CHAPTER 17: A Rule No More
The ex-Neo-Japan pilot wished that he had been dreaming; that he hadn't heard that the crazed Ulube had Rain hostage once again. Closing his eyes tightly, Domon felt as if he was going mad himself as he realized that Rain had actually been in the government building, which he and his friends had just left. He had been looking so forward to getting her out of Neo-Japan so that they could start a new life together, but now she was in danger's hands all over again. In a deep, almost too low to hear voice, he said with frustration, "Ulube knew he'd be able to capture Rain if I wasn't around. That's why he only wanted me to return to the building." Then thoughts of Ulube saying that he wanted Rain to have his son made Domon spin around quickly to the direction of the building to go rescue her. However, he stopped when he saw Chibodee shaking his head as if his thoughts were of how stupid Domon had been to have ever broken the rule with Rain in the first place since it put her life in danger.
Tired of the boxer's obvious liking of Rain, Domon felt his blood boil uncontrollably as he roared, "I never wanted Rain's life in danger!" Then suddenly, he charged towards Chibodee not giving the boxer anytime to move away.
Totally caught off guard, the boxer soon found himself on his back, on the ground, after receiving a strong punch to his face.
It took Argo, George and Sai to keep the ex-Neo-Japan fighter from taking out some more of his rage on Chibodee.
"Let go of me!" Domon bellowed, but his friends fought to hold him as Chibodee got back on to his feet. Thinking of how Chibodee sometimes referred to him as Neo-Japan, Domon exclaimed, "Neo-America wants to shake his head at me as if I shouldn't have acted on my feelings for Rain; as if they weren't real. Well let me tell you something, Chibodee…I love her!" As Domon stopped struggling to be free, he looked Chibodee dead straight in the eyes and added in a low voice, "I know you don't want to believe this, but she loves me too."
"Domon," Chibodee said in very low voice himself after finally realizing that Domon not only loved Rain, but he more than obviously needed her. "I know ya probably won't believe me, but I wasn't shaking my head over you and Rain breaking the rule. I was shaking it over the fact that sicko Ulube found a way to capture Rain."
Letting out a breath and not saying anything, Domon watched as Dr. Mikamura made his way to stand in front of the boxer. Regretting losing his temper in front of Rain's father, Domon could only wonder what the doctor was going to say to the Neo-American fighter.
"Mr. Crocket," Dr. Mikamura said very seriously. "You must know that as Rain's father, I do know that she does love Domon. Also, Domon Kasshu is not one to express false feelings. I know he loves her just as much."
Looking at Argo, Domon said, "I'm alright." His friends then released him and Domon moved to the battered doctor and said, "Dr. Mikamura, are you okay?"
"I will be fine, especially when you rescue my daughter," the doctor said looking at Domon very seriously. "I have faith in you just as Rain does."
"Consider her rescued," Domon said confidently. Grateful for what the older man had told Chibodee, Domon added, "And thanks for easily accepting my relationship with your daughter."
Putting a hand on Domon's shoulder, Dr. Mikamura said, "Even when you two were young children, it had been easy to see that you meant a great deal to each other."
Smiling, Chibodee said, "I'm gonna have to see some pictures of the young Domon and Rain someday."
Turning to the Neo-American fighter, Domon said, "You know, Rain said that I might like you if we got to know each other."
"Well Neo-Japan, if someone like Rain's crazy about you, you can't be all that bad," Chibodee said holding out his hand to Domon.
Nodding his head to the boxer, Domon lifted his hand and they shook.
Argo smiled at Nastasha as George said, "Those two getting along will indeed make things much easier."
"Yeah," Sai agreed. "Looks like Chibodee's finally accepting that Domon's really got it bad for Sis."
In the building, the official who had insisted to Rain that Domon needed her help, was now pretending to be sneaking her to the room where she had been told that her fighter was being held a prisoner. When the door opened to an interrogation room, the official pushed Rain into it and in there she saw not Domon, but Ulube standing there with a sick smile on his face.
Fear ran through Rain's body over being in the same room with the man that wanted to torture her. Worried about her love, she asked, "Where…where's Domon?"
