Disclaimer: All the authors and readers that appear in this side story own themselves.  Original characters that appear belong to their respective creators.  And all anime characters that appear belong to their respective series, companies, and creators as well.  Any nods and references mentioned over the course of this document belong to their original sources.

Author's Notes: This Side Story covers eps 8 to 10.  Why is this getting the same deal as AS3's Side Stories?  Well, there's a small connection in here between the two series,  and expect some more pick-ups on the pace... let's say things might get a little bit desperate in this edition.  Pretty much, desperate in answering the question, "How can we up the ante in the insanity factor?" ^_^

The Mole 2: AE - Side Story 6

It was a yet another beautiful day in Bologna, Italy, and so the crew decided to take things slow and see the sights yet again.

The quadruple authoresses, single male author, and coupled furries sat around.

"I thought this trip would be quite exciting, but, I'm bored," stated Nikara.

Shinju nudged Star.  "I wonder how everyone at the Safari Zone is doing."

The petite authoress glared back.  "I don't want to make contact with that place.  You know how I feel about it."

"Please?  It wouldn't hurt.  And besides, you wouldn't have to call him," assured Mei.

Star sighed as she gripped the DP3 gift in her hand.  "Fine.  I will.  Everyone, gather round for the prime entertainment and fireworks that will begin."

Fetch gave her a reassuring hug, which did give her some courage.

The one who answered on the other end of the call was a college aged girl with brown French braid.  She gave a professional and friendly smile as she greeted, "Safari Zone Resort, Val v_voltaire speaking, how may I help you?"  The girl opened her eyes to see the original authoress.  "Miss Otaku!"

"Hi Val!  I just thought I'd make a friendly call.  I... I just wanted to ask, how are things?"

"Everything is running smoothly, or as close to smooth considering the situation... there are too many authors and characters in one area..."

"I'm sorry to hear about the heavy work load.  But I'm sure it's a fraction of the stuff the boss does.  And speaking of the boss, how is he?"

Val looked nervous.  "Oh, well, he's also acting normal.  Busy as usual, though I don't know what else to say.  I barely see him.  And he just left for a vacation a few days ago."

"Vacation?  Again?!"

"He did leave the guest hosts in charge of the show."

Star rolled her eyes.  "Figures.  The reasons he leaves is that he can give the guest hosts an excuse to feel useful."

"I'm sorry, I don't know his travel plans."

"That's okay.  Thanks for talking with me Val.  And rest assured, my cabin will not go to waste!"

"Look forward to seeing you Star!  And, uh, don't let this get out, but, the boss mentioned that if you were going to come back... bring a few friends of yours along with you."

She let out a laugh and both bid farewell as the line was closed.

"Well, that wasn't so bad!" commented Mei.

"Yeah!" agreed Shinju.

"So, who wants to go sightseeing now?" asked Adam.

The resulting cheer meant that everyone did.

===

At the Bolonga train station, the noon train from Rome-Termini to Paris pulled into the station.  And stepping off that train wasn't just any tourist, it was was Survivor Globie, or just SG, with backpack slung over his shoulder and DP3 strapped to his wrist.

"Finally, Italy!  Well, better go find some lunch and a hotel."

With that declaration, as he walked out of the station and made his way to a nearby cafe.  He sipped at his cappuccino while he checked the readings of his DP3.  He recalled the info that he managed to get out of Sam Lockhart, D Marco's Quad-R employee on Star's travel plans.

"Now, if Sam Lockhart's info is right, Star should be in the city in about a couple of hours..."

Time passed... but no signs of Star.  Globie got up from his seat and paid for his drink.

"Well, maybe if I went downtown, maybe I'll spot her."

He managed to foot it as well as catch some of the local transportation to downtown Bologna.  He passed the baseball stadium that was the recent challenge site for the current episode.  Still no sign of her.

"I wonder where she could be..."

He kept on walking until he came to the marketplace.  It was alive with tourism as SG walked down the narrow, goods-filled street, looking around.  A wooden coffee table caught his eye, bringing back a sense of nostalgia.

