dossier that she had
compiled about Reigi.  There was little there.  A few facts were known to her. 
He was an orphan raised by Komeru Moroboshi, currently Chief of Operations of
Toranoseishin Finances.  Beyond that, however, her spies had drawn a complete
blank.

      The thought made her feel all warm inside.   *He's trying to hide
himself from me, make himself a man of mystery.  Well, I love mysteries.  You
won't be able to hide from me forever.*

      She thought about using the considerable sum that she was now getting
from Ataru Moroboshi to strengthen her resources.  But for some reason, she
balked about using the money in such a crass way.  After all, although it came
from Ataru, Reigi's name was on the check.  She did not want to betray him by
using his own money against him.

      The money was not going to waste, however.  She had decided to use most
of it to renovate some of the  local theatres, most of which had been
abandoned since the Second World War.  It was gratifying to know that she was
spending her own money, and not that of the family, on such a worthy project.

      Indeed, she had not really paid much attention to her family in months. 
Certainly whenever they raised a fuss about her marrying Tobimaro, she would
jump in and put a stop to it.  But the petty politics that used to be her
everyday life just did not interest her any more.  Instead, she found
increasing delight in her charity works...and, of course, in thinking about
Reigi.

      Since she could not get any information, she had to make do with her
fantasies.  She imagined Reigi, sitting in his office, planning ways to take
her away from the machinations of her family.  *Even now,* she thought, *...he
is organising his forces, ready to whisk me to his side.*

      She thought of his handsome face, his eyes glowing, as their lips locked
in a kiss of love and passion.  Slowly, his hands would reach out towards her,
as he began to unfasten...

      Suddenly a bucket of water came cascading out  of nowhere, drenching
her!  Attached to the bucket was a note:  DON'T USE OUR CHARACTERS IN A LEMON
FIC - THE AUTHORS OF UY-TSY.

      *Hmmph!* Ryouko thought.  *Typical double standard...Ataru and Lum do it
all the time.*

      Sighing, she sank down on the bed, but she still thought of Reigi...

                                  *    *    *

      December twenty-seventh.

      Ataru Moroboshi rode the elevator up to Reigi's office.  He was here in
order to put the next stage of  Operation:  Union into effect.  Truth to tell,
his mind was still on other things.  He just had a talk with his grandmother
about the whole wishing well fiasco.  It only served to confirm what he
already knew.  Nagaiwakai did not respect Lum any more now than she did then. 
In fact, she thought it was another example of "that Oni's stupidity" ruining
Ataru's life.  Lum had told Nagaiwakai in an effort to break the barriers
between them, but it had not worked at all.

      Ataru was also bothered by the news that the United Nations was almost
ready to pass Resolution 444.  Sure, if he married Lum, she would not be
affected by it, but all her friends would be barred from visiting.  Nassur,
Benten and Oyuki were important to Lum, as important as Mie and Nokoko were to
him.  Driving them away would hurt her a great deal.

      Ataru sighed.  In her own way, Nagaiwakai was trying to run his life
just the way Lum used to.  Lum had taken almost three years of Ataru's life,
years that Ataru had desperately wanted back.  Well, they were not coming
back.  Ataru had finally realized that he would never get back the youth he
lost, so it was better just to get on with his life and not blame Lum for
something which she had already long apologized for.  Nagaiwakai, however, was
not ready to make that choice, if she ever did.

      The elevator arrived on the twelfth floor and Ataru tried to put these
thoughts out of his mind.  He had more important things to worry about.  The
next stack of dominoes was ready to fall...

      As he opened the door to Reigi's office, he saw Reigi in a typical
position:  hands clasped behind his back, looking out of the window at the
Tomobiki skyline.  Looking in the general direction of the Mendou mansion,
Ataru noticed.  Good, Reigi was already in the right mood for this.  He
greeted him with a wave as Reigi turned around.  "Hi, Reigi-kun.  Thought I'd
come by and get a status report from you."

      Reigi was, Ataru was relieved to notice, only slightly distracted as he
answered, "Hey, Ataru-kun.  Well, things seem to be going swimmingly so far. 
Ryouhou, Shousetsu and Houka have met with Natsuko's, Momoe's and Kumiko's
parents, and they're already engaged.  I've no idea how you managed to match
them up that perfectly."

