Fatal Fury Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Rifts ❯ Chapter 36: Summary Aftermath ( Chapter 36 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Sailor Moon/Rifts Crossover (Revised Edition) By Simon Woodington

Chapter 36: Summary Aftermath

Ayla surmised that her Mom was probably dying of worry, and suggested
that Masurani bring the three to her place while she "broke the news."
She tamed her protestations with the rationale of what alternative was
there? After several minutes, Masurani conceded.

'Mama-san!' Ayla called as she stepped in the front door, not having
changed out of her Neo Senshi uniform. A short woman, some five feet
in height, dressed in a khaki green housecoat scrambled up to her
daughter, her stark red hair flailing behind her.

'You were out there!' she snapped, both fearful and angry. 'You were
fighting and...oh my... you're hurt!' Her tones walked the edge of the
disciplinarian, and the concerned mother. Ayla rolled her eyes as her
Mom inspected the gash across her shoulder.

'It's nothing, really, Mama. I stayed in my uniform so it would heal
more quickly.'

'Don't you roll your eyes at me young lady,' she chided, drawing Ayla
into the living room, sitting her down and slipping the arm of the
body suit from the wound. 'Just be happy I agreed to let you join the
Resistance at all!'

'Mama - ow!' she winced. 'I'd never have joined if you hadn't...'

'Tsk, tsk, of course it's going to hurt. It's fairly deep.' She stood
and proceeded to the kitchen. A moment passed, and she returned, first
aid kit in hand.

'Nasura made me the leader of the Neo Senshi. That wasn't so bad. It
was just Haisha... she was so frustrating!'

'It's not good to yell at her, even if she did follow your orders.'

Ayla's face darkened.

'It's okay sweetie. Just think it through. You've got to be firm and
kind.' She dabbed gently at the wound. Ayla bit her lip and winced.

'Yeah, but how? You're just loud,' she laughed.

'You got it from somewhere...' Osaka replied with a smirk. 'I think if
you thicken the body suit... use mystic silk, instead of this flimsy
cloth,' she said, picking at the suit with two fingers to indicate her
point. 'And maybe some padding would help...'

'Oh Mama...' she sighed as her Mom started wrapping her shoulder
carefully with an off white bandage. "I know... I just haven't had the
chance yet..."

'Listen, Ayla, I love you. I'm not going to let you die out there...'
her words fell to a deep and emotionally dark silence. 'Not if there's
anything I can do about it.'

'Gomen... I...'

'Shush,' was softly spoken reply. Her hands did not stop the task of
bandaging the wound until it was complete. Osaka Apollo heaved a weary
breath, pulling her housecoat tightly about her slender build and
retying the waistband.

'So what happened? How bad is it?'

Ayla wiped at her aching eyes.

'It's bad Mama. It's horrible. There were so many! Nasura's going to
have a hard time alone. We nearly lost, even with Makoto's help.'

'Makoto?" she said, sharply inquisitive. 'You mean Kino Makoto?'

'Hai Mama-san. She's changed, though. She looks like an angel!"

'She hasn't been gone long, then. Not since I saw her last.'

Ayla's eye widened.

'What do you mean?'

'I saw her today at the Shiranui Dojo,' Osaka began, leaning back
tiredly. 'She's been taking care of Kai and Tenma for the last six
years.'

'You mean she's Nakio!?' Ayla gasped loudly. 'Why didn't you tell me!'

'She only just revealed herself.' A sly smirk crept across her face.
'Neat to think you've been training with her for so long.'

'Well yeah,' Ayla agreed reluctantly. 'But holy crow she's changed!
Um... I... I just... I just guess I would like to have known! Why did
she keep it a secret for so long?'

'Something about protecting the twins. Mai wouldn't get into it.'

'I like her. I mean, I know she's still the same person, but she's so
intense!'

'Why wouldn't you like her?'

'I don't know. Maybe because she's an Angel of War? That's pretty
harsh.'

