Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo or surrounding characters. Nor do I own 'Jump Around.' Song and lyrics are sole property of 'House of Pain.' I don't get fame or fortune, so please don't sue me. Thanks you so very much!
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A/N: Ewww.... If you're reading this and haven't read the Books of Heartstrings, then you're in the wrong place. Turn back now and read Part One of this series. If you don't, you may not be fully able to enjoy this story.... -_- And we don't want that, now do we?
Part Two may seem to start out slow, but please stick with me on it 'cause I promise (well, can't promise that, b-cuz people have different opinions- Sorry) but I will try to make it as interesting as possible for you readers.... So please hang in there!
Also, for those of you who read and review Part One, Thank you! I hope you like the Sequel.... I'd also like to say a special Thank You to TAIL-LUVER who stuck with me during the making of this. Thanks for the support!
P.s. I'd like to give credit to the Creators of Calvin and Hobbes as well as Mel Brooks for his oh so humorous direction in Young Frankenstein! Thank you!
~Dragon Demon
Now on to the story......
Prophecies ~ Sequel to Books of Heartstrings
Chapter One
~ Home Is Where The Heart Is ~
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Yosho observed the still summer afternoon. Cardinals and blue-jays greeted him as he stepped out into the yard. He stretched his back out and started for the shed. He paused at the small name plaque hanging above the porch of the tiny house. He read the words one more time.
'The Jurai's.'
Yosho smirked. He remembered the small argument that had ensued on the last name basis when he and Ryoko had finally married eight years earlier. He had insisted keeping the name 'Masaki' but Ryoko refused and said that she wasn't marrying Katsuhito, but, Yosho Jurai- Prince of the planet Jurai.
Yosho had eventually given in when she gave him Bambi eyes and begged him. Now, 8 years after their wedding, Yosho still found himself chuckling over the small debate on the sir name. Ryoko had liked the name Masaki, but only if she had married Tenchi. But, Yosho was a Jurai, and so was she.
Yosho shook his head. Times were good now. 'And happy.' He thought. Tenchi and Sasami were engaged, much to Azusa's disappointment. But, yet again, Ryoko stepped in and convinced her father-in-law that Tenchi was a good man. And, so Azusa had agreed to the marriage.
Everyone was shocked at Ryoko's miracle work, but no questions were asked.
Tenchi's business was doing better than it had been nearly 10 years ago, Sasami completely came out of her depression once Ryoko returned and more so when Tenchi had proposed to her. They had acquired an apartment in town so Tenchi could be closer to work and Sasami school.
The young princess had denounced her royal status and was studying to become a vet.
Ayeka and Traven were still very much in love, and little Aina was a pistol. She grew more like her mother everyday with her violet hair and ruby eyes. Of course, Traven had some traits passed to her, but not many. Ayeka was Queen of Jurai now and Traven had become a renowned doctor in trade.
Mihoshi was still modeling and currently engaged to her manager. Not much was heard from the blonde, but what little news that did come through, was good.
Kiyone had continued on with her life as Chief Petty Officer for the Galaxy Police but had since returned to Earth. She had been proposed to, but much to everyone's disappointment, she had declined. Kiyone said she wasn't ready for marriage just yet.
Yosho thought it possible, but he wasn't sure if her answer were completely true.
Nobuyuki had finally sold his art firm and often helped Tenchi out at the Graphic Designs store. His hair was turning gray and his skin was beginning to wrinkle. He was, needless to say, getting older and the times were catching up with him. Yosho felt sorry for his son-in-law, but Nobuyuki was happy.
He claimed that he'd be able to be with Achika again and that he'd probably go insane if he lived for as many years as Yosho and Ryoko had. Ryoko had teased him about it, but it was all in good nature and Nobuyuki didn't mind. He actually enjoyed her teasing, especially when he was down.
Yosho shaded his eyes as he heard the sound of an engine coming towards the house. Sure enough a small champagne colored Honda Civic pulled up in the drive. Yosho saw a small hand wave to him from the backseat. Moments later, the driver's door and the two back doors swung open.
