Disclaimer : Most characters in this story are property of AIC and Pioneer. REWRITE Note : Minor revisions on the window scene and in some inconsequential conversation on the new scene. It also adds some additional reason to why she should trust him. That's about it.

They are in such a situation solely because of my imagination. This story was written purely for fun.

This FF is based on the TV Series, with some powers drawn over from the OAV, but with no Light Hawk Wings.

This story contains no sex, so please do not expect it.

Before I wrote this Fanfic, I have only read 2 Fanfics, Aikan Muyo and To Love & To Hate. Since then I have read some others, and have noted some writers have a tendency to portray some characters inaccurately. I hope I have not fallen into that trap.

That's about it, I'm a simple soul at heart...

DARKNESS & LIGHT - No Need For Kova

By Zyraen

Chapter II : No Need for Emotions

"I’ll get it!" Tenchi made his way to the door.

"Hi, Tenchi, nice to see you."

Looking down, Tenchi beheld the cutest, littlest red-headed scientist in the all of existence.

"Uh, hello, Washu," Tenchi tried hard to disguise the simultaneous joy and fear that had risen in him. "Will you be staying long?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." The scientist stepped in and looked around. "Things haven’t changed much, I see."

Ryoko and Aeka looked up from the TV simultaneously.

"Washu!"

"Yes, it’s me, girls."

Sasami’s head poked out of the kitchen.

"All right!" Her freckled face exploded into mirth. "Now everyone’s back again! Tenchi!!"

"Right, Sasami." Rather sheepishly, Tenchi led Washu to the storeroom door. On it someone had taped a sign saying ‘Welcome back Washu! Your room is ready!’

"Not bad," Washu said as she opened the door and looked into the storeroom. "Same as the last time I saw it. Guess it’s time to get settled in."

Deciding he did not want to watch as the spectral computer materialised, Tenchi surreptitiously made his way out and seated himself at the table, with Ryoko and Aeka both before him, eyes glued on the TV set. Hopefully they would continue to ignore him.

Actually, now that he thought about it, it was really strange the way he treated Aeka and Ryoko. Both were girls he loved, he could not fail to deny. He was absolutely certain he could not make himself forsake either one of them, but then again that was also true for Sasami or Mihoshi. Kiyone and Washu, well, they felt like they could take care of themselves.

So how did his feelings for Aeka and Ryoko differ from those of the other two?

Well, they did fight over him, and that made it different somehow. They loved him…

But did he love them back?

Well… maybe… perhaps… yes.

Was he even worthy of their love?

Aeka. He never quite accepted the revelation that he was Juraian royalty, and somehow never quite could see how he could possibly match up with her. Aeka did not seem to mind, but then again her husband was fated to be king of Jurai, a position Tenchi was only too aware he could not fill. Not because of his birth, though, but he just was not suited to be a king.

Ryoko. She had made it painfully obvious that he was hers. Yet, he was quite certain he could never live up to her expectations, to travel with her all through space and thoroughly enjoy it. She may be only a space pirate, but if he accepted her love, it was only right that she got the man she wanted. Yet Tenchi knew he belonged here on Earth, and would wind up short changing Ryoko.

He sighed. He *was* quite unworthy.

Did he show them he loved them?

No. And he knew why he did not dare. He was afraid, the other one would not be able to take it, then he’d lose one of them. He could not bear that…

Which brought him to the question he most dreaded - who to choose?

Who would he leave, breaking her heart and dignity and pride, free to choose a worthier man?

Who would he choose, and chain forever to an wretch, too petty to give something up for her?

Bewildered, he could only sink his face into his hands.

"Oh, hi Tenchi!" Mihoshi sang out, before Kiyone could stop her.

"Quiet!" she hissed. "Why don’t you go see what’s on TV?"

"Urm, okay." Gingerly, Mihoshi made her way over and plonked down beside Ryoko.

‘I really must get a device that will ring every time Kiyone and Mihoshi visit.’ Tenchi’s mind momentarily got drawn off its sombre topic.

Softly stepping by Tenchi, Kiyone asked softly, "Tenchi, it’s about Aeka and Ryoko, right?"

Tenchi, face still buried in his hands, nodded imperceptibly.

"I don’t have much experience in this, but I think you’re awfully spoilt for choice."

"That’s the problem! They’re too good for me!" an almost inaudible whisper, almost a sob.

"Think more highly of yourself, Tenchi! Who defeated Kagato?"

"I did, I guess."

"And I’m sure you do love them."

Another nod, but much more obvious.

"Then show it to them!"