      Ataru grinned.  "Synchronicity, mostly.  It so happened that the
interests of those three matched up with the three girls.  Everything else was
simple."   He steeled himself, knowing what was coming.  "And what did Uncle
think of all this?"

      Reigi smiled wickedly.  "He's delighted."

      Ataru could sense the unspoken second half of that sentence.  "And...?"

      "And he wants to know when Tanoshii, Aijooa, Kenmei and Yasashii can be
engaged.  He'd like it to be this week, if possible."

      Ataru put his head in his hands.  He had not been looking forward to
this.  "I don't know if that's gonna be possible, Reigi.  The guys were easy,
because I managed to find people with similar interests.  I'd like to match up
Tan-chan, Ken-chan, Yasashii-chan and Aijooa-chan with those four nimrods, but
do I have the right to do that to them?  I need to talk with them, find
out..."

      Ataru stopped as he noticed Reigi grinning from  ear to ear.  Obviously
Reigi knew something that he  did not.  "All right, Yumoa, spill it!  What's
so funny?"

      Reigi laughed.  "You seem to be under the impression that the rest of
the town is just as ignorant of your machinations as those dummies at Tomobiki
High.  Not everyone's that stupid.  Believe me, the girls are quite aware of
your master plan, and  came to the conclusion long ago that you were gonna
match them with Megane's Boob Patrol."

      Ataru raised his eyebrows.  "So, what do they think of the idea?"

      Reigi frowned slightly.  "This is the part I find difficult to believe: 
they're delighted.  Apparently, they've been interested in those four for
almost a year now.  In fact, Kenmei says that you won't even have to do
anything.  Just give the word and she'll put Operation:  Break-up into
action."

      Ataru seemed just as stunned as Reigi that anyone could possibly find
good qualities in Megane and his nerds.  But he was not about to question his
good fortune.  "Well, that's great!  But I don't think that we're quite ready
for Megane and the rest to fall just yet."

      Reigi cocked his head.  "Who's left?"

      Ataru steepled his fingers, giving the impression of deep thought. 
"Weeelll...I was wondering if I  could borrow one of your Ospreys.  I've got a
special delivery to make tomorrow, express."

      Reigi was puzzled.  "Special delivery?"

      Ataru smiled.  "Ryuu-chan is going to get the quickest route possible to
her fiance."

      "Ah!" said Reigi, understanding.  "Well, at least you won't have to
worry about those two; they're already engaged."

      "Yeah, but it's still mostly one-sided.  I'm going over to Ryuu-chan's
island tonight to have a talk with Nagisa.  Maybe I can give him a few tips on
winning Ryuu-chan's heart.  I suspect that she loves him deep down.  She's
just not ready to admit that sort of affection to anyone, especially if you
consider the fouled-up life she's had so far."

      Reigi looked momentarily downcast.  "Have you considered reporting her
father to the child abuse center?  He's certainly one of the worst cases I've
ever seen."

      Ataru frowned.  "Y'know, I actually suggested that to Ryuu-chan about a
month ago.  She nearly went ballistic!  She insisted that she would be the one
to beat her father, with no help from anyone else.  I think that she still
loves him, despite everything that he's done to her."  Ataru sighed, thinking
back at the numerous beatings and embarrassments in Ryuunosuke's life.  "Plus,
Ryuu-chan is everything to Mr. Fujinami.  I think if you took her away from
him, he'd die in a month.  I don't want that, no matter how foolish the old
guy is."

      "True," Reigi mused.  "So, one Osprey for Ryuunosuke.  Anyone else? 
Ran?"

      Ataru snorted.  "What makes you think I care anything about that
airhead's love life?  When Resolution 444 is passed, she'll be the person I'll
be most happy to send packing back to Uru.  No, I was thinking that we still
have one more ward to take care of first."

      Reigi paused.  "Who'd I forget...?!"  As he realized what Ataru was
referring to, his eyes momentarily glazed over.  "You mean, me and Ryouko? 
It's finally time?"

      Ataru grinned, amused that despite improvement, Reigi still had a
tendency to zone out when it came to Ryouko.  "I think so.  The Mendou family
have been getting antsy lately, what with Asuka-chan and Osooko-chan being
such a hot item.  I think they're trying to step up the plans to get Ryouko
and Tobimaro married.  Now," he added quickly, seeing the look of white hot
agony in Reigi's eyes, "...since we know that Ryouko and Tobimaro don't love
each other in the slightest, our job is to make sure that they're united with
the ones they love most.  Wouldn't you agree?"