Osaka gazed at her daughter, watching her mind drift and face dark as
other events came to light. Her face twisted in motherly concern.

'What else happened?'

'What?' she gasped, shocked out of her thrall. 'Oh. It's just one of,
um... my Senshi. Xalia.'

'Ether Xalia?'

'Hai,' she gazed at her mom resolutely. 'She betrayed the order. The
murders... she... it was her!'

'I know.'

'You know?' she began at a start, then her face softened. 'Great.'

'I'm sorry baby... but I only learned during the first strike.'

'No Mama,' she sighed. 'It's not you. It's just hard to know who to
trust.'

'What did Nasura have to say about her?'

'Nothing! She said she didn't have time, but... then she told us that
things are pretty risky for Xalia.'

'Hm. Did she tell you when she Knighted her?'

'Hai. She did. But what about Mamoru? I thought he was the Earth
Guardian?'

'He is. Don't you remember when the demons nearly got in the house?
The wards were the only thing that stopped them.'

'Oh boy I remember. I spent hours setting those things up,' she
commented. Then; 'What does that have to do with Mamoru-san?'

'Mamoru isn't a frontline soldier. He wasn't prepared to fight alone.
That's...'

'...why she Knighted her. I got it. So what happened?'

Osaka took a breath.

'It's...' she stopped, looking upset. Ayla felt a primal twinge from
her mother. 'Uraki-Ayo intervened, and defeated her personally.'

She was shaking her head at the end of the sentence.

'What!' Ayla gaped. 'If he came here do to that, why didn't he just...
he could have fought Nasura.'

'She was busy with you, and had no idea he'd attacked her.'

Ayla paled.

'Oh God...' she muttered, dark tones in her voice. 'It's my fault.'

'No Ayla, how? Don't blame yourself,' she replied, eyebrows knitting
on her creased forehead.

'I wasn't paying attention to Janus...' she started, clenching her
eyes shut, her fists echoing the motion as she pressed them against
her chest. 'Akari wouldn't have killed her if... if I'd just...'

Osaka bowed her head. She had heard. The final selection mission
broken up by the sudden murder of the young woman. That, the murders
of the twelve squires, and the sudden attacks of the clones had
disrupted their Knighting. Nasura had then taken the only action that
remained by Knighting the girls on her own, without the support or
even awareness of the Resistence core supporters.

There just hadn't been time for it.

Ayla was crying silently, and did not refuse her mothers arms as they
opened.

'There wasn't anything you could do,' Osaka stated gently. 'You
weren't Knighted yet.'

She replied a solitary mumble of internal unrest, and cuddled against
her. After some time, Ayla said:

'What happened to Xalia. Why did she betray us?'

'She was brainwashed, like Mamoru was.'

Slowly, in due consideration, Ayla nodded.

'What if Uraki decides to come back?'

'He won't. When he came through, it delayed the expected wave of
shadowlings. Nasura says the portal has a relative power level limit.'

'Then why...' Ayla's eyes whirled. She blinked, and closed them, her
head pounding. Osaka pulled the young woman over to rest her head on
her shoulder. 'He can't stay here with the Inner Senshi... um, I guess
I should say Angel Senshi, neh, Mama?'

Osaka chuckled.

'Hai sweetheart.'

'So they're going to fight him, and what are we doing? Destroying this
crystal. Haisha says that the shadowlings' numbers increase with each
wave.'

'Nasura will explain. Right now you've got some time, so take it easy,
okay?'

'Hmm,' she sighed. 'I'm just worried... and scared.'

Osaka laid a hand on her daughter's head and stroked her hair gently.

'I know sweetie.' A silence permeated the room. 'Usagi was scared
too.'

'Usagi? You saw her too?' Ayla gasped with a glance up at her Mom's
face.

'Hai, I did,' she replied gently. 'She's an angel too.'

'Oh wow...'

'Mm-hm. They all are... It started when Makoto was sent to another
dimension...'