Looking behind Rain, Ulube said to the official, "You may go now." With that the official closed the door and left.
Rain forced her tears not to fall as she realized that her father has been right about the officials not really wanting to help Domon. She knew now that they had been ordered to retrieve her after Domon made his way back to the building.
Pulling a red rose from behind his back, Ulube held it out to Rain and said, "This is for you."
Blinking her eyes in confusion, Rain wondered what was going on. Why would he be giving her a rose?
"Take it my love," Ulube said moving closer to her with the rose and looking at her in a way that he never had before.
To keep Ulube from becoming angry, Rain forced herself to accept the rose. Not speaking a word, she started to tell herself that she must have heard him wrong, that he hadn't referred to her as his love.
Interrupting her thoughts, Ulube asked, "How long were you and Domon separated when he was being trained by Master Asia?"
Waiting a few seconds as she wondered what made him ask such a question, Rain then answered, "Domon and I didn't see each other for ten years."
Letting out a sick chuckle, Ulube said, "Kasshu's eyes must have taken great pleasure in seeing how you have grown after those ten years."
It was one thing to have Domon admiring her, but another to have Ulube's eyes scanning over her body. It made her feel sick and she soon wrapped her arms around herself. "Please tell me where Domon is," the distressed woman said worried for him.
Rolling his eyes, Ulube said, "If you must know, your…Domon has left the building."
"He left?" Rain asked; part of her glad that he was safe but the other part worried about what was going to happen next.
"It's really quite funny," Ulube said as his eyes stayed on the woman before him, taking in her beauty. "You see Rain dear, Domon hadn't any idea that you were brought in through another part of the building while he was leaving."
"Then he saved the other gundam fighters, his friends," Rain said glad for that.
"Yes. They left the building and I'm sure that Domon is headed to where he thinks you are right now, which isn't here," Ulube said just before laughing.
"I know what you're doing. You're going to hold me hostage so that he'll come back and you'll have both of us prisoners again, right?" Rain asked tired of all of this.
"I could really care less if he comes back," Ulube said shaking his head as if Domon would only be in the way.
"Wait. You're not going to try to kill him again?" Rain asked feeling relief that the man that she loved so much was out of danger.
"Things are different now, Rain," Ulube said tilting his head just a bit trying to smile lovingly at her. "I just don't care about what happens to Domon Kasshu anymore. My only concern is for you, dear."
Wondering what exactly was going on in Ulube's head, Rain asked, "What do you mean that your only concern is for me?"
Placing his cold hand on Rain's face, the commander said, "What I mean, Rain, is that you are mine now."
Rain's eyes widened at his words and then she abruptly pulled away from him.
"Now, now dear. Is that anyway to react to your future husband's touch?"
Rain stared back at Ulube wishing that she was just hearing things; that he really didn't say what he just had to her. Suddenly opening the door, Ulube then wrapped his hand around her upper arm and began to drag her out into the hallway. What is wrong with him and where is he taking me? Rain wondered becoming more nervous than ever. First he wants to kill and torture Domon and me, and now he…wants me?
"Karato!" Ulube yelled loudly through the hall wanting the commissioner before him.
"Yes," a nervous looking Karato said coming from around the corner. It was hard for him to even try to hide the shock on his face when his eyes met Rain's. He had hoped that both members of the ex-Neo-Japan team were making their way out of Neo-Japan at this time. However, to Karato's disappointment, Ulube had Rain once again. "Rain," the commissioner whispered as if he didn't believe that she was actually there.
"Don't look so surprised," Ulube said enjoying the shock on Karato's face. "There's been a change of plans."
"A change of plans?" Karato asked fearing just what that meant and not even asking how Rain had been captured.
"Yes. Things are different now," Ulube said with a smile. "As my commissioner, I want you to go make sure that the corelander is full of fuel."
"What…Why?" Karato asked as Rain made a questioning face as well.
"Excuse me," Ulube said sounding and looking as if he was about to become very upset over being questioned. "Since when do I have to answer to you? Shouldn't you just do as I say you worthless official!"