      Reigi stood up and grabbed his coat.  "I can be there in ten minutes."

      Ataru stopped him.  "Whoa there, Tex.  I can't go about this that
quickly.  This is family politics, which means it's got to be done with a
certain amount of finesse, polish, elan...and downright sneakiness."

      Reigi reluctantly returned to his desk, annoyed that he could not be a
white knight coming to save Ryouko from her oppressors.  "What makes you think
that Tobimaro is on our side?"

      Ataru's grin threatened to split his face.  "Actually, I've got the
perfect match for that woman-hater!  Don't worry; if all goes well, he'll be
too exhausted to even think about marrying Ryouko."  With that, Ataru imagined
what Yuukiki Seishin would do to someone like Tobimaro.  His nose almost
started to bleed just from the thought.

      Reigi sat on the edge of his chair, his left leg reflexively jiggling up
and down.  "So, what's the plan?"

      Ataru leaned forward.  "Well, Ryouko-chan's always been a big fan of the
dramatic entrance.  I've got one that should knock her socks off."

                                  *    *    *

      Ataru paused at the high-voltage fence surrounding the estate.  He had
asked the Kuromoroboshi to bring him to the gate, but had then told them that
Ryouko's servants would take care of the rest.  Ataru wanted this meeting to
be top secret, and no one was better at getting to and from places without
being noticed than the Kuroko.

      He had called Ryouko earlier in the day (jamming the call so that the
Mendou clan or Ran would be unable to listen in), but he had not mentioned the
reason for the meeting.  Ataru found more and more that he enjoyed surprising
people, seeing the looks on their faces as they realized what he had done. 
But now, instead of the nasty stunts he had pulled immediately after the
Spirit War, Ataru's energies were devoted to a better cause.  One that he
certainly felt Ryouko would appreciate.

      He was interrupted by a whisper from beside him.  "Moroboshi-sama, the
Mistress awaits you.  If you will allow us to escort you, we will bring you to
her."

      Ataru was impressed; he had not heard them, and it was almost impossible
for someone to catch Ataru unawares these days.  "Of course," he replied.

      Suddenly Ataru felt himself firmly gripped by two pairs of hands, and
then, without any sign of what had happened, he was *elsewhere*.  A private
garden, walled in on all four sides, with no sign of any doors or windows. 
Looking up, Ataru saw a skylight, so the plants were able to grow, but...how
did he get in here?  A mystery to solve, Ataru wryly noted.

      Seated on a stone bench in the middle of the garden, Ryouko looked up at
the Kuroko's sudden entrance.  "Ah, Moroboshi-sama!  Welcome to my...well,
hideaway would be the best word for it.  You need not fear anyone listening
in; nobody else knows that this place exists, and it is searched for any
listening devices once a week."

      He smiled.  He was wearing a small electronic counter-measures device
his grandmother had obtained for him from the Zephyrite Inquisition which was
purported to be the latest in surveillance jammers.  No one was going to be
listening in on this conversation, no matter what.  Nevertheless, he should be
polite.  "Thank you, Ryouko-chan.  And please, call me Ataru.  You know me
well enough."

      Ryouko colored slightly.  "I would rather not, if you don't mind."

      Ataru blinked.  "All right, but at least make it Moroboshi-*san*."

      "Yes, all right.  I apologize for the formality," Ryouko began, as her
servants drifted away, leaving her and Ataru in private.  "I choose to use it
because, even though we have known each other for a long time, there is much
about you that is different these days.  I don't feel I know enough about you
now to be so casual."

      Understandable.  Ataru had not really seen a lot of Ryouko during the
hard weeks following the Spirit War; she must have been getting some rather
disturbing reports.  "True, I am somewhat different, but there's a lot about
me that's the same.  I'm not a completely different person, Ryouko-chan."  He
grinned, aware that she was uncomfortable now with his casual use of her name.

      She looked at him closely.  "There is much that is different about you,
Moroboshi-san.  Yet...I can see it when I look closely.  The real you has not
changed.  I saw it on occasion in the previous two years."

      Ataru wanted to change the subject.  He was not comfortable with his
previous behaviour, and it would probably be a long time before he grew to
accept what he had been like prior to Icarus.  Ryouko's intense scrutiny was
also bothering him; time to get those eyes focused on the right person.  "So,
Ryouko-chan, what do you think brings me here?"