"My hands are tied, Kiyone. Love one and lose the other. Love both and have them blow up the place." Tenchi’s voice seemed to break.

"It’s your choice, then, I guess."

Silence.

"Humans aren’t made of stone. I learnt that today, Tenchi. It must hurt them deeply that you not respond."

Still silence.

"Love them or lose them."

Kiyone left to sit beside Aeka, near Mihoshi, thankful that neither Ryoko nor Aeka had interrupted her.

After a while, Kiyone felt Aeka gently nudge her wrist. Turning to the princess, she saw an apologetic and somewhat grateful face.

"I’m sorry about yesterday afternoon, Kiyone. I wasn’t quite myself, you know how it is."

Kiyone did not really, but after the experience at Mos, she was not so sure. "Don’t be too wild over Tenchi. He doesn’t like it."

"But, Ryoko will…! Never mind. Tenchi needs time to make up his mind, then he will understand that the only one for him is me. I know you mean well, Kiyone, but I would prefer it if you would not cause Tenchi so much… pain. He needs time, to see within him." Kiyone saw Aeka almost wince as she said the word ‘time’.

"Every second cuts deeply into both of you, princess."

"Perhaps, but I am a princess, I can take it." A slight glimmer rose in Aeka’s eye, then hardened. "But as for Ryoko, that is her problem."

"As you wish, your Highness." Kiyone reclined back into the couch.

Before long, Sasami came out of the kitchen to join them.

"Sasami! Would you like to sit here?" Ryoko floated up, beckoning to the little princess.

"Sure, Ryoko! Gee, thanks," she settled down by Mihoshi as the pirate vanished.

A little while later, Kiyone heard Ryoko’s voice whisper by her ear.

"Psssst! Detective! I’d like a word with you!"

Kiyone just managed not to jump up in shock. Ryoko’s mouth had phased through the wall just behind Kiyone’s ear.

"I’m all ears."

"The door to the women’s bath."

Kiyone quickly excused herself, saying she had to go to the bathroom, and proceeded up to the door. As she walked up she wondered if she had been that indiscreet. She thought neither Ryoko nor Aeka would notice. Seemed otherwise, though.

Ryoko stood before the bathroom, just beside the wall that could change into the dimensional portal leading to Kiyone and Mihoshi’s apartment.

"Look, Kiyone, about yesterday afternoon, forget that, OK?"

"I’ve never remembered it in the first place." Well, at least not the way Ryoko means.

"I know…" Ryoko said rather lamely. "It’s just that Tenchi means that much to me."

"I sorta figured that out myself already." Kiyone pointed out.

"Tenchi, is… a little baka at times. He does love me, I’m sure of it, but he’s so well, shy. I know you meant well just now, but don’t force his hand, Kiyone. Tenchi isn’t very decisive sometimes, and I like things the way they are, with the exception of Aeka interrupting."

"Not if they stay the way they are for another three or four months."

"It might be painful, a little, now," Ryoko said, sagging back on the door, and only Mihoshi could fail to see that her ‘a little’ obviously was not that little. "He doesn’t seem to care, but he does. And in the end I’m sure it will work out fine for me, and then…" Ryoko hugged herself a little, trying, and succeeding at stopping her tears, "It will be worth it. Worth the pain and the wait."

Kiyone was not looking at Ryoko, but had turned away.

That thought is the only thing keeping Ryoko and Aeka alive. Tenchi was right. To choose one would be to obliterate the other.

"Ryoko, what if…" Kiyone wanted ask if Tenchi chose Aeka, but she stopped. "Tenchi never responds." That meant about the same thing, though it implied Tenchi was shy.

Ryoko’s eyes burned at Kiyone, angry at her for implying what she did, and sparks crackled on her hands, before her fury died.

"I’ll wait. I’ll have forever. I’ll wait," softly, hesitantly.

Or die in the attempt, Kiyone wanted to add.

Then Ryoko’s voice became strong. "But I’m sure he will react, he’s human." Almost a growl. "He will, I’m sure of it."

And she was gone.

Kiyone breathed a sigh of relief and sagged against the wall. Ryoko’s emotions were intense, and she could feel herself almost being led on by the pirate she had once tried to arrest.

Aeka was much more reserved, but even then Kiyone could sense what she went through was by no means insignificant compared to Ryoko’s pain.

And they both hid it so well from Tenchi.

They would willingly go through emotional hell rather than upset Tenchi.

Did they know? She wondered.

Tenchi has only an inkling of their agony, but did they know his love for both of them prevented him from responding, and as long as he loved them, he would not dare reciprocate?