"Reminds me of all the plot sessions we had before..." he muttered as he continued on until he came to another cafe.  "Plot sessions..."

But just then, a familiar-looking woman walked by, and through some other clumsy passing tourist, she was bumped into Globie quite clumsily.... In the confusion, he barely registered the rectangular glasses, short stature, or equally short hair.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" he snapped at the girl.

"It was only an accident, so sorry!"

"Bitch!"

"Bastard!"

He sent a rueful smirk at the girl's retreating back as he then entered the cafe.

"Now why it is that I think I've met that woman somewhere before?" Globie asked himself.  After a moment's thought, he shrugged it off and took his seat.

===

A bit miffed at being yelled at by a stranger, Star continued down to the other end of the market, where the group would be waiting for her, after they separated to go sight-seeing.  A few blocks later, the M2 executee trailer stopped to pick up Star and any other authors and guests at the agreed meeting place.

The authors and furries saw a ruffled looking Star return just in time as the trailer door opened.  When they expected to see Nabiki, they were surprised to find Manny greeting them instead.

"Uh-oh..." started Nikara.

"Seems like Nabiki ratted us out," stated Mei.

Adam fumed.  "Damn it!  She cheated me out of ten thousand yen!"

"Don't you mean three thousand, Arp-san?" corrected Shinju.

"Um... yeah."

The Mole producer gave the group a disapproving gaze as he approached them, trailed by Nabiki, who smirked triumphantly.

"Adam, how... convenient that you're here with us.  And your friends too!  Right under my nose all along!  So that's how Tomoyo and the others got here.  Congratulations on making it this far without me knowing."

"Cut to the chase Manny.  Do they stay or do they go?" prodded Nabiki.  "I'm tired of chauffeuring a weighed down motor home!"

Manny sent a glare at Nabiki then looked back at the non-anime characters.  They were reflecting his glare back.  Sighing and knowing that he had to get to the point and make the decision, he replied, "You and your guests can stay, but no more!  I don't want to have to call in another trailer.  We're already burning up our expenses as it is."

They jumped up and down and whooped, glad that they were able to stay while the driver continued to glare.

"But, Nabiki can kick you guys out whenever she wants.  Then you're on your own."

The cheering stopped when they saw a manipulative smile glean across Nabiki's face.

===

As everyone awaited for the next executee's arrival, Adam, Star, Mei, and Shinju bid farewell to their three guests.  It was the only way they could make room for the latest victim of the mole.

"I'm sorry that you have to go.  It was really cool that we actually had something sweet to eat for a while!" said Shinju.

"Aw, well, we don't want to cause any more trouble," replied littlekitty.  "But have some candy before we go!"  And with another shake of her tail, they found packaged sweets at their feet.

"But if you need any help, you know I'm here," added Fetch, with a wink.  "I do have some trans-dimensional connections.  Why, I can open up a portal and get us to the next city faster!"

Star held up  her hand to politely refuse.  "No Fetch.  We don't need any help, but thanks for offering.  We're going to be doing things the long way."

"Ah, you mean you're doing things the Janeway."

"*sigh* I'm gonna miss talking sci-fi with you."

"Oh, you can bug Nabiki with that.  We're pretty much in this for the long run to bug her," said Adam jokingly.

Nikara extended her hand and received a friendly shake from everyone else. "I guess I'm going, and I'm getting a ride with these two.  This is so long, I guess."

"Not exactly," said Adam.  "Keep yourself on call, we might need you in the future."

At that cryptic mention, the trio of girls let out another bout of wild whoops.

"Toga party!  Toga party!  Toga party!"

"Thanks for ruining the surprise!"

Calming down, they said "See ya later," yet again and then watched the three walk off.  They turned around to see the black van entering their area.

Everyone held their breath as the door opened and awaited for the mole victim to come out.  Out came...

Akane Tendou.

Ranma turned his nose up in distaste.  "So, the macho chick toughed it out until now."