---

'Mom!' she exclaimed, blushing furiously.

'Iesha-san,' Goku laughed. 'Are you sure she was that strong when she
was young?'

'No Goku-san!' she chuckled delightedly at her daughter's
embarrassment. 'Those beds are only made out of wood. She was a little
strong for five, but even a pair of three year olds accomplish the
same.'

'Thanks Mom,' Masurani glared. 'Sensei, can we go uh, spar - or
something? Please?'

'Well, I'm having a good time - oof!' he winced as Makoto dug her
elbow into his ribcage. He blinked and glanced at her.

'Oh. Okay.' He stood, and bowed respectively. 'Thank you Iesha-san.
The meal was excellent.'

She shrugged in reply.

'I would've had my husband cook if he was home. He's much better in
the kitchen than I am.'

'No kidding,' Masurani muttered solicitously.

'I heard that!' Iesha snapped, smacking Masurani's shoulder with a
laughing smile.

'Better move it before she decides to spar with us!' Masurani laughed
as she got to her feet. She then disappeared in short order from the
room. Goku paused before leaving to ask:

'Would you really do that?'

She nodded firmly.

'You bet! I was training in the womb!' she laughed.

'We should spar sometime then! You must be really good!'

'Oh get going you goofball,' she laughed, shooing him off.

He half bowed, then left.

'Han, maybe you should join them,' Makoto suggested.

'Uh, yeah. Okay.' Slowly he stood up and accompanied the others.

:Later sweets:

Makoto offered a wan smile and slight nod in reply.

'Haisha, Naritha!' Iesha called to the patio. 'Are you okay out
there?'

'Hai Iesha-san!' Haisha replied pleasantly. 'Thank you!'

'You're welcome!'

Iesha took a sip of her sake before speaking.

'So... what happened...?' she began hesitantly. 'You look... oh
heavens, I can't tell how old you are.'

'It's been about... oh, coming up on seven years in a couple months.
I'll be turning twenty five...' Makoto placed her head on her right
palm, the according elbow rested on the table. Iesha held her with a
scrutinizing eye.

'Twenty five?!' she gaped. It was plain her skepticism was low,
however. Despite this, her mouth blazed forth: 'It's only been a
little over a month! What happened? You were so different when I saw
you last, little fighter.'

Makoto half-smiled at the nickname of past and pleasant application.

'I've been through so much... And now I really don't have the time to
get into it.'

'What? That you're married? You'll have to tell me sometime!' she
smiled. 'How'd you meet him...?'

'Like I said, too much to get into. I met Han in the sewers of New
Quebec. He probably saved my life, too.'

Iesha gave her an astonished look.

'Pardon?'

'Long, long story... way before this.' She indicated her wings with a
thumb.

'I'm so sorry, Makoto-san, but I don't even know what to think.'

'That's okay, he doesn't either.'

'You snagged a classic,' Iesha pointed out. 'Not that he isn't
nice...'

Makoto nodded and added; 'I don't love him any less for his
thoughtlessness. He has a very pure heart.'

'How can you tell? With a mouth like that...'

Makoto looked somewhat reproachful, as if unprepared for her
statement.

'I'm psychic,' she explained softly. 'I know what he feels, and what
he thinks.'

Iesha fumbled her cup. 'W-what?'

Matoko chuckled, amused by the reaction to something she took for
granted.

'I can read minds. At first it was just Han's, but since my rebirth as
an angel I can read just about any.'

'Am I safe?' she stammered, palms at her denim-bloused chest, a
mock-fearful expression upon her face. Behind it, she knew, was
genuine pause and worry. 'I've nothing really to hide, except - well -
the usual stuff, but... Can I still trust you?'

:Of course Iesha-san. I'm an Angel of War, not death. Nothing else has
changed between us:

Iesha gasped, but smiled.

'Nothing else? More like everything else. You were only your mother's
adorable daughter when I last saw you. But that was so long ago...
before we even moved to Tokyo.'