Karato didn't say anything though he didn't appreciate such an insult. For the first time, his nervousness turned to anger but the commissioner held it in.
Remembering how obedient Karato had been in the past, Ulube calmed himself and said, "Karato, Perhaps I do owe you an explanation. You see, I need you to fuel the corelander because I'm using it to take my woman to the cabin to make our own little…love nest."
As Rain's eyes widened with fear and disgust, Karato asked, "Are you suggesting that Rain is your…woman?"
"Ding, ding, ding…give the man a prize," Ulube said with a brilliant smile. "You're very correct, Karato. Why should Domon Kasshu have all of the fun? To hell with him! Rain is mine now…all mine!"
Rain was too shocked to say anything and tried to tell herself that she could fight off Ulube just like she had fought off Charles with the karate that Domon had taught her. And then coincidently, Charles, the man she had protected herself from, suddenly entered into the hall.
Eyeing up the man, Ulube said, "I thought that you ran out of here after this woman fought you."
Angrily, Charles admitted, "After what Rain Mikamura did to me, I stayed here hoping to see her getting tortured."
"You're a sick man!" Ulube exclaimed using his free arm to knock Charles onto the floor and into unconsciousness. "That's for you trying to take advantage of my woman."
Speaking before thinking, Karato said, "Why Ulube, aren't you the one who told Charles to hurt Rain, and now you want to protect her?"
Rolling his eyes as if Karato was slow in the brain, Ulube said, "Didn't I just tell you that Rain is mine?"
Karato didn't dare bring up Ulube's original plan of torturing both Rain and Domon in fear that Ulube's sick mind would want to again go through with it. It was evident that someway or another, Ulube had taken an interest in just how Domon had fallen so easily for Rain. It was as if Ulube wanted to experience it for himself.
Looking down at her arm where Ulube was holding her, Rain debated over trying to get away from him but quickly changed her mind after seeing how easily he had knocked Charles out. Oh Domon, she thought wishing he was with her.
"Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain," Ulube said as Karato left to fuel up the corelander, "I want to know exactly what it was that made the strong Domon Kasshu disobey me so that he could be with you."
Scared, Rain didn't say anything as her heart raced with fear. Never, not even for a second had she seen this coming. Ulube insisting she was his seemed to be the worse form of torture after all.
Meanwhile the ex-Neo-Japan fighter and his gundam fighter friends were making their way back to the front of the building. Upon reaching it and pushing on the door, Domon found that the doors were locked once again. "If Ulube thinks that's going to stop me from getting in, he's nuts," Domon said determined to get into the building to save his love.
"Uh Domon," Chibodee said wanting to remind his friend of a simple fact. "I think we've already established that Ulube's a total nut case."
Actually giving a half smile because Chibodee and he were trying to see eye to eye, Domon said, "Yes. You're right."
"I'm sorry," George suddenly said making Domon turn very serious again as he looked at the knight.
"Sorry? Why are you sorry, George?" Domon asked seeing the frustration on the knight's face.
"Because I am the one who insisted on leaving this building earlier without putting an end to Ulube."
"George," Domon said putting his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You only did that because you are a fair person and knew that Ulube had lost it."
"And," Argo added, "none of us knew that Ulube had Rain back in the building or we would never have left."
"Yeah," Domon said as his heart ached at having left his precious love behind with Ulube. The ex-Neo Japan fighter remembered how scared she had been to let him go back to the building and could only imagine how scared she was now that she was in it all by herself. "I have to get in there now!" Domon exclaimed about to attack the door.
"Wait, Bro," Sai said making all of the other gundam fighters look down to him. "Don't tell me I'm the youngest one here and the smartest."
Looking frustrated as he held his arms open, Domon asked a little impatiently, "What did we miss, Sai?"
"Bro," Sai said as if they all should know. "Ulube's probably waiting for you so let's surprise him and sneak in around the back?"
Realizing that he had been letting his anger take over; not thinking first, Domon decided that Sai was right. The fighters soon started to sneak around the building to find another way in without being caught. Taking someone by surprise was always better.
Inside the back of the building, Ulube still had his grip on Rain's arm as he forced her through the doorway to the outside.