Akane huffed.  "You're just jealous because I got farther in the game than you!"

Miaka gasped as she saw Akane, but she tried to hide her jealousy.  "So, Akane... I've heard that you've been close to Tamahome.  How is he?"  She punctuated that question with a suspicious look Akane's way.

She looked down and smiled sadly in reply.  "He was a good coalition partner.  But I guess with me gone, the others are probably going to think that he's the mole."

The thought that her dear Tamahome was the mole and could have played a crucial part in her execution made her feel depressed.  "I... I'm gonna get something to eat.  Has anyone seen Daisuke and his ramen cart?!"

Akane expressed a puzzled look.  "What's your friend doing here?  Starting a food business all of a sudden?"

Ranma shrugged.  "Different Daisuke."

"Oh."

"Long story, I'll tell you it over a hot bowl of ramen."

"You mean you're buying?"

"No!  That's not what I meant!"

"Then what do you mean?!"

*THWACK!*

===

"Hold on a second!"  Manny was fuming.  "You're leaving now?!"

Rather than his usual plain t-shirt, Arp was decked out in a Kodomo no Omocha shirt, complete with Babbit lapel.  He calmly turned to Manny, "What? You did it last time."

After thinking for a second, Manny wasn't satisfied, "Well yeah but..."

"You didn't even get a replacement!  It's a good thing Barb did or we'd have been fired."

"Look, I was a host.  That's a tough duty.  Much tougher than writing episodes.  I'm just saying, you gave me no notice that you were leaving!"

"Yeah I did, I told you two weeks ago that I was taking this episode off to check out the Safari Zone."

"Oh, very well. Where's your replacement?"  Manny shook his head.

Star joined the conversation.  "So what exactly are you going to do while you're over there?"

"I 'unno.  Chill.  This is my vacation time."

"You aren't going to be like spying and getting all sorts of inside dirt on AS Three, are you?" Star asked.

"Not really."

"Could you?" Star and Manny chimed simultaneously.

Adam muttered, "I'll see what I can do."

"So who's the sub?  Not that Globie guy Barb found, I hope."

Adam glanced nervously at Star.  "Uh... no.  I actually have two people.  Can I borrow your little teleporter thingy?"  Manny slowly forked it over as Arp punched a few buttons on it.  "First off- a popular novelist and Chosen.  Takeru Takaishi!"  In an instant, Takeru had appeared, armed with laptop computer and ready to write.  Adam smiled, and continued, "For the anime expertise, I dug through the ranks of Nadesico to find Aesti pilot Hikaru Amano!"  Hikaru was standing next to Takeru, smiling and ready for work.

"Hi everybody!  It's so nice to be here again!  I can't wait to write an episode of Mole!  Kenji and Takeshi make such a cute couple, don't you think?"

"Oh dear God..." Manny walked away.

"Just uh... keep the yaoi to a minimum, okay?"  Arp started to walk off.

"Wait a second?  Don't you have any guidelines for us?" Takeru stated.

Arp turned around.  "Thanks for reminding me."  Adam pulled out a folder and handed it to Takeru.  "Challenges, details, and other good stuff.  I suppose you can pick the cameos if you wanted to.  Use your common sense.  Oh, and please don't tell anybody who the Mole is."

"Can we pick who gets executed?"  Takeru smiled.

"No!  Um... it's a reality series.  It's whoever gets executed down in Livorno.  Okay?" Arp shook his head and took off, leaving the two anime characters in charge.

"Well Hikaru- let's do our best.  Hikaru?"

Hikaru was on the phone.  "Hey Megumi, want a cameo for Mole Two?  Great, see you here!"

Star sweatdropped. This could be a long couple of days.

===

"Geez!  I'm sorry about the other night Akane!"  Ranma tried to apologize to Akane, but both were still too stubborn and playing their games to know an apology at face value.

Akane huffed and crossed her arms.  "You can start by buying me breakfast."

"Fine.  Daisuke or Shampoo's?"

"Either one."