Ryoko smiled from the driver's seat as two small children emptied out of the backseat. Yosho could hear the radio in the car blaring House of Pain's 'Jump Around' with the bass turned up all the way. Ryoko turned the car off and watched the two small kids with laughter.
A young girl with shoulder length cyan hair and deep amethyst eyes ran up to Yosho and hugged his knees while a small boy who held a stuffed tiger in one hand while the other was held to his ears wobbled around the yard. He finally plopped down on his butt and stared up at the sky.
Ryoko chuckled and picked the boy up. Yosho crouched down and the small girl climbed on his back. Yosho walked over to Ryoko and shook his head at her.
"What?!" She asked defensively.
"Don't you think that you're hurting their ears by doing that? Not to mention, the speakers in the car?" Yosho chided.
Ryoko shook her head and poked Yosho in the chest. "No you don't bub. He's the one who asked me to turn it up, didn't you sweetie?"
The small boy focused his eyes on Ryoko and frowned. "Could you slow down please. I think I'm going to be sick."
Yosho sighed. "See?"
Ryoko wrinkled her nose. "Shut-up. If I didn't love you so much, you'd be hauling your head out of your ass by now."
Ryoko stalked past Yosho and to the house. Yosho chuckled at his wife and followed her. As Ryoko set the small boy down, a loud explosion rocked the house. Ryoko heard yelling and cursing and moments later, a terrified Kiyone streaked out of the closet.
Kiyone raced behind Ryoko and cowered as someone ran out behind her.
"KIYONE?! COME BACK! I WON'T KILL YOU, I PROMISE!"
"Yeah, RIGHT!" Kiyone hollered as an adult Washu loomed down at her.
Washu frowned. "Ryoko. I demand that you hand Kiyone over. NOW!"
Ryoko held her hands. "Hey- don't get me involved. Kiyone, you're own your own."
Kiyone scowled. "Gee, thanks a lot, traitor."
Ryoko plopped down on the couch and watched her mother and friend.
Washu sidled up next to Kiyone. "Kiyone? That wasn't the brain I created for Meccha Washu that you gave me, was it?" The scientist asked.
Kiyone cringed. "....Not...exactly."
"Mind telling me, why?" Washu asked sweetly.
Kiyone shook her head no. "You'll be angry with me."
Washu turned red. "I WON'T BE...I mean, I won't be angry with you, Little Kiyone. Exactly, whose brain did I, put in Meccha Washu?"
Kiyone blanked out before making a face. "Abbie someone."
Washu nodded. "That's a start. Abbie who?"
Kiyone tapped her chin. "Abbie....." Kiyone paused. Her face lit up and she nodded. "Abbie Normal. I'm quite sure that's what it said."
Washu's face turned crimson. "ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT I PUT AN ABNORMAL BRAIN IN A 6 FOOT TALL, 2 FOOT WIDE, 800 POUND ANDROID?!?"
"That sounded about right." Kiyone squeaked.
Washu grabbed Kiyone by the throat and slung her around.
"WHY YOU- I OUGHTA MAKE YOU DISMANTLE HER BY YOURSELF. OR BETTER YET, I'LL FEED YOU TO HER!" Washu shouted.
"Hey! Dr. Frankenstein and Igor, lower the decibels would ya." Ryoko piped up from her spot on the couch.
Washu took a deep breath and released Kiyone. She spotted the young boy lying on his back on the floor staring up at the ceiling fan.
"I can't wait until you're old enough to be my lab assistance, Ryushi. You'll be the best there is, huh?" Washu asked him gingerly.
Ryushi looked at her and frowned. "Can you stop the room, please? I'd like to get off now."
Washu stumbled back. "Ryoko! What did you do to the poor kid?" Washu scooped him up in her lap and looked at his eyes.
"Why does everyone point their fingers at me?" Ryoko asked innocently.
"Because dear. You're the one who was playing 'Jump Around' at about 20 times higher than needed." Yosho informed her.
Washu 'tsk-tsked ' her and sat a now recovered Ryushi on the floor. The small boys golden eyes spotted Washu and he smiled.
"Grams! Guess what I did in school today?" Ryushi questioned excitedly.