Kiyone resolutely picked herself off the wall, feeling almost like a fly peeling itself off.

Matters of the heart are so complicated. And not concerning me at all.

Coolly and naturally, she went back downstairs and…

"Huh?" The TV was off, the living room was empty.

"They went into the Karaoke room." Someone added behind her. Nobuyuki had specially installed a side extension room as the Karaoke room since they returned from Jurai.

"Oh they did, did they? Thanks, Washu," Kiyone murmured.

"No problem," Washu turned back to her lab.

That’s strange, Washu usually liked a turn at the microphone herself.

"Oh, one more thing, Kiyone." Washu stopped at the door to her lab. "When did you become so nosy?" Seemed that everyone had noticed Kiyone’s attempt at prodding Tenchi into action.

"I was just trying to help," Kiyone replied, trying not to seem annoyed. Mihoshi had once told her how adorable Ryoko and Aeka were as Kappa. "And I was concerned."

"Well, you don’t usually take an interest in these things. Something must have happened to you, Kiyone."

"Is there?" she laughed weakly, but too late, the red had already leapt onto her cheeks.

"Tsk, tsk. Girls nowadays." Washu waved a finger at her, opened the door to the lab and was disappeared into the depths.

Washu was right. Why the sudden interest? Kiyone settled on the couch, all by herself, and tried to do some soul searching.

She wanted to see how it would be like. She wanted to know more about how Tenchi, Ryoko and Aeka felt, because she wanted to prepare herself for it. To know more, to fill her inadequacy in this area. Yet if the three were anybody to go by, she would not be able to prepare herself for it.

Boyfriends were something Kiyone had lived without for most of her life. She still remembered when Mihoshi first got, well, hurt (to put it very mildly), how Kiyone had spent weeks, maybe months, trying to get her out of the depression induced by some heartless cad.

"But I was so sure he loved me!" Mihoshi had cried her heart out, until Kiyone finally gave her a new cry to take up.

"Look, Mihoshi, we’re in this GP Academy so we can be GP officers, and neither of us will settle for any less than that."

Mihoshi had looked blankly at her.

"Mihoshi, we are Galaxy Police personnel. We have a job to learn, and nothing shall stand in our way."

The tactic finally brought Mihoshi back to operational status again, at least if the daily blundering blonde could ever be called ‘operational’. Mihoshi had remembered the thought and held on to it, hence the cry, "We are Galaxy Police Officers, danger is our business!" which could still snap the blonde out of any distractions from her work, not that it helped her work very much.

As for Kiyone herself, she learnt a very important lesson. She still remembered telling herself, "I will never let that happen to me, I swear." And so she learnt to live with men, as colleagues, peers, occasionally a friend, but never more than that. There were people she might have chosen, but to look into their eyes and see the flaming, vagrant desire and lust was something that turned her off. She was Kiyone, she was a woman, she was NOT someone who could be laid around and forgotten.

As she recalled the days’ events, she was surprised to note her mind hardly focused on the attempted robbery, but rather on him…

Why AM I thinking about him!?

You’re just grateful…

Kiyone would have liked very much to believe that, but no, it didn’t make sense. One did not usually lay more import on the person than on the event itself.

Well, so you like him then…

No I don’t!!

Oh? Kiyone could have sworn something was laughing at her through her own sarcasm.

He… well, he was… different. Since Mihoshi’s first mistake, I have always prided myself on reading people accurately, and what I saw could hardly be mistaken or feigned, unless he had mistaken me for someone else.

Oh, how fortunate that someone else is…

Kiyone shook her head and consigned that thought to oblivion.

He looks at me as though I were something like a friend, yet more than that. Like he found in me someone he could trust in and respect. As though he would miss me if I were not by his side, and without which me he would find life empty, like I was someone he needed and yearned for…

Was that what love was about? It seemed awfully debilitating and weak.

Yet there was something strange about him. His smile, the ordinary one he gave her at the counter, fitted in perfectly with the face, yet the softer, sweeter one…

Oh, the most tender I’ve ever seen…

Pipe down!!

Well, whatever it was, that simply did not seem, or even look, right. Not that it was feigned, but that it just did not conform to the lines of his face.

She recalled how he had continually kept his gaze away from her own.

He was holding back something, and somehow, he was frightened, afraid. Of me, and also, of himself.

Was he more than what he seemed?