Shampoo heard the voice of her rival in achieving Ranma's hand and appeared.  She frowned at Akane and glomped onto Ranma's arm.  She sent a glare towards Akane's way.

Surprised, he looked down on her.  "Aren't you supposed to be with your new fiancée?"

Shampoo blanched as the one thing that Akane could use to her advantage was revealed.  "Aiya!  Ranma no tell!"

"A new fiancée?  Um, well, congratulations Shampoo."

A bit miffed a the supposed smug comment, the purple haired Amazon turned away and crossed her arms.  "Akane mean congratulations for Akane for now having Ranma."

"I really mean it Shampoo.  Congratulations!  Who is it?  Mousse?"

Shampoo could barely hold back a laugh.  She could have kept it a secret, but in her mirth, she blurted out, "Daisuke new airen!  Silly Akane!"  She stopped when she realized her slip and held her hand to her mouth.

The youngest Tendou leaned to the side and looked behind Shampoo to see the former Chosen chatting with the other adult Digidestined in front of his cart.  "Isn't he a little bit... too old for you?"

Ranma snorted and lifted his nose in distaste.  "Yeah, and I hear he has a wife too."

Akito passed by with his bowl of ramen.  "Daisuke?  He was also telling me that he had a son too."

That got Akane mad.  She whipped out a hammer and righteous fury burned in her eyes.  "An older man with a family is engaged to Shampoo?!"

The announcement of a supposed infidelity caught the ears of the female anime avengers.

===

Takeru was hammering away at the computer.  He wanted to get this challenge down right.  After Hikaru got started writing a Kenji/Takeshi exchange (with only minor yaoi undertones) and deciding on the cameos, Takeru received the job of writing the actual challenge.

"Make sure to have a final conflict at the end!  Those are always fun!" Hikaru threw in.  Takeru made a note of it.

"Hentai!"  Miaka, clad in only a towel, chased Keitaro right out of the trailer.  "Somebody stop him!"

Star got first dibs, as she pulled a baseball bat out of her lunch bag and promptly swung for the fences, sending Keitaro out of the park.

"Whoa..." Takeru and Hikaru said simultaneously.  They walked up to Star.

"Hey..." Takeru started, "How did you do that?  You aren't an anime character."

"I'm not an anime character, but I am an author.  Author powers can be very strong too," Star stated.

"Author powers?" Hikaru started.

"Yeah.  It's what lets you control everything in your vicinity.  I never leave home without them!"

"So... theoretically, we can control certain elements around here?"

"Yeah.  Of course.  Arp and I do it all the time."

"So let's say if I wanted to call up some really beautiful girl and have my way with her unobserved... I could do that?" Takeru smiled.

Star frowned and held her lunchbag up to him.  "That depends on if I allow it.  I don't plan to stick in any self-insert lemons here."

"Okay... I'll just have to keep it short!"  Takeru rushed back to his computer to write a scene.

Star looked at Hikaru.  "And you?"

"I'm not going to do anything like a self-insert scene. I'm going to take a look around to see all the anime characters that I can control!"  With that, Hikaru started checking out the territory.

Star shook her head and looked back at Takeru, busy typing away.  Within seconds, Takeru's longtime friend Hikari stopped by, bent down and gave Takeru a long French kiss for about five minutes, then turned around and walked away.

Takeru smiled.  "Oh yeah, this is the best!"

===

Iori heard a slight rumbling from afar and he piped up in the middle of the conversation, "Do any of you hear that?"

"Hear what?" asked Daisuke.

Taichi stopped and listened as well.  "Like something coming in our direction..."

Yamato's brow wrinkled in thought.  "Um, fangirl stampede?"

Jim, who was arriving at the cart to get some lunch, looked at the direction of the sound to see a fast approaching dust cloud.  "I think it's something worse."

When the dust cleared, a gathered group of femme fatales were before them.  Motoko, Akane, Naru, and Kasumi.

"You pig!" the four cried.

Daisuke didn't know what this was about and tried to make amends, but before he could explain himself, multiple attacks from the female front sent him flying.

