Act IV: Return to Reclaim

     After the shocking revelation, Akari ran to the room she was staying at. Once inside, she
begins talking to Yamaneko and Fumi, who is awake now.
     "We're getting out of here, you two. I'm packing everything back up and we are going
back to Earth. This place is too dangerous for us."
     It does not take her long to pack her bags again. She slings her bag over her shoulder and
picks up Fumi.
     "Come on, let's go."
     They head out to the nearest station. Once there, they buy a ticket for the flight heading
back to Earth the quickest. When that is settled, Akari sets her bags down in the lobby, sits down
on a chair, and waits while holding Fumi.
     There is a small group of three men talking to each other near her. With nothing else
going on, Akari overhears their conversation.
     "Can you believe what that idiotic emperor of ours has made another mistake?" one asks.
     "I certainly can, considering what corruption he has had part in so far," another answers.
     "He has literally forsaken the workers on Venus by giving control to that bastard Kano."
     "I know, but what can we do about it?" a third asks.
     "I don't know, but it doesn't look good."
     "Yeah, Kano is the worst person he could have given control to."
     "We could really use a change."
     "Yeah, we could."
     "But I don't think there is any great hero left in this empire."
     "They were all killed of in the previous revolutions."
     "Well, maybe, just maybe we can find one within this great outstretched kingdom."
     "That's just like you," one of the men comments.
     "Yeah, the optimistic one," the other replies with a small laugh.
     The optimistic one responds unagitated, "Hey, you gotta keep some hope in this cruel
world."
     "Hmm, but I think we are really out of it for once."
     "I agree."
     "Then we've already lost this battle," the optimistic one says.
     "Huh?"
     "Without hope, all is lost," he replies.
     "Now you are a philosopher?" one questions.
     "No, just a little friendly advise to you two so you know not to ever give up."
     "Yeah, whatever."
     "Come on, let's get out of here."
     The three men depart.
     Akari thinks to herself, The people are unhappy with this guy's rule. It seems to me that
there will definitely be revolution stirring once again. Venus... Hitoshi's home planet. I wonder
what he will think about it... and about Munenori.
     The ship for Earth docks and Akari along with the others, board it.
     Akari speaks softly towards Europa as it slips away from view, "With sullen thoughts, I
bid thee farewell my cousin. Wherever you may be."

     Hitoshi wakes from his sleep and gets up to make his breakfast. He gets a cup of tea to
begin with and walks over to look out the window at the nature surrounding the cabin. He finds
himself surprised to see Akari, Fumi, and Yamaneko walking up the path towards the cabin.
     Hitoshi sets down his cup and walks out the door to greet them. He takes Akari's bag
from her and lends a hand to lead her into the cabin.
     "Good morning, Akari," he welcomes. "Why have you come back so soon?"
     "Um... well, I'll discuss it over breakfast," she responds. "I'm hungry. I think we all are."
     "Okay then, I'll get right to making us a meal."
     Hitoshi sets her bag down in her room and then gets to work on making breakfast. Akari
sets Fumi down on a chair and sits down next to him at the table.
     "So then, what are your reasons for coming back?" Hitoshi asks.
     "Well, where to begin...." Akari ponders to herself.
     "How about you start from the beginning," Hitoshi wisely advises.
     "Sounds good enough," she states.
     Hitoshi sets down a glass of milk for Fumi, some tea for Akari, and a small saucer of
milk on the floor for Yamaneko.
     Akari begins to explain, "We arrived at Europa, and I checked into a hotel room. I only
unpacked a couple things before I decided to begin searching for Munenori."
     "Yeah, how is he anyway?" Hitoshi interjects.
     "Ah... let me get to that."
     "Oh, sorry."
     Akari continues, "I entrusted Yamaneko to take care of Fumi and I went out to the
nearest government building, since the last time I saw Munenori he was still at the government
place we had been staying at."
     "Good strategy," Hitoshi comments.
     "Um, yeah, anyway. I went into the building and asked the receptionist if she knew
where I might find him. She looked at me strangely and asked my name. After I told her who I
was she left the desk to call up someone. She came back and told to go to a room on the top of
the building. I went up the elevator and entered the office I was told to go to. A man was there
waiting for me. He seemed strangely familiar to me. It turned out to be the man who killed Keiji,
Naitsuu, and..."