"Settle down and tell me, Ryu." Washu said soothingly.
"Well, first me and Loki flew to America on a magic carpet. We saw the president and the vice-president at the White House. We waved to them, but they didn't see us. Next, we went to the moon and collected moon rocks. It was so much fun, grams, you should have gone with us." Ryushi babbled.
Washu grinned. Loki was the stuffed tiger she had made for him when he was born and somehow along the way, Ryu discovered imaginary friends and Loki happened to be that such friend. So there were the stories like this one where Ryu and Loki had some kind of adventure.
Yosho looked at Ryoko. "I thought we were cutting back his sugar intake."
"I thought I did." Ryoko replied bluntly.
Washu listened intently and when Ryushi was done, she patted him on the head and told him that next time he went to America, to call her and she'd go too. Ryoko rolled her eyes and watched her mother drag a kicking and screaming Kiyone back into the lab.
Washu's body had finally accepted the artificial valve Traven had implanted into her heart. The medication and the last surgical procedure Traven conducted on her had done the trick and now Washu was back to her normal self, although, she had days when she was stiff and had trouble breathing.
Ryoko was glad her mother had pulled through.
Ryushi ambled over to Ryoko and crawled in her lap.
"Hey, mom. I'm not having dinner tonight." Ryushi exclaimed.
"Oh no?" Ryoko asked bemused.
Ryushi crossed his arms. "Nope. I'm just going to eat cookies in front of the T.V."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger in his face. "You, young man, are going to sit at the table and eat what I've fixed, just like the rest of us."
Ryushi gulped. "Oh, yeah. That's what I meant."
Ryushi dashed out of the living room and up the stairs. Yosho sat beside Ryoko and hugged her.
"Enjoy the fact that he listens now. Before long, he'll be a bulky, surly, teen-ager." Yosho chimed.
Ryoko sneered at him and stood up. "I'm going to fix dinner. If you need me, I'll be in the torture chamber."
Yosho chuckled and looked down at his eight year old daughter, Meiru.
"So, what did you learn in school today?"
******
Ryoko dumped 6 year old Ryushi in his seat at the table. She sat beside Yosho and began to eat. Ryushi put his chopsticks down and let out a loud 'BU-URRP!' Ryoko glared at him.
"Good heavens, Ryu! What do we say after that?" Ryoko quizzed firmly.
Ryushi smiled. "Must be a barge coming through!"
Ryoko put her hands on her hips. "WHAT do you say?!"
"That sure tasted better going down than coming up!" Ryu commented.
Ryoko leaned her chin in her open hand. "Three strikes and you're history, kiddo."
"Excuse me." Ryushi said quietly.
Ryoko closed her eyes.
"You know Ryoko, you used to be like that when you were six." Washu stated airily.
"Thanks for the reminder, mom." Ryoko grumbled.
After dinner, Ryoko and Washu cleaned the kitchen up and washed the dishes.
In the living room, Yosho sat reading the newspaper when Ryushi sauntered up next to him.
"Hey, dad, your latest poll just came in. Let's see what it says."
Yosho kept his eyes on the paper and mumbled, "Be still, my heart."
Ryushi scratched his head. "Well, I'll be! Your popularity is improving! You went up 30 points!"
Yosho looked at him. "Really?"
Ryushi smiled. "Heck, no wonder! I'm reading the graph upside-down. What a klutz I am!...Hope you're all packed, dad."
Yosho looked bemused. "Don't you have some homework to do?"
Ryushi shrugged and shuffled up the stairs. Ryoko giggled as she crossed the living room to the couch.
"And I actually thought you'd be revoted 'dad' for another year." Ryoko teased.
Yosho watched her. Washu sat down beside her daughter and picked up a book.
"Ryoko, I thought that this 'political' phase would have fizzled and died by now. What happened?" Yosho asked dryly.
Ryoko shifted her weight. "He's your son. Why don't you ask him."
"Because dear, he's your offspring too...." Yosho commented dryly.
Ryoko crossed her arms. "Not if I could have helped it!"