===

"Psst.  Mr. Goggles," Hayama whispered to Takato.

"Um... what do what want?"  Takato was trying to avoid this kid.

"I want to know about that card game.  The one Ruki's into."

"Digimon Taming?  That's a tough job.  I mean..."  Hayama held a hand up, and prepared to chop Takato on the head.  "Uh, no problem!  I guess I can show you the basics."  Takato pulled out his D-Arc and some cards and began demonstrating to Hayama the whole process.  That's when Hikaru happened by and started watching.

"Hello!"

"Huh.  The village idiot returns," Hayama quipped.

"Yep, just me!  I'm just watching, go ahead."

"Anyway, Hayama, sometimes you need to give your Digimon added power.  That's what these cards are for.  You can do a Card Slash and..."

"Card Slash?" Hikaru started.  "Are those stories where Touya and Yukito get really, really friendly, right?  I think I've written a couple of those!"

Hayama turned to Takato.  "The hell with this, I'll just have to kiss her."  Hayama stood up, followed immediately by a nervous Takato.

"Hayama, that's probably not such a good idea.  I mean Ruki's not the type to be too tolerant."

Hayama continued unfazed, "And what about Scary Lady Eleven?  I mean, I'm sure she's not going to be too happy with you. Hayama, are you even listening?"  Still no effect.  "Okay, you're obviously not listening."

As Hayama continued towards Ruki, and Takato continued to try to stop Hayama, Hikaru followed.  "Hmm... this is too predictable.  Let's make this fun!"  Hikaru pulled out a computer and started typing.

Ruki was minding her own business, listening to some music against the side of the trailer when the boys approached.

"Hayama, seriously..."  Takato knew what was going to happen.  Or at least he thought he did.  Hayama was going to kiss Ruki and die a hundred deaths.  What he didn't expect was to trip on his own feet.  Takato turned around and fell into Ruki- his mouth running into hers.

"Now that's better!"  Hikaru cheered as everybody in a half-mile radius turned to look at the scene in absolute shock.

"Oh my God..." Kasumi said.

"This could get ugly," Tenchi stated.

Hayama quietly ducked away as Takato backed up and looked at Ruki.

"Um... hi."

===

Somewhere in Livorno, at a classy hotel, one Jenrya Lee was reading through his journal, another day of competition over and done.  He suddenly dropped the book and stood up.

"What is it?" his roommate, Tamahome, asked.

"I heard the sound of a thousand people screaming... followed by silence."

"Okay... Jenrya I'm starting to get worried about you."

Before Jenrya could shake the vision off, he heard another scream.  Tamahome heard it too.  That too was silenced... by the roof of the hotel as Takato crashed through it.

===

"Nice shot!"

Back at the trailer, Akane and the rest of the women immediately complimented Ruki on her fine right hook.

===

Takeru was still writing the episode when Hikaru returned from her first author trip.

"Hey, did you give Izumi a cameo?" Takeru asked.

"Izumi?  Yes I did!" Hikaru replied.

In a second, Koushiro was hugging the Aesti pilot.  "Wo ai ni," he said sweetly.

"Not you... Izumi Maki, one of my best friends!"

As Koushiro strolled off, muttering, Takeru asked, "Does she even know how to drive a boat?"

"Let's hope so!  Keep writing, I'm going to take another stroll.  I promised myself I'd do a good Taito scene."

"A what?"  Takeru knew what that meant.  His brother and Taichi...

"Taito.  Taichi and Yamato." 

"Yeah.  Look, that's totally overblown.  My brother and Taichi are both completely straight.  Trust me- I went to both of their bachelor parties."

"Huh.  Shows what you know.  Everybody knows they're in love!"  Hikaru started skipping away.  "And now they're going to go show that to the world."

Takeru stood up.  "Hold on!  This is my brother you're talking about!  I'm not going to let you control him for your own fantasies!"

"But..."

"Come on... you're supposed to help me write these episodes."