Makoto nodded heartily. Her eyes wandered to the door leading to the
basement, and back to Iesha. 'But that's not what I wanted to talk to
you about. It's Goku.'

'What about him?'

'He seems so... naive, but he's so powerful. And you seem to know him
better than I do.'

Iesha tossed her head to one side so that a dark brown gathering
dropped back behind her shoulder.

'It's not that he's not bright. He's just... I guess he's like an
overgrown child. He's so very kind, though. I owe him a lot.'

'Like?' She arched an eyebrow.

'He saved my life. I was mugged by a pair of shadowlings, and Goku
banished them. I learned later it was an attempt on my life. Being in
the Resistence hasn't been easy.' Her eyes ascended into recollection
as she spoke. 'He was so sweet. I offered him a place to stay that
night. He said he was stranded here, away from home. In exchange for
room and board he offered to train Masurani how to fight.'

Makoto smirked, and spoke with a certain gleam in her eyes.

'And your husband wasn't jealous?'

'Well, he's no eye sore himself...' she giggled. 'Of course he was. He
broke a few things trying to learn Goku's style of fighting.'

'You mean he broke his arm... or...?'

'No, no,' she smiled. 'Walls, tables, chairs. He's not a bad fighter,
but a bit of klutz with his ken. And his kamehame bolts are absolutely
disastrous. Personally, the idea freaks me out.'

Makoto laughed.

'So you weren't kidding.'

'Heck no!' she laughed. 'Not at all! You'd be surprised. I've actually
taught Goku a thing or two.'

Makoto blinked, surprised.

'Well no, I'm not that good a fighter! I mean in the kitchen. Goku's a
very charming, attractive man, but can't cook at all!' she giggled
warmly.

Makoto reluctantly shrugged, not familiar enough with him to know
either way. An uncomfortable silence pondered along, Makoto seeking
something... What? Maybe something ordinary. The desire to settle. The
taste of it had been sweet; nigh six years of living a normal life. No
monsters, no demons, no headhunters, no juicers. Just able to lie back
and raise Ayana. She wished it would end. To live with Mai again, to
have Ayana and Hanlan with her. To settle... Makoto muttered something
half-heartedly. Iesha snapped out of the daydream she seemed to be
caught in.

'Pardon?' Her eyes settled on Makoto.

Makoto's eyes fell into focus.

'Oh.. I was just thinking... It must be nice to have a family.'

Iesha adopted a bemused expression for her face. Her eyebrows worked
as something dropped into place in her mind.

'You want a family...?'

Makoto sighed as she sat back and ran her long fingers through her
slightly scruffy looking brunette hair.

'Right now I wish I almost didn't... being away from Ayana is almost
worse than the idea of her being hurt or killed here.'

'Oh Makoto... I'm so sorry,' she offered sympathetically. 'I can
understand that. Masurani fighting out there... even with her friends,
scares me to death.'

'She's an amazing warrior, Iesha. You should be proud.'

'She is? I've seen her practice, and she almost dances... it's odd to
see so much grace in such a deadly art. I'm sort of clumsy at it, but
Goku says I'm very powerful.' She paused. 'I am proud though. Very
proud, but also very, very afraid for her.'

Makoto could only nod.

'How old is your little girl?'

'Hmm...' Makoto agreed absently, fatigue drawing her into a blank,
friendly zone. After a moment, she snapped back to the conversation,
the query just reaching her. 'Oh! Little girl? I wish! She's almost
sixteen now.'

'But you said...'

'I know what I said. It's... could we not talk about that?'

'Hai. Gomen Makoto-san,' she breathed, somewhat overwhelmed by the
whole weaving. 'If you're that tired, you're welcome to pass out in
the spare room.'

Again, she replied the same negatory motion of her head.

'No... I can't. There's no time for it.'

Iesha's eyebrow creased in concern and motherly annoyance.