      To his surprise, Ryouko looked down uncomfortably.  "I...I have heard of
your vicious treatment of those who abused you so.  I can only presume that
you are here to take me to task for my behaviour to you in times past."

      He lost his train of thought temporarily.  "Um...Ryouko-chan, I
apologize if I gave this impression.  Believe me, you have nothing to fear
from me this evening."

      Ryouko stared at him.  "But after all that I did to you..."

      Ataru smiled wryly.  "Everyone in Tomobiki behaved much the same way. 
Besides, at the time, I probably deserved everything that you dished out.  And
I don't think you were ever malicious towards me, just playful.  Of course, to
you, playfulness involves grenades..."

      Ryouko tentatively smiled.  "I'm sure you've guessed that those never
really do any harm."

      Ataru grinned.  "Believe me, I'm aware of your altruistic qualities. 
But no, I've come for a completely different reason."

      It was Ryouko's turn to blink.  "Then I must confess, Moroboshi-san,
that I am at a loss to explain your reason for wanting to see me."

      Ataru tried to get his brain in gear, attempting to figure a way to
bring this up.  "Ryouko-chan, I understand that recently your parents have
tried to step up plans to have you married to Tobimaro Mizunokoji."

      Ryouko's eyes flared.  "Indeed, though I've been able to hold them off
for now.  I certainly have no wish to marry Ton-chan; he's as bad as my
brother."

      Ataru smirked.  "Well, not *that* bad, surely."

      Ryouko thought for a moment.  "I suppose you're right; he, at least,
*has* a sense of honour.  But a marriage between the two of us would not be
happy; we are too different."

      "I agree," Ataru nodded.  "But you have a problem, because what with
Asuka-chan now dedicated to helping Osooko-chan parent her child, a marriage
between her and your brother seems very unlikely."  Ataru paused, in an
attempt to be dramatic.  "Of course, if there were anyone else you were
interested in, we might be able to do something.  It would be very difficult
to marry you off if you were already engaged."

      Ryouko was no fool; her brother had inherited those genes.  Her eyes
widened as she realized the implications.  Attempting to be circumspect, she
asked, "Moroboshi-san, are you...did you come here tonight as a representative
of...someone else, perhaps?"  Her eyes glowed with hope.

      Ataru smiled inwardly.  He should have guessed that Ryouko would
understand his meaning immediately.  "As a matter of fact...I believe you've
already met one of my uncle's wards:  Reigi Yumoa."

      Ataru paused, waiting for a reaction.  And waiting.  For two minutes,
nothing moved in the room.  He was beginning to get a little worried. 
"Ryouko-chan?"

      Finally, a small sigh escaped Ryouko's lips.  "Reigi-kun..." she
murmured.

      *And I thought Reigi was bad!  These two need to be together!* Ataru
thought.  Aloud, he said, "I come here on behalf of my uncle Komeru.  His
wards are coming of age, and it is his wish to see them engaged in omiais as
soon as possible.  Reigi is the oldest, and I tried to suggest someone else,
but he would hear nothing of it.  Apparently, since your first meeting, he has
been thinking of nothing but you.  He would have come to you himself, but
knows how much you appreciate tradition.  I have, therefore, come to arrange
an omiai, with your permission.  Believe me, the man is smitten with you; you
should hear him out at least."

      *Well, most of that is true,* thought Ataru.  He had embellished several
points, but he knew that this would appeal to Ryouko's sense of romance. 
Actually, he had not needed to embellish that much; Reigi tended to act like a
lovesick sandpanther in heat when Ryouko's name was mentioned.  Ataru frowned
momentarily.  *Where did I pick up *that* expression?*

      Ryouko had attempted to compose herself, and was only partially
successful; her voice was breathy and soft when she answered.  "You may pass
the message, Moroboshi-san, that I would be very pleased to meet with
Yumoa-san to arrange such a thing."  She started.  "I am at a loss, however,
as to how to prevent others from interrupting it.  Certainly my brother will
not approve of this, and my parents may try to halt it also.  And," and her
lips twitched into a sneer of disgust, "...Shingo may also attempt an
interruption."

      Ataru smiled.  "You don't need to worry about that, Ryouko-chan.  I'll
take care of all the arrangements.  All you have to do is worry about
presenting yourself to Reigi, although," and he grinned again, "...you could
dress in a sack and he would still find you beautiful."