I don’t know…

And the strangest thing was how he looked at Kiyone and Mihoshi, like he had known them for quite a while already. He saw through how they would react, how they would think, how they lived with each other. Though he was a stranger, Kiyone could tell, in that simple thumbs up he gave her, he somehow saw more in her, took more pride in her, than anyone else she knew, even more than Tenchi or Sasami or Mihoshi or the rest, with whom she had rode the storm that had came with Kagato usurping the Juraian throne.

How could one love an alien thing like one had grown up with it?

I’m letting herself be led on by imagination, was Kiyone’s instinctual thought.

No. Kiyone was a detective, she had had to solve crimes, to tell which was the immediate conclusion and which was an assumption born of imagination, and this was definitely *not* imagination. Not just the way he looked at her as he spoke her name or when he was sneaking a look at her while she was berating Mihoshi, but even his expression as he turned to face Mihoshi, aglow with that detached affection just like what Tenchi showed to Mihoshi, almost like she were a sister…

Affection nevertheless.

Almost angrily, Kiyone killed off the impulse.

"Oh, Kiyone, there you are!"

Kiyone spun around, just managing to cover up the guilty expression on her face, and saw Sasami with Mihoshi beside her.

"Aren’t you coming to sing?" Mihoshi added. "I love it when you do the…"

"Not tonight, Mihoshi," Kiyone spoke, weakly. Hell, it was mentally draining to think about those things. "Go ahead, don’t worry about me."

"What’s wrong with you, Kiyone?" Sasami asked.

"Must be all the action earlier…" she smiled weakly.

"Come on, Kiyone," Mihoshi tried to pull her up. "At least one. I’ve been telling them all about you and Tenchi said you simply had to go tell him about it."

Probably because he found it a little hard to believe you, part of Kiyone’s mind answered cynically.

"Okay, Mihoshi." The green-haired detective weakly got up and followed them into the dark room.

The room was built in memory of where they were when they first sung Karaoke. Pictures of stars dappled some of the walls, and other glow-in-the-dark stars were attached to the ceiling, so they would glow when the light went out. The first time Kiyone came in, she was forced to admit Nobuyuki did have some artistic talent, though it was actually Ryoko who had suggested the idea.

Ryoko had just finished another throaty, sultry number, which Kiyone noted was sung at expense to Aeka’s pleasure and Tenchi’s propriety.

"Thank you, thank you." The pirate was bowing to applause, as her yellow eyes flecked with pleasure at the Tenchi’s response, with sweat forming on his brow.

"Yes, that was quite enough, thank you." Aeka added tartly.

Tenchi clapped rather stiffly. Ryoko appeared before him and hugged him.

"You liked that, didn’t you, Tenchi, hmmm?" bringing her lips close to his.

"Hey Ryoko, they’re watching!" Tenchi flailed helplessly as anger streamed out, almost palpable, from the older princess.

As another typical scene was about to play out, Sasami quickly nudged Kiyone.

"Quick, pick a song! Before they fight!"

Kiyone, not fancying Ryoko’s repertoire, just reached out and picked a disc from Nobuyuki’s collection, quickly slid it in, and pressed ‘RANDOM’.

Everyone stopped and stared as the title of a love song played out, and everyone, except Mihoshi, half-expected Kiyone to switch to another song. But she did not.

Kiyone embarked on a soulful rendition on the many pains and joys of love, while everyone listened, entranced and enchanted.

For long minutes, Kiyone felt like she had opened a door to world where it was no longer the law against the criminals, the white against the black. It was soulful, vibrant, with myriad colours of moods, of up and down swings, where the world was lost in a blur of wonder and pain.

Then it closed, and Kiyone tried to reach back in, but the track was at its end, and the magic concluded. Silence, for a moment, with only the stars (the plastic, glow-in-the-dark ones) staring down at Kiyone. Then thunderous applause.

"Kiyone, you were great!" Ryoko cried. "I should have thought of doing that song for Tenchi."

"I never even knew it existed, or I would have chosen it." Aeka commented, more reserved. "You do have excellent taste, Kiyone."

"Kiyone, it almost seemed like you lived it all, and you meant every word you said," Sasami congratulated.

"You were so good, Kiyone! Pick another!" Mihoshi added.

Tenchi seemed to want to say something, and thought better of it.

"I’m tired," Kiyone said. "Besides, I’ve never heard that song before in my entire life." The words just seemed to flow in with the tune, she thought. "Let’s go home, Mihoshi."

"But…"

"Hey," Sasami said, "The two of you haven’t eaten the dinner I kept for you, you know!"

