El Hazard and it's characters are owned by AIC and Pioneer LDC.  The author 
owns only the writing.

Chapter 10: Mizuhara Residence 
 
Fujisawa knocking at the door nearly knocked it off its hinges. He was glad to be 
done with work, even more glad to be reunited with his wife. He was so happy he 
picked her up and spun around once. All he wanted right then was to go home and 
sleep. Unfortunately Miz was talking with Mrs.Jinnai about motherhood. There 
are some things men just don't want to know. Labor and childbirth is high on that 
list. Personally he wondered how much advice his wife should accept. After all, 
Mrs.Jinnai's firstborn is hardly a shining example of the joys of motherhood. 
"Any point in the storm." he muttered joining the rest. 
 
Makoto filled him on the plans. Fujisawa heard nothing and the remainder of his 
night shift was mostly spent combing the basements for Bugrom. He found 
nothing but a few likely leads. Where the first wave went and where the next 
wave would appear was still anybody's guess. For better or worse, they would 
have to wait until tomorrow. His wife called to him, saying what a nice woman 
Mrs.Jinnai was and what a help she's been. They planned to go shopping together 
in the morning. Mrs.Mizuhara asked if she could join them. It was already late at 
night and Fujisawa was ready to turn in. His wife wasn't and needed some polite 
encouragement from the others to finally leave. The Jinnais offered to host Afura 
and Kaluul until their mission was done. Afura, at least, appeared to be good 
friends with Nanami and her father wanted to be sure she was hanging around 
with the right crowd. 
 
Dishes were washed, guests departed and Makoto and Ifurita were alone to face 
their parents. In the short time that they had known her, his parents slowly started 
to accept her as one of the family. There was still some skittishness about her. 
Makoto hoped it was because of who she was or since they were so close in such 
a short period of time from his parents point of view. Acting from a mental 
request from Makoto, Ifurita found an excuse to leave him alone with his parents 
for a short period. 
 
"She seems like a nice woman." His father said honesty, but with a hint of 
concern. 
 
"Mother, Father, there's something important I need to ask you. Well was I ... was 
I adopted?" he finished quietly. 
 
His parents put their arms around each other for mutual support. It gave their son 
the answer he needed, but it was still important for them to say the words. "Yes. 
We were planning to tell you. But you were so happy and adjusted we were 
scared how it would affect you." his father said. 
 
"We found you in the park in a basket. Naturally we took you to the police to 
return you to your parents, but your footprints weren't on their file. No one knew 
where you came from. Rather than allow you to bounce around orphanages and 
foster homes, they allowed us to keep you. We gave you all the love any real 
parents could give their child. As far as we were concerned, you were our son." 
his mother said starting to become overwhelmed with emotion. 
 
"When you disappeared we feared you found out and went out in search of your 
biological parents. But right now we're just happy that our son has come home." 
his father finished. 
 
Makoto was speechless. He suspected the truth for years. It didn't matter then and 
it didn't matter now. These were the people who raised him. Nursed him when he 
was sick. Helped him when he was down. Made him the man he was that was 
today. What did it matter that there was no blood relation? He told them so then 
asked to see the basket. 
 
It was kept all these years. Hidden only until Makoto was told of his origins. It 
was no surprise for Makoto that it was the same one he was placed in during his 
flashback at the Stairway to the Sky. "It's from El-Hazard. I'm from there. My 
father was the King. My mother was a sorceress. I was their illegitimate child. My 
biological father sent me to another dimension rather than let the public know he 
had an affair." 
 
"Does this mean you're a prince?" his mother gasped. 
 
"In a way. The royalty is a matriarchy. I don't even think it's possible for the 
Queens to have sons." Makoto said, then a realization happened, "This is why 
Fatora looked so much like me. I knew it was too much to be coincidence! She's 
my half-sister! So is Rune!" 
 
"Whatever happens, I will stand by you." Ifurita mind-spoke. 
 
She walked in and put her free hand on his shoulder. His parents hugged him. It 
was too much, returning home, discovering his origins, and two members of his 
family. What would he do? He couldn't stay on Earth, Ifurita would not fit in. 
Worse, what if her condition deteriorated? But if he went back to El-Hazard and 
his heritage was revealed, who knows what would happen. Princess Rune's tone 
of voice clearly conveyed a warning. Did she suspect too? He studied El-Hazard 
history and officially the King never strayed from the Queen. But he also knew 
there was too much unofficial history to ignore. Since it never became public, 
how did they keep it quiet when it happened? Was this an actual first? 
Considering so many of the Princesses marriages were arranged, Makoto found it 
unlikely every husband stayed true. Were the sons and daughters executed , 
banished, abandoned and left to die? Maybe what happened to him, happened to 
other babies, ejected into another dimension and left to chance. 
 
So what happened when one of these children returned? Makoto held a position of 
no small importance in the Court. In a few short years he would replace 
Dr.Schtalubaugh when he retired. Plus he saved El-Hazard. If he were to 
disappear again, it would raise questions. Makoto may be naive when it comes to 
women, but with court intrigue he knew more than most. After using the Eye and 
Fatora's crimes against Alliele, the Royalty's popularity was at an all-time low. 
There was even some talk of revolution among some of the more angry nations. 
Makoto's, on the other hand, was growing he was becoming known as the Demon 
Tamer. Some nobles even hinted that if Makoto desired, they would support him 
into becoming the new King, independent of the old royal line. This could push 
things over the edge. Anyone who tried to harm him would not only have to fight 
Ifurita, but the Elemental Church. Makoto may have only been in El-Hazard a 
year, but his friends were the most powerful. 
 
"Calm down, deal with one problem at a time." he told himself. His parents saw 
the conflict on his face and became worried. Their fear was coming true, their son 
could be leaving them forever. 
 
Later in the kitchen, Ifurita helped with the dishes. Mrs.Mizuhara spoke quietly to 
her. "You love my son don't you?" 
 
"Yes. He gave me my life. He gave me freedom. There is a bond between us. 
How could I not?" Ifurita responded in an equally hushed tone. 
 
"Have you discussed marriage?" 
 
Ifurita blushed, an ability she acquired a few months ago but rarely used. 
"Mrs.Mizuhara --" 
 
"Call me 'Mom' dear." 
 
Ifurita smiled, "Mom. Regardless of how I look, I am still a machine. I have 
waited ten thousand years in the void for your son and haven't changed at all. I 
will look like this until I am destroyed. But I would gladly give up my 
immortality to grow old with him. We want to get married, but I cannot be a good 
wife to him. I cannot even bear children." Ifurita hoped she wouldn't be asked 
how they learned that. 
 
Mrs.Mizuhara was disappointed, but understood. "I'm sure you will be happy 
together and your wishes will be granted. A mother knows these things. Even an 
adopted mother." 
 
Ifurita looked her straight in the eye, "No. You are his real mother. I've seen 
Makoto's heart and he will never consider you to be anything less." 
 
There were still doubts about what would happen after the Bugrom have been 
taken care of. The only thing for certain was that life as they knew it would never 
be the same. Cliche as it sounded, it was true. Makoto was of two worlds and he 
would be forced to chose either the world of his birth or the world he still 
considered home.