Dejected, Hikaru turned back around.  "Okay... Looks like I'll have to have another Kenji/Takeshi scene to make up for it!"

Takeru face faulted.  "I don't want my name to end up on some yaoi fluff you know."

"Well, either I let out my yaoi instincts in the episode or on your brother.  Your choice," Hikaru gave Takeru an ultimatum.

Takeru was stuck with a tough decision.  Ruin the episode, or allow somebody to take advantage of his brother.  Wait... that wasn't tough.  "Okay, do what you want with Yamato, just leave the episode alone."

Hikaru thanked Takeru and ran off.

Takeru resumed typing.  "Nobody threatens my episode."

===

Finally, her plan was going to come to fruition.  Hikaru watched innocently as the first part was executed.  She had hired some help for this.  Mei Hanaiki didn't even ask for money!

Mei led Yamato into the trailer.  "Okay, Yamato, wait in here."

"Why?"

"You'll see."  Mei giggled and left the trailer.

Hikaru knew it was her turn to move.  She started typing, and before long, Taichi happened to walk by the trailer.  Hikaru stepped out.  "Hey Taichi!  Could you help me move something out of the trailer?"

"What is it?"

"You'll see!"

Taichi stupidly followed Hikaru in.  He was met by Yamato.  "What's Yamato doing here?"

Hikaru locked the door on the trailer, and quietly sat down.

"H... Hikaru?"

"There's no escaping your true feelings now boys!" Hikaru said as she pulled out her laptop.

"True feelings... wait a second... are you?"  Yamato wasn't sure what was going on, but didn't like it.

"Prepare for bliss!"  Hikaru started typing.

Taichi and Yamato clung to each other in fear.

Hikaru stopped and looked at them.  She smiled.  "It's a start..."

Meanwhile, Mei quietly watched the incident from a couple vents.  "Sweet, sweet, Yamachi."

===

After a long and fairly rough day, Kenji headed to the trailer, planning to take a nap.  He was obviously a little bit sad after being executed, but he knew that he'd get his revenge on those that wronged him.  He opened the trailer door... only to see a very exhausted Taichi and Yamato stumble out.

"Hey Kenj," Yamato mumbled.

"'sup?" Taichi followed.

Hikaru followed them, very pleased.  "I'm all done with them, the trailer's yours."

Kenji stepped inside.  Immediately he sniffed the air.  Something wasn't quite right, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was...

Meanwhile, Taichi and Yamato continued back outside.

Mei Hanaiki jumped between them.  "So... did you two have fun?"

Taichi and Yamato glared at her.

"Man Taich'... I never thought we'd do *that* again." Yamato said.

===

Late that night, Adam Pulver arrived to the rendezvous spot find an unusual sight.

The trailer doors were left wide open, and when Adam looked inside, he saw a penitent Taichi and Yamato standing in opposite corners, facing the wall like naughty children.  Meanwhile, everyone else was scrambling to either sleep in Daisuke's Porsche, his ramen cart, the Neko Hanten cart, Jim's borrowed roadster, or laying out sleeping bags on the ground.

"What happened?" he asked aloud.

Ruri passed by with her sleeping bag and mentioned, "We're aerating the trailer."

"Why?"

"Ask Taichi and Yamato!"  Mei squeed happily.  "Sweet, sweet, Yamachi!"

That tipped something off for him.  "And Hikaru and Takeru?"

"Kicked out and sent back to where they belonged."  Shinju then continued to grumble about no good place to sleep.

Arp sweatdropped.  "O-kay... I'll ask everyone in the morning."

He looked around and found no other open spots, then spied Star pulling a roll out of her bag and laying it out to make a ready sleeping bag.

"Hey Star, I was wondering, do you have-"

*SMITE!*

An irate Star placed her hands on her hips as she looked down at the sore Adam.  "That's for inviting them here and getting us in this mess!"