"Oh, yeah," Kiyone said. "Guess, I must have forgotten. We took a snack today, you see…"

Vivid images arose in her mind. She could almost see his odd smile, feel again the surprised pleasure of seeing an umbrella hanging outside the door, with the fries inside…

"Well, if you don’t eat it, who will?" Sasami added.

"Okay, we’ll stay for supper."

"Right, I’ll go get it!" Before Kiyone could stop her, the little princess was out of the door.

"Kiyone, do sing once more! Please…" Mihoshi begged with her hands clasped.

"I’m sorry, Mihoshi, but I’m just too tired." Kiyone sat on one of the couches in the small room, beside Ryoko, who made space for her and took the chance to cuddle up against Tenchi, as Aeka went up for the next song.

Tenchi shot her a curious look. "You know, Mihoshi was telling us just now about…"

"Please, Tenchi, give me a break. Some other time, okay? "

====================================

The moonlight shone on him as he settled comfortably onto the bench, watching, waiting. On the road opposite him, the apartment was dark and empty, though he was absolutely certain he had seen the two ladies enter it.

Could it be they had retired immediately upon entering, without bothering with the lights?

Curiosity finally took hold of him, and he got up, putting aside the newspaper. Swiftly he approached the building from the right, until he came to a drainpipe. Scaling it with catlike agility, he reached the roof in seconds and went all the way until he was on top of her apartment. Listening for a moment to make sure there was no sound coming from the apartment, he went over the edge and dropped lightly to his feet, landing on the thin window ledge. After some work, he carefully opened the window and entered, sitting on the edge, facing inwards, so he could back flip out, and use his feet to close the window if he needed to.

Hmm, it was empty. For a moment he considered going in to hunt down more photographs.

No, that would be a violation of their privacy.

An eyebrow arched up in surprise at the thought.

When did I ever bother with that…?

That doesn’t matter. I won’t enter unless I *know* for sure.

>From here he could see, across the apartment, the door by which they entered. Beside it was a chair, and on it an umbrella, and an empty paper packet that might once have held fries. And he knew, without a glimmer of doubt, they were those he had given her.

She feels. She does feel.

He felt a warm, effusive glow within him, as he contemplated that fact, chewed on it, absorbed it. Yes, everything about her told him she would discard them, especially the empty packet of fries. He did not have to check up anything beyond her file to guess that he was maybe, just maybe, the first to, well…

He looked at where he was sitting and grinned. Yup, first to break in.

Was it wise? He knew her job, and he was only too aware what he was.

He had never had much time for women. From dodging and evading the countless organisations that hunted him, he always kept himself too busy to pick up any personal romance. Lust had never been one of his vices, and in his disguises as others, he had never wished to risk exposure by showing his sexual inexperience.

What was so special about this Kiyone, anyway?

Just a few things, but he knew he did not really care about her being Chief Inspector, top of her class, or anything. He knew it was not beyond himself to turn down more beautiful, more powerful women if he did not feel anything for them, but somehow, he felt for her.

Was it her smile? Nope.

It was… her poise. Her confidence. Her style. And all the other things that were uniquely Kiyone.

Frustrated, he knocked himself on the forehead. He was letting himself get fuddled up by his emotions, and he had survived so long by learning not to.

Oh, Kiyone…

Be alert! He told himself.

Then, in plain sight and right before him, beside the main door, he saw another door materialise out of the wall.

"Shit! They’d be able to see me!"

A leap to his feet and he had vanished from the window.

"Hey, what was that?" Kiyone whispered. She thought she just saw two shadows disappear over the top of the window directly in front of her across the room, and her hand went instinctively to her blaster.

"Doesn’t seem to be anything." Mihoshi looked around. "Come on, Kiyone, you’re just tired."

Kiyone ignored her and walked over into the room, blaster at the ready. Opening the window, then looking up and out of it, blaster before her, Kiyone saw...

The eaves of the roof.

"I guess you’re right, Mihoshi." She relaxed a little as she looked back in at Mihoshi staring in concern at her. "Let’s go to sleep."

On the roof, someone cursed his own stupidity.

I forgot. They know Washu.

A little later, Mihoshi was asleep, her breathing gentle and regular. Beside her was Kiyone, tired, but nevertheless more or less wide awake.

What am I doing awake?

It’s about him, isn’t it? She wearily asked herself. She tried to imagine she was someone else.

Do you love him?

No. Maybe. But he is just a stranger, I must get to know him better first.

Are you sure about this?

Well, he just sort of feels special, different.

Oh, so you’re after him because of that?

No, it’s just that…

Well, whoever he is, he’s gone. If you’re lucky, you’ll see him tomorrow at Mos, if not, too bad. He’s just an earthling, and he may mean well, but he…

He is more than what he seemed, I thought I already figured that out.