      Ryouko's eyes were glistening.  "Thank you, Moroboshi-san.  I'll allow
you to make all the arrangements.  If we are finished, I can have my Kuroko
escort you out."

      "Thanks, Ryouko-chan.  I wish you all the bes...wwwouff!!"

      Ataru had been stopped by Ryouko rushing over and gathering him up in an
NFL-caliber hug.  Tears of joy were streaming from her eyes.  "Thank you,
Ataru.  I don't know why you are doing this for me, after all the problems I
caused you, but thank you."

      Ataru attempted to disengage himself from Ryouko.  "Hey, stop that.  You
were always a friend, even when you were playing those pranks.  Believe me, I
wouldn't have let Reigi do this unless I knew that it was the perfect match."

      Ryouko smiled awkwardly, and let go of Ataru.  "You flatter me, Ataru. 
It's nice to know that *some* things haven't changed."

      Ataru blushed.  Suddenly, he felt a whirlwind around him, and when it
stopped, he was once more outside the Mendou estate.  *How the hell do they do
that?* he wondered, but not for long.  There was a lot of planning to do if
this was going to come off...

                                  *    *    *

      December twenty-eighth.

      Ryouko walked down the path of the largest garden in the estate, her
emotions a turmoil of expectation and worry.  She had done everything possible
to prepare for this evening.  She had chosen a simple white kimono,
emphasizing the grace of her elegant form.  Only two Kuroko attended her,
carrying her palanquin; the rest were scattered around the estate, ready to
help Ataru if he needed it.

      That reminded her of something.  She turned to one of her Kuroko.  "Do
you know if Moroboshi-sama or Lum-sama have come to the estate?"

      "I believe they are here, Mistress Ryouko," the servant quickly
responded.  "Moroboshi-sama said he would guarantee that the omiai will go
without interruption."

      Ryouko's glance rose towards one of the security cameras her brother had
placed along the path.  He had been very intrigued by her behaviour this
evening, and would undoubtedly be tracking her movements.  Ryouko guessed that
it was her own fault; she had been so excited by the prospect of seeing Reigi
again that her emotions had run rampant.  Even Shingo had asked what was
wrong, and it took a lot to get him to notice anything.

      Ryouko needed Ataru and Lum's help this evening.  She would need to keep
her mind on winning Reigi, and had no time to devote to stopping her brother's
nefarious schemes.  Once again, she thanked the gods for Ataru's help, for
this would not have been possible without him.  "He's so sweet..." she sighed. 
She had heard that he and Lum had finally patched up their differences and
made their engagement semi-official; it still needed his grandmother's final
approval, although if Nagaiwakai proved the least bit stubborn, all Ataru had
to do was wait until April when he turned eighteen.  She was happy for them
both, and her reports gave the impression that they were happier than they had
been in years.

      Sighing, she came to the pond, and sat for a moment to relax.  She hoped
that she would be able to keep her head when Reigi arrived, remembering with a
blush her behaviour at their first meeting.  Suddenly, the crashing of horses'
hooves interrupted her thoughts.  "Hello...?" she said, peering into the
darkness to see what has broken the silence.

      Suddenly along the path came a beautiful Arabian stallion.  Or what
looked like a stallion.  But as it got closer, Ryouko's trained eye saw that
it was not a horse at all, but a palanquin carried by two of the Kuromoroboshi
ninjas.  Her own palanquin was designed as a pantomime horse, to fit her odd
sense of humor.  This one, however, was perfect in almost every detail, and it
was only her theatre training that made her see it.

      Then she spotted a figure on the horse, riding sidesaddle because of his
robes.  He was gorgeous, dressed in samurai robes and wearing a katana.  With
a start, Ryouko realized that this was Reigi.  She gasped at the handsomeness
of the financier, as all the memories of their first meeting came back to her. 
*How could I possibly have waited this long,* she thought.  She heard herself
sighing, "Yumoa-sama..."

      Reigi was finding it difficult staying upright.  He had ridden before,
of course, but had never ridden a pantomime horse carried by ninjas, and
certainly never sidesaddle.  He was attempting to grin and bear it, though. 
Then he spotted the woman sitting by the pond.  It was Ryouko, looking
exquisite in a simple white kimono.  His feelings for her threatened to burst
from his chest as he saw her turn to greet them.  How could they ever have
been separated for this long?  It felt as if, now that they were together at
last, their souls could once again be complete.  "Mendou-sama..." he murmured.