'The Neo Senshi won't be doing anything without you. It's an order. If
you head off now, you can catch eleven hours of sleep. That's plenty
for a young angel of war,' she giggled. 'No arguments.'

Makoto's eyes seemed to smile as she chuckled soundlessly. Iesha
helped her to her feet.

'I... uh...' she stuttered, flustered.

'No, I won't hear it little fighter. Come with me.'

She felt somewhat embarrassed to be treated like a ten year old again,
especially by someone who clearly was not her mother. On the other
hand, Ayla and the rest were out of sight, and she realized that since
her own mother's death, she cearly missed a feminine role model. The
awareness of that absence struck her with painful pang. To feel that
from another, despite the fact that she was not a relative, she found
oddly comforting.

'Thank you,' she said softly, smiling.

Iesha winked at her with a plainly parentally loving smile, and saw
her to bed. No sooner had Makoto laid her head back on the pillow,
than she had drifted in what Iesha deemed a highly required slumber.
The rest of the loosely stitched together group rested soundly upon
cheap roll out mattresses and spare feather-down pillows some four
hours later. Adversely, Iesha discovered sleep to be quite elusive.
Perhaps it was due to the absence of Sanja. Where was he? Was he in
danger? He had only gone to a smaller city outside of Tokyo yesterday.

:No; she thought. :He should be home! Jencha Co. wouldn't keep him for
something like this....:

Unable to shake the thought from her mind, she picked up a hardbound
novel and tried to scare away the mayhap-omen with the words therein.

---

'Your move.'

'Hm?' Haisha murmured, blinking and drawing her eyes away from the
darkened sky. 'Oh. Thanks.'

'I am unsure if to believe you.'

'You mean...' her eyes narrowed, and eyebrows knitted. 'Just because I
think I should lead the Neo Senshi doesn't mean I'd lie.' She
pretended to gaze thoughtfully over the marble Chinese checkers board
and pieces.

'I am psychic, remember?' Naritha chided softly. 'I know she told not
where she went. Not your fault.'

Haisha looked vaguely upset.

'It was like she doesn't trust me or something. I told her I could
handle it.'

'Nasura very wise. She knows you are very, very weak yet. Even more
than me.'

'If you're a wimp than Bruce Lee-sensei is Master of Interpretive
Dance,' she peered at the young woman. 'You don't give yourself enough
credit, Naritha.'

She shrugged indifferently.

Haisha sighed. 'What are you getting at?'

'Nasura have difficult choice sending us to war. We are very young. We
sacrifice everything we are to save our world. She respect that, and
care for us.'

'Un, like any pencil pushing general,' Haisha remarked darkly.

Naritha actually scowled at her.

'No Haisha-chan! She had children. Her complete family perish in car
accident many year ago. She do this to save sanity!' Naritha bit off
the words with such severity that Haisha flinched, feeling guilty.

'I didn't know,' she replied sorrowfully. 'I'm sorry.'

A moment later, a nagging apprehension dropped into place, and her
face curled unpleasantly.

'You picked all that out of her mind? Does she know?' she gasped,
abruptly feeling nervous. 'Are you going to do that to me? Pick the
next move out of my head and flatten me?'

'No. As starters, I not "pick thought" from any mind. Not unless
discretion warrant, but even then... occasional thought bombing
school? I would lie if say I never think same. Intent of heart say
more than image of mind. Understand?'

'Yeah,' she grinned solicitously. 'But how did you know...?'

Naritha glanced away into the open air of the dark sky beyond the
small patio.

'We had long talk... she knew I might figure this in long term, and
told after she gave senshi transform crystal.'

Haisha gazed at her incredulously.

'You mean she chose you? The rest of us just kinda wound up the only
ones alive to be knighted...' she rolled her eyes. 'However
informally. I always thought there'd be some kind of ceremony. You
know, the way real Knights got it? No such luck with us. I guess there
just wasn't time.'