The shadow…

It could be your imagination.

Well, my training as Galaxy Police Officer tells me it is better to be cautious.

Silently, Kiyone stuffed a pillow in substitution of her leg, which would be visible from the window. Forcing herself to be slow and careful, she pulled herself out of her futon, taking care that the lower half of it not move the slightest, while her right hand held on to the blaster which she always placed by her futon when she slept. Slowly, silently, she crept towards the room, and before long she was just by the door to the room. Bracing herself, she dived before the door, sideways, blaster ready…

"Kiyone?"

Her heart skipped a beat. His voice.

No, this voice was somewhat younger.

A silhouette was seated on the window sill, with feet dangling down into the room.

"Who are you?" She said as she sprang up, her blaster still ready to fire.

In the darkness, there was no way she could have seen that hollow and yet hopeful expression on his face.

"Trust me."

She beheld a black-gloved hand move, a little, releasing a blur of silver that arced towards her shoulder and head.

It’s going to hit me!

Trust him.

But …

Remember he helped Mihoshi back there.

For a horrible moment, she thought she was going to give in to her GP instincts to fire and dodge, but she gritted her teeth and through pure will, just managed not to.

The projectile hit something just beside her shoulder, there was a click, and a split second later the black gloved hand caught the silver arc. Then the room was bathed in light.

He was clean shaven, with a flawless complexion, dressed in a white shirt and light blue trousers. His arms were lean and well muscled, with light beige skin, similar to hers. While his hair was black, it was not combed neatly, but had a somewhat roguish hair that had a bold fringe with centre parting that came down to around his shoulder level, and two long sideburns that reached down just below his collarbones. The forehead was the same, along with the cheekbones and chin, but this person was clearly at least five years younger than the one she had met in the afternoon. Strangest of all, his gloved hands were empty.

Then his intense blue eyes locked with Kiyone’s green ones, and his lips curved ever so slightly up into that sweet, youthful smile.

It *was* him.

Apology and regret, thankfulness and joy, nervousness and anticipation, all these emotions she could read in his eyes. She knew too, he was reading hers, full of shock, surprise, bewilderment, but at the same time happiness, and in a certain way, trust…

They both closed their eyes.

"Thank you." His voice was soft, tender, and apologetic. "It couldn’t have been easy."

"It *wasn’t*." Kiyone opened her eyes, and looked at him. His head was bowed slightly, then his eyes opened, but though they looked at her, they did not make direct contact. "But it must have been difficult for you, to have a blaster trained on you, too." She simply had to admire the way he broke in and just as quickly created a feeling of mutual trust for both parties.

"I’m sorry. This is not a good time or place." He raised his face and looked at her.

Something about him was familiar, like Kiyone had seen him once, a long, long time ago, but she could not recall. "You couldn’t help it, could you?" Kiyone asked, finally lowering her blaster. She suddenly realised she was in her light green pyjamas, and a blush started to rise, but somehow, she felt both things were fine by her.

"Yes." His face was calm, and somehow sad, as he pulled off his gloves, to reveal fingers both strong yet supple. "Why *did* you trust me?"

There was a tense silence. "You helped me, earlier. I owe you that, at least."

"You? Owe me?"

"Well, at least Mihoshi, then." She didn’t find herself very convincing.

"Really…?" Nor did he, it seemed, but she wasn’t sure if the hopefulness in his voice was for real or just a figment of her wishful thinking.

"I’m… not sure…" Kiyone found herself backing away, both from without and within, then just as quickly recovered herself. "Who are you?" Kiyone asked, raising her eyes to meet his, and suddenly she was not sure she wanted to know.

He looked sadly at her, his expression thoughtful and questioning. "Do you really want to know?"

The night sky was behind him, and through the gap between his head and the window frame she could see the moon hanging, cold, somber and detached, even as his hair stirred in the night breeze. His brow was clouded with worry, and his blue eyes seemed to reflect her own stormy emotions.

"If you really want to know, I couldn’t lie to you."

"I…" Kiyone thought about it. "Guess I don’t really want to know…"

He arched an eyebrow, almost in surprise.

"Yet." Kiyone finished, beginning to feel happy, inane though it was..

"That’s more like you."

Kiyone tried to fight down the feeling that he had known her all her life.

"But I’d like to know what to call you," she added, and finally smiled back.

"You look wonderful like that, Kiyone."

"Thank you," she just resisted the impulse to bow. "Mister…?" A reminder.