      Reigi dismounted, doing his best to look noble rather than the awkward
sight he knew he must present.  Ryouko had stood up to greet him, and Reigi
tried not to lose himself in her eyes again.  Instead, he presented her with
the bouquet, selected personally after gaining knowledge of her favorite
flowers from his spies.  "For you, Mendou-sama."  There was no worry about
being too formal now; this was an omiai, after all.

      Ryouko blushed as she accepted the bouquet; the flowers were roses and
carnations, her favorites.  Undoubtedly Reigi had investigated all of her
likes and dislikes in order to gain this information, and Ryouko found the
idea thrilled her.  "Thank you," she said after a short time.  She had gotten
lost in his eyes again, but this time it was acceptable.  "I apologize, I had
almost forgotten how handsome you are."

      It was Reigi's turn to blush.  "I...I am pleased that I meet your
expectations, Mendou-sama.  I am ashamed to confess, I had avoided your
presence for a time, in order to gain more information about you.  Happily,
you certainly fit all of my expectations."

      Ryouko felt her heart leap; she had been afraid that he would hold her
family's insanity against her.  "In what way?"

      Reigi smiled; this was Ryouko's way of finding out just how much he had
learned about her.  Well, there would be no more secrets from her; he would
tell her everything.  "You are intellectually brilliant both in scholastics
and other areas," he begins, thinking of the tactical strategy involved in the
games she played on her brother, "...a fighter for causes your brother would
believe too low for his notice, adept in the visual and theatre arts...and
despite your well-known propensity for causing havoc in your brother's life, a
truly beautiful woman, inside and out."

      Ryouko turned crimson.  She might have taken this flattery as excessive,
but looking deep into Reigi's eyes, she could see that he meant every word. 
It had become clear to her that he was as much in love with her as she was
with him, and the thought made her happier than she had ever been.  She needed
to be alone with him now, she realized.

      Reigi was gauging her reaction carefully; he was worried that, despite
the fact that it was truly what he felt, she might have taken his words as
false.  Looking into her eyes, however, he could see the love that flared
within.  His heart leaped at the realisation that she loved him, just as he
loved her.  He was even more delighted when she took his hand in hers.

      "Please walk with me, sir," Ryouko said, attempting to keep the waver
from her voice.  She turned to her Kuroko.  "You may leave."  Any further
developments in this omiai were going to be strictly between the two of them;
besides, Ataru and Lum were making sure that nothing would interrupt.  Ryouko
smiled as she thought of her parents and her brother, and the ignorance they
currently held towards this meeting.  This was a major step in making sure
that her life was her own, and not devoted to the financial unity of two
families.

      Reigi noticed that the Kuroko simply bowed and vanished, even quicker
than the Kuromoroboshi ninjas.  "They're good men, your Kuroko," he said, in a
vain attempt to make conversation.  He noticed that Ryouko was looking off at
the mansion, smiling wickedly.  He found her smiles incredibly erotic, though
he did not feel ready to tell her that just yet.  "Mendou-sama, why are you
smiling?"

      Ryouko started as she realized that she had been caught off-guard again. 
She chuckled.  "Just thinking that my parents will be beside themselves if
they learned that I am undergoing an actual omiai without their
knowledge...not to mention before the final peace between my clan and the
Mizunokoji is concluded."

      Reigi nodded; the politics of the Mendou family was another reason why
he had waited so long, gathering information on the clan's history.  "Yes, I
know.  Nagaiwakai-sama is already offering to mediate the peace." Privately,
he wondered whether this was such a good idea.  If they got her angry,
Nagaiwakai could easily make sure of the destruction of both clans.  He tried
to drift back towards the topic of engagements.  "Ataru-kun does know that
you've no interest in marrying Tobimaro Mizunokoji."

      Ryouko winced at the thought of that idea going through.  "No, thank
you!  He's far too much like my brother for comfort.  I have no interest in
marrying him."  She sighed, as thoughts of family politics made an unwelcome
intrusion in her head.  "I really don't know what is going to happen.  I had
thought that my brother would marry Asuka-chan; indeed, they seemed quite
ready to do so..."