Naritha gave a small gasp in the realization she probably should have
kept that one in a dark cupboard. Oh well, one kettle of catfish out
of the way, and well into another boiling full tilt...

'So very sorry!' she apologized sharply with a steep, yet awkward
sitting bow. 'I know she selected you... do not be dishonoured.'

'I'm not. I know she picked all of us.'

'So sorry, Haisha-chan, but not sure heard correct?'

'You did. I know what happened to Xalia. Ayla was right. She was
protecting us. Chances are she's cat bait now, but she made sure we
were safe by having the others killed first.'

Naritha looked absolutely aghast.

'How could she?' she hissed. 'She not able stop deaths?'

Haisha shook her head soberly.

'I figure she doesn't have any real control, just a little influence.
It's a really nasty thought,' Haisha shuddered. 'It's amazing she's
done what she has so far. Frankly, I'm amazed the little sports nut is
still alive.'

Naritha blinked, and nodded.

'Even though it's turned out this way, I pretty well had it figured
out who she was going to choose. It was pretty clear Masurani had it
over Isanu. She was fast and extremely skilled, but lacked formal
training and wasn't very sturdy emotionally. As for Ayla... Asa was
certainly authoritative, but really brought tension to the command.
Not exactly someone who'd promote morale. Ayla and I aren't exactly
bosom pals, but I like her enough to respect her attitude. She's got a
knack for it; knows exactly what needs to be done and who's the best
for the job. Even I can't figure out teams as quickly as she does.
That's the only reason I follow her. But if you tell her I said that,
I'll deny it flat out.'

'And fact would be dead if not she think swift on toe.'

'Oh, sure, yeah, well...' she rolled her eyes with a vague sigh of
embarrasment. 'That was mostly Nasura-san's doing though. Hm... but I
wonder... did she choose Ayla because I got attacked by that clone of
Minako? It's possible, but somehow doesn't link up. There's no way I
could have known. Besides, she was way too tough. I certainly didn't
have the strength, and I hadn't thought to carry any amulets with me.
Not that they would have helped. I think if anyone, only Masurani
would have stood a chance. You'd be toast now if she hadn't fished you
out of that fight with Shao-Enya.'

The girl of blue hair and silver highlights seemed to be ignoring her
monologue. Not that Haisha noticed.

'Well, it's not like that's important now or anything. We've been
Knighted, and are pretty well prepared to face anything Uraki cares to
hurl our way. So... about the rest of the candidates,' Naritha
blinked, her highly organized mind drawing her back to her beginning
rationale. 'Xalia's speed was unmatched, and as the only mutant, she
had it nailed. Her elemental powers certainly aided the early decision
Nasura made regarding her Knighthood. She was ideal: Fast, powerful,
and obedient. There was no way Tasha could have equaled her. With you
there was never any real question. We would have ended up with a sixth
senshi if things had turned out differently. You're the only psychic
sensitive to have enrolled. I really would have liked to see how Janus
might have turned out,' she smirked.

Naritha knew, of course, that she meant the design of Janus' outfit,
for certainly the original standard would have been outright hentai.
She had been the most buxom of the squires, and undoubtedly one of the
most uniquely talented. Her ability to absorb the physical properties
of anything she touched made her a force to be reckoned with. Not to
mention the fact that any male who dared to fight her tended to forget
their names, much less recall any orders.

This applied to some women as well, it seemed, and apparently, as
Janus had defensively - and repeatedly - explained, was not entirely a
direct result of her ultra-feminine appearance. Nonetheless, handy -
to coin a pun - talent.

'Not kind,' Naritha stated, blushing harshly. 'Janus treat with much
respect. More than most. I liked her.'

'She was walking sex. Her figure,' she replied, her expression
softening only slightly, 'is - uh, was - a lot like yours.'

'Haisha,' she protested faintly, somewhere between offended and
pleased.

'Look, it's nothing personal. You're very pretty. I mean really, you
had most of the guys drooling all over you twenty-four-seven!'