Washu rolled her eyes. "...Aw, but you did, did you not? I mean, it's not like Yosho could have contr...."
"ALRIGHT! I get the picture, I'll talk to him." Ryoko grumbled as she headed up the stairs to find her son.
* * *
The next day all was quiet and there hadn't been so much as a peep from Ryushi. Merui was helping Ryoko set the table for dinner as Ryushi sauntered in the kitchen and took a seat.
Ryoko turned around and shrieked. "My god are you FILTHY! Into the tub with you, NOW! Go on!"
Ryushi sighed and trudged up the stairs as he headed to the bathtub. Smiling, he plopped down in the tub and sat there twiddling his thumbs as he chimed, "I obey the letter of the law, if not the spirit."
From down the hall Ryoko shouted, "LET'S HEAR SOME WATER RUNNING UP THERE!"
Ryushi crawled over the cold porcelain. "Nuts. They can make me do it, but not with dignity!"
Ryoko shook her head and went back to preparing dinner. Half an hour later, Ryushi came bounding down the steps to find Yosho sitting in his chair reading. Ryushi held a clipboard as he stood beside his dad.
"Bad news on your campaign to stay dad, dad." Ryushi stated.
"Oh?"
Ryushi stuck a pencil behind his ear. "Yep. The latest poll of six-year-olds in this household shows that they don't care about issues this year. It's character that counts."
"So why is that bad news?" Yosho asked, his chin in his hand.
Ryushi held up a picture. "Who's the bimbo with you in this old family picture?"
Yosho took and shouted, "THAT BIMBO IS YOUR MOTHER!"
From the kitchen Ryoko asked evilly, "WHO'S A BIMBO?"
Ryushi turned and called, "Pretty funky hairdo, mom!"
"DINNER!" Ryoko replied, her tone holding the hint of the cold shoulder. Ryushi bounded into the kitchen and sat down, a hard back book in his hands. Everyone soon joined the table and began a nice meal together.
Ryushi finally set his chopsticks down and grabbed the book. Opening it to a page in the back he claimed, "Hey mom? I've got your yearbook from that Academy you taught on back in the ice age....let's flip through it, shall we?"
He held it up. "Is this you with the keg and 'party-naked' T-shirt?"
Ryoko's head snapped around. "Heh, give me that!" Ryoko snatched the book from her son and tried hiding it, unfortunately, Washu cleared her throat and held her hand out.
Ryoko sighed and handed the book over as Washu studied the picture. "I see that you did more than just teach your students, Ryoko..."
"Shut-UP!" Ryoko retorted as she finished her dinner. "I was only trying to institute a feeling other than fear into my students, thank YOU."
Washu nodded. "Well...you obviously did a good job of it."
Ryoko growled at her mother's remark and continued eating her dinner. "God forbid what we'd find in the yearbooks from your days of teaching at the Academy."
Washu gulped nervously and handed her daughter the book back. "Yes...well, all in good nature." She quietly finished her meal as everyone stifled their laughter.
As Ryoko was washing her sushi down with some tea, the phone in the living room rang. "I'll get it!" Ryushi cried before anyone could stop him. The young boy grabbed the receiver and said, "Hello! Jurai residence...can I help you?"
The voice on the other end of the line was soft and soothing. "May I speak to your mother, please?" The woman kindly asked.
Ryushi's eye twitched. "Heck, you don't need my permission! Be my guest!" He hung the phone up and sighed, "What a weirdo."
The phone rang again and this time Ryoko wrestled the receiver from her son's grasp. Nearly out of breath she asked, "Hello?"
On the other end of the line the same woman shouted with surprise. "RYOKO?! Is that YOU?!"
Ryoko scratched her head. "Yes...this is Ryoko. How may I help you?"
"Oh...you never will change, demon." The woman chimed.
Ryoko smiled. "Ayeka? Well, mine ears doth deceive me....How have you been? Where are you? Why in the hell haven't you called before now?"
There was a soft chuckle. "Unlike a certain person, some of us, actually have a busy life. Queens can't go around skipping important meetings with delegates and the like, Ryoko."