"Can't we just stay here?" Rain pleaded since she feared being alone in the cabin with Ulube. She'd rather jump off the corelander while it was moving than stay with him anywhere alone.
"We can get to know each other much better if we're away from other people," Ulube said as he continued to push her to the corelander.
Feeling almost sick at the turn of events, Rain stopped walking and tried to seal her feet to the ground.
"You might be the special woman of my life, Rain dear, but you are still going to do as I say whether you want to are not," Ulube said shoving her forward.
Out of Ulube's and Rain's sight and coming around the corner of the building were Domon and his friends. In disbelief, Domon's eyes widened when he saw Rain with Ulube. The ex-Neo-Japan fighter's blood began to boil at seeing another man trying to force Rain; a terrified Rain at that, into going somewhere with him. "Get your damn hands off of her!" Domon roared just about to quickly make his way to her so that he could free her from Ulube's grasp, and so that he could let Ulube have it once and for all. However, Domon stopped in his tracks when Ulube pulled out a gun and held it to Rain's head, which caused her blue eyes to widen in fear as she looked back helplessly at her fighter.
"That's right," Ulube said satisfied that Domon had stopped. "If you come any closer, I will blow her brains out and then she'll be useless to both of us."
Now scared and biting back his hateful words for Ulube, Domon became quiet and hoped that he could reason with the crazy man. The ex-gundam fighter didn't want something to suddenly trigger in Ulube's head that killing Rain would be the best form of torture for the ex-Neo-Japan fighter. "Ulube," Domon said in a very non-threatening voice, "I just want to know where you plan on taking her?"
Still aggravated that Domon was there, Ulube rolled his eyes and said, "I can't believe that you showed up here just before we left. I didn't expect you to get to this part of the building so fast."
"When Rain's involved in anything, I'm right there as fast as I possibly can be," Domon said very seriously.
"Get it through your head, Kasshu," Ulube said feeling that Domon had said too much. "Rain is going to be my woman."
Shocked at what Ulube had said, Domon caught the terrified look in Rain's eyes. Because of the gun to her head, the fighter forced himself to remain calm so that Ulube wouldn't use it. I have to do something, Domon thought. His relationship with Rain had brought a new meaning to his life and no way was Ulube going to take her away from him. Very calmly, he asked, "Ulube, don't you think that Rain should decide if she wants to be with you?"
"No. But I'm sure this will make her want to be with me," Ulube said not moving the gun from her head as his other hand grabbed her by the back of her neck to bring her closer to him.
Rain tried to squirm away from his hold and Domon almost became livid when he heard her let out a soft cry of pain as if Ulube was hurting her. If it wasn't for that damn gun, Domon thought, I'd have Rain back by my side all ready and I'd kill Ulube. In a controlled yet commanding voice, Domon said, "Let her go. You are hurting the woman that you supposedly care for."
Ulube laughed and said, "Don't worry, Kasshu. I'll take very good care of her." Rain's eyes widened as Ulube's face moved so close to hers and then her eyes stayed open as she felt his cold, hard lips upon hers.
"STOP!" Domon yelled about to move towards Rain, but his friends grabbed him by his shoulders and reminded him of the gun that was pointed at Rain's head. It would only take Ulube one second to pull the trigger and kill her.
Rain ignored the gun and with both of her hands she quickly pulled away from Ulube by pushing on his chest.
After the very quick, short kiss, Ulube smiled and said, "Rain dear, was it as good for you as it was for me?"
Tears came to Rain's eyes as she wiped the palm of her hand across her lips - wanting to get rid of all traces of Ulube.
The commander then looked towards the ex-Neo-Japan fighter and saw the very disturbed look on his face as if he was about to attack. Domon's chest was moving quickly up and down from his pounding heart, which was making him breathe so heavy with anger as he pulled away from his friends and stared back at Ulube.
Enjoying himself, Ulube whispered, "Before Domon forgets about the gun and attacks me; therefore making me shoot you, into the corelander you go, Rain dear."
Within seconds Rain felt herself being quickly and roughly lifted up by Ulube and then practically thrown into the corelander. "Sorry, my dear," Ulube said leaning over her as he did something to her. "But this will keep you from escaping."