Naritha blushed more fiercely.

'It's a compliment if anything. I mean, Janus wasn't exactly a
virgin... You, however, don't go for that, right? I think it's very
romantic.'

Haisha finally clued in to Naritha's lack of comfort as the young
Chinese girl attempted to shelter herself in silence. Several moments
of awkwardness drifted by on clouds as the girls made a few more
furtive moves in their game. During this period, Haisha finished, as
if to herself, her earlier thought:

'Well anyway, I don't know about me... Thanus was quite well versed in
combat tactics. He also knew weaponry quite well, something I lack. I
do have my Zen-sword training to compensate, however. Helped that he
was a serious cutie, too...'

Haisha's voice trailed off into a pleasant timbre of silence. Naritha
used the ensuing silence to temper the juxtaposition of her ire and
the sense of Nasura's scathing emotional scars. It took a while. Long
enough for the game to resume. After nearly a dozen moves, Haisha's
guilt broached a subject not too far lost.

'Look, I'm sorry.'

'Hm, Haisha-san? What for?'

'For comparing you to Janus,' she frowned. 'It wasn't nice.'

'Oh. That fine. Not mind so much. Knew Janus well, and see she not -
um - slut, as many think. Beauty, if too thought excessive, not mean
quite that always in use. Know that she waiting on list to breast
reduction operation?' Naritha noted, not gazing up at her friend's
surprised expression and arched eyebrow. 'See, learn much when give
doubt. So what your thought?'

'Holy crow, she was...?' the copper haired young woman murmured, her
opinion of the deceased young woman altering dramatically. Slowly, it
registered that Naritha had broached another subject as she looked up
from the beautifully designed board to glance at her temporary
opponent. 'Huh?'

'End talk of Janus. Not dishonour memory further. Now we speak of
others, of Inner Senshi we met.'

'What?'

'So what you think? Makoto blessed generous, hai?'

'Oh! You mean her husband!'

'He is... attractive, hai?' she noted with a childish blush, the
corner of her small full lips curling upwards slightly.

'No kidding! Damn he's hot...' she punctuated her comment by licking
the tip of her finger and pretending to burn it on her thigh. 'If milk
does a body good...' she whistled appreciatively. Naritha gasped,
embarrassed, mostly by the sharing of her new found friend's feelings.
Haisha relocated a piece and gestured to Naritha.

'When win war, I will find such guy, and marry him,' she giggled, as
if the idea was foolish. 'Um, maybe. I would be much happy with plain
husband.'

Haisha shook her head.

'Some guys really go for shy girls,' she grinned. 'Besides, like I
said, you're beautiful.'

'Thank you. So are you,' Naritha returned, displacing a piece to
another locale.

Haisha repeated her earlier motion of negation.

'Thanks. But I'm too bossy. I scare 'em away more than half the time.
Not that that's a bad thing necessarily...'

'I not know great much about dating.'

'Not great and much. That's a double - um - positive? Better to say
"don't know much." Ah, well, being ignorant can be a good thing,'
Haisha moved a piece. 'And bad. It can hurt.'

'That why I wait. Not like sisters... who marry young. I left to be
KnightsMage... stay unmarred.'

'You mean "unmarried".'

'Hai.'

'My move?'

'Hai.'

Haisha captured several pieces in a row, then asked:

'What do you think about the war?'

'I worry that I not fight well. That I am weak.'

'You're a master of Te. I wouldn't want to fight you!'

Naritha was contemplatively silent.

'Look, fighting isn't your main thing anyway. You're the psionic
senshi. We need you for that.'

Naritha traded one empty spot for another with a single blue and white
veined marble sphere.

'I disagree. This is war, Haisha-chan...'

'"Haisha" is fine.'

'... Neo Senshi need more warriors. I am not sufficient strong.'

Haisha delved into Naritha's eyes, feeling concerned.

'Are you worried you won't be able to make it?'

'No. Worried I won't make difference.'