Ryoko rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Save the lecture for someone who really needs it. So, what reason do you have for calling now after so long?"
She heard a long sigh from the other end of the phone. Ayeka soon spoke up. "Ryoko..." Her voice was soft and strangely calm. "There has been...um, some trouble on Jurai. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I need Yosho to come as soon as he can."
Ryoko was dumbfounded. For six years Ayeka had hidden under Jurai's government, never calling or visiting. And now after so long, she had contacted them...And for what? For help. Ryoko's brow puckered. 'Just like her. Never here when needed, but she'll be damned to ask for our help ou-'
Her thoughts were broken as she heard, "Ryoko? Are you still there? Hello?"
Sighing, Ryoko closed her eyes. "I'm still here."
"I thought maybe I had lost connection with you. Are you alright?" Ayeka's voice seemed distant and full of static over the line.
'Damn her.' Ryoko mentally cursed. Only one word could to her mind as heard Ayeka's rhythmic breathing in her ear. "Why?"
"Ryoko....I know it's sudden, but please, you have to understand. I wouldn't have called you if it wer..."
"NO!" Ryoko told her harshly. "You NEVER call! You're always to busy with this or with that to even care about the family you have here on Earth! And when you finally do give us a ring...it's because little sister has dug a hole so deep her ass can't get out, now she needs big brother's help!"
"Ryoko.." Ayeka tried.
"No. You can't do this to me, Ayeka. To us. I won't let you. I'm tired of trying to get a connection between us, but every time you push me away. This isn't going to cut it....either we're family or we're not. Don't come calling for us just because you're in trouble. Families don't work that way!"
Ayeka sighed. "Ryoko...I'm sorry. But this is very important. Don't turn your back on me...if you do, you're turning your back on Yosho. Don't forget, Jurai is his birth home...you can't keep in from it. You can take him out of Jurai, but you won't ever take Jurai out of him."
Ryoko bit her lower lip. "Fighting with you is pointless Ayeka. Fine. You win this round....but mark my words....the next time you come crawling to us for help....I won't be so quick to give in." She lowered the phone to the table and headed back to the kitchen.
Sitting down heavily she said, "Phone's for you, Yosho." Her face was sunken in and her eyes dull. Yosho studied her and the rose to his feet. Ryoko just stared at her full plate as Yosho answered the call in the living room.
Washu wrinkled her nose. 'Ryoko...something troubles you...what is it?'
Ryoko sighed mentally. 'That damned princess. Why does she always have to ruin things for me...?'
The scientist tilted her head slightly and cast a long look at her daughter. 'Whatever do you mean?'
Shaking her head, Ryoko replied, 'Nothing. I don't really want to talk it about.' She set her chopsticks down and listened for the returned footsteps of her husband. Yosho shuffled into the kitchen and took his seat. His own face expression matching Ryoko's.
He turned his deep amethyst eyes to his wife and frowned. She knew what he was thinking just by watching him. Hesitantly, she closed her eyes and gave a single nod to his silent questioning. Pushing herself up, she excused herself from the table and quickly fled from the house.
~*~*~
Yosho sat in his chair with a book in hand. He peeked over his glasses at the grandfather clock on the far side of the room. '1:15....Ryoko should have been back an hour ago. She's never out past midnight. Wonder if I should go look for her.' He thought demurely.
He set his book aside and slowly rose to his feet when he heard the unmistakable 'swish' of Ryoko's teleportation. She appeared in front of him soaking wet and shivering.
Her cyan hair was matted down in a drenched style, her white tank top clung to her body as her tan shorts hung loosely around her hips, her mascara was running down her pale face and her teeth were barely chattering as she hugged herself trying to keep warm.
"Ryoko!" Yosho chided as he wrapped an afghan blanket around her shoulders. He rubbed her arms trying to warm them up as he ushered her upstairs to their room. Once she had changed into some dry clothes, her tucked her into bed and sat down beside her.
Stroking a wisp of damp hair from her eyes he asked, "Are you terribly upset, love?"
She drew the blanket up over face as she sneezed a couple of times. After a few moments of silence she whispered, "It's not fair, Yosho. Why is that she won't have anything to do with us? But when she needs you to bail her out of trouble, you go running back to her. As if it's going to change anything!"