      Reigi caught the pause at the end of her sentence.  "Until the *saikoo
jinseijitsu* totally ruined any hope of that happening.  And with Asuka-san's
relationship with Osooko-san proceeding full steam ahead, the chances of her
getting back together with Shutaro are slim.  That's probably a good thing,
considering what Shutaro must imagine such a marriage to be like."

      Reigi paused; he knew that this was a tricky situation, and that the two
of them were only making the problem worse.  Of course, they were in love,
which tended to remove much of the guilt.  "Ataru-kun isn't quite sure what to
do.  At the moment, there's very little Shutaro can do without losing face,
and Ataru-kun knows this.  He's unsure whether to step in and try to nudge
things along, or to just watch Shutaro screw it up on his own."

      Ryouko looked up in surprise.  "Do you think that Ataru is attempting to
get revenge on my brother?"

      Reigi smiled, remembering a previous conversation discussing much the
same thing.  "Actually, Ataru-kun said that he had...no grudges against your
brother...?"

      Ryouko looks at him in astonishment, then begins to laugh hysterically. 
Reigi joins in, as both of them know the true meaning of the phrase. 
Recovering, Ryouko asked, "When did Moroboshi-sama acquire such an attitude?"

      "I think it was the day he first met you."  Reigi was beginning to lose
his initial nervousness, and just revel in the presence of Ryouko.  He
wondered if he should make the next move...

      Suddenly a voice shouts out from the top of a tree.  "I caught you!"

      He looks up to see Shingo, Shutaro's moronic ninja, glaring at them
angrily.  *Great,* he thought.  *Perfect timing!*

      Ryouko sighed as she noticed the ninja's expression change from anger to
puzzlement.  "You're not Moroboshi!" Shingo cried.

      Luckily, Ryouko knew exactly how to deal with Shingo, having dealt with
him many times before.  "Shingo, will you please leave us be?  Yumoa-sama and
I are on an omiai."

      Shingo's face reddened, hearing the words but not fully understanding
them.  "Er...omiai?  Of course, Ryouko-sama!  I'll leave you be..." And with
that he disappeared into the forest.

      Reigi stood in amazement.  He had heard that Shingo was exceptionally
dim, but this was ridiculous.  He turned to Ryouko, astonished.  Ryouko
smiled.  "You'll have to forgive Shingo, he is what is politely referred to as
clue-challenged."

      Reigi laughed at the expression.  "Dumb as a bag of hammers, eh?"

      Ryouko giggled.  "Precisely!  However, once he reports back to my
brother, we can expect further attacks..."

      Reigi frowned.  "That's where Ataru-kun and Lum come in.  They told me
not to worry about a thing."

      Ryouko sat him down by the pond, and snuggled up to him.  "Well, then,
let's not worry about it."  She sighed, and let the feel of his body overwhelm
her senses.

      Reigi almost gasped at finding Ryouko cuddling so close to him, but
eventually realized that the time for indecision was past.  He and Ryouko
loved each other, and thus there was no impropriety in showing affection.

      For a few minutes, the two merely sat together, watching the stars and
basking in each other's presence.  Reigi looked down at her, and found that
she was looking at him now, too.  He understood now.  They were truly together
at last, and could finally let the love they had for each other out.  He found
himself bending down towards her, and then brushing her lips with a kiss.

      Ryouko sighed as she felt his lips against hers.  This was even better
than all her fantasies of this moment had been.  An electric feeling enveloped
her body, and she began to deepen the kiss.

      Suddenly, there was a cry from above.  Shingo had apparently been told
by Shutaro was really happening, and had returned to take his revenge.  "Leave
Ryouko-sama alone, you villain!"

      Suddenly, in midair, a rope flares out and ensnares Shingo.  Lum drags
him off kicking and screaming, leaving the two lovers with a wink.

      Reigi looked dryly at the scene that had just unfolded before them.  "I
think your brother knows I'm here."

      Ryouko smiled.  "I think we should let Moroboshi-sama and Lum-sama worry
about it, don't you, Yumoa-sama?"

      Reigi took her in his arms once more.  "Please," he said.  "Reigi."

      Ryouko felt her control abandoning her completely, as she whispered
huskily, "Ryouko."

      Suddenly they were kissing passionately with mad abandon, putting the
past two months of agonized waiting into one expression of their love.  They
both knew at that moment, whether their families accepted or not, that they
would be together for the rest of their lives...

                             *** The Beginning ***