Rain felt a prick in her arm and then watched as Ulube suddenly disappeared from her sight. There up above her, she stared at the blue sky as she felt herself becoming very drowsy.
When Ulube had grabbed Rain, Domon became outraged and charged at the commander. Once to Ulube, Domon yanked him out of the corelander making him drop his gun on to the ground. The time had finally come when Domon could do just what he had been wanting to do. Though Ulube was a great gundam fighter, his experience had nothing on how strong Domon's love for Rain made him. He was outraged that Ulube tried to hurt her and take her away. Almost instantly, the ex-Neo-Japan fighter's fist met with Ulube's face, almost knocking his mask off.
Looking at the corelander, George said, "Why is Rain not getting out of there? Now is her chance."
"I'm helping Sis," Sai said making his way to her.
"Yes," Argo said watching Domon continue his assault on his former commander. "Domon definitely has control over Ulube."
"I'll go with Sai and George," Chibodee said following them to the corelander.
Once to the corelander, the three fighters saw that Rain was unconscious. Scared, Sai said, "He couldn't have shot Sis! I…I didn't hear a gunshot."
Suddenly a gunshot sounded making the gundam fighters turn to look at Domon and Ulube. There on the ground was the commander with a bullet in his chest.
"Domon?" George asked confused since Domon didn't need a weapon such as a gun.
Trying to catch his breath after all the energy he had used in the fight, Domon said innocently, "I didn't shoot him."
"I did," Karato said as the fighters looked in the direction of his voice to see the commissioner still holding the gun pointed where Ulube had been standing. "I didn't even fuel up the corelander when he had ordered me to. I just couldn't stand the thought of him hurting Dr. Mikamura's daughter when all she does is help others. I will take any punishment that Neo-Japan imposes on me for my actions," the commissioner said lowering his gun.
Shocked over what Karato had done, Domon turned to the corelander to see both George and Chibodee lifting Rain out of it; her arms hanging down lifeless.
"Rain!" Domon screamed moving quickly to her. Forgetting about Karato and Ulube, Domon had never been more scared in his life as he wondered what was wrong with her. Not meaning to, he yelled at the fighters holding her, "Don't touch her!"
Chibodee and George looked at each other after hearing the panic in Domon's voice just before he pulled her from their arms. "Rain," Domon said nervously to her, "What's wrong with you? Please, baby…wake up." Flashes of how their relationship had grown since they had become more than friends flashed through Domon's mind making him not want to lose her even more.
Chibodee watched the ex-Neo-Japan fighter become a broken man, cradling Rain close to him as if she was the only thing that could keep him alive.
Suddenly, Nastasha and Dr. Mikamura appeared because minutes earlier Karato had called the doctor to inform him that Ulube and Rain were behind the building.
Seeing the doctor, Domon carried Rain over to him and said in a shaky voice, "Dr. Mikamura, I don't know what happened to her."
Fear flashed across the doctor's face at seeing his daughter looking so lifeless. He lifted his hand to her neck to feel for her pulse as Domon watched too scared to say anything. Just as Dr. Mikamura found it, Karato walked up to them. Sounding as if he was still a bit dazed over what he had done to Ulube, the commissioner said, "She'll be alright. I saw an official bringing Ulube the injection for her. There's only one kind in the building."
Realizing what Karato meant, Domon said almost sounding relieved but not sure if it was okay to feel that way yet, "You mean like the one that I received?"
"Yes," Karato said positively. "Don' worry, I know from what the official had told me that Rain didn't receive half as much as you did, Domon. She'll wake up soon but will be very weak."
"So she'll be alright, right?" Rain's fighter asked so concerned.
"Yes," both Dr. Mikamura and Karato said at the same time.
Turning around from everyone still holding Rain close, Domon looked up and thanked the above. Becoming even more emotional, Domon lowered his head and kissed Rain's forehead while a single tear from feeling such relief fell from his eyes and into her hair. "Oh Rain," he whispered not about to put her down and in fact planning to hold her till she woke up.