Yosho frowned, his tan skin wrinkling in confusion. "Ryoko...you know that that is not true. She's family...and families help one another out when needed. I can't just forsake my own sister, not when she's desperately in need of my help. You do understand...? Don't you?"
Glaring at him through semi-shut eyes she rasped out, "Oh sure. Forget the ones who are really important to you!" She sat up then. "Yosho...I am your wife. And those two innocent children down the hall are your kids! Don't hand me all this shit about family...I know about family...."
He tried running a hand through her damp hair, but she pulled away. "Don't do this to me. Please, Yosho. Every time little Ayeka needs something she comes crawling back to you. Don't you see what she's doing? She's trying to tear us apart...I can feel it. I know that's what she's doing."
Yosho sighed. "Ryoko, that's not it at all and you know it. So I may not have taken the throne, it doesn't mean that I can turn my back on my people. My father refuses to help her this time....who else was she going to turn too? The Galaxy police? The GSFA? Jurai's government?"
Ryoko crossed her arms. "Frankly...I don't care who she calls for help. I'm tired of you always running back to her like some puppy on a chain. She's not your master...she doesn't own you and you don't owe her shit, Yosho. You're missing who your real family is, and I don't like it one bit."
"Please understand, Re. Neither I nor she are doing this to make you feel this way. Jurai is my birth home, Ayeka is my sister...we're bonded by blood, and I can't just leave out to dry." Yosho started.
Ryoko cut him off. "Earth is your home now. I am your wife and we're bonded by love. I know they say blood is thicker than water, but dammit Yosho, our love is just as thick. Can't you see what's happening? This is the third time since she's taken the throne that she's called you for help."
"But it has been 6 years since she last asked, Ryoko. I think that is pretty good, don't you?" Yosho questioned back with a firm tone. He slid his narrow eyes to her to see that she was grumbling under her breath while staring at he ceiling. He had a point and she knew it.
"Besides, you agreed." He added lightly.
Ryoko's golden eyes trained on him. With a final 'hmph' she threw herself back and yanked the covers up to her shoulders as she laid down. "So what if I did? It doesn't mean that I'm going to help little snob Queens who think their rank is more important than her family." She retorted dryly.
Sighing with defeat and victory, Yosho clambered over her and slid under the covers. He turned the bedside lamp off and laid back. Hoping to rid the air of hostility, he turned over and hugged his wife. Ryoko stiffened in his arms and pulled away from him. Yosho just frowned.
Instead of pushing the argument any further, he whispered into her ear. "Goodnight Ryoko. I love you."
Ryoko wrinkled her nose and sighed. Adverting her gaze from him she replied, "I love you too..." With that she turned her back to him and snuggled under the covers.
Yosho's amethyst eyes watched her for a while before drooping with heavy lids. He draped an arm over her as he slipped off into sleep, his mind on the startling events that had transpired.
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To Be Continued..... Mwuhahahahhhaa (hmmm, sorry -_-)
Extra Notes: Kay.... So there it was.... Act One of Part Two. Whad'ya think? Gotcha wondering yet? I'd certainly hope not! The best episodes probably won't start until Chapter Three.... Then things start getting choppy for our heroes. *evil laughter*
I know Ayeka may seem out of place, but come on people, you saw how she was in the OAV, right? Clingy, rude and downright.... Princessly. I must say that I'm not that big of an Ayeka fan.... As you can probably tell. But for the sake of her reputation, I won't unleash anything terrible upon the PrincASS! So please.... Be easy with the flames. (Hasn't your mother ever told you not to play with fire?!?!)
If anything else seems out of place, I apologize. I do hope that this has sparked an interest that will keep you coming back for more. ^_^
Please read and review.... If you have any suggestions, I'm free for the telling. Just drop me a line or post a review. Thanks so much!
~Dragon Demon
P.s. Thanks to Tail-Luver, Tasty-Ham-Sandwich-Girl, PearlWind and Onyx Frost for giving me the extra kicks in the butt to finish this!