===

"Okay, I managed to scrounge up Yamaki and a couple girls from Gatekeepers, but we need two more... oh, you talked to Rika. Swell."  Arp was on the phone with Manny about the cameos needed for the big "visit from guests" episode.  "So we just need one more?  Is Chiharu or Naoko available?  Other projects... swell."

"Um... Arp?"  Two Chosen were tapping him on the shoulder.

"Should I just find one more then?  Maybe somebody from Ranma.  Ranma's always fun.  Maybe we could get Soun..."

"Arp??"  Koushiro and Iori continued to plead.

"Okay, I'll let you know what I find.  And I'll talk to those three about it too."  Arp hung up turned around, to see the two on their knees.  Arp sighed.  "Well... I suppose I can sneak you in Koushiro."

Koushiro jumped up and pumped a fist.  "Yeah!  I got a cameo!"

"Stay here while I get everything ready.  Your job will be to stand still and shut up.  That's it."

Adam walked off to find Naru, Satoshi, and Tenchi, while Koushiro remained behind.  "Alright, standing still!  I can do that!!"

"What about me?" Iori asked.

"Sorry Hida, first come, first serve," the author said.

Iori looked around- what was he supposed to do now?

"Tomoyo-chan!  How was it?" Sakura asked Tomoyo, returning after her cameo.

"Togepi?" Tomoyomon asked as well.

Tomoyo smiled.  "It was fun.  I got to dress Jenrya-san in all sorts of stuff.  But I really missed you while I was gone."

"Okay!  This is your last warning!  Hand it over!"

Sakura turned around to see Kasumi, still fuming after the loss of Togepi.

"Hoe?" Sakura said, meekly.

"That is my Pokémon.  Hand it over!"

Sakura quickly held Togepi and turned around.  "Koushiro-san said that Tomoyomon was mine."

"Koushiro-san's an idiot, now..."

"Who's an idiot, Kasumi?"  Koushiro was standing behind her.

"Um... you are!  You gave away my Pokémon!"

"I believe you are mistaken.  Tomoyomon is a Digimon and Sakura is its partner."

"It's a Pokémon!"

"Surely I, a Digimon researcher can tell the difference between a Pokémon and a Digimon."

"It's a Pokémon!  Watch this!"  Kasumi pulled out a Pokéball and flung it at Togepi.  "Pokéball... go!"

Togepi batted it away.  "Toge-toge-pi!"

"Togepi!  You traitor!"

"I rest my case.  I have a cameo now, so would you please leave poor Tomoyomon alone?"  Koushiro walked away.

"Sakura, you know that it isn't yours!" Kasumi continued to plead.

"Of course it is, I even got my Digivice to prove it."  Sakura pulled out her D3 and showed it to Kasumi.

Tomoyo smiled and sighed- it was a good thing she sent the designs over to her mother's toy company so Daidouji Toys could produce one for Sakura.

Kasumi had had enough.  "Wh... what... that's it!  I'm filing a lawsuit!"

"HOE?!"

"Hi, I was just listening in when I happened to hear the word lawsuit.  What's going on?"  From out of nowhere, Iori popped in.

"Mr. Hida, I'm suing Sakura because she stole my Pokémon!" Kasumi stated.

Iori took a quick look at the situation.  Sakura seemed to have a bond with Tomoyomon.  Sakura had a digivice, Tomoyomon was a listed Digimon... and Tomoyo was just the cutest.  "Very well Kasumi..."  Iori stood next to the girls from Tomoeda, "We'll see you in court!"

"I hope you have a good lawyer!" Tomoyo said.

"Because it looks like we do!" Sakura added.

"Togeprii!!" Togepi continued to chirp merrily.

===

Satoshi had enough of trying to get near Naru and then getting his clock cleaned.  He didn't know what came over him!  He sighed and thought about resting before he could find her to apologize.  Soon, he saw Kasumi coming his way.

"Hey Kasumi!  How's Toge-"

*SMACK!*

"Satoshi, you're still an idiot!"

"What?" he answered, clueless of what offense he caused this time.