"Kova, Kiyone… -chan?"

Kiyone felt her cheeks burn again and resisted the impulse to laugh. "Sure, you can call me anything you want, Kova."

"I understand that means you need to know me better first."

Kiyone knew that meant he had noticed how she did not address him fondly too. "I’m sorry, but even if I’m a little attracted to you," he arched his brow and grinned as she said ‘a little’ "but you’re still, well…"

"A stranger?" He seemed to want to laugh, and Kiyone found the prospect rather delightful.

"Well, I…" she tried to think, but couldn’t, because he was on the verge of laughing and seemed ever so... "Why don’t you go ahead and laugh, you!"

"Is that a special request?"

"Maybe." Kiyone tried to look imperious, like Aeka, raising her chin up.

Kova burst out laughing, and Kiyone could not, or did not, stop her smile from broadening widely.

"Hmmm…" Mihoshi’s voice from outside.

"Oh no!" Kiyone’s hand went for the light switch, as the laughter ceased and the shadow back flipped out the window. The lights went out, and slowly, Kiyone walked out of the room, only to find Mihoshi fast asleep.

"Humph." She looked at the peacefully slumbering form. "It’s all your fault again."

"What is?" A whispered voice by her ear.

"Hey! That gave me a fright, you know!" she turned to face the now mildly amused man, just a shadow now in the darkness, moving away.

"A little surprise is good once in a while. And anyway, I like the darkness, it suits me better." A pause. "Though I miss seeing your face."

"Stop flattering me," Kiyone walked beside him, trying to get further from Mihoshi in case they really woke her up, and not really meaning what she just said. "Where were we?"

"In your apartment, in the dark, just the two of us." His white teeth showed as he grinned.

"Hey, watch it, buster! I’m armed, you know. Anyway, what did we last talk about?"

"Let’s see now, I believe it was about I am a stranger to you."

A painful pause. "That was not what I meant." Kiyone’s voice was cold, hurt.

"I know." His voice was sincere.

Kiyone half expected him to put an arm around her, pull her close and start to kiss her, as she had seen many hot-blooded males do on TV, but he didn’t even touch her. "It’s just that I don’t know you that well yet."

"I understand. Where shall we meet, tomorrow?"

"I expect…"

"How about near Hurashi Construction Enterprises, where you’re working in the morning? Send Mihoshi off for lunch first, make an excuse to stay out…?"

"No problem." She turned to look at his face, and the blue eyes that seemed to gleam in the darkness. "Say, how come you know so much?"

"Let’s save that for tomorrow, shall we?" A mischievous smile.

"Now wait a minute…"

"Hush," she felt a finger being placed before her lips as he turned to face her. "The night grows deep. You need to work tomorrow. See you at twelve." She felt him gently run his fingers through the front of her hair, before her headband, his lips brush gently brush her cheeks. "Good night, Kiyone-chan."

One last glimpse of his clear, loving blue eyes, then his form sped away from her, leaving her hand reaching up to the cheek where his lips had touched her, her face burning red.

Kiyone sighed, then walked slowly back to Mihoshi, acutely aware how alone she was. Passing the room, she did not have to look to know the window was closed and probably fastened.

Lying back in the futon, she tried hard to steer her thoughts away from Kova and get to sleep. And she eventually did the latter, though she did dream of him.

====================================

High up in space, a spacecraft was travelling towards the Solar System. It was a light red ship, but the similarity with the Yagami ended there. The Comet had a ring of metal about it, and was shaped a little like Ryo-oh-ki, with tall spires of the fortress like structure sticking out of both the bottom and top of the ring, and was at least twice the size of the Yagami. Lasers and cannons protruded out of the thick armour plating, and though this particular ship was noted for its speed, it, like other SSS ships, it was outfitted for war.

"Destination, Solar System. ETA 5 minutes."

"Now, what are your missions?"

The first one stepped forward. "Prototype code name Terminus, model TX-Cam. Locate and secure the Tachyon Ray, or a similar emitting device. Suggested start - keep tight surveillance on Professor Washu. Find the spy or his ship."

The second one. "Prototype code name Satellite, model TL-Cam. Locate and maintain surveillance over Princesses Aeka, Sasami and Prince Yosho. If possible, capture one or all of them."

The third and fourth one. "Prototypes code names Stellar and Solar, models SL-cam. To stay in orbit in readiness to assist Terminus or Satellite. Current assignment, Stellar to assist Terminus, Solar to Satellite. Also to act as transmitter of data back to ship Comet."