A week later things were almost completely back to normal. Domon and Rain were once again the Neo-Japan gundam team and it seemed that Neo-Japan was only changing for the better. The nation had a new commander and his name was Karato. There had been no punishment imposed on him but rather only praise from the many officials who had thought that the torture process that came with the breaking of the rule was horrendous. Also, Domon and Rain's friends' nations also showed praise to Karato for wanting to help their gundam fighters.
This same week on a beautiful, sunny day, the Shining gundam and the Dragon Gundam were going at it. It was an unofficial fight, but one that Sai Saici wanted very badly. Domon was only too happy to oblige and it would make for some good practice.
Standing on her platform, Rain teased, "Sai, don't beat on Domon's shoulder over and over again like you did in the last gundam fight."
"Well Sis," Sai cried out in defense, "I have to do whatever I can to keep your partner from pounding me into the ground."
"Watch out, Sai!" Chibodee called out giving him a chance to dodge away from one of Domon's strikes.
"Hey!" Domon yelled, but not really upset. "Are you taking sides, Chibodee?"
"Well, you've got Rain on your side!" Chibodee joked back.
"Yeah, in more ways than one…thanks to you, Chibodee."
Trying to understand better, George said as he watched the fight, "What does that mean?"
"Beats the heck out of me," the boxer replied not knowing why Domon thanked him.
"Who cares," Nastasha said making everyone laugh though she didn't mean to. "You two hurry up and finish this fight so that my Argo can fight the winner."
Later that night in the cabin, the Neo-Japan team sat comfortably on the sofa together; their shoes and jackets on the floor. They sat close together with their heads leaning against one another's, glad that the nightmare was over as they watched the fire burning in the fireplace. "Domon," Rain whispered as she squeezed his knee where her hand was resting.
"Yeah," he answered so low that she almost didn't hear him but she felt his hand responding as it gently squeezed her shoulder back.
"What did you mean when you told Chibodee that you had me on your side…thanks to him?"
She didn't see her love's smile as he admitted, "I was wondering when you were going to ask that."
"Well," she said wanting an answer.
Lifting his head from hers to look at her, Domon said, "Remember that night that we first met Chibodee? I hated the interest that he showed in you because deep down, I wanted you but didn't think you felt the same way."
Rain smiled at his words recalling how she had felt the same way about her partner. "That night you and I shared our first kiss…or should I say kisses," Rain said remembering very fondly.
Making eyes at her, Domon then said, "Don't get me wrong, Rain. Because of how close we are, I know that we would have eventually gotten together like this, but I think that the Chibodee thing may have made it happen sooner for us."
"Let's not forget about the Shirley thing," Rain said accusingly, but in a playful manner.
"I told you nothing happened," Domon said rolling his eyes.
"And I told you nothing happened with Chibodee," Rain said rolling her eyes back.
"I know and actually, I wouldn't change a thing about that night," Domon said suddenly giving Rain a very mischievous smile.
"And why is that?" Rain asked remembering their fight as she now felt Domon's arm tighten around her.
"Because. All that energy we got from being so jealous turned into some…serious, intense kissing between us."
Rain felt herself blushing and giggled as she remembered practically attacking Domon in of all places, the kitchen of the cabin.
Domon smiled back just before silencing her with yet another intense but sweet kiss.
The next morning just before Domon headed out to train, he stopped in Rain's room to kiss her good-morning. He smiled down at her as she slept and the way she looked reminded him of how she did just before she had come out unconsciousness a week earlier after Ulube had given her the injection. Domon remembered how she had called his name and only wanted him as she wondered why she was so weak when she had awoken. Very willingly, Domon had held her close and told her that everything was going to be all right. In front of her father and all of the other gundam fighters she responded softly that she loved him. That had made Domon feel very lucky since in the past when they were just friends, he had often imagined Rain telling him such a thing.
Now smiling down at her in her sleep, Domon whispered, "I love you, Rain."
They didn't have to hide how they felt for each other anymore. They could shout it out to the world and they wouldn't be condemned for it any longer. There was no more rule. Their love was not forbidden.
THE END
Thanks so much for reading this strange piece and please let me know what you think.
Jen