     Hitoshi looks on startled as Akari struggles to finish her sentence, "...and Munenori."
     "What!?" Hitoshi asks shocked.
     "He killed Munenori," Akari repeats.
     With no further response from Hitoshi, she continues, "They tried to capture me. I
escaped, went back to the inn I was at, and we all left that day."
     "Wow, you went through a lot, anyone would have," Hitoshi remarks.
     "He's the emperor."
     "He's the what?"
     "The emperor, a lot has happened," Akari says.
     "What else?" Hitoshi questions.
     "After we left, Kourou became the full controller of the empire. He was married to
Aritsune. Kourou was killed and Aritsune managed a coup of the government. She became
empress."
     "Aritsune became empress?" Hitoshi questions astounded.
     "Yes, but not for long," Akari explains. "Munenori led a group of resistance officers,
who ended up dead, against her. He managed to kill Aritsune and became emperor himself."
     "Munenori was emperor?" Hitoshi asks confused.
     "But then... this other guy, Tsujimoto, came along and killed him," Akari drops her head
trying to hide tears.
     "Tsujimoto?" Hitoshi begins thinking to himself. "I know that name."
     Akari looks up, "You do?"
     "He was a great fighter, in fact, he convinced the great Rakushoda to master many
weapons instead of just the sword by defeating him in a fight."
     "Really?"
     "You are up against a great foe," Hitoshi comments. "Perhaps greater than any you have
faced before, either in the old emperor or in Rakushoda."
     "Who said he is my foe?" Akari asks.
     "Aren't you going to avenge the death of your friends and family?"
     "Part of me wants to, but..." Akari looks over at Fumi teasing Yamaneko who plays
along. "I don't want Fumi to be hurt by this."
     Akari looks back at Hitoshi, "I don't want this to be my fight. That isn't my life anymore,
it never really was."
     Hitoshi walks over to her and looks her straight into the eyes, "But you have to. It's your
friendship and love he killed. He robbed you of a more enjoyable life. And you want to sit here
and do nothing?"
     "You expect me to surrender what happiness I do have?" she asks him.
     "For the greater good."
     "Well then, why don't you do something?" Akari asks. "Your planet, Venus, do you
know what goes on there now?"
     Hitoshi looks at her questioningly. She continues, "The workers there are in trouble
because this emperor has given control to some gang leader."
     "Gang leader? In Venus?" Hitoshi looks at her intently. "You don't mean Kano, do you?"
     "Precisely."
     Hitoshi turns away trying to gather his thoughts.
     "If he has control of Venus, there are all doomed."
     "Are you going to sit around here and do nothing?" Akari turns on him.
     "There is little I can do. I am suspected of treason."
     Akari holds his stare, "To those oppressed people, your presence would be a welcome
one. You are a hero to them and always will be. I doubt a single one of them believed what they
were told by the government concerning you."
     "But I'm so old, I can't do anything to help."
     "So you are giving up?" Akari asks.
     "You want me to give up what little life I have left to live?"
     "For the greater good."
     They keep staring at each other.
     "I will if you will," Hitoshi suddenly states.
     "I... I..." Akari stutters.
     "You want me to help, then I need your help. The people need a youthful person to lead
them besides just the old trusted experience I could bring them. You, the one who was to be
married to the great Naitsuu Hachimonguu. You, Akari Jemu, friend to Empress Aritsune Sagai.
You, cousin to Emperor Munenori Jemu. And you, friend of wise Hitoshi and mother to young
Fumiaki. You are what the people need. Together we could do it."
     Akari feels a great surge of pride in herself. "You're right. Let's do it."
     "Great," Hitoshi says as a smile crosses his face.
     "Wait," Akari suddenly turns towards Fumi. "What about Fumi?"
     "I am sure there will be someone we can trust to take care of him."
     "But I don't want to leave him here without me," Akari says concerned.
     "Then take him with you," Hitoshi suggests.
     "To that hostile place?" Akari responds bothered by the thought. "Who would take care
of him there if I must leave?"
     "I will," Hitoshi replies. "As I said, I am too old. I will go with you to help rally the
people, but I have little mobility. I would watch him for you."
     "Thank you, Hitoshi," Akari gives the old man a hug. "You really do help me."
     "I know, you're welcome."
     "Let's go pack, shall we?"
     "We shall."