"Very well. My code name is Overlord, overseer of this operation. Proceed."

Five minutes later, two smaller space craft left the Comet, and sped toward the Earth.

====================================

Well, that settled that.

He was shrouded once again in the darkness he felt so comfortable in, but a new companion followed him - loneliness. He had always been alone, and thought it was his fate, until now…

He was a creature of darkness, she, of light. He had no doubt that for her, he could utterly renounce the darkness, but would she accept him? Would the light continue to burn, to sting, and to blind him? Would the darkness reach out its hungry tendrils to drag him back into its abyss?

He did not know.

He heard the sounds of footsteps approaching, heavy, stumbling ones, accompanied by loud and raucous voices, moving into the alley, but he ignored them. Here, on this planet, almost nothing could remotely threaten him, and so he remained perfectly still, and continued thinking.

"Ooof!" Someone bumped into his outstretched legs, and fell over. The reek of alcohol assailed his nostrils and he restrained his natural reaction to strike the man a fatal backhand blow to the neck.

I must change myself if I am to reach for her. From darkness to light.

He watched the man clumsily get up on his feet, as voices sounded from all around the outside.

"Hey, big brother, what happened?" A swarthy man ran to the fallen one, helping him up.

"I tripped… Hey, there’s a bastard sitting here who did it to me!"

Not bothering to look up, he just said, "Sorry."

That’s an improvement too. Can’t remember when I last said that when I felt I was in the right.

"What the hell you think you doing, ****er?" The half-drunk ruffian reached for Kova’s throat, but Kova calmly stopped his fist with his hand and shoved it back.

"I was sitting here. And please, keep your hands to yourself."

"And who do you think you are, big guy?" Waving his hand, his men moved in. "This bastard is looking for a good hiding. Let’s do him a favour, boys." With a drunken cheer, the men rushed in, fists clenched, some holding broken beer bottles.

A silver blur cut through the alley and sliced through the press of bodies.

Silence, as Kova caught the rod and kept it. Getting to his feet, he carefully picked his way over the fallen bodies, and for a brief moment, his thoughts wandered from Kiyone.

I could have killed you all. That you’re only unconscious is something you owe her.

His thoughts returned to his encounter in her apartment. That had gone better than he dared to dreamed of, but in retrospect, he almost rather he had been mercifully blasted out of the window. In fact, now that he was thinking of it he realised he had almost looked forward to, even invited, the prospect. *That* would have ended it, though it would only hurt him badly, what with his speed, dexterity and endurance enhancements to his body during his stint at the Science Academy.

As it was, he had got a date instead, and even got to kiss her (sort of), which was all so marvellously beyond his expectations that he had almost whooped for joy. Yet the dull ache deep within him gave him misgivings, told him he was only preparing for himself a heart-wrenching, maybe even deadly, torture. It might be great, wonderful, fabulous, even exquisite, but torture nevertheless.

And was it even right to subject her to such torment? To dangle the prospect of happiness with him tantalisingly before her, when he knew she could never attain it?

His mind reeled in his mental dilemma, he cursed himself for the folly of making that decision on board the Yagami. He could almost see the cage he had drawn up around himself and Kiyone, feel the burning metal bars constrict and tighten.

NO!

His blue eyes gleamed, piercing the fabric of the night.

I have faced overwhelming odds in my life, and have risen to overcome them. I have fought for my life and freedom with cunning and deception, wearing false faces and gleaning forbidden knowledge. I have beaten the greatest minds in the universe, from the Juraian Council to the Syndicate Circle, from the GP High Command to the Science Academy Faculty, even the great Washu herself (Washu would have taken an instant liking to him if only she had read his mind at this moment ^_^) to become what I am. I *will* fight for the future she and I will share together!

But how? The realm of heart is one I am alien to, a mystery I never needed to solve, to unravel, to concern myself with. Yet now, before I knew it, I have wandered far into its halls, to be mired in its depths and lost in its mazes.

He felt his will weaken, crumbling.

Kiyone is in here, somewhere, with me.

I may forsake my emotions, but I will *never* forsake hers!

He would have to find a way, to give his best. Love would.

=== End of Chapter ===

NOTES: Kova is in a way, an SIed character. Pls include him in your comments, whether I have portrayed him as a person, as a friend or foe, as one of the gang, and most importantly, as a human being.

I hope you have enjoyed this Fanfic as much as I have typing it. If there are any more grammar errors, I beg your forgiveness, as my sole proofreader is myself.

This is my first FF, so go ahead and mail me at zyraen@yahoo.com with comments, especially on character portrayal, realism.

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