===

Bowing her head in defeat, Kasumi stood before Iori, Tomoyo, and Sakura.  Sakura held Togepi, who still continued to chirp happily and oblivious to the situation while Tomoyo fussed over her namesake.

"I'm... I'm here to settle," admitted Kasumi.

Iori stepped forward.  "That's good to hear-"

"But, can I still have joint custody?"

He stopped.  Well, this was a bit unexpected.

"Please Sakura?  Togepi means a lot to me, you know."

"I don't know... but you can say good bye," replied Sakura as she handed Togepi to Kasumi.

"Thanks."  Kasumi cradled Togepi in her arms and turned to Iori... only to give him a high kick to the gut and run off with Togepi.

"HOE?!"  After recovering her wits, Sakura angrily ran after Kasumi, leaving Tomoyo tending to the doubled over Iori.

"Why me?" lamented Iori

===

Tamahome arrived to the trailer.  He was hoping to find the flying goggle boy from the other day there.  He didn't know how or why Takato would end up crashing their hotel room, literally.  His family had been rushed out in an instant by Manny and company, but that was okay.  More than his family, more than Takato, and more than any co-conspirators, he wanted more than anything else to see one person- Miaka Yuuki.

He opened the door to the trailer to see the previous nine executed.  Included in that was said goggle boy, said co-conspirator, and said Suzaku no Miko.

"Tamahome!"  Miaka immediately rushed up to him and met him with the deep hug.  The two lovers had finally reunited, and the background instrumental was playing at full force.

"Where's that music coming from?" Ranma asked.  He looked over at Akane, smiling brightly and almost crying at the scene.

"Oh, it's so romantic."

"Yeah... where's the bathroom, I gotta puke."

While Ranma headed to relieve himself of the shojo romance scene, Akane addressed the happy couple, "Well, maybe sometimes it's nice to get executed."

Miaka glared at Akane.  "Yeah, now I know that nobody can flirt with my Tamahome."

Akane took offense to that.  "Hey!  I was not flirting with Tamahome.  Right?"

Tamahome thought for a second.  "Yeah.  Yeah you were," he replied coolly.

"No I wasn't!"  Akane turned to the other girls for support.  "Was I?"

"Yeah... I think so," Kasumi said.

"Definitely," Ruki added.

"I would say so," Motoko threw in.

"It is according to what I watched," Kenji stated.

"Akane..." Miaka started, eyes burning, "Care to step outside?"

Akane, never one to back down from anything, cautiously stepped out of the trailer with Miaka.  She was followed by the entire group.

"Akane, remember that fourth quiz when they asked what we use in battle?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember mine?"

"No."

"Good!"  Miaka smiled, then charged at Akane with all the best pro-wrestling moves she could remember from the last Pay-Per-View she caught.

"Come on Akane!  Fight back!" Ranma shouted words of encouragement at his fiancée.

Akane was about ready to let Miaka have it and defend herself, when Tamahome started to pass in front of the observers.

"Okay- Miaka Yuuki vs. Akane Tendo, the fight for my love!  Who wants a piece of the action?  Minimum bet- one thousand yen!"

Before Tamahome could start collecting bets, Akane and Miaka stopped and glared at him.  "Tamahome!!!"

"Hey, I lost the game, so I have to make money somehow."  No dice, they were still pissed.  "Hey!  It's for my starving family, remember?"

"That's not getting you out of this one!"  They both yelled again.  In a flash, Akane and Miaka were chasing Tamahome down the street.

"Ah... everything's as it should be."  Kasumi sighed after the observation. Not a sigh of relief due to the return to normality, but a sigh recognizing that nothing can ever be "as it should be" at a place like this.

End of Side Story 6

Additional Author's Notes: There was a slight crossover ref to AS3's Side Stories, but it's not much of a detail to worry about.  If you want to know about it, read SS 2 and 3, if you like.  So we've wrapped up some loose ends!  The custody battle for Tomoyomon and the Tamahome/Akane/Miaka affair!  Keep peeled for the next Side Story, for as they say, "When in Rome..."